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Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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Building Students’ Self-Efficacy Through Cross-Age Mentorship Focused On Stem Growth Mindset: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Heidi J. Reid Oct 2026

Building Students’ Self-Efficacy Through Cross-Age Mentorship Focused On Stem Growth Mindset: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Heidi J. Reid

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the self-efficacious experiences through a cross-age mentorship program between sixth-grade and Kindergarten students for parents at Seven Maples Elementary School in the Southeastern United States. The theory guiding this study is Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which describes how building confidence influences a person’s self-efficacy. This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology and gathered data through interviews, physical artifacts, and focus groups with parents whose students participated in the Kindergarten Buddy Program, a cross-age mentor program between sixth-grade and kindergarten students. The interviews, physical artifacts, and focus group responses were recorded and …


The Revitalization Of Pentecostal Churches In Rural Appalachia, Justin W. Rowland Oct 2026

The Revitalization Of Pentecostal Churches In Rural Appalachia, Justin W. Rowland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pentecostal churches in rural Appalachia face challenges such as declining attendance, aging congregations, demographic shifts, and changing cultural values. Although denominations such as the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) and the Assemblies of God remain active throughout the region, many churches struggle to sustain growth and ministry effectiveness. Limited research has examined the factors that contribute to the health and vitality of thriving Pentecostal churches in this rural setting. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the characteristics and practices of healthy, growing Pentecostal churches in rural Appalachia to understand what contributes to their vitality, discipleship, and sustained …


A Metaphysical Analysis Of Theological Language: Can We Talk About God?, Kenneth R. Marple Oct 2026

A Metaphysical Analysis Of Theological Language: Can We Talk About God?, Kenneth R. Marple

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The possibility of meaningful theological language presents a longstanding problem in philosophy of religion and Christian theology. Because human language is finite and creaturely while God is infinite and transcendent, questions arise concerning how human beings can make meaningful and truthful claims about God. Traditional accounts of univocal, equivocal, and analogical predication address aspects of this problem but often leave a more fundamental metaphysical question unresolved: what must language be for it to meaningfully signify reality? This dissertation provides a metaphysical analysis of theological language by examining the ontological foundations of language and its relationship to reality. Through qualitative, interdisciplinary …


The Great Bridge: A Congregational Engagement Intervention For The Local Church, India C. Barnes Oct 2026

The Great Bridge: A Congregational Engagement Intervention For The Local Church, India C. Barnes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis addressed a documented gap between the stated mission of New Beginnings Ministry of Faith, Hope, and Love (NBM) and the lived engagement patterns of its members. Although the church articulated a vision of Spirit-led community grounded in discipleship, fellowship, and service, participation outside of weekly worship remained limited. The intervention, titled The Great Bridge, was grounded in Acts 2:42–47 as a biblical model of participatory church life and in social capital theory, which highlights the role of relational networks in generating communal outcomes (Claridge, 2018a, 2018b; Putnam 2000a, 2000b). The Great Bridge was a structured 16-week congregational engagement …


A Deacon Boot Camp For The Deacons Of Second Baptist Church, Cypress Campus, Stephen Bailiff Oct 2026

A Deacon Boot Camp For The Deacons Of Second Baptist Church, Cypress Campus, Stephen Bailiff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As one of only two ordained offices of a Southern Baptist Church, deacons have a responsibility to grow spiritually. Second Baptist Church, Cypress Campus, does not regularly hold the deacons accountable for spiritual growth. As a result, spiritual complacency has infiltrated the deacons. Therefore, the pastor offered an eight-week intensive discipleship program for the deacons to ignite spiritual growth. The Deacon Boot Camp included four elements to strengthen discipleship and foster spiritual growth. The four elements were Heaven Week, squadron meetings, guided daily devotionals, and accountability partners. They integrated theological training with the application of spiritual disciplines. The project creator …


Welcoming The Recovering To Worship At Westwood Baptist Church, Eric "Shawn" Stricklin Oct 2026

Welcoming The Recovering To Worship At Westwood Baptist Church, Eric "Shawn" Stricklin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctor of Ministry project addressed the relational disconnect between participants in the Reformers Unanimous addiction recovery ministry and their integration into Sunday corporate worship at Westwood Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Although many individuals regularly attended the recovery ministry, they did not consistently engage in the broader life of the church. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a Welcome Team Training Program designed to equip volunteers with theological understanding, relational skills, and ministry confidence to foster greater congregational integration. Ten participants completed the eight-week intervention, which included biblical instruction, addiction education, guided discussion, …


Examining How The Frequency Of Artificial Intelligence Use In The Workplace Relates To Employee Self-Efficacy And Job Satisfaction, Dalton R. Vail Oct 2026

Examining How The Frequency Of Artificial Intelligence Use In The Workplace Relates To Employee Self-Efficacy And Job Satisfaction, Dalton R. Vail

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence is a prominent topic in society. Its adoption in the healthcare sector has occurred rapidly. Nonetheless, much existing research focuses on clinical healthcare professionals, thereby overlooking those in non-clinical roles. Non-clinical roles make up a small portion of the healthcare industry, but they account for a large share of burnout in the field. This quantitative study aimed to explore the relationships among artificial intelligence, job satisfaction, and self-efficacy. It posited that these variables are interconnected concerning artificial intelligence in a non-clinical context. Furthermore, the study sought to determine whether job satisfaction and self-efficacy are influenced by how often …


A Causal-Comparative Study Of Self-Efficacy In Certificate And Degree Programs At The Community College Level Upon Graduation, Stephen Wakefield Phelps Oct 2026

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Self-Efficacy In Certificate And Degree Programs At The Community College Level Upon Graduation, Stephen Wakefield Phelps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study investigated whether student-perceived occupational self-efficacy differs between graduates of community college certificate programs and those completing Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. The research also addresses a gap in the literature regarding how award type influences occupational self-efficacy among students in automotive, diesel, manufacturing, and welding programs. The study employed a causal-comparative research design, examining the relationship between the categorical independent variable of award type (certificate or AAS degree) and the quantitative dependent variable of occupational self-efficacy. Participants (N=209) were students in their graduating term from community colleges in a Northwestern state who were completing one …


A Self-Efficacy Study Of Sibshop Programs On Family Systems: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Milisa R. Fowler Oct 2026

A Self-Efficacy Study Of Sibshop Programs On Family Systems: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Milisa R. Fowler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to investigate how sibling support workshops SIBSHOPs influence families, with special attention to self-efficacy of participating families. SIBSHOPs were developed to support siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by providing a platform to exchange and share their thoughts, learn new things, and develop coping strategies. This study examines the experiences of participants and their families in SIBSHOPs to understand how the workshops affect family dynamics, sibling relationships, and individual self-efficacy. Through interviews and thematic analysis, the study examines the perceived effectiveness of SIBSHOPs in enhancing participants’ self-efficacy within the context …


Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Gun Violence On Psychological Functioning And Perceived Psychosocial Supports In St. Louis’S Marginalized And Underserved Communities, Desirae Mecole Martinez Oct 2026

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Gun Violence On Psychological Functioning And Perceived Psychosocial Supports In St. Louis’S Marginalized And Underserved Communities, Desirae Mecole Martinez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies gun violence as a leading public health concern in the United States. Marginalized and underserved communities are disproportionately impacted by poverty and crime, including firearm violence. Gun violence exposure has been linked to complex trauma, anxiety, substance use disorders, and depression. St. Louis, Missouri, has one of the highest rates of gun violence and mortality in the nation; however, research lacks an understanding of the psychological toll. Limited phenomenological research has examined how adults residing in marginalized and underserved communities experience gun violence exposure psychologically and perceive psychosocial supports. This study …


Inclusive Or Self-Contained: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Parents’ Lived Experiences With Classroom Placements For Students With Disabilities In The Mid-Atlantic United States, Nicole M. Johnson Oct 2026

Inclusive Or Self-Contained: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Parents’ Lived Experiences With Classroom Placements For Students With Disabilities In The Mid-Atlantic United States, Nicole M. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of students with disabilities in self-contained and inclusive classrooms for families at K-12 schools in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The theory that guided this study was person-environment fit theory. The central research question that guided this study was: What are the lived experiences of families who have students with disabilities placed in self-contained and inclusive classrooms in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States? This study employed a structured qualitative data collection approach incorporating document analysis, individual interviews, and letter writing. Findings from all …


Interpreting Visibility: Leadership And Employee Perspectives On Performance, Trust, And Commitment In Hierarchical Organizations, Joshua A. Hart Oct 2026

Interpreting Visibility: Leadership And Employee Perspectives On Performance, Trust, And Commitment In Hierarchical Organizations, Joshua A. Hart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to examine how leaders and employees interpreted workplace visibility and presence within hierarchical organizations. The researcher conducted semistructured interviews with 30 participants, including 15 leaders and 15 employees, across nongovernmental, civilian government, and military cases. The researcher organized 43 codes into seven themes. Participants described workplace visibility as selective access to employee activity rather than complete evidence of performance, commitment, reliability, motivation, or engagement. They described attendance, responsiveness, communication, and visible output as more perceptible aspects of work, while preparation, technical reasoning, informal coordination, and internal experience were less apparent. Participants depicted …


The Experiences Of African American Married Couples In Blended Families: A Descriptive Case Study, Tia Jones Medine Oct 2026

The Experiences Of African American Married Couples In Blended Families: A Descriptive Case Study, Tia Jones Medine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to describe the perceived influence of emotional regulation and marriage quality regarding custody conflicts for 13 married African American husbands and wives navigating co-parenting dynamics. The theory guiding this study was Family Systems Theory by Dr. Murray Bowen, which explains how external relational stress and internal emotional boundaries directly impact marital stability and family systems. Data collection methods comprised separate semi-structured interviews, three reflective journal prompts, and a focus group. Data analysis was conducted using Reflexive Thematic Analysis to identify primary codes and recurring themes. The findings revealed that participants experienced …


The Army Spreads Its Wings: Army Aviation And Its Influence On War, Christopher J. Braund Oct 2026

The Army Spreads Its Wings: Army Aviation And Its Influence On War, Christopher J. Braund

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today’s United States Army operates some of the world's most advanced helicopters, conducting some of the most dangerous aerial insertions and close air support missions. Every Army infantry division has a helicopter brigade, with capabilities ranging from command-and-control to attack, scout, and lift assets. Yet, that is a relatively new concept. Developed in the 1960s, the air mobility doctrine emerged from the Eisenhower Administration’s New Look defense policy, giving the Army direction on how to use helicopters within its overall land warfare capability. This dissertation looks at how that occurred. It fills a major gap in the historiography of Army …


A Qualitative Case Study Of Law Enforcement Supervisors’ Perspectives On Agency Efforts To Identify And Prevent Extremism Among Active-Duty Officers, Enoch D. Irvine Oct 2026

A Qualitative Case Study Of Law Enforcement Supervisors’ Perspectives On Agency Efforts To Identify And Prevent Extremism Among Active-Duty Officers, Enoch D. Irvine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The presence of political extremism among active-duty law enforcement represents a very real threat to the safety of citizens and the integrity of the policing profession. The purpose of this study was to have law enforcement supervisors describe what their agencies are doing to identify and prevent political extremism among active-duty officers in Utah. Law enforcement supervisors from three specifically chosen case-study agencies were invited to participate via a combination of semi-structured in-person interviews and an online survey. The findings of this study demonstrate the challenges law enforcement supervisors face in addressing extremism among officers while thoroughly highlighting the lack …


Burnout And Job Performance Among Working Mothers: The Moderating Roles Of Servant Leadership And Perceived Organizational Support, Claudia Anderson Oct 2026

Burnout And Job Performance Among Working Mothers: The Moderating Roles Of Servant Leadership And Perceived Organizational Support, Claudia Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Working mothers frequently navigate competing work and family demands that increase vulnerability to burnout and may affect job performance. Despite these challenges, working mothers remain underrepresented in organizational research examining burnout and performance outcomes. Limited studies have explored how perceived organizational support (POS) and servant leadership influence the burnout-performance relationship across the individual dimensions of burnout. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationships between burnout and job performance among working mothers in the United States and tested whether POS and servant leadership moderated these relationships individually and jointly. The sample included 86 full-time working mothers recruited through convenience and snowball …


Exploring The Influence Of Personalized E-Learning Tools On Critical Thinking And Literacy In Secondary English Classrooms Through Instructor Perspectives: A Holistic Case Study, Lanishia R. Berry Sep 2026

Exploring The Influence Of Personalized E-Learning Tools On Critical Thinking And Literacy In Secondary English Classrooms Through Instructor Perspectives: A Holistic Case Study, Lanishia R. Berry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic case study was to explore how secondary English Language Arts teachers integrated personalized e-learning tools to support reading comprehension and critical thinking in secondary English Language Arts classrooms. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky's sociocultural development theory because it supports the idea that learning and cognitive development occur through interaction and collaboration, aligning with how personalized e-learning tools are used to engage students in meaningful literacy experiences. The central research question guiding this study is: How do secondary English teachers perceive the use of personalized e-learning tools in their instruction to support reading comprehension …


A Quantitative, Causal-Comparative Study Of Black And White First-Year, First-Generation Students’ Adaptation To College, Shaunell Carter Mcgee Sep 2026

A Quantitative, Causal-Comparative Study Of Black And White First-Year, First-Generation Students’ Adaptation To College, Shaunell Carter Mcgee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine to what extent adaptation to college differs between Black and White first-year first-generation college students. The significance of this study lies in addressing limited literature examining the differences between Black and White first-year, first-generation students’ adaptation to college and offering insights that could be used as a basis to inform strategies for ensuring successful transition to and retention of these students in higher education. The sample included 149 participants aged 18-25 enrolled in an undergraduate four-year degree program at University A, located in South Georgia in the United States. …


The Amateur Class: A Christoform, Communal, Experience-Driven Leader Development Approach For The Missionary Church, Virgil Lee Tanner Jr. Sep 2026

The Amateur Class: A Christoform, Communal, Experience-Driven Leader Development Approach For The Missionary Church, Virgil Lee Tanner Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Missionary Church, like many Christian organizations, faces recurring leadership transitions in which emerging leaders must assume responsibilities that exceed their developmental preparation. This challenge reflects the absence of a shared, coherent leader development framework that leverages experience for development and integrates Christoform spirituality and professional growth. This study examined the feasibility and potential impact of The Amateur Class, a Christoform, experience-driven leader development intervention combining narrative reflection, a three-day in-person retreat, virtual learning cohorts, and a capstone virtual retreat. Using a mixed-methods design, the study quantitatively assessed changes in self-awareness (Self-Reflection and Insight Scale [SRIS]), tolerance for ambiguity (Multiple …


Examining Christian Hospital Chaplains’ Roles: Navigating Shifting Paradigms, Karen Y. Wilkins Sep 2026

Examining Christian Hospital Chaplains’ Roles: Navigating Shifting Paradigms, Karen Y. Wilkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this heuristic phenomenological study was to explore how faith-based hospital chaplains negotiate their professional identity while serving non-religious clients. As hospital chaplaincy expands beyond traditional religious care, chaplains are increasingly expected to support the holistic well-being of patients from diverse religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds. Guided by humanistic theory, role theory, and theory of meaning, this study examined how chaplains understand and fulfill their professional roles. Role theory informed the exploration of expectations placed on chaplains, while theory of meaning provided a framework for understanding how chaplains support patients’ meaning-making processes regardless of religious affiliation. Data were …


The Effects Of Home Virtual Reality (Vr) Firearms Systems On Self-Efficacy, Gun Attitude, And Stress, Raffi R. Stambultsyan Sep 2026

The Effects Of Home Virtual Reality (Vr) Firearms Systems On Self-Efficacy, Gun Attitude, And Stress, Raffi R. Stambultsyan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Advanced virtual reality (VR) firearms training systems have demonstrated benefits for military and law enforcement personnel; however, limited research has examined the psychological effects of commercially available home-based VR firearms systems. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to investigate the immediate effects of the GAIM and AceXR home VR dry-fire training systems on general self-efficacy, leadership self-efficacy, perceived stress, and gun attitude among firearms-trained military and law enforcement veterans. A total of 128 participants completed validated pretest and posttest measures following participation in a VR training session using either the GAIM or AceXR platform. A one-way multivariate analysis …


How Partner Support Impacts The Intimate Relationship Quality Of Adult Childhood Sexual Abuse (Csa) Survivors: A Qualitative Study, Colin E. Wilson Sep 2026

How Partner Support Impacts The Intimate Relationship Quality Of Adult Childhood Sexual Abuse (Csa) Survivors: A Qualitative Study, Colin E. Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) often experience long-term disruptions in their ability to form and maintain healthy adult intimate relationships. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how adult survivors described partner support and its impact on their relational healing and the quality of their intimate relationships. Eleven adults who had experienced CSA and had participated in a committed intimate relationship lasting at least 12 months were recruited through a combination of convenience, purposive, and snowball sampling. Data were collected through demographic questionnaires, a Lived Experiences Timeline Activity (LETA) sheet, semi-structured interviews, field notes, and memos. …


Fostering Meaningful Relationships In Middle School Music Ensembles And The Impact On Student Retention, Michael Andrew Murphy Sep 2026

Fostering Meaningful Relationships In Middle School Music Ensembles And The Impact On Student Retention, Michael Andrew Murphy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although participation in music ensembles varies from school to school in the United States, many directors struggle to retain, let alone grow, the number of members that comprise their performance ensembles. This is often the result of scheduling, time constraints, financial obligations, and understanding the needs of student engagement. The purpose of this qualitative, ethnological study is to explore the impact of fostering meaningful relationships in middle school music ensembles and what role those relationships play in the retention of students. This study also investigates how students and teachers determine the meaningfulness of their relationships, the importance of those relationships …


Experiences Of Mozambican Women Before, During, And After Divorce: A Phenomenology, Emídio Mário Dimande Sep 2026

Experiences Of Mozambican Women Before, During, And After Divorce: A Phenomenology, Emídio Mário Dimande

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to understand the transitional experiences of women in Mozambique from marital conflict through post-divorce life. It was guided by Schlossberg's Transition Theory (STT). The theory supported exploration of the psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of women’s lived experiences of divorce and patterns surfaced that deepened understanding of their realities. Using an interpretive phenomenological design, data were collected from 15 women, aged 19 and older, residing in Mozambique, who had experienced marriage and divorce, through a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using the Moustakas’ phenomenological approach, including horizonalization and clustering verified …


Perceived Effects Of Cancel Culture Threat And Digital Natives’ Patterns Of Communication On Social Media, Randolph N. Townley Sep 2026

Perceived Effects Of Cancel Culture Threat And Digital Natives’ Patterns Of Communication On Social Media, Randolph N. Townley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

"Cancel culture" is a well-known atropism that has become commonplace on social media. To many this may feel like a new phenomenon, but it has existed in various forms since antiquity. From biblical times to today, people have attempted to silence dissenting viewpoints. The cancel culture philosophy is distributed over all viewpoints that have a potentially offensive bent for the group of people who deem the content offensive. This study evaluated whether digital natives feel compelled to limit their exposure on social media to their authentic viewpoints considering the threat of repercussions. Using Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory coupled with …


Colorado Mental Health Professionals’ Personal And Professional Perspectives Of Nutrition: A Phenomenological Study, Tanya M. Tyrrell Sep 2026

Colorado Mental Health Professionals’ Personal And Professional Perspectives Of Nutrition: A Phenomenological Study, Tanya M. Tyrrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Growing evidence supports the relationship between nutrition and mental health. However, little is known about how mental health professionals (MHPs) experience nutrition, perceive its role in relation to mental health, or integrate nutrition into psychotherapy. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore Colorado MHPs’ lived experiences with nutrition and examine how those experiences informed their professional perspectives of nutrition. Guided by constructivist epistemology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 MHPs practicing in Colorado, and data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis generated eight themes. Findings revealed that 1) MHPs experienced nutrition as a lifelong developmental process …


Invisible Transitions: A Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of Christian Working Women Navigating Perimenopause, Rebekah S. Willis Sep 2026

Invisible Transitions: A Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of Christian Working Women Navigating Perimenopause, Rebekah S. Willis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Perimenopause is a significant life transition that can affect how women experience their bodies, relationships, work, and sense of self. However, the experiences of working women during this transition, specifically women of faith, remain underrepresented in existing literature. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of Christian working women navigating perimenopause, with attention to how they understood changes in daily life, professional identity, personal coping, workplace experiences, and faith. Eight women participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Five major themes emerged from the findings: the disruption of a previously …


A Phenomenological Hermeneutic Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Pre-Licensure Nursing Students’ First Semester Clinical Rotations Following Simulation Learning, Ogochukwu Vera Nnakwe Sep 2026

A Phenomenological Hermeneutic Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Pre-Licensure Nursing Students’ First Semester Clinical Rotations Following Simulation Learning, Ogochukwu Vera Nnakwe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological hermeneutic study aims to understand the lived experiences of pre-licensure nursing students during their clinical rotation semester following simulation learning at Southeastern University. The guiding theory for this study is Kolb’s experiential learning theory (Kolb, 1984). Simulation learning in nursing education is a teaching approach that lets learners practice practical nursing skills in a safe environment without risking patient safety, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice (Mishra et al., 2023). It offers students opportunities to improve their knowledge of clinical skills and enhance their abilities (Koukourikos et al., 2021). The study involved a sample of 12 …


In Myth And Memory: The Efficacy Of New England Civil War Chaplains, Kevin L. Hostettler Sep 2026

In Myth And Memory: The Efficacy Of New England Civil War Chaplains, Kevin L. Hostettler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Private William Kennedy of the Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry damned chaplains as “the most gigantic nuisance in the Army,” then praised his own. The distance between abstract condemnation and named, concrete appreciation has shaped the historiography of the Union chaplaincy, with historians largely accepting nameless class censure at face value and treating competence as the exception. This dissertation argues that no single standard of efficacy can be applied to Union chaplains, because they answered to seven competing horizons of expectation (governmental, military command, regimental, soldiery, denominational, civilian, and personal), leaving chaplains to fill undefined duties Congress never clarified or reconciled. …


Growing Up Without A Father: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experience Of Black Women In The Church, Jada She'ree Adger Byrd Sep 2026

Growing Up Without A Father: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experience Of Black Women In The Church, Jada She'ree Adger Byrd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Black women who grew up in the faith community without a present father in the Southern region of the United States. The central research question that guided this study was, "What are the lived experiences of Black women who grew up in the faith community without a present father?" The theory that guided this study was intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989, 1991), as this theory provides a framework for the understanding of how intersecting identities, including race, gender, and spirituality, shape an individual’s interpretation of father absence. This study …