Digital Commons Network^™

Anchored In The Shifting Tides: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Paramedic Resilience And Worldviews, David Eric Wolff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of paramedics in Western society, who self-report sustaining positive psychological well-being despite their emotionally and psychologically demanding work, examining the interplay of their narrative identity, spirituality, worldviews, and social connections. The stories paramedics construct about their realities can reveal the underlying meanings and how their role has molded who they are, best viewed through a threefold constructivist theoretical framework: narrative identity theory to understand how paramedics make sense of their experiences, transformational learning theory to identify how paramedics adjust their worldviews to while coping, and posttraumatic growth theory …

Rest And Recovery: A Randomized Pilot Study Of Spiritual Rest Practices And Recovery From Work Stress And Burnout, Ashley Martin Cauley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individuals who work in the helping professions, identified as those careers within the fields of health care, medicine, education, psychology, and social work, report higher levels of stress and burnout than the average worker for these constructs. Research to address these higher levels within the helping professions has focused on both individual and organizational interventions. While rest and recovery have been explored as a means of reducing work stress, there is a lack of literature on the specific use of spiritual rest practices. This randomized controlled pilot study gathered information on the impact of spiritual rest practices on stress and …

Supporting Parents Of Pre-Adolescents: Equipping Parents Through Focused Instruction On Biblical Parenting Practices, Lillian Michelle Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project addresses the problem that parents and grandparents of pre-adolescent children at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church do not receive sufficient intentional spiritual support, biblical guidance, and instruction to teach them how to raise their children using parenting skills grounded in a biblical worldview. The purpose of this research was to equip parents and grandparents of pre-adolescent children with biblically based parenting skills using an eight-week group study. The project examined the results of the Bible study group, which focused on Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Proverbs 22:6, Luke 2:46, Ephesians 6:1-4, and Titus 2:1-8. The study implemented …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Nazarene Course Of Study For Developing Lay Leaders In Virginia District Hispanic Ministries: A Competency-Based Assessment, Jeffrey A. Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hispanic ministries within the Virginia District of the Church of the Nazarene continue to experience sustained membership growth; however, leadership development has not expanded proportionally, creating emerging capacity gaps. Many Hispanic pastors serve bi-vocationally, limiting capacity to meet increasing congregational demands, and lay leaders are leveraged to meet those needs. Using an assessment tool designed to measure lay leadership competencies, this research project evaluates the effectiveness of a Nazarene Course of Study to function as a leadership development framework for laity within Hispanic church contexts. The study examines the implementation of a pastoral-level ministerial education program among Hispanic laypersons and …

Understanding Intergenerational Relationships Of Asian Immigrants And Their Adult Children: A Phenomenology, Christine Yiu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many studies have examined the challenges U.S. immigrants face during acculturation, but few have examined Asian immigrants’ intergenerational relationships with their adult children. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Asian American adults in intergenerational relationships with their first-generation immigrant parents. The theoretical frameworks were Berry’s Acculturation Theory, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, and the Christian Worldview. The central research question was: How do Asian American adults describe and make meaning of their intergenerational relationships with first-generation immigrant parents? Participants were nine Asian Americans, aged 23 to 35, with at least one first-generation Asian immigrant …

“Looking For Group”: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis Of The Uses And Gratifications Behind World Of Warcraft Player Communication, Joshua Michael Hutt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the uses and gratifications of in-game communication in World of Warcraft (WoW). The problem is that scholars do not precisely know how uses and gratifications motivate players to use certain channels of communication within WoW. The rationale for the research was to determine whether certain motivations are being fulfilled during in-game communication, influencing players to select certain channels over others. The data collection method for this research used semi-structured interviews conducted online via Microsoft Teams. A screening application was sent to Reddit pages and Discord groups associated with World of Warcraft …

The Local Church And The Great Commission: Implications Of Serving On A Short-Term International Mission Trip, Charlie Richard Futch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mission teams from churches of all sizes across the United States participate in international mission trips throughout the year. Taking the gospel of Christ to the lost is the heartbeat of those participating on international mission trips. As more and more churches become involved in the Great Commission through these trips, short-term missionaries have an opportunity to not only impact people from other cultures around the world but influence their own lives as well. Potential areas of impact for short-term missionaries include future spiritual growth, especially in the areas of core Christian disciplines. The purpose of this quantitative research study …

Empowering Lay Leaders For Relational Discipleship At Christian Stronghold Church, Philadelphia, Pa, Keith Paul Bethel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project examines how empowering lay leaders for relational discipleship can revitalize member engagement and spiritual formation at Christian Stronghold Church, an evangelical, multi-generational congregation in West Philadelphia experiencing declining participation and stagnating discipleship models. The ministry context includes significant demographic diversity, leadership transitions, shifts in discipleship structures, and the lingering effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, all of which have weakened historical patterns of evangelism, Bible study involvement, and leader development. The purpose of this study is to design, implement, and evaluate a relational, leader led discipleship intervention that strengthens lay leaders’ capacity to disciple members, deepens member …

Perceptions Of The Effects Of Launch Control Center Environmental Exposures And Alert Schedules Among Missile Operations Officers: A Mixed Methods Phenomenological Study, Dawnie Rae Ramie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed methods hermeneutic phenomenological study focused on an investigation of the perceptions of missile operations alert duty and the effects on health and sleep hygiene among Air Force missile operations officers. Questionnaires, interviews, and surveys were all used to gather data on subjects’ experiences and perspectives, including methods to mitigate the effects of poor sleep. Driving questions of research included how missile alert schedules affect sleep habits, as well as how missileers perceived alert duties may impact their health. Data was collected through a web-based Qualtrics Likert questionnaire (N=139), open-ended interviews with purposively selected subjects (N=17), and web-based Qualtrics …

Host Communities' Perceptions Of Multinational Oil Companies' Corporate Social Responsibility (Csr) Communication In The Niger Delta, Nigeria, James E. Onosu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the lived experiences and perceptions of oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria regarding the corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication and messages of multinational oil companies (MOCs) operating in the region. This became imperative in the face of unabated conflicts between the giant oil companies and their host community counterparts, despite the companies' claims of numerous CSR projects, and to fill a gap in the literature on the dearth of CSR communication in the region. The central research question that the study sought to answer was: What is the perception of host communities regarding the …

Exploring The Journey Of African American Parents Supporting Their Children In Special Education Within Georgia Public Schools: A Phenomenological Study, Keith Allister Tobias

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite legislative efforts such as the Handicapped Children Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the Every Student Succeeds Act, African American parents of children in special education continue to encounter systemic barriers that affect engagement with schools. This transcendental phenomenological study focused on the lived experiences contributing to parent engagement among African American parents of children with learning disabilities in Georgia public schools. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory provided the theoretical foundation for examining how environmental systems influenced parent-school interactions. Ten parents were recruited through criterion and snowball sampling. Data collection included individual …

Barn To Brain: Relationship Between Farm Animal Interaction And Well-Being In Rural Adults, Tiffany N. Hendershot

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the relationship between naturally occurring farm animal interactions and overall well-being among rural adults living in the central Appalachian region, specifically western Maryland, south-central Pennsylvania, and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. A cross-sectional, correlational design was used to compare adults with at least five hours of naturally occurring farm animal contact per week to those with less than one hour of contact per week. Overall well-being was measured with the PERMA-Profiler, and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using wearable devices as a physiological indicator of autonomic health. Grounded in polyvagal theory, the biophilia hypothesis, and …

Understanding Husbands Who Live With A Spouse Who Abuses Substances: A Phenomenological Study, Starla Rachelle Huckeba

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Christian non-addicted husbands who are married to a substance-abusing wife in Texas. A thorough review of existing literature indicated that previous research has focused on female non-addicted family members. From this, a gap was identified, and the central research question was developed: How did the Christian non-addicted husband describe the personal effect of living with a substance-abusing wife? Family systems theory, attachment theory, and attachment to God theory guided this study. The sample included 12 husbands whose wives abuse substances. The data collection consisted of the completion …

A Causal-Comparative Analysis Of General Self-Efficacy And Social Media Use Among College Students With Differing Political Affiliations, Jennifer Lee Wool

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative research was to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in general self-efficacy and integration of social media use among college students who were Democrats compared to those who were Republicans. This is a relevant research topic because college students are a priority in the educational system, with attention to their general well-being, academic performance, and the effects of social media on their lives. There is a lack of research on this topic regarding political affiliation. The sample consisted of 165 college students from various colleges and universities. Participants were recruited from an …

Exploring Nonresident African American Fathers’ Experiences Of Fatherhood, Jennifer Juanita Occil

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore nonresident African American fathers’ experiences of fatherhood. Although research has examined the influence of father involvement on children’s social, educational, and psychological outcomes, limited qualitative research has focused on the lived experiences of nonresident African American fathers, particularly those with higher levels of education and from the fathers’ perspectives. Family systems theory guided this study, focusing on differentiation of self, interdependency, and boundary setting. The central research question was, how do nonresident African American fathers describe their experiences of fatherhood? For this study, six nonresident African American fathers who had …

Restoring Breath: A Culturally Grounded Response To The Leadership Gap In Keaukaha, Jacquelyn T. Gomes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In Hawaiʻi, where economic strain and rising suicide rates continue to impact young adults, the challenges facing emerging leaders extend beyond ministry models to issues of identity, belonging, and survival. This praxis project addressed the leadership gap among young adults (ages 20–40) in the Keaukaha community of Hawaiʻi Island. While Hale Pule Ke Ola Hou demonstrated strong engagement from elders and children, the absence of young adult leaders revealed deeper challenges in generational continuity, cultural connection, and ministry relevance. Grounded in biblical discipleship and Hawaiian cultural values, this project proposed a contextualized, organic model of leadership development integrating relational presence, …

A Predictive-Correlational Study Investigating Flight Students' Perceptions Of The Use Of An Artificial Intelligence Instructor In The Simulated Flight Training Environment, Zachary L. Lamothe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive-correlational study is to investigate how perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, performance expectancy, and perceived enjoyment impact attitude towards use and the behavioral intention to use an artificial intelligence flight instructor in simulated flight training among aviation students earning an aeronautical degree at a collegiate flight training school in the Mid-Atlantic region. Aviation has benefited from different technological advances, and using artificial intelligence technology for flight training could be another improvement as it becomes increasingly sophisticated. The study adds to the literature by addressing the problem of limited information on the perception of artificial …

Does Enrollment In A Career, Technical, And Agricultural Education (Ctae) Program Predict Students’ Maladaptive Behaviors And High School Graduation Rates In A Rural Georgia High School: A Descriptive And Correlational Analysis, Breanna M. Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the effectiveness of the Career, Technical, and Agricultural (CTAE) program in a rural Georgia high school and its effectiveness on high school graduation rates and maladaptive behaviors in the setting. Grounded in both the Social Learning Theory and Happenstance Theory, this study explores how structured and unplanned experiences influence student outcomes. A quantitative, non-experimental correlational design was used to analyze archivable data from approximately 512 students across six cohorts spanning the 2015-2016 school year through the 2024-2025 school year. Variables in the study include CTAE participation, behavioral referrals, and graduation rates.

Findings from the study reveal positive …

From Educator To Entrepreneur: The Role Of Social Media In Shaping Digital Entrepreneurship In Music Education, Jennifer A. Fabianski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media has become a vital component of music education, providing new opportunities for students and teachers to connect, collaborate, and create. While its use in education continues to grow, a noticeable gap remains in understanding the connections between social media and music programs. This is particularly evident regarding how it encourages entrepreneurship in music education. As digital platforms reshape how educators teach and learn, it is essential to leverage these platforms to actively build a strong digital presence. Incorporating this mindset will drive creative ventures that promote and market music programs on a global scale. This research examines the …

A Phenomenological Study Of Early Educator Experiences Regarding The Educational And Developmental Benefits Of Play-Based Learning For Children Identified With Special Needs In Inclusive Early Education Classrooms, Karen Renée Gallagher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand what are the lived experiences of early childhood educators with providing play-based learning experiences in inclusive classrooms. The theory guiding this study is Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development theory. This phenomenological study focused on understanding the perceptions and experiences of early childhood educators in regard to how play-based learning supports school readiness within early care and education environments. The focus of the study included educators who care for and teach children between the ages of birth to five years old within inclusive, state licensed early childhood learning environments located in the …

The Effects Of Narrative Identity Awareness On The Relationship Between Adult Attachment, Shame, And God Attachment, Jacqueline H. Watson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examines the interconnectedness of adult attachment, shame, God attachment, and narrative identity awareness. Insecure adult attachment has been shown to result in increased shame experiences and has been linked to insecure God attachment. Awareness of narrative identity has been used to improve left-right brain integration and correct problematic narratives that often lead to shame. This research employs Likert scale-style questionnaire data, parallel mediation, and linear regression-based models to assess the connections between study variables. More specifically, it examines whether narrative identity awareness moderates the relationship between adult attachment, shame, and God attachment. Participants included self-identifying Christian adults …

Becoming Resilient: The Lived Experiences Of African American Women Who Were Raised By Single Mothers While Pursuing Higher Education, La'quita Shaunae Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of African American women ages 18–45 who were raised exclusively by single mothers while pursuing higher education. The purpose of the study was to examine how participants interpreted and made meaning of resilience within the context of their academic journeys. Nine participants met inclusion criteria following an initial screening process. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using IPA’s iterative, idiographic approach, allowing for in-depth exploration of individual narratives prior to cross-case thematic synthesis. Findings revealed resilience as relational, intergenerational, and culturally grounded. Themes reflected maternal modeling, adaptive persistence, …

The Role Of Emotional Intelligence And Defense Mechanisms In Processing Childhood Experiences And Their Impact On Adulthood, Lauren M. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early childhood relationships significantly influence developmental and relational functioning across the lifespan. Emotional intelligence has been associated with healthier relational outcomes through increased awareness of self and others. Variability in childhood experiences may contribute to the development of defense mechanisms that shape how individuals process relational memories and regulate emotional distress in adulthood. Limited research has examined how emotional intelligence and defense mechanisms interact to influence adults’ retrospective processing of childhood experiences, including attachment, rumination, and motivation. The present quantitative correlation study examined the relationships among emotional intelligence, defense mechanisms, childhood attachment experience, rumination, and motivation in a sample of …

Dementia Caregiver Support: Offering Spiritual And Emotional Guidance To Loved Ones Filling The Gap, William Reid Bishop

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem at Tremont Church of God is that members offering caregiver support to their loved ones with dementia are unaware of the coping skills needed for support. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to provide an 8-week training program to teach caregivers techniques for managing their emotional and spiritual needs. The sample population for this project is church members over the age of 18 who are actively caregiving for a spouse or close relative with dementia. The sample size is between 10 and 15 participants. The training is located at Tremont COG. The training is in …

A Phenomenological Study On Korean Christian Immigrants’ Searching For Wholeness, Hyunjin Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Wholeness is a way of living that integrates life’s paradoxes into a cohesive whole, and biblically it is living in harmony with God, others, and oneself. While both scientific and biblical perspectives affirm spirituality and virtues as central to wholeness, existing empirical models often fall short of capturing its full scope within Christian and cultural contexts. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to gain deeper insights into the common essence of Christian wholeness by exploring the lived experiences of wholeness among Korean Christians living in the United States of America. Twelve participants engaged in in-depth interviews and focus groups, and data …

The Impact Of Nutritional Education On Hemoglobin Levels In Adolescent Cross-Country Runners, Phillip L. Hardy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Iron deficiency and anemia have been documented in adolescent endurance athletes, particularly female runners, due to increased physiological demands during growth and sustained training stress. However, limited research has examined seasonal hemoglobin progression in high school cross-country athletes while simultaneously examining outcomes during participation in structured nutrition education. Therefore, the purpose of this longitudinal quantitative study was to examine hemoglobin levels, dietary iron intake, and nutrition knowledge among adolescent cross-country runners across a competitive season during participation in a four-session, nutrition education program delivered from August 2025 through November 2025. Participants included 44 high school runners from northwest Georgia who …

Parents As First Teachers Living In Their Home Environment: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Dana Lynne Horne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of parents as their child’s first teachers and how these experiences influence their child’s early educational development for Head Start parents at a school in Virginia. The central phenomenon of the study was generally defined as the multidimensional lived experiences of parents of children ages 0 to 6, living in unstable or substandard housing, and navigating the roles of caregiver, teacher, and advocate within complex social-cultural ecological environments. The theory guiding this study is Bronfenbrenner’s (1974) sociocultural environmental framework. This study focused on understanding Head Start Program parents’ …

Bridging The Intention-Behavior Gap: A Quasi-Experimental Study Of A Hapa-Based Approach To Reducing Sedentary Behavior And Improving Productivity In Remote Employees, Laurel Lb Long

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The rise of remote work has increased sedentary behavior (SB), which is associated with negative health and organizational outcomes. Physical activity (PA) can mitigate these risks. Therefore, this quantitative quasi-experimental study examined changes in PA, SB, and productivity associated with a 6-week Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)-based intervention, informed by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Nudge Theory, among remote employees. The intervention was delivered asynchronously and targeted both motivational and volitional components of behavior change. A one-group pretest-posttest design required participants to complete the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ; N = 21) and the Health and Work Performance Questionnaire …

Employee Engagement In The Digital Age, Kimberly A. Wells

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher in this qualitative multiple-case study explored how technology has impacted employee engagement in the modern workplace. The problem being addressed is the continual decline in employee engagement, and the limited understanding of whether technology influences engagement -and if so – how it impacts engagement. A flexible design and qualitative methodology were used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 25 subjects across two non-profit organizations. The researcher transcribed each interview, which was then coded and analyzed. The findings revealed several core themes, including digital saturation, device benefits, device etiquette, device boundaries, and technostress. These themes indicate that technology enables greater …

Empathetic Administration: Leveraging Phenomenological Insights To Enhance Student Mental Health Support In Higher Education, Arlissia Lenton Bradley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how students at universities in Texas navigated online mental health resources and coping supports while managing mental health challenges. The central research question that guided this study was: What were the lived experiences of students in higher education who were managing mental health issues? Utilizing Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework, the study examined how cognitive appraisals and self-effective beliefs, environmental supports and constraints, and behavioral coping strategies interacted as students interpreted and responded to mental health stressors in academic contexts. Data was collected in a virtual setting …