Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Teachers’ Self-Perceptions: A Case Study Unraveling The Influence Of Professional Learning On Practice, Lindsay Goldsmith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand how professional development affects elementary educators' self-perceptions in the K-12 setting within American schools overseas. The theory guiding this study was Jack Mezirow’s theory on transformative learning as it explains the relationship between learning and practice. How do overseas teachers' engagement in professional learning activities contribute to transformative learning experiences, and how does the social learning context influence the development of their teaching practices? The present study utilized a case-study approach to explore how current teachers perceive their practice is affected by professional learning. Interviews, surveys, and document analysis were used …

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 …

Examining Perceived Leadership Effectiveness Among Secular And Christ-Centered Leaders, Koljonna S. Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Successful leadership has been studied extensively and several theories of effective leadership exist. Though there are many leadership theories that provide explanations for leader behaviors and outcomes, this study aimed to explore effective leadership that is Christ-centered and inspired by Christian faith. Research has shown that the success or failure of an organization is often dependent upon its leadership and the leader’s ability to be effective. This study proposed that the most effective leadership is reliant upon a relationship with God and an understanding of His Word. Therefore, this study examined how leaders who have Christ-centered or secular worldviews describe …

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. …

What Is The Relationship Between Herzberg’S Motivation And Hygiene Variables And The Job Satisfaction Of Public Administrators?, Robert Curtis Hayes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

What is the relationship between the variables identified by Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, also known as two-factor theory, and the job satisfaction of public administrators? How can public employers use this theory to advance policies and environments conducive to job satisfaction for their workforces? The problem was a general lack of consensus among the results of scholarly studies investigating the theory. The purpose was to add to the overall body of research toward or against a consensus in a meaningful way. This dissertation employed secondary data to test Herzberg’s theory on bureaucrats. The sample size was limited to the 625,568 workers …

Fueled To Succeed: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study On The Passion Of Students In Pursuit Of Success During And After College Life, Mesack Dieudonne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe college students' experiences with passion while studying in a higher education setting in Florida. For this study, passion will be defined as a natural penchant that leads an individual to highly value something or someone, increasing persistence and thus leading to success. The theory underpinning this study is Vallerand's dualistic model of passion (DMP). The central research question guiding this research is as follows: How do college students describe their experiences with passion while studying in a higher education setting in Florida? Transcendental phenomenology was selected as the qualitative research …

Exploring The Difference In Perceived Organizational Justice Between Remote And Traditional Workers And Relationships Between Perceived Organizational Justice And Job Satisfaction, Ryan Mabry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Organizations struggle to achieve holistic job satisfaction, as remote workers often feel excluded and traditional workers frequently feel overworked. This quantitative study explored the perceived differences in organizational justice between remote and traditional workers. It also investigated the relationship between organizational justice and job satisfaction within both working environments. A sample size of 176 participants completed a 35-item Likert inventory covering demographics, working environment, job satisfaction, and organizational justice. An independent samples t-test was used to measure the differences in organizational justice between remote and traditional workers. A Pearson correlation examined the relationship between organizational justice and job satisfaction in …

Integrated Growth: Developing A Sustainable Continuum Of Whole-Person Discipleship For Cultivating Healthy Leaders, Joyce A. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership, particularly within ministry contexts, involves complex responsibilities that often lead to chronic stress, burnout, and diminished well-being. These challenges underscore the need for a holistic, sustainable framework that supports leaders in every dimension of life. This Dissertation in Praxis explored a biblically grounded, multidimensional wellness initiative designed to foster integrated health among ministry leaders at The Harvest Church, a nondenominational congregation in North Houston, Texas. Framed by biblical principles of stewardship, wholeness, and relational unity, this study implemented and assessed a structured wellness program addressing four critical domains of a leader’s well-being: emotional resilience, financial stability, physical/nutritional health, and …

The Effect Of Body-Worn Cameras On Police Credibility In The Courtroom, Robert A. Lindblom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The use of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) by criminal justice practitioners in America has increased dramatically during the past decade. However, many assumptions were made during this process about the effectiveness of BWCs without adequate research or evidence to back up the claims. Deploying new technology under such circumstances often produces unexpected outcomes. One of these unanticipated results may be the increased dependence of judges and juries upon video evidence. Increasingly, adjudicators may hesitate to accept an officer’s testimony at face value. Prosecutors may even be reluctant to pursue cases at all when video is unavailable to bolster the officer’s statement. …

Identifying Quality High School Choral Repertoire How Standards Of Composition Affect Long-Term Choral Participation, Jonathan R. Vanderwoude

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A wealth of literature addresses the importance of choral repertoire selection. Yet, few studies examine how choral repertoire and elements of composition correlate with long-term ensemble participation. Exploring principles of quality from a participant perspective may provide choral directors with a paradigm for choosing excellent repertoire. With performance standards comprising the core of many high school music programs, repertoire considerations are often central to the choral curriculum. This qualitative study investigated participant perspectives on choral repertoire standards. The subsequent findings identified trends influencing repertoire selection and correlated perspectives on repertoire quality with long-term participation in choral performance. Participants were selected …

A Journeys End: A Phenomenological Approach To End-Term Buyer-Supplier Relationship Performance Management, James M. Capps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The incumbent research study examines the lived work experiences of buyer-side buyer-supplier relationship managers as they seek to optimize supplier performance while navigating the end-term buyer-supplier relationship. While contemporary literature has explored several topics on supplier performance management and end-term, buyer supplier relationships separately, no research has explored detailing the experiences of supplier relationship managers within this phenomenon. Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological design with hermeneutical analysis, the incumbent study utilizes multi-stage random sampling techniques to recruit sample participants (N=7) in various industries. Research participants were interviewed on their lived experiences navigating end-term buyer-supplier relationships and how they optimized supplier performance …

Self-Efficacy And Burnout Of Nursing Faculty: The Mediating Role Of Fear Of Negative Evaluation, Sarah Murray Kelly

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The contents of this manuscript include a dissertation of a survey research study using the theoretical models of self-efficacy and burnout. The quantitative study used mediation analysis to explore the relationship between self-efficacy and burnout, with fear of negative evaluation as a mediator. Fear of negative evaluation was measured using the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale-Revised; self-efficacy was calculated using the General Self-Efficacy Scale; and burnout was measured using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. The study drew a sample of 98 academic nurse educators (N = 98) who were evaluated by student evaluations of teaching. The sample included educators who …

Perceptions Of Students With Visual Impairments On The Current State Of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, And Belonging In Public School Secondary Instrumental Ensembles, Nancy J. Kerner-Durling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research study examines the experiences and perceptions of students with visual impairments on diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging (DEIAB) in secondary instrumental music ensembles. Despite the emergence of DEIAB initiatives in music education, little is known about how these initiatives are implemented for students with visual impairments in secondary instrumental music programs, as this topic has not yet been explored or documented due to the low incidence of this disability. Data was collected through interviews of former students with visual impairments between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two who attended public schools between the ages of twelve …

Improving Equity For African American Female Educators: An Applied Study, Lakeisha D. Vaughan-Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of equitability in the workplace for African American female educators in Athens-Clarke County School District schools and to design a solution to address the problem. The central research question is, “How can the problem of inequity for African American female educators, as identified by the Induction Teacher Survey and CCRPI data, be solved in the Athens-Clarke County School District?” A multimethod design was used consisting of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected from participants via semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and survey. To gain discernment on equity, data was …

Exploring The Emotional Impact Of Silent Grief Among Black Christian Women, Tracie Joyel Lott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Grief is an inevitable part of life. When grief-related emotions or behaviors do not align with societal attitudes, grief may become disenfranchised, causing the griever to become silent. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe Black Christian women’s experiences with silent grief in a Midwestern U.S. state. In this research, silent grief was synonymous with disenfranchised grief. Kimberle Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory guided this study, providing insight into the intersection of religion, culture, and mental health challenges in the grieving process of Black Christian women. Data collected via in-depth participant interviews underwent analysis using Gadamer’s hermeneutics. Despite literature …

The Relationship Between Morality, Perceptions Of Self And Others, And Purpose In Life: A Moderation Analysis, Ashley Burgess Leininger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Morality is an understudied construct in psychological research, despite its fundamental role in shaping human behavior and self-perception. This quantitative study examined whether purpose in life moderated the relationship between morality and perceptions of the self and others. Two hypotheses were tested, H1: There will be a relationship between morality and perception of self and others; H2: Purpose in life will moderate the relationship between morality and perception of self and others. Ninety-one individuals recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk completed the Purpose in Life scale (PIL), Moral Foundation Questionnaire (MFQ30), Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Collective Self-Esteem Scale …

Exploring Teachers' Perspectives Of Developing Creativity In Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Mary C. Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to interpret the lived experience of teachers developing the creativity of students with ADHD in the southern United States. At this stage in the research, high school students with ADHD were generally defined as students who have been formally diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The theory guiding this study was Karwowski’s theory of creative growth mindset. The central research question for this study was: What are the lived experiences of teachers developing the creativity of high school students with ADHD? This study was a hermeneutic phenomenology that explored the experiences of …

A Chaplain-Specific Care Plan For Addressing Moral Injury And Promoting Holistic Well-Being In Nurses That Have Transitioned From Hospital Care To Hospice Care, Franklin Hicks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project, “A Chaplain-Specific Care Plan for Addressing Moral Injury and Promoting Holistic Well-Being in Nurses That Have Transitioned from Hospital Care to Hospice Care,” addresses the lack of chaplain-led interventions for nurses suffering from moral injury. Many nurses who transitioned from hospital to hospice care reported ongoing moral residue from ethically distressing events in acute settings. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a spiritually grounded care plan, developed and facilitated by a board-certified chaplain, to address these moral wounds and promote holistic well-being among hospice nurses.

Twelve hospice nurses in West Tennessee participated …

Does Spirituality Mediate Or Moderate The Adverse Effects Of Occupational Stressors On Mental Health In Law Enforcement Officers?, Erika D. Keplinger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Law enforcement officers are often exposed to occupational stressors that can negatively affect their mental health and job performance. Spirituality has been thoroughly researched as a restorative method to improve physical and psychological health concerns. There has also been an increase in studies on workplace spirituality. The existing research on workplace spirituality suggests that incorporating spirituality into the workplace increases employee well-being and decreases stress and burnout. Unfortunately, research on police culture often neglects spirituality. There is little research to show how spirituality could mediate or moderate the adverse effects of mental health on law enforcement officers. This quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, …

The Impact Of Adhd On Social Media Use: Navigating The Internet While Struggling With Environmental And Psychological Factors, Marcelle E. James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of 18 to 35-year-old adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their perceptions of the psychological and environmental challenges they face while navigating the internet, specifically social media. The theoretical foundation of the study was Barkley’s Executive Functional Theory. The four research questions examined the experiences of the participants and their unique challenges in life from a psychological and environmental perspective. Purposive sampling was utilized, and semi-structed interviews were conducted. The qualitative phenomenology perspective allowed participants to express their opinions without restrictions. The data was collected and analyzed using …

Investigating “Sled Head” Phenomenon And Diurnal Patterns In Team Usa Bobsleigh And Luge Athletes: A Virtual Research Study, Garrett R. Augsburger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated the relationship between training time, performance, and concussion symptoms among Team USA bobsleigh and luge athletes during a four-week training season. Recognizing the high physical demands and potential risks associated with sledding sports, the study aimed to understand the prevalence of concussion-related experiences and how training schedules might influence athletic performance and symptomology. Repeated measures quantitative design was employed using session-level survey data submitted by athletes following daily training sessions. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire assessing variables such as performance rating, fatigue, alertness, training intensity, sleep quality, and concussion symptoms. A total of 156 sessions …

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 …

Exploring Educators’ Perception Of The Influence Of Social And Emotional Learning Interventions On High School Mathematics: A Case Study, Imaga Eke Idika

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-case study was to understand educators' perceptions of the influence of social-emotional learning interventions on students' engagement in high school mathematics in the Alpha School District in the United States. The guiding theory used was Albert Bandura's social learning theory. This theory plays a crucial role in highlighting teachers' classroom activities that elicit observable behavioral changes in learners, which are critical to instruction, learning, and performance. The central research question was: What is educator perception of social-emotional learning interventions in high school mathematics? I conducted the study in four high schools that fully implemented SEL intervention …

Secondary Teacher Burnout: A Phenomenology Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Increased Teacher Workload, Cristina Marie Meador

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the impact of increased teacher workload on teacher burnout through the lived experiences of rural high school teachers in a school district in southern West Virginia. The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it helps understand motivation and behavior in people. The central research question is: How do secondary rural teachers describe their lived experiences with increased workload and its impact on burnout? The methodology used in this study was hermeneutic phenomenology. The study design for this study was qualitative. The sample was 10 …

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 …

Rumination As A Moderator In The Relationship Between Divine Forgiveness And Forgiveness Of Self In Older Adults, Christopher R. Giles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A growing body of research supports empirical evidence that the ability to self-forgive benefits mental, emotional, and physical health. Recent literature has documented the predictive relationship between divine forgiveness and self-forgiveness. However, little attention has been given to the cognitive processes that may influence this relationship. Furthermore, research on forgiveness has largely overlooked the older adult population, despite forgiveness being shown to be a developmental construct. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between offense-specific divine forgiveness, rumination, and self-forgiveness in individuals aged 60 and older. Data were collected from 101 participants through an anonymous online survey utilizing previously validated …

Crisis Intervention Training (Cit) For School Resource Officers In Florida Schools: Assessing Adequacy, Experiences And Perceptions, Jocelyn Wells

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

School resource officers must aid students struggling with mental health issues. However, school resource officers in Florida schools may not receive adequate crisis intervention training to address mental health crises on the part of students effectively. A research gap exists regarding what factors make crisis intervention training effective or ineffective for police, what the appropriate place of police officers is within the context of schools, and how police officers perceive their crisis intervention training experience and skills relative to their readiness to respond to mental health-related incidents within schools. Therefore, the nature of crisis intervention training for school board police …

Enhancing Collaborative Care: A Training Manual For Improving Veterans Affairs Mental Health Chaplaincy, Eddie L. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) launched a study to investigate the integration of chaplains in mental health care. This research expands on that study by focusing on the critical need for enhanced collaboration between chaplaincy and mental health services at local VA facilities. While existing literature affirms the integral role of chaplains in addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals, significant gaps in awareness and effective collaboration practices were identified at the Marion, IL VA Health Care System (VHCS). This study aimed to assess and address the specific training …

Exploring The Effectiveness Of Wearable Devices For Early Disease Detection, Chinonso Iwummadu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological study was to explore the perceived effectiveness of wearable devices in facilitating early disease detection among patient groups, healthcare professionals, and healthcare administrators in the outpatient care setting. The central phenomenon investigated, involved the experiences, perceptions, and behavioral responses toward real-time monitoring and diagnostic engagement enabled by wearable devices. The theory that guided the study was the Health Technology Acceptance Model (HTAM), which supported inquiry into how perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived health outcomes shaped adoption behavior and clinical integration of digital tools. Data were collected from a purposive sample …

Comparing The Effects Of Numerical Versus Syllable-Based Pedagogy On Kindergarten Academics, Tocorey C. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of numerically based and syllable-based pedagogical approaches on kindergarten students in a school located in Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida. The Kodály Method, a well-established and effective music education strategy, offers numerous classroom benefits. Teachers can utilize both numerically based and syllable-based approaches within the Kodály framework. However, additional data are required to ascertain whether these approaches can enhance academic performance among kindergarten students. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of syllable-based music training on kindergarten reading scores and numerical-based music training on kindergarten math scores. The initial …