Digital Commons Network^™

Difference In Persistence Scores Among Community College Students: A Causal-Comparative Study, Jessica Jean Deroche

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study is to determine if there are persistence score differences among students who have taken EDUC 1300 – Learning Frameworks, those who have not taken the course, and if there are any generational status differences. There is a need to better understand persistence in students, especially within community colleges given the increased enrollment rates, and low retention and completion rates these schools are experiencing. This study provided an examination of the persistence scores of 194 students attending a multi-campus community college in the south utilizing the College Persistence Questionnaire. A two-way ANOVA was used …

Trauma-Informed Care Education Program To Increase Provider Confidence In Caring For Patients With Trauma, Lillian Priante

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This scholarly project addressed the critical need for education on trauma-informed care and birth trauma among birth center providers and staff. The project aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of birth center professionals to better support birthing individuals who have experienced trauma, ensuring a more compassionate and effective care environment. A comprehensive educational program was administered to birth center midwives and staff exploring the principles of trauma-informed care, the psychological and physiological impacts of birth trauma, and evidence-based strategies for mitigating these effects. The curriculum of trauma-informed care included interactive training sessions using the City Birth Trauma Scale tool …

Cultural Influence On The Decision-Making Processes Of Individuals, Julia Carrion-Rivera

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a prominent gap in investigations on cultural experiences outside the Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic societies (WEIRD) context. The significance of this study lies in its potential to expand our understanding of cultural influences on decision-making, encouraging intercultural relations, and inclusion, and offering positive social changes in our global society. This phenomenological study explored the cultural influence on the decision-making processes of individuals from non-WEIRD cultures, identifying the significant role culture plays in forming human behavior and cognitive processes when making decisions. The research questions explored the cultural influence on the decision-making processes of individuals framed within …

Improving Nursing Retention Through Mentorship In A Long-Term Care Facility: An Educational Toolkit, Adriane Nichole Anthony-Cupil

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A major nursing shortage in the healthcare industry is made worse by high turnover rates. Healthcare organizations have used mentoring programs that have been found to enhance job satisfaction, thus improving nurse retention. To address this challenge, this study examined the use of a mentorship program supplemented by an educational toolkit that is specially made to improve nurse retention in long-term care facilities. By offering an organized learning path with resources that address support, effective communication, and cultural competency, the educational toolkit has the potential to enhance mentorship. The objective of this initiative was to equip registered nurses with the …

Recruitment And Retention Of Black Faculty Women In Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study, Gerald Keith Warmack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine Black Faculty Women's (BFW) lived experiences concerning recruiting and retention practices. The theory guiding this study was Critical Race Theory (CRT). CRT acknowledges that racism is central and the norm in the educational system. In addition to CRT, Social integration theory plays a critical role in how BFW form relationships, participate in social activities, and integrate into higher education. This research project used a hermeneutical phenomenological research design for BFW’s recruitment and retention experiences. Data for this study was collected using individual interviews, letters of advice, and journal prompts. Data analysis …

Paths Initiative: Identifying Potential Sex Trafficking Victims In The Emergency Department Setting, Kayla Mabery

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Physical signs, Appearance, Talk and communication, History and background, and Support and resources (PATHS) education initiative has proven to be a valuable tool in enhancing the identification and support of sex trafficking victims in healthcare settings, particularly in emergency departments. The training led to significant improvements in the participants' knowledge, confidence, and practical application of skills necessary to recognize potential victims. Despite the limitations of limited participant numbers and lack of face-to-face training, the initiative's positive impact underscores the need for continued efforts in this area. By incorporating the PATHS tool into regular professional development programs and standard operating …

What Family Mealtime Brings To The Table, Alicia Kirby Leon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Family mealtimes together appear to play an important role in adolescent mental health. Family mealtime frequency is associated with positive outcomes such as greater well-being, self-esteem, happiness, and better mental health in adolescents. However, the aftermath of the COVID-19 lockdown left behind even higher levels of depression and anxiety and other mental health concerns in adolescents. Moreover, children from lower SES tend to have higher anxiety levels, depressive affect, and stress. In this study, I proposed to help bridge that gap in the research by examining adolescents from low SES families and help determine how much family mealtimes may benefit …

The Perception And Lived Experiences Of African International Students During Their Studies In The United States Colleges And Universities: A Phenomenological Study, Ebere V. Chukwuezi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience and perceptions adapting to the process of college-level education for African international students at a four-year college in the southeastern United States. The theory that guided this study was Berry’s acculturation theory, which categorizes individual adaptation strategies into two dimensions. This study was guided by acculturation theory aligned with the central research question and sub-questions. Participants who completed their studies or were current students at the university were selected through purposeful and snowball sampling. Data was collected through individual interviews, online surveys, and focus groups and analyzed …

Revictimization Of Sexual Assault Survivors: Correlations Between Shame, Dissociation, Rape Myth Culture, And Revictimization, Jessica Lynn Wiggs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sexual assault (SA) remains a pervasive issue with profound psychological and social implications. This study investigated the relationships between shame, rape myth culture (RMC), dissociation, and revictimization among college students utilizing southern university health center counseling services. Using a quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional research design, the study addressed a gap in the existing literature by examining how these factors act together and affect SA survivors' mental health. The research questions focused on the decrease in shame following SA, the impact of revictimization on shame levels, and whether acceptance of rape myths and dissociation mediate this relationship. The study also explored whether …

Diabetes Health Literacy, Diabetes Numeracy, And Cognitive Function As Predictors Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Self-Management, Twinkle Gupta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present study assessed older adults (≥ 45 years old) diabetes health literacy, diabetes numeracy, cognitive function, and its association with their Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) self-management outcomes. These factors are of concern as diabetes is a lifelong condition affecting the body’s conversion of food into energy and may lead to complications and comorbidities if this condition is not properly self-managed. Diabetes health literacy refers to having the necessary capabilities in finding and analyzing diabetes-related information to make informed decisions regarding their health. Numeracy in diabetes has to do with being able to compute diabetes-related math such as insulin …

Executive Leader Perspectives Of Rural School District Organizational Resilience: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study Inquiry, Todd S. Burke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative embedded multiple-case study was to explore and describe how rural executive school district leaders overcome significant organizational adversity (low-income student factors) and sustain high student achievement outcomes. Organizational resilience theory provided the basis for the qualitative embedded multiple-case study. The multiple-case study design explored the perspectives of rural school district executive leaders at three levels of qualitative meaning: a) individual-level executive leader perspectives, b) organization function-level (program and department) perspectives, and c) district-wide organizational perspectives. Three small Utah rural school districts with higher-than-average student achievement trends, all of which have student populations experiencing low-income factors, …

Examining Influences Of Academic Resilience Among Minority Adolescent Students, Sylvia Alice Okpon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative and correlational study aimed to investigate which variables of minority adolescent students promote academic resilience and focus on African American and Hispanic students within a public charter school located in Southeast Texas. Grounded on resilience theory, the research investigated the cognitive and emotional regulation of students and student–teacher connections in the process of academic resilience. A purposive sample composed of more than 100 students was used to collect data using the Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the Inventory of the Student–Teacher Relationship, and the Academic Resilience Scale for an online survey. Data analysis indicated that cognitive and emotional resilience …

Insider Threat: An Exploration Of Non-Homogeneity And Potential Cultural Influences On Shifting Threat Dynamics, Justin Mckinley Flint

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Changing dominant sociocultural perspectives within the United States have been accompanied by a documented rise in inside threat incidents that have clearly deviated from the previously recognized traditional threat motivations and models. The ability to mitigate associated risks depends heavily on understanding how shifting dynamics among insider threats manifest themselves. Mitigation considerations drive U.S. agencies and organizations’ need for accurate assessments or ability to measure the potential risks posed by inside threats to entities charged with maintaining sensitive information, systems, or materials. This work measured various shifting cultural perceptions currently observable among the dominant culture, especially in light of the …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Early Childhood Teachers’ Perceptions Of Their Ability To Provide Mental Health Supports In The Classroom To Preschool-Aged Children, Stacie Linette Parham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the pre-service or continuing professional training needs of early childhood teachers in regard to providing support for mental health and challenging behaviors displayed in children ages three to five years old. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Knowles’ andragogy theory guided the study. The guiding research question was as follows: What are early childhood teachers’ classroom experiences regarding providing instruction to address mental health, ACEs, childhood trauma or other factors that cause young children to display challenging behaviors? The study’s sample included 11 preschool teachers with two to 26 years of experience …

Overcoming Barriers To Persistence: A Single-Case Study Of Student Veterans In Higher Education, Janet G. Hupel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic case study is to understand the lived experiences of student veterans as they overcome barriers to persistence at a small, faith-based institution of higher education in the South. The theory guiding this study is Pascarella’s student-faculty integration model, as it explains the relationship between the student veterans’ unique background characteristics and other educational experiences to the degree of integration with faculty on campus and, ultimately, their persistence in higher education. What are the experiences of student veterans as they overcome barriers to persistence in higher education? The setting for the study is a small, faith-based …

Moral Injury In Police Officers Of Color, Samantha J. Thornton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research is to explore the possibility of Moral Injury (MI) in police officers of color. This is a topic that is steeped in stigma and cultural dynamics, both for the community of police and communities of color. The aim is to add to the existing research on MI and how it may impact those who occupy dual special populations. The study approached targeted police advocacy organizations of color for recruitment nationwide. This study recruited 10 police officers of color from multiple states and explored their personal stories. This study used video recordings to capture qualitative data …

Cultural Influence On Recruiting Middle School Children To The Jordanian Nai Choir, Diana Samir Talhami

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social practices influenced the recruitment of middle school children to the Nai choir despite the rich Jordanian culture. This research addressed beliefs, cultural dynamics, social values, and strategies to identify a critical gap in the literature regarding the recruitment of middle school students to the Nai choir. To understand students’ enrollment challenges, the researcher examined community perspectives related to the Jordanian culture, socioeconomic status, communication between students and community, beliefs, and values. Furthermore, exploring the age perspectives of middle school students was essential. The culture of these students also influenced their decision and motivation to join the choir. This study …

An Investigation Of Law Enforcement Officer Background And Personality: A Study Of The Effects Of Education And Time In Service On Personality Characteristics, Courtney A. Claiborne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Within the last ten years, the actions of law enforcement officers have received increased attention, particularly in events involving disproportionate use of force. However, researchers and individuals should not generalize all law enforcement officers based on these incidents. In other words, the actions of law enforcement officers in these incidents should not be used as a basis to predetermine the actions of all law enforcement officers. Therefore, examining law enforcement officers' personalities and backgrounds is one way to understand individual police officers better. Through an exploratory research study, the researcher was able to examine the effect education and time in …

Teaching Aural Skills In Undergraduate Music Using World Music Concepts: A Narrative Inquiry, Eugene Seow

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project recognizes the potential of pedagogical innovation through world music concepts, particularly in applying world music education techniques to acquiring undergraduate aural skills. The study examines concepts from African drumming, Indian tala, Arabic maqam, and Japanese gagaku, briefly inquiring into the psychology and theory behind these world musics, and determines how best to transfer the concepts to an undergraduate aural skill teaching curriculum alongside its core concepts rooted in the Western classical idiom. Thus, teachers can augment aural skills education at the collegiate level with cross-cultural perspectives and integrative techniques. This qualitative narrative inquiry research recognizes the imbalance in …

Do Something: Does The Use Of Compassionate Empathy By Staff Affect The Safety Of A Colorado Correctional Facility?, Kelly Lynn Kuhns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied multimethod study is to explore the relationship between the use of compassionate empathy and safety in a Colorado correctional facility. This research involved 25 staff members and employed a thematic analysis approach, integrating results from the Toronto Empathy questionnaire and semi-structured participant interviews. The study aimed to provide insights into the potential impact of compassionate empathy on safety within correctional facilities and inform policy and training initiatives to enhance overall safety. The findings offer valuable information to correctional administrators and policymakers in Colorado and beyond, aiding efforts to improve the safety and well-being of both …

School Counselor’S Perceptions Of The Influence Of Sudden Traumatic Loss On Secondary Urban Adolescents, Tiffany L. Hillian-Sullivan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When an adolescent has a traumatic experience, the impact of the incident may be manifested within the confines of the educational setting. Educators are then required to support the student as they attempt to handle the trauma. When a student experiences a sudden and traumatic loss (death) of a parent, family member, or close friend, they are not prepared to handle the trials that come with grief. Often, teachers are not equipped with best practices of trauma-informed teaching methodology in order to best meet the needs of traumatized adolescents. When students are unable to handle their challenges, they are typically …

Keeping The Beat: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Retention Strategies And Their Impact On Historically Black Colleges And University Band Student And Alumni Success, Melton Randolph Harvey Ii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Music programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich cultural legacy, but there is still little understanding of how these programs impact students in particular ways. HBCUs provide Black individuals a chance to achieve equality, gain respect as a collective in the United States, and secure employment in professional fields. The purpose of this study aims to explore the factors concerning retention that contribute to participation in Historically Black Colleges and University band participation and analyze the effectiveness of its current retention initiatives.

the main research tool created to investigate the dynamics of recruitment and retention in HBCU …

Hyperlipidemia: Enhancing Patient Education And Clinical Support To Improve Self-Efficacy, Kelly L. Caniglia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hyperlipidemia is a chronic, progressive disorder routinely encountered in primary care practice. In the United States, coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease are the leading causes of death. Hyperlipidemia is a modifiable risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease. However, many individuals fail to recognize the severity of the health consequences associated with hyperlipidemia. Most often, hyperlipidemia is the direct result of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Comprehensive care falls short in primary care settings, often due to non-compliance with necessary lifestyle behavior changes. Primary care patients' lack of knowledge and awareness signals a …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Reading Motivation And Reading Achievement In Middle School Special Education Students Of Black, Hispanic, And White Descent, Anisha L. Mendez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study is to determine if there is a difference between reading motivation and reading achievement of middle school special education students of Black, Hispanic, and White descent. The importance of this study was to close reading gaps between ethnic groups. This study was conducted in four middle schools in a suburban area in Northeast Georgia. Participants included 58 Black=Group 1, 35 Hispanic=Group 2, and 33 White=Group 3 middle school special education students with a total of 126 students. The research questions guided this causal-comparative study with the following: (a) Is there a difference between …

Nursing Faculty Exposure To Student Incivility And Interventions In Place To Address: A Case Study, Kimberly Lowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore nursing faculty exposure to nursing student incivility at a nursing college in the Mid-Atlantic region. Bandura's social learning theory provided this study’s theoretical framework. The continuum of workplace aggression and conceptual model fostering incivility in nursing education also guided this study. This study answered the following central research question: How have nursing faculty been exposed to incivility by nursing students? Data were collected for this study through one-on-one interviews with nursing faculty exposed to nursing student incivility and a focus group with the same nursing faculty to discuss the current …

Improved Clinical Outcomes Due To Gfr-Based Clinical Interventions For The Prevention And Treatment Of Renal Disease As It Relates To The Veteran Population Managed By A Patient-Aligned Care Team, Sidneca Evangella Hazward

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to understand if the use of eGFR (CKD-EPI 2021) in the absence of race modification influenced early detection of renal disease for veterans managed by patient-aligned care teams. A retrospective cohort study design was used, analyzing patient data from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). The study included veterans with available serum creatinine, albumin, eGFR, CKD-EPI 2021, etc. measurements and demographic data. The study employed a systematic data review of electronic medical records from 2019 to 2024 and utilized electronic data collection through a computerized patient record system (CPRS) data collection system. …

Cultural Motivations And Effects Of Live Game Streaming, Gordon David Littleford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Live game streaming combines many of the social mechanisms and cultural impacts of social media with the entertainment and social impacts of traditional media. Live game streaming (LGS) is growing in audience size and engagement. Further, the financial impact of LGS is rising to the level of Hollywood films and the music industry. As such this study focused on how the communicative environment of live game streaming impacts the live game streaming culture at large, as well as the effects on both the individual streamers and their communities during live game streams. The emergent design of this qualitative digital ethnography …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of College Students' Experiences With College-Provided Mental Healthcare Services, Adrian M. Campbell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand college students' perspectives on college-provided mental healthcare services. The framework guiding this study is the theory of planned behavior (TPB), developed by Fishbein and Ajzen. The TPB theory is based on attitude, social norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention. The central research question: What are college students' perspectives on college-provided mental healthcare services? The design of this qualitative study is hermeneutic phenomenology, a rigorous and well-established approach. A sample of twelve participants, carefully selected based on pre-determined criteria, was included in the study. The participants, a diverse mix of current …

Emotional Intelligence, Perceived Stress, Coping Strategies And Burnout In High Stress Nursing Job Types, Chris Hutsell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, correlative study examined the relationships between emotional intelligence (EI), burnout, perceived stress, coping strategy approaches, and dimensions of burnout in nurses According to many in the healthcare industry, the U.S. is facing a potential nursing crisis by 2030. Research has indicated that inadequate staffing leads to heavier workloads that contribute to higher rates of injuries, medical errors, absenteeism, financial loss, stress, and job burnout in nurses. Studies have also indicated that emotional intelligence can alleviate perceived stress and burnout in nurses that reduce nursing injuries, medical errors, absenteeism that manifests as financial losses for the overall healthcare industry. …

Action Crisis Intervention Response, Dwayne Pine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Establishing a peer-to-peer mental health intervention program for healthcare workers at Henry Mayo Hospital is imperative for addressing stress, anxiety, depression, job burnout, and compassion fatigue. The growing mental health crisis among healthcare workers, leading to a significant number leaving the industry due to lack of support from management, underscores the urgency of this initiative. This action research project emphasizes the need for such a program in conjunction with the established Mental Health First Aid. While the latter provides tools to recognize a mental health crisis, it lacks holistic approaches to aid healthcare workers in immediate crisis mode. The project …