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Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of The Constraint Of Law Enforcement Under The De-Policing Movement, Darren A. Kenyon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative and descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of law enforcement officers in relation to how the de-policing movement may have constrained their ability to proactively enforce the law and interact with the citizens they serve in Connecticut. This study employed Fritz Heider’s attribution theory as a theoretical framework. Data was collected through a series of semi-structured interviews conducted online via Zoom with 10 participants who were employed as police officers or sergeants for a municipal law enforcement agency in the State of Connecticut. These participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling …

Keeping The Faith: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Christian Educators Working In A Public Elementary School, Katharine E. Knoeppel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Spiritual growth and development are pivotal aspects of a Christian’s life journey. A Christian worldview to include consultation with scripture and prayer helps to support the morals and values necessary for such growth. American public-school systems have adopted a secular worldview which is devoid of creationism and His truth. With an increase in attrition rates and reported job-related stress among public school employees, a deeper understanding is needed to better understand current trends. This study focused on the lived experience of Christian educators working in a secular school system. Quantitative research was conducted investigating the impact of prayer, stress and …

Factors Associated With Clinician Confidence With Gender Identity Issues In Children, Elizabeth D. Hickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explored mental health clinicians’ experience and self-confidence in their ability to identify and treat children with gender dysphoria. Gender issues are highly prevalent in the United States with an estimated 1.9 million individuals (about twice the population of South Dakota) considering themselves in the LGBT community. The American Psychological Association estimated that there were currently 106,500 licensed psychologists in the United States in a 2014 census. The United States Census population clock has the number of citizens to nearly 335 million people. Meaning that for every psychologist there are 3,146 potential clients. This is an overwhelming ratio of …

From Riches To Rags : Deindustrialization And The Fall And Rise Of The Upstate Mill Towns Of South Carolina, Brian Patrick Worrill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The collapse and subsequent deindustrialization of the textile industry in the late 20th century devastated dozens of small communities across the Piedmont. With the loss of their primary economic engine these towns struggled with the outmigration of professional services and small businesses, crippling poverty, high unemployment, and rampant crime. As South Carolina’s economic model evolved to adapt to the globalized economy of the 21st century its government funded reindustrialization efforts have focused on its already well developed urban core, a strategy that often neglects rural areas. Yet, despite having been overlooked the majority of these orphaned mill towns did not …

A Phenomenological Inquiry Exploring The Perception Of Self-Efficacy Amongst Colorado High School English Teachers Incorporating Classroom Technology Use, Barbara Miguelgorry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of self-efficacy of high school English teachers in Colorado as they experienced a phenomenon of rapidly increased use of classroom technology. High school English teachers’ perceptions were generally defined as how effective they felt in their teaching practices and pedagogical approaches as they incorporated increased use of classroom technology, including their perceptions of the use of classroom technology’s influence on their confidence and self-esteem in the classroom. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy (1977). The central research question for this study was: How has …

The Role Of Timing Of Developmental Trauma And Impacts On Attachment In African-Caribbean American Women: A Holistic Perspective, Zinetta Renee Baker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Prior studies have shown that developmental trauma exposure in childhood negatively impacts attachment neurocircuitry, increasing risk for insecure attachments in adulthood, and deemed more prevalent among females and minorities, such as African American women. However, studies that specifically focus on ethnocultural contexts, initial developmental trauma exposure during specific developmental ages, and impacts on attachment, including attachment to God in African-Caribbean American women are limited. This study fulfilled those gaps in the literature by examining age of initial developmental trauma exposure and impacts on attachment with self and God in African-Caribbean American adult women with developmental trauma histories. Bioecological systems theory, …

Are We Ready? A Phenomenological Study On Teachers' Perceptions Surrounding Readiness To Teach Diverse Communities And The Responsibility Of Teacher Preparation Programs, Ja'niece Tiara Whitehead

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover teachers’ lived experiences in their teacher education programs in regard to levels of preparedness to effectively teach racially, linguistically, and gender-diverse students. The theory guiding this study was Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), which refers to teaching students customs, characteristics, experiences, and perspectives as tools to enhance instruction and understanding of the complexities of society as well as the awareness that students dwell in varying circumstances. The central question directing this research study asked, “What are the lived experiences of teachers and their teacher education programs with diverse communities?” Participants of …

Researching Public Perceptions Within Legal Precedents Related To The Use Of Police Swat Teams In South Carolina, Kristopher S. Ahler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

SWAT deployments, the militarization of police, and the use of force by law enforcement are frequent staples of media attention, harsh public opinion, and judgment from the public. The public, with specific legislative limitations on demographics, such as age and criminal history, comprises those individuals selected to sit on juries, which make decisions about the reasonableness of police conduct in SWAT operations. SWAT teams wear militaristic uniforms, are heavily armed, and respond to hostage rescues, counterterrorism operations, apprehending armed and dangerous fugitives, serving high risk search and arrest warrants, active shooter response, and other high-risk operations. The concept and practice …

Disability Competencies In A Cacrep Graduate Program: A Grounded Theory And Case Study, Debbye Lopez-Ramos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is growing evidence supporting multicultural competencies as a key component of the CACREP standards and ethical responsibilities for faculty counselor educators and supervisors (FCESs). However, literature supporting multicultural competencies has significant gaps as it relates to the conceptualization and practice of disability competencies in CACREP counselor education. Furthermore, the lack of disability competencies and the stigma surrounding disabilities has led to frustration, academic remediation, and the withdrawal of students with disabilities. Despite the CACREP standards, FCESs have failed to infuse disability competencies when working with students with disabilities. This qualitative research used grounded theory and case study to examine …

Examination Of Supervisor Support Of Worker Mental Health: A Quantitative Survey Of Workplace Attitudes, Interventions, Values, And Support, Myra Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The aim of this study was to help understand mental health in the workplace. The research aimed to examine how supervisor attitudes (stigma) toward mental health, staff care values, and organizational mental health intervention and prevention training predicted supervisor confidence in supporting workers experiencing mental health issues and supportive behavior of worker mental health. This quantitative, relational, cross-sectional research design used regression and moderation analyses to examine and measure the variables. Quantitative data from a closed-question survey was analyzed. The G*Power analysis determined that a minimum of 77 participants were needed for the study. Target participants were supervisors 18 years …

Childhood Sexual Abuse And Posttraumatic Growth Among African American Women, Joyce B. Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore how African American women describe their lived experience of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), the resulting changes in their relationships with others, and how survivors describe experiences of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Childhood sexual abuse is a significant public health issue in the United States, with African American youth disproportionately impacted. Research has shown that racism-related stressors are related, and African Americans often draw on cultural and familial strengths. This study aims to describe factors contributing to PTG among African American women survivors of CSA. Based on the review of the …

The Perceived Impact Of Covid-19 On The Grief Process Of African American Adults, Tondra Crumpler Mclaurin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected African Americans in the areas of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Research studies have historically focused primarily on the grief experiences of European Americans. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the bereavement experience of African American adults. The theoretical frameworks used to guide this study were attachment theory, individual differences model, and meaning reconstruction model. Three research questions were the focus of the qualitative study: what are the lived grief experiences of African American adults who experienced the death of a loved one during the …

The Decline Of Civil Discourse On Facebook: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of The Comment Sections Of News Organizations' Facebook Pages, Cameron Lawson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores the role of Facebook’s comment sections in the decline of civil discourse, examining how the platform’s design influences user behaviors and contributes to increased incivility. Through a qualitative content analysis of 3,030 comments from 12 national and regional news organizations’ posts on both Facebook and their website, the research identifies key structural elements such as engagement-drive algorithms and broader reaction options that amplify uncivil behavior. The study also introduces three prevalent persona types in online discourse—the passionate partisan, the agitator, and the cynical joker. Each of these contributes to the dynamics of incivility in different ways. Grounded …

Which Virtues Are 'The' Virtues? A Rank-Ordered Analysis Of Virtues In Leadership, Maegan L. Winegar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current research study was conducted from an Aristotelian and Christian understanding of virtue within leadership. Nineteen virtues were identified in the literature review and discussed as essential for living a life of eudaimonia or flourishing. Within the literature review, a gap was identified in the discrepancy between how the general public conceptualizes virtue and how philosophers, psychologists, and theologists understand virtue. Additionally, scientific research in leadership is inconsistent in the operationalization of virtue, which limits the ability to research virtues in leadership validly and reliably. Therefore, this study provided the general public with an online survey of 19 virtues …

Fearfully And Wonderfully Made, Addressing The Lack Of Special Needs Leadership At Fusion Church In Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Christina Martinez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Problem this student seeks to address is that Fusion Church in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, lacks special needs leadership services.

The world views special needs individuals as a burden, but God views them as anointed sons and daughters. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus tells his disciples to let the children come to him and not to hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. This serves as a reminder that he wants every one of his followers to come to him with the hearts of children. Special needs children and adults have hearts filled with …

Parental Experiences Of Work And Family Conflict While Parenting A Child With Cancer, Marshall Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The occurrence of work-family conflict is one that many parents with children experience, however, working parents whose child has received a diagnosis of cancer face additional unique and seemingly insurmountable challenges in family and work expectations. The work and family conflict (WAFC) scale, caregiver distress scale (CDS), and financial toxicity (COST) instruments were completed via self-report by 156 participants. All 156 participants were organized into a crisis (n=15), chronic (n=90), terminal (n=49), or “other” (n=2) group based on the time since their child’s diagnosis, time-to-treatment, or type of diagnosis given. The participants in the “other” group were excluded as they …

Teaching-Induced Emotional Distress: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Paige White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to interpret the lived experiences of teaching-created emotional distress from secondary teachers in the Midwest. The theory guiding this study is Lazarus and Folkman’s cognitive appraisal theory, as it suggests how the body appraises the harm emotional distress can cause and how coping can limit it. The central research question is how do teachers describe their experiences of teaching with emotional distress? The qualitative research study was done through a hermeneutic phenomenology design. The data was collected through interviews, physical artifacts, and a focus group that includes 13 secondary teachers who have …

Perceptions Of Preparedness Regarding School Violence: A Qualitative Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Kirkham Moyle Burbidge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand the school violence preparedness training perceptions of teachers in K-6 Utah schools. Bandura’s social cognitive theory guides this study by supporting knowledge via social connections and context-specific situations. The central research question was “What are the school violence preparedness training experiences of Utah K-6 school teachers?” Van Manen’s approach to researching lived experiences methodologically guides the qualitative study. Participants were K-6 elementary school teachers in Utah, recruited using purposeful and criterion sampling. Teachers were interviewed individually and in focus groups and invited to reflect on their training experience via protocol …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Males With Absent Fathers: A Phenomenological Study, Justin Danta Gravely-Strayhorn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of African American males who grew up with absent fathers and how this affected them in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods in the rural and urban areas of Chesapeake, Virginia. The theories guiding this study are Bandura's Social Learning Theory, Vygotsky's social learning theory and Bowlby’s attachment theory. These theories explain cognitive development and the influence of social interaction on children’s attitudes and emotional reactions. The theories also explain the role of observation in social interaction and cognitive development, as both explain how cognitive development is influenced by …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Missouri K-12 Public School Educators' Expression Experiences On Social Media, Jacob Murphy Small

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand how Missouri public school educators experience their expression regarding social media, seeking to understand their views and lived experiences with expressing themselves on social media. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory as it explains the learned behavior of teachers exercising their agency through social media. The central research question for this study was, what are the lived experiences of Missouri K-12 public school educators regarding their expression on social media? This study examined the lived experiences of Missouri public school teachers, gaining an insight to teachers’ …

The Relationship Of Physical Literacy, Motivation, Cognitive Function, And Academic Performance Among Elementary School Children, Meagan A. Hartman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Physical literacy could promote the development of confidence and motivation to engage in physical activity, reducing chronic health issues within the United States. This study examined physical literacy and its relationship with motivation, cognitive function, and academic performance among fourth and fifth graders. Participants completed the Physical Literacy Assessment for Youth – basic (PLAYbasic), Motives for Physical Activity Measure (MPAM) and Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM), which measured physical literacy, motivation to engage in physical activity, and cognitive function, respectively. Academic scores from the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) were collected to measure academic performance. Scores from these measures were …

The Lived Experiences Of Work-Based Learning Program Teachers Working With Students With Disabilities: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Carlos Demond Gartrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of high school educators in placing students with disabilities (SWD) in work-based learning (WBL) programs in southeastern Georgia. The central question is what are the experiences of high school teachers who implement work-based learning programs for students with disabilities? Social cognitive theory (SCT) was used to understand the influence of social determinants on individuals with disabilities in a work-based learning environment. Transcendental design brought an added dimension to the study of human experiences through qualitative research. Moustakas’ modification of the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method of phenomenological analysis is used …

Military Retirement: The Spouse Experience At The Mct, Candace M. Kelp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This descriptive qualitative study aimed to understand the experiences of spouses as they transition out of the military alongside an active duty service member due to retirement. Current research highlights the stress that is involved for the retiring service member and even that of the family unit, however, there is little research available which explores the experiences of spouses as they transition from the military to civilian life alongside an active duty service member at retirement. The literature review brought to light this gap in research as it explored the military experience from both the active duty service member and …

Improving The Work-Life Balance Of The High School Marching Band Director: A Case Study, William Elijah Holmes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although many studies have been conducted on high school marching bands, research has yet to be completed on the impact of the number of after-school marching band rehearsals. High school band directors frequently rehearse after school to raise student proficiency and perform at a high level for football games, community events, and marching band competitions. Directors who demonstrate high rehearsal efficacy can reduce the number of marching band practices to avoid negatively impacting the lives of the adults and students involved while maintaining student achievement. This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological case study investigated the effects of reducing the frequency of secondary …

Exploring Lived Experiences Of Teachers Fostering Student Engagement In Classrooms In Government Secondary Schools In The Southwest Region Of Cameroon: A Phenomenological Study, Susan Etchu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of teachers fostering student engagement in classrooms in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. The theory guiding this study was Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of cognitive development as it emphasizes the role of social interaction, cultural context, and language in shaping cognitive development. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of teachers fostering student engagement in their classrooms in the Southwest Region of Cameroon? Data was collected from 13 teachers through interviews, focus groups, and observations. Seven major themes emerged: Impact of Sociopolitical Crisis, Academic …

The Impact Of Digital Communications And Social Media On Government Officials And The Political Sphere: A Case Study Of The Arab Spring Revolutions, Wurood Shaher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the dual role of social media as both a tool for political mobilization and a mechanism for government surveillance during the Arab Spring. Through in-depth qualitative interviews with 22 government officials from various Middle Eastern and North African countries, the research explores how social media influenced internal decision-making processes and external governmental responses during the uprisings. Employing the theory of structuration and the sociocultural tradition as its theoretical frameworks, the study uncovers the profound impact of social media on state power and public activism. Thematic analysis reveals several key themes, including the rapid adaptation of governmental strategies, …

The Consequences Of Social Isolation On Early Adolescent Youth: The Rise Of Gender Identity Questioning, Rachele Hauck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The year 2020 brought forth a global pandemic that changed the way human beings went about their daily life. Coinciding at the same point in history, the number of adolescents questioning their gender identity almost doubled. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study sought to understand the journeys of seven adolescents surviving the stay-at-home mandates put in place by officials attempting to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in a rural midwestern town. These participants identify as a gender that does not align with the gender they were given at birth. Their voices are documented with subject led interviews and attention to expressionistic …

A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study Exploring Divorce In Blended Families, Steve Hudgins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Marriages are supposed to be for a lifetime, but there is a gap in the research as to what is causing a high divorce rate in blended families. There is a research gap considering why divorce percentage rates are higher and more predictable than those of the first marriage. The causes of second divorces within blended families remain largely unexplored in the current reviewed literature; however, relationship studies are more prevalent on the specific roles, such as those of bio- and stepparents within the family. By revealing the research gap, researchers in the field of mental health can understand the …

A Phenomenological Study Of Forgiveness Following Infidelity Focusing On Robert Enright's Forgiveness Model, Delondria R. Hines

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of women who chose to forgive their partner’s infidelity using Robert Enright’s Forgiveness Model. The study explores the motivations for forgiveness after infidelity, focusing on women aged 25–70 in heterosexual relationships from various racial and ethnic origins who have decided to remain with their partners. Extending Robert Enright's Forgiveness Model, this study examines the benefits of forgiveness. The study uses thematic analysis to identify common themes in the participants’ stories, enhancing understanding of their motivations for forgiveness. Semi-structured interviews served as the main method for data collection, offering a …

Meanings And Understandings Of Racial-Ethnic Minority Prelicensure Associate Degree In Nursing And Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Students Who Experience Uncivil Faculty Behaviors In United States Nursing Programs: A Transcendental Phenomenological Inquiry, Lenora Valdez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the meanings and understandings of racial-ethnic minority (REM) prelicensure Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students who experience uncivil faculty behaviors in United States nursing programs. The literature points to a wide range of faculty behaviors that nursing students experience as incivility. However, little data was found in the literature regarding REM prelicensure ADN or BSN students’ experiences with nurse faculty incivility. Purposive snowball sampling was used to recruit 10 REM currently enrolled junior and senior prelicensure ADN and BSN students who experience …