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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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Navigating Recovery From Toxic Leadership In The Pentecostal Church: A Qualitative Study, Traci Sumner Daniels Mar 2026

Navigating Recovery From Toxic Leadership In The Pentecostal Church: A Qualitative Study, Traci Sumner Daniels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research examined the ways in which Pentecostal Church members experience toxic leadership and their process of healing from such experiences. The research included interviews with thirteen people who experienced spiritual abuse or manipulation. The analysis of data produced four main themes, which included spiritual betrayal and disillusionment, emotional and psychological trauma, rebuilding trust in God and community, and rediscovering authentic servant leadership. The research defines toxic leadership as a form of leadership characterized by maladjusted, malcontent, and malevolent behavior that inflicts severe and enduring harm on individuals, groups, organizations, and communities through destructive behavior and dysfunctional characteristics (Semedo et …


Muslim Leaders’ Perception Of Neighborhood Policing In New York City, Jamiel Altaheri Mar 2026

Muslim Leaders’ Perception Of Neighborhood Policing In New York City, Jamiel Altaheri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study explored Muslim community leaders’ perceptions of the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) neighborhood policing strategy in communities disproportionately affected by post-9/11 Islamophobia and surveillance. Guided by Tajfel’s (1978) social identity theory, the study examined how leaders’ understandings of group identity, trust, and belonging shaped their views of police, neighborhood policing, and the perceived risks of radicalization or violent extremism. The focus on Muslim leaders addressed a gap in predominantly law-enforcement–centered scholarship on Muslim–police relations in the United States. A qualitative methodology was chosen to generate a rich, practice-relevant account of how leaders described neighborhood policing …


The Perspectives Of Mental Health Providers Concerning Public Personnel Management And Staffing Shortages In The Navy: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study, Shauna L. Turner Mar 2026

The Perspectives Of Mental Health Providers Concerning Public Personnel Management And Staffing Shortages In The Navy: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study, Shauna L. Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The federal government's public personnel management policies, established over a century ago, may now be ineffective in addressing twenty-first-century problems. The Navy faces an unprecedented global staffing shortage in the mental health career field. To address the problem, the Navy implemented human resource strategies to improve personnel quality of life and invested in improving service members' mental health. The problem is that the Navy’s existing personnel management policies may be ineffective at retaining clinical counselors at Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSCs), contributing to persistent staffing shortages that undermine service delivery and warrant an evaluation of alternative retention strategies. This …


A Phenomenology Of Athletic Leaders In Managing Team Chemistry Among Intercollegiate Women’S Soccer Programs Through The Coach-Player Relationship, Kevin M. Long Mar 2026

A Phenomenology Of Athletic Leaders In Managing Team Chemistry Among Intercollegiate Women’S Soccer Programs Through The Coach-Player Relationship, Kevin M. Long

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences and practices collegiate women’s soccer coaches employ in building and managing team chemistry through the coach-player relationship. The theory guiding this study was Dansereau’s leader-member exchange theory, as it emphasizes a leader’s linear relationship with each team member and that the relationship can influence team chemistry. The central research question addressed the lived experiences of athletic leaders in building team chemistry among intercollegiate women’s soccer programs. This qualitative research was a hermeneutic phenomenological study on women’s soccer teams throughout the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Data collection was in the …


Counseling Satisfaction In Lgbtq Clients: The Roles Of Perceived Counselor Religiosity And Perceived Discrimination, Karen Cain Culbertson Mar 2026

Counseling Satisfaction In Lgbtq Clients: The Roles Of Perceived Counselor Religiosity And Perceived Discrimination, Karen Cain Culbertson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

LGBTQ individuals experience mental health issues more frequently than the heterosexual population (Benz et al., 2019; Hinton et al., 2024; Nakamura & Logie, 2020). It appears that they often face unique challenges when seeking mental health care (Makadon et al., 2015). These may become complex when working with Christian counselors when there are conflicting beliefs between their religious views and their counseling standards (Lane, 2021). Although previous research has identified barriers to care for the LGBTQ community and the psychological impact of non-affirming religious settings, there is little research on how these dynamics unfold specifically within a Christian counseling relationship …


A Quantitative Quasi-Experimental Study To Determine The Effectiveness Of Ufli And Iready Interventions For Third Grade Struggling Readers, Vada Kehrer Mar 2026

A Quantitative Quasi-Experimental Study To Determine The Effectiveness Of Ufli And Iready Interventions For Third Grade Struggling Readers, Vada Kehrer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was to determine whether there is a significant difference in the growth in reading proficiency among third-grade struggling readers receiving different reading intervention programs: the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) or i-Ready curriculum-based interventions. The study is important because the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has reported a concerning decline in literacy rates, particularly among students with dyslexia. The persistence of decline in reading proficiency stresses the urgent need for effective reading interventions. This study contributes to the existing literature on reading intervention programs for struggling readers. The sample included …


Reform, Resistance, And Reluctant Change: The Southern Hookworm Epidemic In Progressive Era Georgia, 1909-1915, Hannah Harris Mar 2026

Reform, Resistance, And Reluctant Change: The Southern Hookworm Epidemic In Progressive Era Georgia, 1909-1915, Hannah Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the early twentieth century, the campaign against hookworm disease in the American South became one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in United States history. Led by the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of Hookworm Disease (1909–1915), reformers sought to diagnose, treat, and ultimately eliminate a parasitic infection believed to contribute to widespread poverty, poor health, and low educational attainment in the rural South. This dissertation examines the hookworm eradication campaign in Georgia to explore how national public health reform intersected with local culture, education, race relations, and regional identity. Drawing on Georgia newspapers, Rockefeller Sanitary Commission …


Cultural Influences On Mental Health Help-Seeking: A Comparative Study Of Haiti And The United States, Luther-King Jean-Baptiste Mar 2026

Cultural Influences On Mental Health Help-Seeking: A Comparative Study Of Haiti And The United States, Luther-King Jean-Baptiste

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health stigma and help-seeking behaviors vary across cultural contexts and are shaped by shared beliefs, values, and social expectations. This qualitative study examined how cultural meaning systems influenced mental health help-seeking behaviors in Haiti and the United States. Using surveys and semi-structured interviews, data were collected from 30 participants (15 from each country) who reported a history of psychological distress or mental health challenges. Findings indicated that help-seeking behaviors were not determined solely by symptom severity but were embedded within cultural, relational, spiritual, and structural frameworks. In Haiti, help-seeking was largely collective and shaped by family validation, community norms, …


Teachers' Lived Experiences Addressing The Benefits And Challenges Of Screen Based Technology Use In The Classroom: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Amanda M. Thompson Mar 2026

Teachers' Lived Experiences Addressing The Benefits And Challenges Of Screen Based Technology Use In The Classroom: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Amanda M. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher explored Title I elementary school teachers’ lived experiences in addressing the challenges and benefits of screen based technology (SBT) use in classroom spaces. Guided by Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural learning theory, a transcendental phenomenological approach was utilized by the researcher to explore the unique nuances of different learning spaces, buildings, and educational contexts. As SBT has become indispensable to modern education practitioners, teachers must balance the benefits to student learning with screen fatigue, reduced interpersonal interaction, and access disparities. The central research question states: How do Title I elementary school teachers describe their lived experiences in addressing SBT use …


The Impact Of Covid-19 On Women Caregivers Of The Sandwich Generation, Keri L. Burns Mar 2026

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Women Caregivers Of The Sandwich Generation, Keri L. Burns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe female members of the sandwich generation’s experiences as care providers during and post-COVID-19 in Central Florida. At this research stage, female members of the sandwich generation are understood as women in midlife who occupy dual caregiving roles for dependent children and aging parents, and whose lived experiences offer insight into caregiving experiences during a global pandemic. (Steiner & Fletcher, 2017). As life expectancy has increased and financial insecurity has been a concern for all generations, the sandwich generation caregivers, specifically women, have become more focused on providing varying levels of care …


Examining The Relationship Between Burnout And Emotional Intelligence In Ministry Leaders Of Start-Up Churches, Jacquelyn Steidel-Santiago Mar 2026

Examining The Relationship Between Burnout And Emotional Intelligence In Ministry Leaders Of Start-Up Churches, Jacquelyn Steidel-Santiago

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to utilize Emotional Intelligence (EI) and burnout models to examine the relationship between perceived EI and firsthand experiences of burnout in ministry leaders of start-up churches to establish a unique connection and offer valuable insights for participants and other ministry leaders facing similar circumstances. Personal characteristics were divided into demographic information about the participants (i.e., age, race, years in ministry, congregation size, etc.) and information about the participants’ experience with specific features of burnout. The demographic information was used to identify possible factors related to various levels of EI, with the expectation …


Utilizing School-Based Extracurricular Activities: An Embedded Single Case Study On How An Urban School District Combats Community Violence, Justin Errol Conyers Mar 2026

Utilizing School-Based Extracurricular Activities: An Embedded Single Case Study On How An Urban School District Combats Community Violence, Justin Errol Conyers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single-embedded case study was to understand how school-based extracurricular activities (SBEAs) were utilized to combat community violence among students in an urban school district. Social learning theory guided the study, providing a framework for examining how participation in extracurricular activities influenced students’ behaviors and attitudes through the modeling and reinforcement of positive social interactions. The central research question asked: How were school-based extracurricular activities utilized to model and reinforce behaviors that combat community violence among students? This qualitative study employed a single-embedded case study design. The sample consisted of teachers and administrators from one urban school …


Lived Experiences Of Teachers Implementing Student-Centered Learning: A Phenomenological Study, Jennifer R. Knowlton Mar 2026

Lived Experiences Of Teachers Implementing Student-Centered Learning: A Phenomenological Study, Jennifer R. Knowlton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of teachers implementing student-centered learning (SCL) in high schools in the southeastern United States. The theory guiding this study was Deci and Ryan’s Self Determination Theory, as it was a framework for understanding what factors help or hurt psychological well-being, autonomous extrinsic motivation, and intrinsic motivation. This study sought to answer the central research question: What are teachers lived experiences implementing student-centered learning (SCL) in high schools in the southeastern United States? This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology research focused on SCL high school teachers across the southeastern United …


The Role Of Personality In Collegiate Athletes’ Indicators Of Performance And Injury Experiences – A Mixed Methods Study, Allison Traub Mar 2026

The Role Of Personality In Collegiate Athletes’ Indicators Of Performance And Injury Experiences – A Mixed Methods Study, Allison Traub

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed methods study explores the impact of collegiate athletes' indicators of personality traits as attributed to athletic performance, injury experiences, and sport identity. Sports often emphasize physical abilities, yet the role of personality is equally significant—though it has received comparatively little attention in psychological research. This research addresses such a gap through examining how personality traits shape athletes’ competitive behavior along with coping strategies. The traits are defined within the 16 Personalities framework using Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and how it influences just how athletes recover. This research will explore research questions such as how personality affects college athletes' …


The Impact Of Transformational Leadership Theory On Leadership Opportunities For Black Women In Black Protestant Churches, Jasmine Y. Lafayette Mar 2026

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership Theory On Leadership Opportunities For Black Women In Black Protestant Churches, Jasmine Y. Lafayette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to changes within society and theological leanings, more Christian leadership opportunities are available for leaders within predominantly Black churches. Campbell-Reed (2018) found that women make up 50 to 75% of the membership in these congregations yet assumed less than 10% of church leadership and perhaps 1% of pastors (p. 2). With such a robust representation of Black women, are they equally represented in leadership roles and opportunities? While there is ample space for speculation about these low percentages, there is also space for exploring the experiences of women regarding leadership opportunities. Transformational leadership theory assumes that the relationship between …


The Causes And Effects Of Toxic Leadership In Organizations, Patton Flannery Mar 2026

The Causes And Effects Of Toxic Leadership In Organizations, Patton Flannery

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Toxic leadership in organizations can negatively affect employee well-being, productivity, performance, motivation, and potentially the organization’s brand reputation. This flexible qualitative study, utilizing multiple case studies, explored the causes and effects of toxic leadership within the DJ Construction Company to identify how abusive supervision, emotional strain, dysfunctional leadership behaviors, and employee coping mechanisms collectively affect employees and the organization. This study employed semi-structured interviews with 25 participants and surveys completed by 31 participants representing diverse roles within the company. Data were analyzed using thematic coding, frequency counts, and cross-theme comparison to gain a better understanding of both the frequency and …


Self-Efficacy Traits Of First Year Corequisite Math Students: A Phenomenological Study, Johnny Reed Fleming Mar 2026

Self-Efficacy Traits Of First Year Corequisite Math Students: A Phenomenological Study, Johnny Reed Fleming

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand better the self-efficacy traits of first-year corequisite mathematics students at a regional, private, liberal arts university located in central Appalachia. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory as it pertains to participants’ beliefs in their ability to succeed in a college-level mathematics course and their perceived self-efficacy and reciprocal determinism regarding that success. The research questions in this study were designed to examine the perceived self-efficacy, factors of reciprocal determinism, and attitudes of students who experienced success in a credit-bearing mathematics course in college while subsequently enrolled in …


A Quantitative Causal-Comparative Study Of The Effect Of Dynamic Versus Static Visualization And Gender On Middle School Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety, Daniel Kobina Lindsay Mar 2026

A Quantitative Causal-Comparative Study Of The Effect Of Dynamic Versus Static Visualization And Gender On Middle School Teachers' Mathematics Anxiety, Daniel Kobina Lindsay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a significant difference in teachers' mathematics anxiety on the effect of instruction-based dynamic versus static visualization and gender among teachers in middle schools. This study is critical because it addresses policies and pedagogical practices that address mathematics anxiety among middle school teachers. The gender of teachers and the medium of instructional delivery play a crucial role in assessing these teachers' engagement and achievement in the United States educational system. The sample (n = 293) was composed of teachers, divided into groups based on their instruction method and …


A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Of South Texas Non-Denominational Hispanic Ministry Leaders' Spiritual Formation Through Total Worship, Wendy Méndez Mar 2026

A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Of South Texas Non-Denominational Hispanic Ministry Leaders' Spiritual Formation Through Total Worship, Wendy Méndez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Spiritual formation transforms a believer’s relationship with Christ. For ministry leaders, especially volunteers, this process may be enhanced through worship practices. Understanding worship as a holistic lifestyle—beyond just musical or liturgical expression—had a profound influence on participants’ personal and spiritual development in this study. Despite the abundance of literature on worship and spiritual formation, a gap existed in understanding how total worship influenced the spiritual lives of volunteer leaders, particularly in culturally diverse communities. This study addressed the lack of research on the role of total worship in the spiritual formation of volunteer leaders in predominantly Hispanic, English-speaking, non-denominational, charismatic …


Expanding The Role Of Law Enforcement Chaplains: Fostering Holistic Wellbeing Through Comprehensive Pastoral Care, Jacqueline Turner Mar 2026

Expanding The Role Of Law Enforcement Chaplains: Fostering Holistic Wellbeing Through Comprehensive Pastoral Care, Jacqueline Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to understand the interplay between the mental well-being of law enforcement personnel and the potential for pastoral care provided by law enforcement chaplains. Mental well-being is defined as one’s ability to cope with the stresses of life, recognize one’s abilities, learn effectively, work efficiently, and contribute to one’s community (World Health Organization, 2022). The study was guided by Grossoehme et al.’s “Listening Presence” theory, which involves chaplains actively listening to an officer’s story of trauma and fostering a sense of emotional well-being in the officer, thereby shedding light on the interplay between law enforcement officers’ mental …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Cognitive Overload In Manufacturing Engineers During Online Training In An Industrial Environment, Sarah J. May Mar 2026

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Cognitive Overload In Manufacturing Engineers During Online Training In An Industrial Environment, Sarah J. May

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore experiences of cognitive overload among engineers in manufacturing during digital training in industrial environments. Engineers in manufacturing manage substantial physical and cognitive demands in order to maintain safe and efficient industrial environments. In addition to these responsibilities, engineers are often expected to engage in digital training within active work settings, frequently without physical or cognitive separation from job-related tasks. A qualitative research design was employed, with data collected from 10 participants and analyzed through triangulation and thematic coding. Data collection methods included a qualitative questionnaire, individual interviews, and a letter-writing …


Infusing Indigenous Knowledge Into Eurocentric Educational Systems In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology, Assane Ba Faye Mar 2026

Infusing Indigenous Knowledge Into Eurocentric Educational Systems In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Hermeneutical Phenomenology, Assane Ba Faye

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of participants from Mills Elementary School and the Kao-Kao School District (pseudonyms) regarding the integration of pre-colonial traditional pedagogies into post-colonial Eurocentric education systems in sub-Saharan Africa. The guiding theory for this research is Jean Piaget’s constructivist theory, which emphasizes active learner involvement and knowledge development based on prior experience. The main research question asks: What are the lived experiences of community members at Mills Elementary School and the Kao-Kao School District (pseudonyms) concerning the effects of incorporating Indigenous pedagogies into Eurocentric education systems in sub-Saharan Africa? …


The Lived Experiences Of Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities (Idd) On Work Success Within Organizations In North Carolina: A Phenomenological Study, Yvonne D. Wright Mar 2026

The Lived Experiences Of Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities (Idd) On Work Success Within Organizations In North Carolina: A Phenomenological Study, Yvonne D. Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to experience substantially lower employment rates than individuals without disabilities. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of individuals with IDD with regard to their work success within organizations in North Carolina. This study is guided by the Self-Determination Theory (SDT and the Social Model of Disability Theory (SMDT). This study also explores the perspectives and roles of the caregivers in supporting inclusion and work success for this population. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from nine individuals with IDD and seven caregivers. The thematic …


The Exploration Of Parental Involvement On Student Academic Achievement From The Perspective Of The Educator: A Phenomenological Study, Kwame Vladamir Hennagan Mar 2026

The Exploration Of Parental Involvement On Student Academic Achievement From The Perspective Of The Educator: A Phenomenological Study, Kwame Vladamir Hennagan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of educators regarding parental involvement in a rural South Carolina school district. Guided by Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory and Epstein's Parental Involvement Theory frameworks, the study examined how teachers perceive, promote, and experience parental engagement, and what barriers influence effective collaboration between school and home. The Central Research Question answered in the study is: What are the lived experiences of educators with students with low parental involvement at a local school district in South Carolina? The methodology of this manuscript begins with the phenomenological research design.The sample size included …


Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Black Male Students’ Use Of Integrated Educational Technologies In Stem Fields At Predominately White Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Devon Morgan Mar 2026

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Black Male Students’ Use Of Integrated Educational Technologies In Stem Fields At Predominately White Institutions: A Phenomenological Study, Devon Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of Black male students' use of integrated educational technologies in STEM fields at predominately White institutions of higher education in East Tennessee. The theory guiding this study is Piaget's (1950) theory on constructivism, as it is the framework through which active learning, prior knowledge, and social influences shape students' learning. The central research question addressed in the study is how Black male students experience the use of integrated educational technologies in STEM fields at PWIs of higher education in East Tennessee. The transcendental phenomenological approach is used …


Exploring The Relationships Between Differentiation Of Self, Family Unit Functioning, And Posttraumatic Growth In Adult Female Survivors Of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, Samantha Stokesberry Mar 2026

Exploring The Relationships Between Differentiation Of Self, Family Unit Functioning, And Posttraumatic Growth In Adult Female Survivors Of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, Samantha Stokesberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the relationships between differentiation of self (DoS), family unit functioning (FUF), and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in adult female domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) survivors in the United States. A Bowen Family Systems Theory framework was used for the theoretical foundation of this study and the research was explored from a Christian worldview. A sample of 30 adult female DMST survivors between the ages of 25-55 completed an anonymous online survey that included four measures: a demographics form, The Differentiation of Self Inventory – Revised (DSI-R), the Family Unit Functioning Questionnaire (FUF-Q), and …


Interpreting Public School Administrators' Experience Of The Transformational Leadership Style During An Educator Shortage: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Jennifer Rose Sweet Mar 2026

Interpreting Public School Administrators' Experience Of The Transformational Leadership Style During An Educator Shortage: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Jennifer Rose Sweet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to interpret public school administrators' experiences with transformational leadership during an educator shortage. The research employed a hermeneutical-phenomenological approach, utilizing van Manen’s methodological data analysis procedures to capture the essence of the lived experiences of school administrators. Bass’s transformational leadership theory provided the framework for this study. Previous research has examined multiple factors related to leadership's connection to an educator shortage. This study aimed to explore administrators' lived experiences with the transformational leadership style and its impact on a teacher shortage in public schools. Using purposeful, convenience, and snowball sampling, school administrators were selected …


Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Unfaithful Partners: Perceptions Of Forgiveness And Commitment To Rebuilding Trust After Infidelity, Ana De La Cruz Arciniega Mar 2026

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Unfaithful Partners: Perceptions Of Forgiveness And Commitment To Rebuilding Trust After Infidelity, Ana De La Cruz Arciniega

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Infidelity has significant emotional and relational consequences; however, limited research has examined the lived experiences of unfaithful partners, particularly their perceptions of forgiveness and commitment to rebuilding trust. This phenomenological study described the lived experiences of unfaithful partners and explored how they understood forgiveness and engaged in trust-rebuilding efforts following infidelity. Thirteen participants (seven males and six females), aged 30 to 65, who had engaged in emotional, physical, virtual, or paid sexual affairs were recruited through social media, private therapeutic practices, affair recovery programs, and church networks. Participants completed individual 45-minute semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Interviews were transcribed, member-checked, …


Exploring The Perceived Influence Of Exposure To Secondary Trauma On Educators: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Katina M. Perry Mar 2026

Exploring The Perceived Influence Of Exposure To Secondary Trauma On Educators: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Katina M. Perry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the influence of secondary trauma on educators who work with students residing in low-income urban communities. Secondary trauma was generally defined as the emotional response that occurs when individuals are indirectly exposed to the traumatic experiences of others. The theory that guided this study was Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress and coping, as its emphasis on the interplay between an individual’s perceived psychological stress, coping, and cognitive appraisals was resourceful for educators exposed to student trauma. The central research question that guided this study was “How does secondary …


Navigating Fear: Exploring The Influence Of Media And Other Factors On Perceptions Of Terrorism, Malachi-Chaim A. Robinson Mar 2026

Navigating Fear: Exploring The Influence Of Media And Other Factors On Perceptions Of Terrorism, Malachi-Chaim A. Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examined factors influencing the fear of terrorism among U.S. adults in the post-9/11 context, where frequent media coverage impacts public perception. The central research question asked: To what extent is the fear of terrorism influenced by news consumption, ethnic intolerance, religion, gender, education, race and ethnicity, political affiliation, age, previous victimization of violent crime, and trust in government institutions? A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2025 using Zoho Survey, collecting 408 responses through stratified random sampling to approximate national representation. Chi-square tests revealed significant bivariate relationships for nine predictors: perceived credibility of terrorism-related news, perceived risk of …