Digital Commons Network^™

The Interplay Between Deficit Spending And Financial Instability: An Examination Of Fiscal And Monetary Policy Interactions, Heidie Jean George

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the impact of fiscal and monetary policy on financial stability and fragility, focusing on how government spending and deficits contribute to the economic and financial system. Drawing on Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis (FIH) and Financial Fragility Hypothesis (FFH), the research examines the dynamic relationship between fiscal policy, financial stability, and economic stability. The study focuses on understanding how government spending and deficits affect the economic and financial system in context of private and public debt and policy interactions and the role of system risk factors. The study uses Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Vector Autoregression (VAR), Impulse Response …

Lived Experiences In South Carolina Released Time Education: A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Student Perceptions, Jacqueline L. Mack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study investigated how middle school students perceive the influence of Christian Released Time Education (CRTE) on their spiritual development. Through in-depth interviews and survey questionnaires with thirteen middle school participants in South Carolina, the research explored their lived experiences relative to embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, growing in Christian faith, and applying biblical principles to everyday life. Analysis of the data revealed four major themes: Spiritual Growth/Maturity, Sound Doctrine, Moral Integrity, and Personal Transformation. Each theme manifested through distinct subthemes that demonstrated the multidimensional impact of CRTE on participants’ spiritual development. The findings challenge prevailing assumptions about …

The Role Of Employee Recognition On Nurse Turnover And Departmental Engagement In Public Hospitals: Department Type As A Moderator, Dawn M. Jenkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nurses are indispensable to the operation of public hospitals, often serving on the front lines of patient care in high-pressure environments characterized by limited resources and elevated patient acuity. These conditions contribute to burnout, disengagement, and turnover, threatening healthcare quality and workforce sustainability. This quantitative, correlational, and predictive study examined the relationship between recognition received through a digital recognition portal with nurse engagement and turnover in public hospital settings. Drawing on two years of archival organizational data, this research examined whether recognition frequency and recognition satisfaction predicted engagement and turnover, and whether department type moderated those relationships. Analyses included linear …

Beyond The Battlefield: Analyzing Trauma's Impact On Veterans' Holistic Health, Keyanna Mikell-Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study used a mixed-methods approach to examine the multidimensional effects on U.S. veterans' physical, mental, and spiritual health. Two surveys gathered quantitative data from 100 veterans. The surveys included elements of the Life Events Checklist, PTSD screenings, physical health conditions common in the veteran community, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. The surveys used five-point Likert scales. Quantitative data were analyzed in SPSS using correlation and regression analyses. Qualitative data comprised 10 semi-structured interviews with 10 of the 100 veteran participants. Interviews were transcribed, and ATLAS.ti was used to conduct a thematic analysis from which themes were extracted. Results showed …

Trading Podiums: Transitioning From Teaching Secondary Band To Teaching Secondary Orchestra In Eastern South Carolina, Troy M. Murray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative, explanatory case study examined the musical attributes band teachers need to successfully teach string orchestra students in eastern South Carolina. This information is critical due to the high number of orchestra teachers who are non-string instrumentalists in that region of the state. Of the 28 orchestra teachers in South Carolina’s Region 5 orchestra division, 14 of the teachers performed primarily as wind or percussion instrumentalists. This study sought to understand the challenges teachers face when transitioning from teaching secondary band to secondary string orchestra in eastern South Carolina. Despite the parallels in music reading and repertoire selection between …

Exploring The Effectiveness Of Juvenile Justice Rehabilitation Programs In The State Of Virginia, Edishae L. Harris-Tyler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Juvenile delinquency and criminal offending have become significant problems in society today. Many offenders in the criminal justice system were exposed to violence and criminal activity at a young age. Early harmful exposure has influenced many at-risk youths in the community to commit crimes at a young age and develop into adult offenders. Juveniles in the community considered at-risk may be disadvantaged due to negative peer pressure, poverty, lack of parental involvement, illiteracy, and lack of opportunities for positive change and development. At-risk youth severely need structure, prosocial support, positive mentorship, and direction to prevent criminal activity and reduce recidivism. …

Voices From The Pacific: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Paraprofessionals’ Experiences Using Aac Devices To Support Students With Autism In The Northern Mariana Islands, Edieson Louie Bastareche Aguirre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of paraprofessionals using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to support students with autism in K–12 schools within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, the study examined paraprofessionals’ perceptions, challenges, and adaptive strategies in AAC implementation. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of paraprofessionals implementing AAC devices to support students with autism in the Northern Mariana Islands? A transcendental phenomenological design was employed, using convenience and maximum variation sampling, to recruit 10 paraprofessionals across the CNMI. …

Correctional Leadership And Its Relationship To Psychological Well-Being And Job Satisfaction Among Former Department Of Corrections Staff, Brittaney Brown Kovacs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Correctional institutions represent complex work environments in which leadership may influence employee psychological well-being and job satisfaction. Although prior research has primarily focused on correctional officers, less attention has been paid to the broader workforce within Departments of Corrections (DOCs), including educational, healthcare, and administrative personnel. This retrospective mixed-methods study examined the relationships between employee perceptions of transformational, transactional, and authoritarian leadership styles and employee outcomes among former staff of state-level DOCs in the United States. Participants included 75 former DOC employees from multiple states. Quantitative data were collected using standardized measures of leadership, job satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Multiple …

Demographic Congruence On The Therapeutic Relationship Among African American Therapists And Trauma Survivors, Patrice Ann Warren

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American therapists in forming therapeutic relationships with African American adult survivors of childhood sexual trauma. Although the therapeutic alliance is recognized as a critical component of trauma treatment, limited research has examined the role of demographic congruence in therapeutic relationships among African American trauma survivors. Guided by homophily theory, this study explored therapists’ perspectives regarding the influence of shared racial identity on trust, safety, cultural understanding, and therapeutic engagement. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 African American therapists who had experience treating African …

Lived Experiences Of Polysubstance Use And Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Candee Dione Rillon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD), with particular attention to the transition into polysubstance use. The purpose of the study was to understand how individuals experience and make meaning of these co-occurring conditions and the factors influencing substance use patterns. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with participants who reported both mental health challenges and substance use histories. Thematic analysis revealed that participants experienced SUD and MHD as deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing, often functioning within a cyclical pattern of distress and temporary relief. Substance use …

The Prevalence Of Moral Injury Among Veterans Diagnosed With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd): Analyses By Combat Exposure, Gender, Age Group, And Military Service, Carl B. Forkner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, heralded in a new concept affecting our combat and support military personnel. This concept is known today as moral injury. Military personnel were already familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), whether from personal experience or from reading and training on the subject, but no training addresses the prevalence or effects of moral injury. The term moral injury (MI) was first coined by psychiatrist Jonathan Shay and his colleagues based on feedback from military and veteran patients in 1998; however, it remains that …

Fentanyl At The Border: A Critical Analysis Of U.S. Customs And Border Protection Strategies Against Synthetic Opioid Smuggling, Patricia Salinas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation will investigate the efficacy of tactics employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in detecting and intercepting fentanyl at legal ports of entry along the U.S border during the fiscal years 2022 to 2025. Given that fentanyl continues to be a pivotal element in the ongoing opioid crisis within the United States, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms by which this synthetic opioid is smuggled into the country and to evaluate the efficacy of federal initiatives. These efforts are crucial for protecting public health and enhancing national security. This quantitative study examines fentanyl seizure data from …

Destined To Fail?: The U.S. Advisory Period And The Lost Path To Victory, 1960-1965, Alexander Patrick Fancher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

South Vietnam experienced robust military and economic development between 1960 and 1963 under the leadership of President Ngo Dinh Diem. With the help of U.S. aid, the RVNAF improved its ability to wage war against the Viet Cong, while simultaneously pacifying the countryside. ARVN and VNN units developed new capabilities and trained officers to replace losses after the French Exodus from Vietnam. The introduction of U.S. advisors created the conditions necessary for the development of a young, inexperienced military. Acting as guides, these Americans were cautiously optimistic that South Vietnam was on the path to self-sufficiency by spring 1963 as …

Recommendations For Advancing Elementary Music Education For Students With Disabilities In Skyline Ridge School District, Dawn Marie Schafer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied research study was to provide recommendations to advance music instruction to students with disabilities at sixteen elementary schools in the Skyline Ridge School District (SRSD). The problem was that there was evidence of low musicianship and music participation in students with disabilities in the middle schools in SRSD. The rationale for this study was that students with disabilities may be capable of achieving musicianship as well as any other student. For this reason, music educators must be prepared to set them up for success. The central research question was: How can the elementary music teachers …

Use Of Smart Safety Devices And Artificial Intelligence And Its Impact On Workplace Injury Reduction In High-Risk Industries In Cameroon: A Qualitative Exploration Of Worker And Management Perspectives, John Atabong Zifac

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace injury has been a significant concern within high-risk industries in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Cameroon, with weak worker safety standards, poor infrastructure, lack of compliance with regulatory requirements, and a limited level of digital infrastructure contributing to a high risk of worker injury. While artificial intelligence (AI) supported smart safety technologies have revolutionized the way companies conduct workplace safety management in developed nations, little research exists on the perception of these technologies and practicality among low-resource industrial operators in Sub-Saharan Africa. This qualitative phenomenological study investigated management and employee perceptions regarding the use of AI-based smart safety devices to reduce …

Exploring Teacher Experiences And Readiness In Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jennifer D B Melvin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the perceived preparedness for the responsibility for the educational experiences of twice-exceptional students at public schools in Western Georgia. Twice-exceptional students, who are gifted and have disabilities, face unique challenges in academic achievement and social-emotional well-being due to asynchronous profiles and unmet needs. While evidence-based strategies exist to support twice-exceptional learners, appropriate training for teachers is imperative to ensure these approaches are implemented effectively. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it posits that there is a connection between personal factors, behavioral patterns, and the environment …

How Do Veterans Describe Their Experiences With Homelessness In Rural Areas Within Virginia?, V'Tessa J. Watson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Homelessness is a complex issue affecting individuals across the United States and can be understood as a significant public health concern. Veterans are not exempt from this crisis; in fact, veteran homelessness has increased nationwide since the pandemic. In Virginia alone, it is estimated that over 400 veterans are experiencing homelessness, although this figure remains approximate. Previous studies have failed to incorporate veterans’ perspectives on this issue; therefore, the purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe veterans' experiences of homelessness in rural areas throughout Virginia.

Twelve veterans participated in this study, which employed a semi-structured interview approach. A criterion …

The Impact Of Leadership Style On Cohesion And Trust Within Remote Teams, Grace E. Choi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how leadership approaches affected the development of trust and team cohesion within remote teams in the post-pandemic workplace. The pandemic transformed daily work interactions so that relationship focused leadership has become essential for distributed employees. This study examined how employees experience leader behaviors that either supported or hindered unity and trust through the lens of Leader-Member Exchange and transformational/transactional leadership theories. Through purposive sampling, nine adults who have spent at least one year working remotely in team-based roles in the United States were recruited for semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Interviews were audio recorded …

Recommendations To Improve Career And Technical Education Online Instruction Practices At A Community College In The United States Of America, Thomas Matthew Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to provide recommendations to improve career and technical education online instruction practices at a community college in the United States of America. The problem was that career and technical education online instruction practices are inadequate at a community college in the United States of America. The reasoning for this study was to improve students’ preparedness for vocational careers by incorporating online instruction as a complement to traditional classroom instruction. Improving online instruction practices can improve a student’s self-efficacy. The central research question was how can career and technical education online instruction practices be improved …

The Lived Experiences Of Individuals With Serious Mental Illness And Cumulative Trauma Seeking And Maintaining Employment While Receiving Holistic Trauma-Informed Care: A Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Andrea Evon Mcdowell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and cumulative trauma (CT) seeking and maintaining employment while receiving holistic trauma-informed care (TIC). Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenology, which evolved from Husserl’s method of phenomenology, served as the methodological framework for this study. The goal of hermeneutic phenomenology is to understand how individuals see themselves within their natural environments. Hermeneutic phenomenology was a valid design for this study because it allowed the participants to describe their SMI/CT and their lived experiences with holistic TIC. The participants in this study consisted of …

An Analysis Of Human Trafficking In Alabama, Kimberly Abrams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this analysis is to gain a thorough understanding of human trafficking in the Alabama. The illegal issue of this analysis is for those who lack a sense of human trafficking, which surrounds the communities where they reside. The theory guiding this study is due to the complexity of the issue globally around the world as it explains the causes of human trafficking amongst victims, which include those who experience poverty, lack of access to job opportunities, natural disasters, and lack of legal protection for immigrants. Additionally, the purpose of this dissertation is to provide insights into the …

The Black American Women, Mental Health, Self-Stigma, And The Church, Sylvia D. Dorsey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of Christian Black American women who underutilize mental health services due to a perceived notion of self-stigma of Christian Black American women seeking mental health services and how the church may play a role. A transformational theory guides this study. In a transformative framework the study focuses on looking at marginalized groups that have power differentials and are viewed as being less important in society and to understand their life experiences. Stigma and self-stigma are the dominating factors that contribute to the underutilization of mental health services …

The Relationship Between Estimated Vo2max And Poor Mental Health: A Study Of Brfss Data, Angelina Somadina Oputa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health conditions are one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease. Despite advancements in mental health therapies and psychiatric medications, significant numbers of patients continue to struggle with mental illness. Despite these challenges, exercise can serve as a powerful tool to address mental health concerns. Current literature has referenced the value of physical fitness to support mental health, however there is limited large-scale research assessing the estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2Max) as a predictor of poor mental health days. In response, this quantitative secondary analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between estimated VO2Max and poor …

The Missing Baby: Investigating The Effects On Psychological Distress, Marital Couple Quality, The Timing Of Bereavement Care And Grief Adaptation Among Fathers Following Perinatal Loss., Sharon L. Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Extensive research on maternal perinatal loss has been conducted for decades. In contrast, there is much less research on bereaved fathers following perinatal loss, specifically, studies that examine bereaved fathers’ psychological distress, time it takes for the health care provider to deliver bereavement care, and the impact it has on grief adjustment. The purpose of this study was to investigate bereaved fathers’ psychological distress, length of time to receive bereavement care, and marital couple quality and their impact on perinatal grief adaptation. The study design was quantitative, nonexperimental, descriptive, and correlational. Study participants were 200 bereaved fathers who were administered …

The Effects Of Exercise-Related Interventions On The Treatment Of Mental Health, Physical Wellness, And Quality Of Life: A Quantitative Study, Leah Elizabeth Starr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study includes the overview, literature review, methodology, findings, and discussion of a six-week study pending defense. The purpose of the study is to further support Pilates as an evidence-based treatment to enhance physical and mental wellness and improve quality of life. This includes specific variables of interest such as anxiety, depression, dissociative and posttraumatic stress symptoms, stress, and improvements in overall quality of life and physical health. The theoretical framework for the study is somatic psychology and polyvagal theory. The importance of this study is to validate the use of Pilates as an effective form of treatment for …

Toward Defining Vulnerability For The Field Of Communication, Adrian Osman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Vulnerability, a common human experience, is still not well-theorized within the field of communication and lacks a clear, discipline-specific definition. This qualitative study examined how vulnerability shapes interpersonal communication, using general systems theory and social exchange theory as guiding frameworks. Through in-depth interviews with individuals who identify obesity as a lived vulnerability, five central themes emerged: awareness and acceptance of vulnerability, experiencing weight-based dismissal in healthcare, weight-related communication in familial and everyday interactions, avoidance and situational disengagement, and support systems – what works and what does not. Findings show that vulnerability acts as a dynamic communicative force, shaping engagement, withdrawal, …

The Role Of Faith In Coping With Mental Health Challenges In Late Life: A Phenomenological Study Of Religious Experience In The Aging Population, Krista Kelley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are significant concerns among older adults. These conditions are often neglected due to stigma, atypical symptom presentation, and medical comorbidities, resulting in increased healthcare utilization, heightened suicide risk, and emotional dysregulation. Psychosocially, these challenges obstruct a successful resolution of Erikson’s final stage, ego integrity versus despair, leading to dissatisfaction, regret, and reduced well-being. Although previous research has suggested a link between religious engagement and improved mental health outcomes, few studies have explored older adults’ lived experiences of faith in coping with mental health. This qualitative phenomenological study examined the experiences of 25 older adults regarding …

The Narratives Of Where Black Men On The South Side Of Chicago Found Emotional Connection While Growing Up, Yakima Diemer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to explore and understand the lived experiences of Black men from the South Side of Chicago. This study explored, through storytelling, the life experiences of Black men from the South Side of Chicago regarding their emotional connectedness with their primary caregivers in addition to who they turned to, and what they turned to in order to feel a sense of support and connection if and when there were none. Participants for this study included Black men who were over the age of 25 and reported being raised on the South Side of …

Quantitative Correlation Of Middle School Students’ Perspectives Of Teacher Caring And Student Effort, Susan Lackey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational research was to study the potential correlation between the middle school students' perspectives of teacher caring and student effort. The study was important because it investigated an understudied population in a new geographic location. The sample included 352 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students within five middle schools in eastern North Carolina. Two instruments were used to collect survey data from the students. The first instrument administered included the MUSIC Model of Motivation Inventory, which was derived from the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation®. The second instrument was the Course Effort Scale, derived from the …

A Phenomenology Study: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Latino Women In The South Of California With Symptoms Of Depression And The Influence Of Faith And Religion In Their Recovery, Ivette G. Perez-Paquien

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This is a qualitative study of a phenomenological nature that explores the phenomenon and experiences of Latina women with depressive symptoms residing in Southern California, as well as the influence of faith and religion on their recovery. The investigation of this phenomenon was conducted using the theoretical model of descriptive research proposed by Husserl, along with the data analysis technique for descriptive phenomenological research based on the approach designed by Richard Krueger. The research question posed to guide this study was: What are the experiences described by Latina women suffering from symptoms of depression regarding faith, religion, and their recovery …