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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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The Utilization Of Employee Assistance Programs In Law Enforcement: Breaking The Stigma, Kristi Lynn Shalton Jul 2023

The Utilization Of Employee Assistance Programs In Law Enforcement: Breaking The Stigma, Kristi Lynn Shalton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounded theory study is to not only describe and understand what current resources exist for officers after experiencing a critical incident during the course of their job duties and responsibilities, but to also develop an understanding of their unique needs and how the stigma that often coincides with the desire to ask for assistance from such resources, affects officer mental health and wellness and ultimately, their ability to effectively and efficiently do their job. The theory guiding this study is grounded theory, a methodology first used in the 1960s by Glaser and Strauss, which incorporates interactionism …


The Effect Of Fifty Percent Minimum Grades On Student Achievement, James M. Mariani Jul 2023

The Effect Of Fifty Percent Minimum Grades On Student Achievement, James M. Mariani

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This causal-comparative quantitative research study aims to determine whether mandating a 50% minimum grade significantly increases student achievement. The setting for this study was one suburban Pennsylvanian high school of approximately 1,250 students. The educational process involves three integrated components: curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Evaluating methods in which schools assign grades is an inherent part of every school assessment system. The Treedale School District and Pennsylvania Department of Education collected data, which the researcher analyzed by performing multiple Mann-Whitney U tests between pre-policy 0%-100% and post policy 50%-100% grade scale groups. The independent variable is grading scale and the dependent …


Leadership In A Military Criminal Investigative Organization: Perceptions Of Authentic Leadership Among Special Agents, Precious Jeanbatiste Jul 2023

Leadership In A Military Criminal Investigative Organization: Perceptions Of Authentic Leadership Among Special Agents, Precious Jeanbatiste

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Genuine, effective leadership in law enforcement establishes the climate of the organization. Scholars have comprehensively explored the influence of different leadership styles in various criminal justice organizations from multiple facets; however, minimal information exists about how authentic leadership is perceived by special agents assigned to a military criminal investigative organization. This qualitative phenomenological study will provide an increased understanding of authentic leadership from the perspective of special agents assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), the U.S. Army's primary criminal investigative organization, and the Department of Defense's (DoD) premier investigative organization. The researcher will use a qualitative research design to …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Law Enforcement Officers Challenges In Combatting Human Trafficking In Alabama, Patience S. Johnson-Daniels Jul 2023

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Law Enforcement Officers Challenges In Combatting Human Trafficking In Alabama, Patience S. Johnson-Daniels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Human trafficking (HT) is a heinous crime that has gained international attention. Millions of people (specifically young girls and women) are affected by prostitution and sexual exploitation, the most common forms of human trafficking. Currently, anti-trafficking law enforcement agencies are struggling to respond to human trafficking due to the lack of data, the hidden nature of the crime, the current service providers, and the strategies of human trafficking task forces. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study will be to understand better the challenges of law enforcement officers and the impact of law enforcement officers in combatting human trafficking. The …


The Role Of Social Media In The Expansion Of Jihadist Terrorism In The United States, Shakira Natalee Anglin Jul 2023

The Role Of Social Media In The Expansion Of Jihadist Terrorism In The United States, Shakira Natalee Anglin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the role social media plays in the expansion of jihadist terrorism in the United States for sixteen participants at the sites: the Mary Lynch building in Columbia, Maryland, and a Club House conference room in Hanover, Maryland. The theories that guided this study were Social Structure and Social Learning Theory (SSSL) and Social Identity Theory (SIT). Jihadist terrorism has a symbiotic relationship with the tenets of Social Structure and Social Learning Theory, which postulates that criminal behaviors are learned through social interactions. Danielle and Klein (2018) contended that Aker’s Social Structure …


The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On The Achievement Of Chronically Absent Grade 5 Students, Sakeena Alexandra Ash-Cary Jul 2023

The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On The Achievement Of Chronically Absent Grade 5 Students, Sakeena Alexandra Ash-Cary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic absenteeism has been shown to be a strong predictor of student achievement. However, there is a lack of research studies that examine if differences exist among chronically absent students in Title I and non-Title I settings. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to determine if socioeconomic status imparts any additional impacts on the achievement of chronically absent students as measured by the Virginia SOLs. The data collected include achievement data from the Virginia SOLs. A quantitative research design was used to examine, analyze, and compare standardized mathematics, English, and science test scores along with attendance rates of fifth …


Recidivism Among Rehabilitated Offenders With Mental Illness: A Quantitative Study, Robert Olando Walker Jul 2023

Recidivism Among Rehabilitated Offenders With Mental Illness: A Quantitative Study, Robert Olando Walker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Offenders with severe mental illness (SMI) found a place within the criminal justice system (CJS) with its most crucial objectives including the reduction of recidivism among discharged offenders and their safe reintegration into a free community as rehabilitated offenders. Beyond the monetary costs of recidivism, the continued potential for criminality among offenders with mental illness (OMI) added enormous costs to all law-abiding citizens and their respective communities. However, no study was found in the literature that attempted to investigate the relationship between recidivism and the successful rehabilitation of patients with mental illness. Those found involved offenders without mental illness and …


The Breeding Of Wolves: Understanding The Escalation Continuum & Escalation Dynamics Of Contemporary Sex Trafficking Demand, Kevin Lee Wilkinson Jr. Jul 2023

The Breeding Of Wolves: Understanding The Escalation Continuum & Escalation Dynamics Of Contemporary Sex Trafficking Demand, Kevin Lee Wilkinson Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-longitudinal research was conducted to empirically examine if sex-demand buyer behavior of heterosexual males is causational based on commonplace societal and transgenerational influences. These causational influences are termed “escalation dynamics,” which can lay on a ranged scale from adolescent development through adulthood, termed an “escalation continuum.” This research aimed to research how and why a heterosexual male becomes a sex buyer from different influences over a developmental time frame. Participants had to meet the criteria of being a heterosexual male, having been arrested for sex-demand buying, and currently participating or having completed the Sex Buyers Transformation and Restoration …


A Multiple Case Study: Male Correctional Officers’ Experiences And Attitudes Regarding “Gender Quota” Human Resource Management Strategies In Corrections, Rebecca Jo Patterson Jul 2023

A Multiple Case Study: Male Correctional Officers’ Experiences And Attitudes Regarding “Gender Quota” Human Resource Management Strategies In Corrections, Rebecca Jo Patterson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The stigma of corrections being labeled as a “male” workplace is a factor in the male/female ratio gap; thus, the new question is how to bridge the gender gap. In response to this human resource managers have implemented affirmative action strategies to ensure more females were being hired and promoted in corrections. Though unofficial in most areas, some state correctional agencies incorporated “quotas” in their affirmative action HRMS. Even though ‘quota-based’ or ‘gender based’ HRMS intended to reduce or eliminate discrimination, they have linked backlash effects and stigmatization toward females and minorities when the dominant group felt it was used. …


The Perceived Influence Of The Alice Training Principles On Survivors During A Violent Critical Incident, Shawn William Collins Jul 2023

The Perceived Influence Of The Alice Training Principles On Survivors During A Violent Critical Incident, Shawn William Collins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), since 2000, there has been a significant increase in active shooter events throughout the United States. The assailants frequently chose targets or establishments with the highest mortality rates, such as schools/universities, businesses, government agencies, houses of worship, and healthcare facilities. Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate (ALICE) is part of Navigate360’s collection of active assailant preparedness solutions, which teaches civilians how to protect themselves during Violent Critical Incidents (VCIs). The problem addressed in this study was the lack of available research regarding the effectiveness of courses, such as ALICE’s Active Shooter Response …


The Impact Of Juvenile Transfer Laws, Kerina Lynn Ibarra Jun 2023

The Impact Of Juvenile Transfer Laws, Kerina Lynn Ibarra

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study will examine the relationship between juvenile transfer laws, certified juveniles, the criminal justice system, and the potential collateral consequences juveniles face when subjected to juvenile transfer laws. To obtain a deeper understanding of the impact of juvenile transfer laws and their potential collateral consequences, a qualitative study will be conducted utilizing several methods of data collection to include interviews; observations; and textual analysis of adult 1, adult 2, and criminal justice practitioners, to include, jail administrator, corrections officer, police, probation and parole officer, prosecuting attorney, and DOC staff. In the interview process, information will be gathered to contribute …


A Qualitative Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Unarmed Police Officers, Thomas A. Egan Jun 2023

A Qualitative Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Unarmed Police Officers, Thomas A. Egan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of unarmed law enforcement officers managing workplace violence while performing their duties in New York City at various agencies. The three research questions asked, how do unarmed police officers describe their experiences performing their job duties without a lethal weapon? How do unarmed police officers describe their expectations regarding their likelihood of experiencing workplace violence? How do unarmed police officers describe how they navigate workplace violence? The theory guiding this qualitative descriptive study was prospect theory, a concept that was originally used to study how the bias of money …


Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Males Who Have Participated In A Black Male Initiative Program At A Historically Black College Or University, Jenard Darrell Moore May 2023

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Males Who Have Participated In A Black Male Initiative Program At A Historically Black College Or University, Jenard Darrell Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological was to identify and understand how Black Male Initiative programs contributed to the completion of an undergraduate degree for Black males at HBCUs. The study's central research question was: What role does the Black Male Initiative (BMI) play in Black male undergraduate degree completion at HBCUs in the U.S.? Shaun Harper’s anti-deficit achievement framework (ADAF) served as the conceptual framework for this study. Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory (SCT) served as the guiding theoretical framework for this study. The design of this study was a transcendental phenomenological design with multiple units of analysis. The sample …


The Influence Of Personality On The Experiences Of Child Molesters: A Phenomenological Study, Julianna Emma Davis May 2023

The Influence Of Personality On The Experiences Of Child Molesters: A Phenomenological Study, Julianna Emma Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe different personality traits and pathologies that are common to each of the two identified types of child molester, report how personality played a part in the offense committed, and describe the results from the offender’s point of view. The history of personality traits and disorders is discussed; this information can be useful in the identification of sexual preferences involving those who abuse children. The study involved eight convicted child molesters in the state of Alabama. The participants were grouped into subtype based on self-report measures and public records. Costa and McCrae’s …


The Mental Health Of Inmates: An Approach To Jail Reform, Courtney Isaac Anderson May 2023

The Mental Health Of Inmates: An Approach To Jail Reform, Courtney Isaac Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The aim in this phenomenological study was to understand the impact the jail environment, policies, and procedures have on incarcerated individuals. Mental health problems are common among individuals in jail. Furthermore, the jail environment, harsh policies, and isolation from the public are believed to have a negative impact on inmate mental health. Elevated percentages of inmates experiencing psychiatric difficulties during their incarceration have been supported by research. It is suggested that the elevated percentages of psychiatric demands promote the lack of mental health assistance inside jails. A methodical analysis of literature was conducted to identify the circumstances of the jail …


Forgiveness As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Religiosity And Intimate Partner Violence, Leroy Sapp May 2023

Forgiveness As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Religiosity And Intimate Partner Violence, Leroy Sapp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study uses an online survey method to examine forgiveness in a woman with patriarchal religious beliefs (PRB) who has experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) and the predictive role of forgiveness in moderating the relationships between IPV and religiosity and IPV and PRB. The participants received scores on PRB, which were divided into two groups: adherence and nonadherence. The findings concluded no statistically significant difference between the means of the adherence group and nonadherence group’s mean forgiveness levels. The study found that forgiveness moderated the positive relationship between religiosity and IPV violence approval, and forgiveness negatively affected said relationship. …


Religiosity In Drug Use And Addiction Among African American Women: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Felice Saleem May 2023

Religiosity In Drug Use And Addiction Among African American Women: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Felice Saleem

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the influence of religiosity on experiences in Celebrate Recovery (CR) groups for African American (AA) women in Central Georgia. AAs die from drug overdoses at rates that exceed all other racial groups in the United States. Although many treatment options exist, they remain largely ineffective at helping people addicted to drugs sustain sobriety. Religiosity has been shown to influence quality addiction treatment access. The theory that guided this study was Parsons’s classic structural-functional analysis of religious organization theory because it describes religion as an integrated system of beliefs or practices …


The Perception Of K-12 Instrumental Directors In Low-Income Areas On Virtual Learning With Skill Development And Retention, Anthony Lewis Hunt May 2023

The Perception Of K-12 Instrumental Directors In Low-Income Areas On Virtual Learning With Skill Development And Retention, Anthony Lewis Hunt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to the extreme measures taken to protect students from COVID-19 during the pandemic, schools closed their doors, and educators struggled to continue teaching through virtual learning platforms. Performance-based classrooms were encouraged to discover new methods and strategies to motivate students to thrive even though face-to-face rehearsals were restricted. This study examined the experiences secondary music education instrumentalists faced while attempting to utilize synchronous and asynchronous instruction in a 100 percent virtual performance-based environment. This study aimed to understand the negative and positive effects placed on secondary instrumentalists’ performance abilities, fundamental development, and participation/retention since the introduction of virtual learning …


Strengthening Community Trust: A Qualitative Exploration Of College-Aged African American Males' Perceptions Of And Experiences With The Police, Craig Vernon Vanclief May 2023

Strengthening Community Trust: A Qualitative Exploration Of College-Aged African American Males' Perceptions Of And Experiences With The Police, Craig Vernon Vanclief

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher of this phenomenological qualitative multiple case study aimed to examine how community trust between the police and the community they serve is strengthened based on the perspectives of college-aged African American males. The following research questions that guided this study included what do college-aged African American males see as the most significant opportunities to strengthen the relationship between the police and the community they serve? What do college-aged African American males believe are the most essential steps law enforcement can take to increase community trust and confidence in the police? How can law enforcement foster more community engagement …


Challenges Law Enforcement Faces In Utilizing Community Policing To Counter Violent Extremism, Steven Brett Beams May 2023

Challenges Law Enforcement Faces In Utilizing Community Policing To Counter Violent Extremism, Steven Brett Beams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There has been a rise in violent extremist attacks throughout America since the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. However, law enforcement has been challenged in developing means and methods to combat the rise in terrorist activities. Using and enhancing community policing strategies have shown promising results in identifying terroristic individuals. A literature review shows that community policing strategies have been effective in combating and reducing violence and may be effective in mitigating terrorist activities. Community policing can be a necessary means for identifying radical individuals involved in terrorist activities. This research proposes to discover an effective and …


A Quantitative Study Exploring The Perceptions Of Body-Worn Camera Use In The Texas Department Of Juvenile Justice, David Dean Stender May 2023

A Quantitative Study Exploring The Perceptions Of Body-Worn Camera Use In The Texas Department Of Juvenile Justice, David Dean Stender

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social justice issues led to the implementation of body-worn cameras (BWC) in police departments throughout the United States. This widespread implementation provided research results to assist other police agencies in considering implementation; however, no similar criminal justice solution for adult and juvenile corrections has been implemented with the same level of practicality. BWCs have the potential to protect inmates according to the Prison Rape Elimination Act’s (PREA) requirements and represent the most critical social justice issue in corrections: advocating civil rights. The former Texas Youth Commission (TYC) was re-branded as the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) due to a history …


A Phenomenological Study: Black Female Resilient Dropouts And How They Perceive Parental Influence In Their Pursuit Of Completing A High School Diploma At A Midwestern Credit Recovery Institution, Tennille A. Love May 2023

A Phenomenological Study: Black Female Resilient Dropouts And How They Perceive Parental Influence In Their Pursuit Of Completing A High School Diploma At A Midwestern Credit Recovery Institution, Tennille A. Love

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black female resilient high school dropouts, and whether parental involvement impacted their enrollment and completion of a diploma from a midwestern credit recovery school. The guiding theories of this study were ecological systems and critical race feminism as it relates to the participants of a specific race and gender, and how the microsystemic relationship between them and their parents may have influenced their decision. The research questions of the study were: (a) what are the lived experiences of Black females who dropped out of their traditional …


Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Nationally Credentialed Victim Advocates: Baseline And Risk Factors, Bette Marie Stebbins Inch Apr 2023

Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Nationally Credentialed Victim Advocates: Baseline And Risk Factors, Bette Marie Stebbins Inch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Crime victims rely on the expertise of nationally recognized victim advocates to navigate the complex criminal justice process that includes reporting the crime and participating in the criminal legal system while recovering from trauma. People indirectly involved in traumatic events can also experience adverse effects. Providing direct services to traumatized crime victims may increase an advocate’s risk of developing secondary traumatic stress and negatively affect client services. This study was designed to examine the occurrence of specific symptoms matching the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale to establish a baseline of secondary traumatic stress among a sample of nationally credentialed victim advocates …


A Phenomenological Study Of Lived Experiences Of Drug Treatment Court Judges, Jennifer Smith Ramey Apr 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of Lived Experiences Of Drug Treatment Court Judges, Jennifer Smith Ramey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe current judges’ experiences presiding over drug treatment courts in Virginia. These experiences include the factors that led them to serve as a drug court judge, their training (if any) in behavioral health, and their perspective on how they apply therapeutic jurisprudence and procedural justice. The theory guiding this study is the diversionary justice theory. This theory explains the importance of diverting individuals charged with a crime from entering the punitive criminal justice system. The study was guided by the following research questions: How do judges describe their experiences presiding over drug …


Law Enforcement Officers And The Domestic Violence Advocacy Referral Process, Aaron Allen Cubbage Apr 2023

Law Enforcement Officers And The Domestic Violence Advocacy Referral Process, Aaron Allen Cubbage

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Domestic violence incidents impact the daily activities of the law enforcement agencies responsible for responding to these calls for service. Legislators and law enforcement leaders have expended countless hours, staffing, and finances to adequately protect the victims of domestic violence. In Virginia, an essential component of protecting victims of domestic violence involves the referral process, used by law enforcement officers to connect victims of domestic violence to domestic violence advocacy groups. The Code of Virginia and law enforcement agencies receiving accreditation through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) require these referrals. There is available research regarding the referral …


The Efficacy Of Paramilitary Police Training For Procedural Justice Approaches: A Phenomenological Study, Joshua Tiffee Apr 2023

The Efficacy Of Paramilitary Police Training For Procedural Justice Approaches: A Phenomenological Study, Joshua Tiffee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of instructors at paramilitary police training programs in Pacific State as they relate to procedural justice skills. Procedural justice, with its emphasis on citizen voice, dignity, and respect, has become the predominant policing approach in America. However, numerous studies conclude that the predominant police training approach, paramilitary police training, is ill-equipped to instill the skills necessary for police to employ procedural justice strategies. This hermeneutic phenomenological study described the experiences of instructors at paramilitary police training programs using social learning theory principles as a framework to answer the central …


Efficacy Of Education On Police Misconduct, Roel Rosalez Apr 2023

Efficacy Of Education On Police Misconduct, Roel Rosalez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and discover the efficacy of education on police misconduct for the citizens of Port Isabel, Texas through the services received from the Port Isabel, Texas, police department, and the trust in the relationship between the citizens and the police officers of Port Isabel, Texas. The theory guiding this study is Moral Development Theory initiated by Lawrence Kohlberg, which explains that children and adolescents progress through six stages of moral development organized in three levels (Carmichael et al., 2019). While this theory is directed at children and adolescents, the same theory can …


Restitution Is A Necessary Part Of Biblical Forgiveness: A Look At How The Bible Provides A Legal And Moral Solution For Transgressions Committed, Robert Andrew Pannier Apr 2023

Restitution Is A Necessary Part Of Biblical Forgiveness: A Look At How The Bible Provides A Legal And Moral Solution For Transgressions Committed, Robert Andrew Pannier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the principle of restitution and how it is an essential part of biblical forgiveness. What makes this principle so important is that God wanted to ensure that there was no barrier to the unity of the body of Christ and unforgiveness related to a transgression can be a huge barrier as it creates resentment and anger. Since the ultimate goal of God is the unity of His creation, God provided a system where true forgiveness could be achieved, both from a legal standpoint, where a debt was repaid, and from a moral …


African American Parenting Style Influence On Children And Adolescents' Academic Success, Elizabeth F. Martin Apr 2023

African American Parenting Style Influence On Children And Adolescents' Academic Success, Elizabeth F. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine how parenting styles influence African American children and adolescents’ academic success. The theory guiding this study was Diana Baumrind’s parenting typologies authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting styles. A sample size of 10 African American participants who had at least one child, 3 months to 18 years of age, were recruited and selected through purposeful and snowball sampling. Each participant was interviewed via recorded Zoom meetings and data were collected utilizing open-ended, semistructured, in-depth interview questions. Three research questions guided this study: (a) what response is given that characterizes parents’ relations …


Law Enforcement Cardiovascular Health: A Qualitative Study On Law Enforcement Officers' Risk Awareness And The Targeted Mitigation Of Cardiovascular Disease, Gretchen Sue Harvey Lapp Apr 2023

Law Enforcement Cardiovascular Health: A Qualitative Study On Law Enforcement Officers' Risk Awareness And The Targeted Mitigation Of Cardiovascular Disease, Gretchen Sue Harvey Lapp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cardiovascular disease-related deaths and injuries are prevalent among law enforcement officers (Han et al., 2017; Keeler et al., 2021), with attribution pointing to the strong associations between the inherent stressors of police work directly impacting the psychological and physical health of police officers (Santa Maria et al., 2018; Violanti et al., 2017). As such, several researchers have studied the associations between police officers' perceptions of stress and the presence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. However, there is a current gap in the literature on information examining the relationship between law enforcement officers' cardiovascular disease risk perceptions and their utilized health …