Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experience Of Immigrant Chinese Parents Navigating The Iep Process For Children With Austim, Mei Yu Cheung

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand how immigrant Chinese parents navigate the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process for their children with autism within public schools in King County, Washington. The theory guiding this study is Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, as this study explores parents’ lived experiences, challenges, and advocacy strategies as they engage with school professionals and systems of support. Through semi-structured interviews with participants, the research seeks to identify shared meanings and patterns that shape parental engagement and empowerment in special education contexts. The findings aim to inform culturally responsive practices and improve parent–school collaboration for …

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 …

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 Causal-Comparative Study Of Student Enjoyment In Classical Private School, Non-Classical Private School, And Non-Classical Public School Social Studies Courses, Ginger B. Knapp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative design study was to investigate differences in the enjoyment of history/social studies as an academic subject among high school juniors and seniors educated in classical Christian private school, non-classical Christian private school, and non-classical public-school settings. The study is important because its measure of enjoyment is associated with teaching pedagogy or instructional methodology. Prior quantitative studies have associated achievement with standardized test scores, recommending that future studies explore the link between instructional methodology and achievement. This research study fills the literature gap by employing a sound psychometric measure of enjoyment to examine its associations …

Exploring The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Dorothy Elaine Rolling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the role of self-efficacy for nursing students whose primary language was not English and who were enrolled in higher education in the northeastern area of the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory on self-efficacy. The major tenets of the self-efficacy theory aligned with the metaparadigm of nursing (person, health, environment, nursing) and with the study’s focus, which was to explore how English as a second language (ESL) nursing students could successfully complete the registered nursing program at an institution of higher learning. The central research question was: …

How Race Influences Leadership Motivation: A Study Of Career Aspirations In Diverse Workforces, Latosha V. Hayes-Sperling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored whether and how racial identity influenced leadership motivation among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) professionals. Despite growing attention to workplace diversity, limited research had examined the internal motivational processes shaping leadership ambition for racially marginalized groups. Using a non-experimental design, this study examined whether perceived racial discrimination predicted leadership motivation and whether this relationship differed by gender. Survey data were collected from approximately 126 BIPOC professionals using validated measures of perceived racial discrimination and leadership motivation, the latter measured as a dimension of career aspirations. Results indicated that perceived racial discrimination, operationalized through workplace microaggressions …

The Role Of Leadership Style On Perceived Effective Communication And Job Satisfaction In The Community College Virtual Workplace, Julie I. White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Advances in technology enable the creation of virtual workspaces, allowing geographically dispersed virtual employees to collaborate in teams and complete tasks. We must understand the advantages and challenges that virtual teams encounter. This research examines the relationships among leadership styles, perceived effective communication, and job satisfaction within virtual teams, specifically in community colleges. Transformational, servant, and authentic leadership styles of virtual leaders in higher education were evaluated. Participants include full-time and part-time virtual faculty from community college institutions. Data was collected through online surveys. A quantitative correlation research design was employed to explore the experiences of virtual faculty working at …

A Qualitative Case Study Of A Wraparound Workforce Education Program In Alabama, Deborah Foster

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined how integrated community involvement shapes the educational resilience and personal development of nontraditional adult learners in a workforce education program in Alabama. Drawing on social cognitive, transition, and ecological systems perspectives, the study explored how self-efficacy, life transitions, and environmental systems influence student experiences, stakeholder roles, and developmental outcomes. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that wraparound support functioned as an integrated system in which services were coordinated across stakeholders rather than delivered in isolation. Within this structure, three core components—integrated systems, holistic engagement, and …

Building Moral Resilience: The Role Of Biblical Forgiveness In Dealing With Moral Injury Among Christian Combat Veterans, Kwasi Boateng Asamoah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An unsuccessful navigation of exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) can result in psychological, emotional, and spiritual distress, which can lead to moral injury. Moral injury continues to receive wider attention among researchers and clinicians in the field of military psychology and mental health due to the prevalence of exposure to PMIEs among this population. Research has shown that over half of the veteran population has experienced at least one PMIE, and about 6.5% have reported moral injury. Although moral injury is considered an injury of the soul and has spiritual consequences, there remains a gap in the literature …

The Moderating Influence Of Intrinsic Religiosity For Technostress And Tech Addiction In Adults Working In A Digital Environment, Elaine M. Hensley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examined factors influencing levels of technostress and tech addiction in adults working in digital environments, where technology is rapidly advancing. The main research questions asked: If and to what extent intrinsic religiosity and resilience, independently and through their interaction, predict levels of technostress and tech addiction among adults in a digital workplace environment. The research design used two multiple linear regression analyses and two moderation analyses to ascertain whether the null hypotheses would be retained. The procedure involved recruiting 222 participants through Prolific who activated a survey link from Qualtrics. The link contained demographic data and four surveys …

The Association Between Diet Quality, Nutritional Knowledge, Low Energy Availability, And Eating Disorder Risk In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Laurel Koontz Awald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to investigate the association between diet quality, nutritional knowledge, low energy availability, and eating disorder risk in a sample of collegiate student-athletes across several sporting disciplines. The quantitative cross-sectional survey was developed using validated questionnaires to investigate diet quality (The Athlete Diet Index), nutritional knowledge (The Platform for Evaluating Athlete Knowledge in Sports – Nutrition Questionnaire), low energy availability (The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire and Low Energy Availability in Males Questionnaire), and eating disorder risk (DESA – 6). College athletes were recruited from Division I and III universities: (N = 31) from the track and …

Understanding The Application Of Military Leadership Skills In Transition To Civilian Leadership Positions, Darik Pickerel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem is that the leadership skills of ex-military leaders are not always effectively leveraged when they transition into civilian organizations, resulting in a missed opportunity to harness valuable competencies. The purpose of this flexible design qualitative single case study was to explore how civilian organizations could effectively leverage the valuable leadership skills of ex-military leaders. Three research questions guided the study: What leadership skills do ex-military leaders bring to civilian employment in the production industry based on the experiences of ex-military leaders, their organizational subordinates, and their organizational superiors? How can ex-military leaders most effectively apply their skills to …

Spiritual Health Support Groups In The Local Church: Addressing Spiritual Wellbeing In West Virginia’S Eastern Panhandle, Grant Michael Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health services in the Appalachian region of the United States were lacking, both perennially and at the time of writing (Smith & Fisher, 2016). As the needs of this region and the nation continued to climb, the availability of trained, clinical counselors remained stagnant or worse. This lack of socially necessary services created a need that could be addressed in part by the local church. While professional counselors were in short supply and took a great deal of time to educate and train, the repercussions of the then-current mental health crisis needed to have immediate solutions and relief. The …

Project Future: Turner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Leadership Development And Success Planning Project, Tonya Renee Mcclure

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study found that adaptive, relational, and vision-centered leadership approaches significantly enhance emerging leader development and engagement at Turner Chapel AME Church. Grounded in contingency theory (Fiedler, 1967), decision-making theory (Vroom & Yetton, 1973), and Northouse's (2022) transformational and servant leadership concepts, the mixed-methods research integrated quantitative and qualitative data. The findings underscore the essential roles of coaching, strategic organizational design, and spiritual formation in cultivating authentic leaders. Integrating transformational and servant leadership creates a lasting framework for emerging leader development, pointing to the value of intentional, data-driven leadership pipelines within faith-based organizations.

A Phenomenological Study Of Principals Leading Learning Recovery, Charlene Catherine Burroughs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of principals who worked to support the recovery of the learning lost by the school's fourth graders from a large, urban school district in Texas. Three centralized research questions guided this study. How did principals describe the lived experience of working to support the normalization of the educational experience so that the learning lost by the school’s fourth graders was recovered? How did principals describe their work as leaders who supported the educational process by developing resilience in the face of crisis? How did principals describe the impact …

The Integration Of Cybersecurity In Social Science Classes: A Study On Adolescents, Callie Lynea Hansen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test study, the researcher examined adolescents’ vulnerability to cyber threats, a challenge exacerbated by the current compartmentalized approach to cybersecurity education. Grounded in psychological theory, biblical world views, and current cybersecurity best practices, the purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of integrating cybersecurity education into social science classes to enhance adolescents’ judgment and confidence in online environments. Approximately 45 adolescent students were recruited to participate. Participants completed a pre-test consisting of a Cybersecurity Judgment Questionnaire (CJQ) and a self-reported cybersecurity confidence survey (CCS), establishing a baseline of their judgment and confidence in virtual spaces. …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Psychological Impact Of Race And Gender On Black Clergy Women, Quaitra A. Bynum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the psychological impact race and gender have on Black clergywomen serving in leadership positions in the church. The current research explored how Black clergywomen perceive race and gender in the Black church, how race and gender influence Black women when pursuing senior clergy positions, and how strength and resilience impact Black women who serve in church leadership positions. The theories guiding this study were the Black Feminist Theory, Intersectionality, and the Strong Black Woman Theory. In the early 1980s Black women activists such as Patricia Hill Collins and Kimberlé Crenshaw …

Delegating Authority: How Student Leadership Influences The Workload And Well-Being Of Secondary Orchestra Directors, Lori M. Buonamici

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although it is standard practice for secondary orchestra directors to engage students in leadership roles to assist with instruction and ensemble management, music education research provides teachers with little guidance on creating and maintaining student leadership organizations. The current literature provides abundant evidence of the benefits of offering leadership opportunities to support student development. Still, little research examines the additional work this creates for the orchestra director. Drawing on Vygotsky’s constructivist worldview and the theory of the zone of proximal development, this study examines how guided support facilitates the development of student leadership skills. Granting student leaders authority may either …

“What So Many Millions Before Us Have Borne”: Loss, Grief, And The Revolutionary Turn Of The Founding Father, Michael S. Desmond

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Loss, instability and grief provided a crucial interpretative framework for understanding George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, particularly in the years surrounding their emergence as revolutionaries in the early 1770s. Rather than treating their political commitments to the Whigs as the product of ideology alone, this study argues that deeply personal experiences with setbacks and loss shaped the crucial timing of their decisions to become revolutionaries.

For Washington, Jefferson and Franklin, grief was not a single event followed by an emotional response; it was a formative process that began with the setbacks and losses of their childhoods. In adolescence, …

Exploring Adaptability In Military Leadership: Challenges And Responses During Crisis, Adam M. Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

United States military leaders frequently operate in environments where predefined strategies and standard operating procedures may be insufficient for responding to crises. The study addressed a leadership problem: a decline in adaptability among military leaders over the last 10 years. The specific problem addressed in the study focused on how military leaders adapt non-predefined strategies in crisis situations when predefined strategies are insufficient. A qualitative single-case study design was used. Using purposeful sampling and an IRB-approved semi-structured interview protocol, 19 military leaders with crisis leadership experience at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels participated in the study. The study sought …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Cardiovascular Adaptations To Exercise And Endurance Performance Among Male And Female Collegiate Athletes, Ronnie Wayne Eggleston Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cardiovascular adaptations to exercise are prominent among endurance athletes. While heart rate is used to determine exercise prescription and to measure overall health, little research has explored the influence of sex-based differences on changes in heart rate and performance outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare cardiovascular adaptations to exercise in male and female endurance athletes, with a focus on heart rate and performance times. A quasi-experimental longitudinal design was used with a sample of 19 (nine males, ten females) collegiate triathletes on a university club sports team. Data was collected at the beginning and end …

The S.A.V.E. Model Of Biblically-Based Existential Therapy For Residents Of The Assisted Living Facility Casa Di Riposo Sardara In Sardinia, Italy, Gregory K. Cherven

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian gerontological counseling, a traditionally non-progressive field, is a crucial area of ministry, particularly for older adults in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. At Casa di Riposo Sardara in Sardinia, Italy, many residents aged 70 and older lacked a solid biblical understanding of existence and eternal life, contributing to widespread existential anxiety among this population. To address this issue, the researcher developed the S.A.V.E. (solitude, autonomy, value, eternity) model of biblically based existential therapy. This model targets the four main pillars of existential therapy: meaninglessness, isolation, freedom, and death, offering biblical solutions for each. The approach incorporates positive imagery …

Harmonizing Faith: An Investigation Of The Efficacy Of A Small Group Study On The Theology Of Music For Spiritual Growth, Timothy Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this study addresses is that Trinity Anglican Church in Connersville, Indiana, had not cultivated a theology of music among its congregants to enrich encounters with God through music. The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to implement a small group study on the theology of music to enrich encounters with God through God-honoring, captivating music. The researcher employed a novel approach: Luke 10:27 served as a paradigmatic framework for exploring how music relates to the dimensions of heart (i.e., emotion), soul (i.e., spiritual encounter), strength (i.e., embodied experience), mind (i.e., intellect), and neighbor (i.e., communal and …

Navigating Trauma: The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Veterans In The Mental Health System, Malika K. Whitley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research investigated how Black women veterans managed their traumatic experiences while interacting with mental health services. Black women veterans developed trauma from different origins, which include combat experiences, systemic racism, interpersonal violence, and service reintegration difficulties. Black women veterans faced multiple barriers to healthcare access because they experienced both cultural stigma, limited representation, and healthcare institution inequities, despite their high rates of trauma-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder( PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The existing barriers prevented these individuals from using available services, which resulted in incorrect diagnoses and diminished trust in available treatment options. This research employed a qualitative …

Church Attendance, Post-Pandemic Stress, And Resilience Factors, Pavel Bugriyev

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stress levels among adults increased, and a sense of community loss occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent events. Despite previous studies establishing an association between religious practice and psychological well-being, much remains unknown about the differences in religious practice format (i.e., in person, virtually, and not at all) with post-pandemic stress and resilience-related traits. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined whether the format of church attendance (in-person, virtual, or no church attendance at all) was related to post-pandemic stress and resilience-related traits. Also, whether hope, making meaning out of hardship, and perceived social support statistically mediated the difference in …

Imago Dei Leadership Model, Jessica Lei Kritner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis sought to observe the intentional application of leadership styles at Birmingham Master Commission (BMC), a traditional discipleship program for college aged adults (ages 18–25). While biblically centered and focused on spiritual formation, BMC lacked healthy leadership precedent and defaulted to peer-leadership only. This practice created a sporadic leadership culture that restricted student growth, autonomy, and investment in the program. This Dissertation-in-Praxis served as a process-based intervention on the psychological and spiritual impacts leadership styles have on young adult leaders. Transformational, servant, and participative leadership practices were modeled in existing ministry systems: one-on-one mentoring, leadership labs, and small group …

The End Is Proof Of The Beginning: Heloise And Abelard The Unseen Architects Of Intention In Medieval Philosophy, Abby Brook Edwards

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The scandal surrounding the eleventh century love story of Peter Abelard and Heloise has eclipsed the depth of their individual intellects which has resulted in many scholars devoting their writings to the couple’s overly eroticized narrative. Following the castration, public humiliation, and academic ignominy of Abelard and after Heloise, a “fallen woman,” commissioned herself into a convent, the connection between tutor and tutee continued through written correspondence. Through an examination of their personal writings, this dissertation aims to expand upon the notion that Abelard was an eclipsed philosopher who should be standing alongside “giants in the field” of philosophy, but …

A High School Choral Student's Perspective On Bullying, Allen C. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative non-experimental research study was to examine the prevalence, type, and impact of bullying within secondary choral ensembles from the student perspective. Using a slightly modified version of the Swearer Bully Survey, data were collected from a convenience sample of 100 high school students. Initially, responses were to come from several high schools throughout the State of Maine. Due to challenges in survey administration, the researcher received permission to collect responses via social media and expanded recruitment to a national audience. The study employed a cross-sectional design and utilized Google Forms and Tally for data …

Improving Governance In Decentralized Systems, Cynthia L. Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has invested heavily in non-pharmacological pain management through the Whole Health transformation, the Opioid Safety Initiative, and national CIH expansion efforts. Despite these systemwide priorities, implementation remains uneven across decentralized facilities, revealing barriers that extend beyond logistics or compliance. This study investigated how governance structures, professional norms, and cultural–cognitive logics shape the translation of federal mandates into local clinical practice. Guided by Policy Implementation Theory (PIT) and Institutional Theory (IT), and applying the Integrated Policy Adaptation Model (IPAM), this qualitative inquiry triangulated semi-structured interviews, surveys, and policy document analysis. IPAM’s mechanisms—Leadership Mediation (LM), Frontline Adaptation …

Perceptions Of Recent Special Education Graduates Of The Transition Programming Taxonomy: Transcendental Phenomenological Research, Karen Sue Rozmus

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological research study was to develop an understanding of recent special education graduates' perceptions of transition programming taxonomy at a southern coastal community. Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs was used. This theory directly relates to the study showing how important understanding the perceptions of support the recent special education graduates during their lived experiences as they transition into adulthood. The Central Research Question was: What are recent special education graduates’ perceptions of transition programming taxonomy? This transcendental phenomenological research study of 10 participants was designed to use data collected from independent interviews, focus …