Digital Commons Network^™

The Correlation Between Leadership Performance And Personality In Virtual Technology Workers, Henry C. Mullins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between leadership performance and personality traits among leaders in the technology sector, who work across the spectrum of virtuality. Personality traits were measured using the Big Five model: extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism, using the IPIP-NEO-60 instrument. Leadership performance was measured using the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) and interpreted through both the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Transformational Leadership theories. Holistically this is viewed through a Transformational Christian worldview. This study also examined the role of virtuality, defined as the extent to which an individual works from an office or remotely. Participants were …

Teacher Perception Of Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder And Acceptability Of Interventions For Students With Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder, Andrea S. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurocognitive disorder, highly diagnosed in students. Teachers play a crucial role in the detection of ADHD and in implementing interventions. However, their perceptions, confidence, and barriers influence how interventions are applied in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ perceptions and knowledge of ADHD and their perceptions of the evidence-based interventions for students with ADHD. The study also explored the role of student-teacher relationships on academic outcomes, perceived barriers to implementation, and factors influencing teachers’ willingness to implement interventions. Participants included 25 certified teachers, teaching core subjects in grades …

The Effectiveness Of Wellness Programs On Public Safety Personnel, Thomas T. Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stressful situations have become a common theme that many first responders have encountered while on the job. As more studies have surfaced regarding the causes of stress, the ability to reduce stress while minimizing any adverse reactions that result from them have been minimal. Just as the catalysts for stress are not the same for everyone, the reactions to treatments that are offered will vary in effectiveness. Since not all agencies have programs in place to deal with the mental and physical traumas that affect first responders, the focus will be on one agency that has recently implemented multiple treatment …

The Lived Experiences Of Remote, Part-Time Faculty Members With Transformational Leadership: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study At A Private Christian College In Appalachia, Edward Christian L. Chicko

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of remote, part-time faculty at a private Christian college in Appalachia as they encountered transformational leadership in their professional roles. Faculty morale was defined as the emotional, psychological, and professional well-being of faculty as shaped by their perceptions of institutional leadership in a remote teaching environment. Guided by transformational leadership theory, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, this study examined how leadership behaviors influenced faculty engagement and institutional connection. A transcendental phenomenological design was used to examine participants’ lived experiences. Purposeful sampling recruited 11 …

A Multiple Case Study: Communicating Uncertainty In Intelligence Community Analytic Judgments, Donald S. Terry Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) analysts face incessant challenges in expressing and explaining uncertainty (dependent variable) when communicating analytic judgments to their clients. IC analysts theorize and apply estimative language and levels of confidence in their analysis, and then it is received by decision-makers, ultimately having an impact on policy making. Historic case studies of the pre-war intelligence assessment of Iraqi WMD, the operational and diplomatic outcome of the 2011 raid on UBL, and the intelligence surprise of COVD-19 reflect the impact that uncertainty has on strategic analysis. Data is collected from primary sources, coded, and interpreted to survey ideas and …

A Causal-Comparative Study On The Difference Between Elementary, Middle, And High School Special Education Teachers’ Emotional Exhaustion Based On Years Of Experience, Stacey Spruill Earp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine whether emotional exhaustion differed among special education teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in the southern United States while controlling for years of teaching experience. This study is significant because emotional exhaustion is a central component of burnout and has implications for teacher well-being, retention, and the quality of services provided to students with disabilities. A quantitative, non-experimental comparative design was employed. Data was collected from a sample of 158 special education teachers working in public schools in the southern region. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey through …

Associate Degree Nursing Students’ Lived Experiences With Simulation: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Jamie O'Connor Florez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of prelicensure associate degree nursing (ADN) students related to skills acquisition and workplace readiness through simulation-based learning at community colleges in California. Skills acquisition and workplace readiness were defined as students’ perceptions of their ability to competently perform nursing skills and prepare for entry into the healthcare workforce. Guided by Kolb’s experiential learning theory, data were collected from 13 ADN students through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and reflective journaling and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis.

Three themes emerged: varying emotions from excitement to feeling overwhelmed; experiences of collaboration and unprofessionalism …

Empath: A Novel Treatment Modality To Improve Patient Outcomes, Barry Thomas Peade Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In recent years, increasing patient volumes in emergency departments, rising cases of overdoses, and strained resources have heightened the attention paid to behavioral health care in the emergency department setting. Currently, various models of care attempt to streamline the provision of care for behavioral health patients in the emergency department. EmPATH, developed by Dr. Scott Zeller, offers rapid stabilization for psychiatric crises. While preliminary studies show promise, further research is needed. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of EmPATH implementation on patient outcomes, including boarding times, readmission rates, and inpatient admissions. Data was collected before and after implementation of …

Engaging Spiritual Growth Across The Generational Divides Using Cross-Generational Co-Mentorship, David F. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis examined the problem of the tendency for older adults to slow down in spiritual growth. The project instituted relationships between older and younger individuals in a Cross-Generational Co-Mentorship system, which allowed two individuals from different generations to engage in spiritual disciplines in a one-on-one format in a small church context. The purpose of this study was to foster spiritual growth and wellness through individual interactions and to enhance their engagement in various ministry opportunities. The study created intergenerational relationships that fostered spiritual growth in both the older and younger participants. The study engaged various types of literature on …

A Qualitative Study – The Effect Of Technology Through Social Media On Christian Young Adult’S Self-Image And Moral Development, Claudia Sosa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With technology usage growing among adolescents and much research conducted around the impact social media has on their development and mental wellbeing, there is little research that has been conducted to explore the lived experiences of social media on Christian young adult’s self-image and moral development and what role their faith plays in it. Through a qualitative study via a phenomenological approach and using semi structured interviews, this study sought to understand how Christian young adults ages 18-25 years old experience and describe a shared phenomenon and how they create common meaning on how they believe social media has impacted …

Mentorship Leadership Succession: Implementing Paul's Discipleship Practices, Matthew Scott Beagle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project addresses the lack of empowered, biblically qualified leaders at Pinecrest Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA, where discipleship has often been treated as complete with conversion, baptism, and initial ministry involvement, rather than as a process that produces future leaders within the congregation. The project proposed that a mentor-based discipleship succession process, modeled on Pauline discipleship, could help current leaders shift from a maintenance mindset to a culture of multiplication and leadership development. Using an action research design, the study implemented a twelve-week mentor-discipleship succession curriculum that guided participants through four phases of leadership development: calling that …

Educators Lived Experiences With Burnout: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Leiaje Sidberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of burnout for high school teachers in an East Coast city. The theory guiding this study was Polidore’s resilience theory, as teacher retention depends on competence and longevity. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of burnout for high school teachers? Ten educators participated in interviews, focus groups, and reflective journaling. Data were thematically analyzed to identify shared meanings in their experiences. Four major themes emerged: causes of burnout, manifestations of burnout, needs related to burnout, and developing resilience. Participants described diverse causes of …

Post-Separation Abused Mothers’ Experiences With The Family Court System In Tennessee: A Transcendental Study, Heather Nicole Howse Neisen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of mothers of post-separation abuse who were involved in a family court system where rulings negatively impacted the safety and justice of victims. The guiding theories for this study were Attachment Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Coercive Control Theory. There were three research questions for the study, “How have mothers who have experienced PSA been adversely impacted by the rulings from the FCS in TN?,” “How do post-separation abused mothers describe the impact that the Family Court System had on their overall wellbeing?” and “How do post-separation abused …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Role Of Religious Coping In Childhood Interpersonal Trauma Recovery Among Latinx Adults, Christina Mancebo-Torres

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the role religious coping plays in recovery from interpersonal adverse childhood experiences (ACES) among Latinx adults attending Pentecostal churches in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The theory guiding this study was Pargament’s Theory of Religious Coping (1997), which posits that religious coping strategies are ways in which individuals attempt to understand and deal with sacred- related negative life events, including traumatic experiences (Xu, 2015). This study utilized a hermeneutic phenomenology research design. The purposive sample consisted of 12 individuals who self-identified as Latinx, 18 years of age or older, and having a …

Music Teachers’ Perceptions And Actual Effects Of Youth Orchestra Participation On Students’ Playing Ability, Erika J. Pierce

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite research demonstrating a significant correlation between social and academic development with participation in a youth orchestra, few studies have examined whether participation directly affects students’ note-reading skills, the accuracy of pitch production, and musical expression. This information matters because students often join a youth orchestra to develop these and other playing skills beyond what school programs and private lessons teach. This applied research study examined youth orchestra participation by comparing teachers’ perceptions with demonstrated performance outcomes on middle school students’ development in note-reading, pitch production accuracy, and musical expression. This study analyzed rubric-scored student performance recordings alongside teacher survey …

Using Somatic Experiencing To Mitigate Symptoms Of Secondary Traumatic Stress In Female Helping Professionals, Jillian Christie Guinta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological and quantitative study explored the lived experiences of a dozen women within the veterinary, social work, and nursing communities and how secondary traumatic stress impacts their lives. Faced with unanticipated patient illnesses, facilitating compassionate end-of-life procedures, and rapidly moving from one emotional state to the next between patients, professionals are carrying tremendous unprocessed emotional burdens that can affect them physiologically and psychologically. Somatic Experiencing (SE) indicates tremendous promise in rehabilitating practitioners’ trauma-impacted nervous systems by offering techniques to release emotional stress and re-regulate the nervous system (Kuhfuß et al., 2023). This mixed-methods study explored the world of these …

Communication Modality And Communication Satisfaction In Relationships, Regina Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Communication modality choices available for individuals to use in their relationships are varied today. This qualitative phenomenological study examined communication modalities in two relationship dyads, seven married heterosexual couples and seven same sex platonic close friends, through individual and couple interviews. Findings showed that face-to-face communication was preferred for its emotional richness and ability to convey nonverbal cues like body language and tone. Participants felt these reduced misunderstandings and enhanced feelings of being heard, seen, and understood. Participants also stated presence and undivided attention were more important to communication satisfaction than any specific modality alone. Findings also show that communication …

The Underutilization Of Executive Coaching As A Leadership Development Tool In The Financial Industry In Sub-Saharan Africa, Gladys Wahito Muga

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study entailed an investigation of the underutilization of executive coaching as a leadership development tool in the financial sector of Sub-Saharan Africa, where leadership challenges have hindered organizational growth and transformation. The researcher aimed to identify barriers to coaching adoption, examine leaders’ perceptions of its value compared to other development initiatives, and propose strategies to enhance its acceptance and effectiveness. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the researcher explored how executive coaching contributes to leadership and organizational performance in emerging markets. Using a constructivist paradigm and a flexible qualitative single case study design, data were collected from 139 purposively selected …

The Predictive Influence Of Management Leadership Styles On Employee Retention In The Aerospace And Defense (A&D) Industry In Northern Virginia, Shawn M. Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This fixed-design quantitative study evaluates the predictive influence of management leadership styles on employee retention within the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry in Northern Virginia. Addressing a critical decline in industry retention that impacts organizational productivity and profitability, the research utilizes a post-positivist paradigm to analyze data (N = 773) from participants across seven major A&D organizations. The study measures four primary constructs: Intent to Stay, Management Leadership Styles, Job Satisfaction, and Leader Support. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to isolate the predictive power of leadership style after controlling for demographic factors, including age, gender, role, and years …

Pastoral Burnout: Applying Spiritual Gifts As A Buffer Against Burnout In Members Of The Clergy, Jeffrey S. Parsell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a dramatic decline in pastoral ministry satisfaction, physical well-being, psychological well-being, and spiritual well-being has been reported. Recent polls have discovered that nearly half of pastors have given serious consideration to leaving and abandoning their ministry due to the physiological, psychological, and spiritual toll their work takes on them and their families. Burnout has been cited as one of the primary factors contributing to this growing trend. Pastors are not alone in this epidemic, as many helping professions are experiencing similar trends. Despite sharing many similarities with helping occupations such as fulfilling the …

Trauma Meets Trauma: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experience Of Secondary Trauma As Told By Mental Health Professionals Working In The Substance Abuse Field Within The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Region, Paschaun S. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe mental health substance use professionals’ experiences with secondary trauma. This study aims to answer questions about how providers perceive their perceptions of secondary trauma based on their personal experiences and client caseload while exploring these providers’ willingness to remain in the field after trauma exposure. This study specifically concentrates on the experiences of mental health professionals working in the substance abuse field within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. The primary theory guiding this study is the constructivist self-development theory, which focuses on different responses (i.e., positive vs. negative) among individuals who …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Higher Education Faculty Towards Inclusion Of Racial And Ethnic Minority Students With Disabilities, Aimee Grace Regala

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of higher education faculty toward the inclusion of racial and ethnic minority students with disabilities at a historically Black college and university in the mid-Atlantic region in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Alexander Astin's input-environment-outcome (I-E-O) model. Transcendental study captured the essence of higher education faculty's experiences in implementing inclusive practices for racial and ethnic minority students with disabilities. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and focus group interviews. Data were analyzed through epoché, phenomenological reduction, and imaginative variation to answer the …

A Culture Of Care: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Trauma-Informed Practices Among Teachers In Christian Elementary Schools, Christina Michelle Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the perceptions and utilization of trauma-informed practices of Christian elementary school teachers in classrooms in the southeastern United States. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of human development, as it highlights how teachers are instrumental in promoting developmentally healthy practices for trauma-affected children through building relationships and interacting with others at varying levels of their ecosystem. The study was designed to answer the following central research question: How do elementary Christian school teachers utilize trauma-informed practices in the classroom? The study used a qualitative transcendental phenomenological design …

The Unseen Realities: A Phenomenological Study Examining How K-12 Female Administrators' Experience Stress While Leading In Rural North Carolina, Danielle A. Perkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of K-12 female administrators in rural North Carolina public school districts. The theory guiding this study is the cognitive appraisal theory as it will explain the relationship between appraisal, work-related stress, coping, and the well-being of female K-12 administrators. The central research question for the research study is: How do K-12 female administrators describe their lived experiences with work-related stress in rural North Carolina public school districts? The study participants consist of 11 female K-12 administrators who are leading in rural public school districts in North Carolina. …

A Phenomenological Study Of Thai Adult Christians’ Experiences Of A Secure Attachment To God, Sujirat Sirichai

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe Thai adult Christians’ experiences of developing a secure attachment to God. Many Thai children experience insecure attachments with their primary caregivers and attachment trauma. This study was guided by attachment theory to examine how attachment to primary caregivers, life crises, and relational and spiritual factors influenced the development of a secure attachment to God. This research used a transcendental phenomenological approach with a snowball sample of eight Thai adult Christians who demonstrate a secure attachment to God. Data collected through semi-structured interviews were analyzed through coding. Data analysis revealed six themes …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of African American Millennial Couples' Perceptions Of Dual Trauma And The Impact On Marital Satisfaction, Christopher Ray Merrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe African American millennial married couples’ experiences with unresolved trauma in the North Texas Region, Texas. The theory guiding this study is John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory. Multiple traumatic experiences and relationship fractures that inhibit marital satisfaction among African American millennials are also examined. Trauma, viewed from a generalized perspective and conceptual form, is defined as an uncontrollable and sudden event with highly adverse outcomes that may persist. Among African Americans, trauma from interpersonal distress, historical events, racial barriers, and socioeconomic stressors often hinders the pursuit of healthy marriages. This study examines millennial …

A Qualitative Interpretive Study Of How A Trucking Company Coordinates The Management Of Meanings Of Its Communications In The United States Of America, Travis J. Koch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines how communication between truck drivers and their managers can support meaningful behavioral change by co-constructing shared interpretations, as described by coordinated management of meaning theory. It focuses on how meanings are negotiated in everyday conversations and how specific conversational mechanisms shape drivers' performances. The central claim is that certain conversational mechanisms can reduce uncertainty, ease friction between co-workers, and improve safety and operational efficiency. When supervisors and drivers successfully develop shared meanings, greater clarity, stronger working relationships are more likely. Those outcomes matter in a high stake, complex industry. This research extends scholarship on organizational meaning-making and …

Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Biblical Principles In Curriculum: A Phenomenology Of Christian Educators' Mental Health Instruction, Keri Mankos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological hermeneutical study was to explore the experiences of Christian K-12 educators who are in instructional roles who integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques with a biblical worldview in their curriculum design and instructional practices at three Christian K-12 schools in the Eastern United States. The integration of a biblical worldview and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques was generally defined as using biblical principles to help students change their thoughts and behaviors to improve mental health. This study examined how educators incorporated biblical principles into the design and delivery of academic courses, such as mental health education and …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Seminary Teachers Transitioning From Designing And Delivering Instruction Traditionally To Competency-Based Education Approach, Jacob L. M. Li

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences transitioning from designing and delivering instruction traditionally to a competency-based education approach using a learning management system for teachers at four seminaries based in North America. Competency-based education was generally defined as a highly personalized approach to education, where instructions are structured according to the interests, needs, and learning styles of the students who progress according to their competencies certified by formative process evaluation, irrespective of how long that would take, until they have reached the stated desired level of mastery, all the while acquiring knowledge, skills, …

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Risk Perceptions And Patient Burden, John William Glisson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational study examined relationships among perceived environmental risk factors, depressive symptoms, and functional symptom burden in adults diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative condition with an unclear etiology, and some individuals attribute the diagnosis to environmental exposures such as pesticides or military service. The purpose of this study was to assess whether environmental risk perceptions were associated with depressive symptoms or functional impairment, and whether depressive symptoms were associated with functional status. Participants were recruited through online ALS support networks and advocacy organizations, resulting in a final sample of 145 adults …