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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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Experiences Of Health And Mental Health Services For Immigrant Mothers From The Northern Triangle Of Central America, Lisa Dianne Vega Feb 2025

Experiences Of Health And Mental Health Services For Immigrant Mothers From The Northern Triangle Of Central America, Lisa Dianne Vega

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of immigrant mothers from the Northern Triangle of Central America with access to health and mental health services in the Southern United States. The theory guiding this study is social constructivism developed by Lev Vygotsky in 1968, as it will seek to understand the greater contexts of the experiences of the participants, both currently, as well as the stories and experiences of their immigration journey. Central American immigrant mothers from the Northern Triangle face many types of traumatic events in their lives. These events began in their home …


Exploring The Influence Of Police Officers Lived Experiences On Implementing Community Oriented Policing Of Marginalized Populations, Herman "Tracy" Williams Iii Jan 2025

Exploring The Influence Of Police Officers Lived Experiences On Implementing Community Oriented Policing Of Marginalized Populations, Herman "Tracy" Williams Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The oppositional relationship between the police and communities characterized as marginalized populations aptly describes an adversarial dynamic that hinders the effective implementation of guardian-focused, community-oriented policing. Fears of crime, claims of police bias, dehumanization, and perceptions of social disorder frequently breed socioeconomic decline in these communities. These conditions often contribute to citizens of marginalized communities viewing police officers as traditional policing warriors versus the roles of police as guardians who assist and protect the public. The problem is that the lack of cooperation and mutual distrust in interactions between the police and communities leads to external friction and internal organizational …


Occupational Hazard Of Policing: A Phenomenological Study Of Moral Injury Among Law Enforcement Officers, Harley J. Lenart Jan 2025

Occupational Hazard Of Policing: A Phenomenological Study Of Moral Injury Among Law Enforcement Officers, Harley J. Lenart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The concept of moral injury is relatively new, and most of the attention has been aimed at military veterans. Moral injury is perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations. While awareness has increased in recent years, research on moral injury among law enforcement officers is limited. On average, during a 20-year career, police officers are exposed to 700 critical incidents, while average citizens may witness two. Law enforcement officers struggle with job burnout, depression, and suicide. Most law enforcement mental health studies focus on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), …


A Relationship Between Education And Recidivism With Individuals Under Federal Supervision In The Western District Of North Carolina, Matthew John Wzorek Jan 2025

A Relationship Between Education And Recidivism With Individuals Under Federal Supervision In The Western District Of North Carolina, Matthew John Wzorek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The police, courts, and corrections generate the criminal justice system. Each department strives to achieve the same outcome: reducing recidivism rates. Unfortunately, the incarceration rate continues to increase, and U.S. prisons are overcrowded, making recidivism a critical issue. Previous research indicates that individuals who attain higher education while incarcerated are less likely to recidivate and more likely to secure employment than those who lack education. This study is designed to examine the relationship between education and reducing recidivism rates in the Western District of North Carolina. Specifically, this study is aimed to determine if former inmates who earned a higher …


An Examination Of Maternal Messages Given To Academically Successful African American Undergraduate Males By Their Single Mothers, Denee' Scott-Elliott Jan 2025

An Examination Of Maternal Messages Given To Academically Successful African American Undergraduate Males By Their Single Mothers, Denee' Scott-Elliott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of successful African American undergraduate males from single-parent homes, and the maternal messages that contributed to their academic success and resilience. Research shows that African American males face an icreased risk of academic underachievement, particularly those raised by single mothers. The participants consisted of African American undergraduate males who grew up in a single-parent home headed by their mother. For the purpose of this study, academically successful males were defined as males enrolled in a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the District of Columbia, Maryland and …


Citizen Complaints Against Police And Police Education Level: A Quantitative Analysis, Robert S. Swenszkowski Jan 2025

Citizen Complaints Against Police And Police Education Level: A Quantitative Analysis, Robert S. Swenszkowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Complaints against police officers result from citizens expressing dissatisfaction with police officers’ conduct, which is perceived as unjust. Citizen dissatisfaction with police services or the imposition of authority can lead to the belief that such authority is illegitimate and unjust, which can decrease levels of confidence and cooperation from citizens. Questions have long existed about the need for individuals to have some level of higher education to be employed as police officers. Yet, a consistent standardization for the minimum educational requirements for police officers in the United States has not been embraced. Research and theory suggest that higher education yields …


The Role Of Camaraderie In The Moods Of African American U.S. Military Veterans With Ptsd: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Virginia K. Thompson Dec 2024

The Role Of Camaraderie In The Moods Of African American U.S. Military Veterans With Ptsd: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Virginia K. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the essence of the collective lived experiences of United States military veterans of African American ethnicity who were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the role that camaraderie plays in their moods. Veterans are a marginalized group who often feel they are rejected by society, but as Christians, we should be interested in human beings, promoting their well-being, and practicing psychology as an act of love. Guided by social identity theory and social justice theory, this study was aimed to gain understanding of how group memberships and social categorization …


Comparing The School Engagement Of Middle And High School Special Education Students Enrolled In School-Based Mental Health Services, Elizabeth Anne Mcphearson Dec 2024

Comparing The School Engagement Of Middle And High School Special Education Students Enrolled In School-Based Mental Health Services, Elizabeth Anne Mcphearson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a difference in student engagement scores amongst middle and high school special education students who are or are not utilizing school-based mental health services (SBMHS). To continue improvements in the effectiveness of school-based mental health services and to assist students in personal behavior management and school engagement, the impact of mental health services must be understood. The study participants were drawn from a convenience sample of middle and high school special education students participating in school-based mental health services located in Minnesota during the 2023-2024 school year. …


School Structure As A Mechanism For Crime Deterrence, Daniel Glenn Hennigan Dec 2024

School Structure As A Mechanism For Crime Deterrence, Daniel Glenn Hennigan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An examination of the relationship between school structure and community strength will be conducted. School structure will be categorized based on the organizational structure of the institution. Schools are conceptualized and categorized as Kindergarten-12th grade (K-12th), 9th-12th grade schools (9th-12th) and Combination schools. Combination Schools are defined as any school that does not meet the criteria of either K-12th Grade or 9th-12th Grade, generally 6th-12th, 7th-12th or 8th-12th. Community strength will be examined through property crime rates, violent crime rates and individual crime statistics. Analyses will also include proportional or ratio examinations per 1,000 students. A literature review will be …


A Review Of Education Policies And Their Impact On Gang Participation For Youth, Sarah Sanders Dec 2024

A Review Of Education Policies And Their Impact On Gang Participation For Youth, Sarah Sanders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Youth have suffered from gang violence in schools and neighborhoods at different rates per the Concentric Zone Model and the Strain theory. Gang violence is a concern for Little Rock, Arkansas. This study will follow the Concentric Zone Model and the Strain theory for data collection and evaluate the extent of gang violence linked to education in response to Zero-Tolerance policies for the Little Rock School District (LRSD) and Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD), showing a holistic explanation of crime. This study will review secondary data from LRSD, PCSSD, and local law enforcement agencies to cross-reference reports of concerns …


Integrating Criminological Theories In Cybersecurity Risk Assessment: A Study Of The Traci Framework's Application To Critical Infrastructure, Connor S. Martin Dec 2024

Integrating Criminological Theories In Cybersecurity Risk Assessment: A Study Of The Traci Framework's Application To Critical Infrastructure, Connor S. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the application of the Taxonomy for Risk Assessment of Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure (TRACI) framework, a tool designed to systematically evaluate cybersecurity threats against critical infrastructure. TRACI integrates principles from Routine Activity and Rational Choice Theories to provide a detailed and comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity risks. This integration facilitates an in-depth analysis not only of how cyberattacks occur but also of the underlying reasons they are initiated, by categorizing and assessing risks based on factors such as attacker motivations and systemic vulnerabilities. By employing ANOVA to assess variations in risk assessment scores across TRACI's designated categories—Assets, Risk …


The Soil Test: Facilitating Increased Receptivity To Spiritual Formation In A Large Church Through Education, Motivation, And Resources, Rosemary Moore Dec 2024

The Soil Test: Facilitating Increased Receptivity To Spiritual Formation In A Large Church Through Education, Motivation, And Resources, Rosemary Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Decades of recent research and writing about spiritual formation and discipleship assume that there will be growth in spiritual maturity if churches have more models and biblical information. However, the literature addresses the wrong problem; it presupposes that the church is ready for spiritual formation. In their efforts to facilitate it, those trying to help the church are like the farmer who sows seed onto unprepared soil. Good seeds, such as discipleship groups, are sown into the soil of the church without paying attention to whether the soil can produce a harvest. The project posited that five conditions should be …


After The Training Ends: A Qualitative Study Of Therapists’ Experiences With Trauma Training And Self-Efficacy, Megan L. Briggs Dec 2024

After The Training Ends: A Qualitative Study Of Therapists’ Experiences With Trauma Training And Self-Efficacy, Megan L. Briggs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Counselors meet many clients with experiences of trauma throughout their careers, and many counselors do not feel confident in their skills to process trauma. The training programs that teach trauma-focused skills have been researched regarding dissemination practices, but there has been very little exploration of the experiences of the individuals who do not utilize newly acquired skills. The primary research question asks what are the experiences of outpatient therapists in applying the skills they learned in trauma processing training programs when practicing in the outpatient setting? The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study will be to describe the experiences of …


Disproportionate Rate Of Mental Health Care For African American Service Members, Amy Tesla Kingjones Dec 2024

Disproportionate Rate Of Mental Health Care For African American Service Members, Amy Tesla Kingjones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study understands and describes the disproportionate rate of mental health care for African American Service Members in the US military. With minorities making up less than 20% of the US armed forces, fitting into predominantly white spaces is necessary for continued success and can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. The theory guiding this study is critical race theory, as it uncovers and challenges how laws, policies, and societal norms perpetuate racial hierarchies and disadvantage marginalized communities. It emphasizes the social construction of race, highlighting that it is not an inherent biological category but a product of historical, political, …


The Mediation-Moderation Effects Of Religiosity On The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Marital Satisfaction In African American Couples, Pauletta Michele Brown Dec 2024

The Mediation-Moderation Effects Of Religiosity On The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Marital Satisfaction In African American Couples, Pauletta Michele Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, multiple regression, mediation research design was to explore the impact of ACEs on Christian African American marital satisfaction. This study was grounded in the Family Systems Theory, introduced by Dr. Murray Bowen, investigating the relationship between ACEs and African American marital satisfaction mediated and moderated by religiosity. A Qualtrics survey was distributed through social media, and a QR code was posted at two churches located in Birmingham, AL, open to all African American married couples (n=105). PROCESS Models 1 and 4, were utilized to determine if religiosity mediates and moderates the relationship between ACEs and …


Examining Differences In Implicit Bias Towards Students Of Color Within The Higher Education System, Marlene Drake Dec 2024

Examining Differences In Implicit Bias Towards Students Of Color Within The Higher Education System, Marlene Drake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental, static-group comparison design study aims to address the unknown factors of implicit bias within our public education system by examining the differences between the awareness of school staff towards students of color. The theories that guided this study were the Theory of Experience and the Theory of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory. The Theory of Experience emphasizes the need for a positive connection between the school staff and students of color to prevent social injustice through awareness and empathetic behavior. The LMX theory supports the need for positive behavior from the school staff to increase the motivation and …


The Impact Of Peer Support, Ptsd Symptoms, And Attitudes Towards Seeking Mental Help In Police Officers, Cassandra Mary Ferraro Dec 2024

The Impact Of Peer Support, Ptsd Symptoms, And Attitudes Towards Seeking Mental Help In Police Officers, Cassandra Mary Ferraro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in perceived stress, self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms, and mental help seeking attitudes in police officers who use peer support programs and those who do not use peer support programs. Police officers are consistently exposed to stress and trauma that has negative biological, physical, and mental health effects, leaving officers at risk for the development of mental health diseases and disorders. Identifying the need for mental health resources, and peer support groups are recommended; however, there is not enough literature to determine its effectiveness. The recovery model …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Perceptions Of African American Pastors Providing Pastoral Counseling To Individuals Who Commit Intimate Partner Violence, Barbara Ann Joe Dec 2024

A Phenomenological Study Of The Perceptions Of African American Pastors Providing Pastoral Counseling To Individuals Who Commit Intimate Partner Violence, Barbara Ann Joe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the education, training, and experience held by African American pastors who provide pastoral counseling and resources to individuals who commit intimate partner violence within their congregations. The research questions guiding the study are, "How do African American pastors describe the effectiveness of their education and training when counseling individuals who commit intimate partner violence?" and "How do African American pastors describe their level of competence when counseling individuals who commit intimate partner violence?" The final research question, which is connected to the theoretical orientation of the study, is, " What role …


An Evaluation Of Public Perceptions Regarding Strain And Workplace Violence, Benjamin Newman Nov 2024

An Evaluation Of Public Perceptions Regarding Strain And Workplace Violence, Benjamin Newman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Verbal abuse, physical injury, and property damage have become pervasive in employment sectors. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared workplace violence as a national health and safety issue. Statistics indicated workplace violence as the third-leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the United States. While previous research has focused on case studies, policies, and awareness, limited data has been published regarding public attitudes related to workplace violence. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand public attitudes related to strain and its involvement in workplace violence. Participants between the ages of 18 and 65, who are currently …


The Efficacy Of Suboxone As Mat Therapy For Women: A Phenomenological Study, Sara C. Swepston Nov 2024

The Efficacy Of Suboxone As Mat Therapy For Women: A Phenomenological Study, Sara C. Swepston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Opioid Epidemic has plagued the nation for decades, with little success in treating patients for long-term sobriety. Billions of dollars are spent annually treating patients with opiate use disorder, most popularly with the pharmaceutical drug, Suboxone. However, evidence and research are lacking to truly understand if the synthetic opiate medication works in treating women with OUD. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to know from the women who have been treated using Suboxone if the medication works. The participants are all women, aged 18-45 who used Suboxone for Medically Assisted Treatment for a minimum of 90 days. The …


A Comprehensive Analysis Of Challenges And Strategies In Enhancing Cyber Security For The Defense Industry, Taehyun Lee Nov 2024

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Challenges And Strategies In Enhancing Cyber Security For The Defense Industry, Taehyun Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation presents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and strategies involved in enhancing cybersecurity within the defense industry. Given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the critical importance of safeguarding national security, this research addresses the unique vulnerabilities faced by the defense industry. Utilizing a phenomenological approach based on routine activity theory, the study gathers insights from cybersecurity professionals through semi-structured interviews, providing a deep understanding of the evolving threat landscape. The research identifies key themes such as the growing complexity of cyber threats, the importance of proactive threat-hunting, and the need for collaboration across public and private …


Analysis Of Forensic Crime Gun Data As A Predictive Tool For Crime Gun Intelligence And The Disruption Of The Shooting Cycle, Michael P. Garvey Nov 2024

Analysis Of Forensic Crime Gun Data As A Predictive Tool For Crime Gun Intelligence And The Disruption Of The Shooting Cycle, Michael P. Garvey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Gun violence is a national issue; however, major cities account for most recovered crime guns and shootings. Various efforts to address gun violence by identifying shooters and sources of crime guns, enhancing intervention efforts, improving social services, and prosecuting prolific offenders have been offered over the last twenty years. However, large urban cities continue to observe high homicides and non-fatal shooting rates. Forensic techniques have been used to generate leads to solve crimes. In addition, group violence intervention programs, such as Operation Ceasefire, are used to identify potential groups associated with gun violence to provide social alternatives or enhanced prosecution. …


Scenario - Based Training In Law Enforcement, Troy Michael Bankert Nov 2024

Scenario - Based Training In Law Enforcement, Troy Michael Bankert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The discovery of the value and obstacles of scenario-based training for law enforcement from a phenomenological perspective was pursued from a grounded theory. The lack of empirical data and research guided the use of the grounded theory methodology, which attempts through individual professional interviews to discover the values and obstacles of scenario-based training for law enforcement. Clarifications and comprehensive definitions of the constituent elements characterizing a scenario-based training methodology are presented while concurrently identifying the intricate interdependencies between its qualitative measurement and associated cost factors. The exploration of implementing scenario-based training was conducted through personal interviews of criminal justice practitioners …


A Qualitative Approach Exploring Interoperation Communications By Law Enforcement Officers During Active Shootings, Amy Schissler Nov 2024

A Qualitative Approach Exploring Interoperation Communications By Law Enforcement Officers During Active Shootings, Amy Schissler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory-descriptive qualitative study was to investigate how law enforcement officers communicate during active shooting incidents. The study used Ferrell’s Human Factors theory (1997) and the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) as the theoretical and conceptual framework. Data collection methods included 11 oral narratives, 11 individual semi-structured interviews, and 12 open-ended questionnaires, involving a total of 12 participants. The study followed the Exploratory-Descriptive Qualitative design proposed by Hunter et al. (2018). The interview and questionnaire data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis and the HFACS to identify major themes, while the narrative data …


Investigating For A Relationship Between Race/Ethnicity And The Presence Of A Mental Health Crisis Among Individuals Involved In A Fatal Police Encounter In Texas, Unaleshia O. Jackson Nov 2024

Investigating For A Relationship Between Race/Ethnicity And The Presence Of A Mental Health Crisis Among Individuals Involved In A Fatal Police Encounter In Texas, Unaleshia O. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental illness is emerging in the United States as a public concern. In 2021, an estimated 60 million adults in the United States were affected by mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). Mental illness is increasingly becoming a topic of conversation among households, churches, schools, and workplaces due to the diminishing of societal stigmas. Ongoing discussions among researchers underline the different manifestations and demographic disparities in the effects of mental illness. A 12-month study revealed a higher prevalence of mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders among non-Latino whites. In reference to Asians, African Americans, and Latinos, mood disorders …


The Implications Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Adult Health Perceptions, Angela Cleshette Revis Nov 2024

The Implications Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Adult Health Perceptions, Angela Cleshette Revis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic incidents or circumstances children face before age 18 that often manifest as physical and mental health illnesses in adulthood, disproportionately affecting survivors from lower socioeconomic classes, specifically communities of color. This study examines the prevalence and type of illnesses stemming from ACEs in adult patients sampled from a North Carolina public health center, where patients are of lower socioeconomic classes, including those from communities of color. Semi structured interviews among 14 participants were conducted using the Zoom meetings platform to obtain responses from the participants. The results show significant mental health consequences, including early …


Bearing The Weight: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Burnout And Stress Among Medicolegal Investigators, Ava Juliette Thorpe Nov 2024

Bearing The Weight: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Burnout And Stress Among Medicolegal Investigators, Ava Juliette Thorpe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to investigate and comprehend the impact of burnout and associated maladaptive behaviors among medicolegal and coroner investigators in the United States. Burnout is broadly defined as factors impeding practitioners' physical and psychological well-being in these fields. Despite extensive research on burnout among criminal justice practitioners in trauma-informed care environments, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning support mechanisms for medicolegal and coroner systems (Slack, 2020). This study addressed this gap by exploring the lived experiences of medicolegal and coroner investigators, providing insights for addressing burnout in these contexts. The central problem addressed in this …


Organizational Citizenship & Counterproductive Workplace Behaviors: Personal Trauma & Workplace Conduct, Patricia Giaccone Nov 2024

Organizational Citizenship & Counterproductive Workplace Behaviors: Personal Trauma & Workplace Conduct, Patricia Giaccone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The influence of a survivor-advocates personal trauma history on their work and ability to cope with its challenges are inadequately understood. This research project aimed to distinguish if there was a significant difference in engagement between survivor-advocates and nonsurvivor-advocates in organizational citizenship behaviors or counterproductive workplace behaviors. Furthermore, this study looked at organizational employment tenure as a factor affecting such engagement. The data for this quantitative research project was collected from a nationwide pool of respondents who worked directly with victims of domestic violence in the United States resulting in a total of 54 participants completing the anonymous survey. Exploring …


Enhancing Spousal Abuse Awareness Among Church Leaders Of The Haitian Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Peggy Filossaint Nov 2024

Enhancing Spousal Abuse Awareness Among Church Leaders Of The Haitian Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Peggy Filossaint

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a critical need for Christian church leaders to actively combat spousal abuse, emphasizing that churches must break their silence on this issue, protect victims, and join the fight against domestic violence. The study specifically focused on enhancing awareness and knowledge of spousal abuse among leaders of the Maranatha Haitian Seventh-day Adventist Church. The primary purpose of this research was to equip church leaders with the necessary tools and understanding to effectively address spousal abuse within their congregation. The project aimed to develop a comprehensive protocol for annual training, ensuring that church leaders are well-prepared to navigate the complexities …


Mental Health Of Western Tennessee Police Officers, Jasmin Marie Powell Nov 2024

Mental Health Of Western Tennessee Police Officers, Jasmin Marie Powell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounded theory study is to understand the group think regarding mental health and wellness of police officers in the western Tennessee region. The theory guiding this study is group think, a theory first defined in 1972 by Irvin Janis. Irvin Janis, a psychologist introduced the phenomenon of groupthink and described it as a group of people, in this research case police officers, where loyalty was required from members and that this can cause both positive and negative side effects. The research population for this research will consist of 92 participants, including males and females, of different …