Digital Commons Network^™

Unethical Leadership And Team Performance, Katlin R. Conroy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Unethical leadership remains a persistent problem within organizations, negatively impacting employee attitudes, team dynamics, and overall performance. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how unethical leadership behaviors can impact team performance. Guided by four research questions, this study examined the effects of unethical leadership, the behaviors that contribute to decreased performance, employee perceptions of such behaviors, and strategies organizations can use to address them. Data were collected through semi‑structured interviews, using the Unethical Leadership Scale for methodological triangulation. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and recurring themes across participant responses. The findings revealed several …

A Qualitative Case Study: Learning, Teaching, And Using Social-Emotional Skills In A Post-Covid Era, Camille Louise Andrews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to discover the influence that COVID-19 has had on teaching and learning social-emotional skills in grades K through 2 in a local public school in a central metropolitan area in the northeastern United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools worldwide were forced to shut down, providing online instruction using tablets and other media devices. Students and teachers suddenly became limited in how they socialized with each other. COVID-19 changed how teachers use social-emotional learning (SEL) in the classroom. The study included 10 participants. This study’s purpose was to answer the central research …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Novice Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of Managing The Behavioral Needs Of Students With Disabilities In Inclusive Classrooms, Jordan Brooke Royalty

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of managing the behavioral needs of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms for novice elementary general education teachers at public elementary schools in a southern state. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it underscores the role of personal experiences, social interactions, and self-efficacy in shaping behavior and professional competence. The central research question guiding this study is: What are the lived experiences of novice elementary general education teachers managing the behavioral needs of students with disabilities in an inclusive classroom setting in …

Examining The Impact Of School Resource Officer Training: A Survey Of North Carolina Officers In Schools, Jennifer M. Osborn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Recent increases in violence in schools have led to greater attention on the training and effectiveness of School Resource Officers (SROs). This study analyzes the effects of SRO training programs in North Carolina educational institutions, concentrating on two principal law enforcement agencies: the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the Fayetteville Police Department. This research uses surveys and qualitative analysis to examine how SRO training relates to school safety and the development of positive relationships with students.

SRO training protocols and their efficacy in enhancing school safety and cultivating positive student relationships. The study examines four primary research questions concerning the …

Lament Shift: Utilizing Biblical Lament As A Reframing Process To Help Church Members Of First Baptist Church Of Lumberton, Mississippi, Cope With Emotional Distress, Paul Wiseheart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to address the problem that church members at First Baptist Church of Lumberton, Mississippi (FBCL) were unprepared to use biblical lament as a meaning-making coping practice to manage emotional distress. The thesis statement was that if FBCL church members participated in Lament Shift, they would report greater preparedness to manage emotional distress. Lament Shift is a curriculum-based program designed to equip FBCL church members to use biblical lament as a meaning-making coping practice in the context of a four-week peer support group. The study used a pre-experimental mixed methods design and …

Faith-Informed Instruction In Secondary Mathematics: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Teachers, Jonathan Balsman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the phenomenon of faith-informed instruction as experienced by secondary mathematics teachers in Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) schools in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism, which frames educators’ instructional and theological meaning-making as socially and contextually developed through collaborative, relational learning environments. The central research question guiding this study was: What are the lived experiences of LCMS secondary mathematics teachers as they practice faith-informed instruction? This study used a hermeneutic phenomenological design to interpret teacher meaning-making and reflective practice. Participants were selected using …

Besieged Emotions: Female Writers, Vicksburg, And The Domestic Sphere During The Civil War, Theresa Schaecher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, is most often interpreted in terms of military strategy, leadership, and battlefield outcomes. While these perspectives provide important insights into the campaign, they have often placed less emphasis on the experiences of civilians who endured the forty-seven-day siege within the city. This dissertation examines the civilian experience through women's writings, arguing that their diaries and memoirs serve as analytical accounts of survival, emotional endurance, and social transformation under siege. Drawing on the writings of Mary Loughborough and other female civilians, this study employs content and narrative analyses to identify patterns of fear, grief, hope, and …

Caring For ‘Lewy’: The Lived Experiences Of Adult Children Caregivers Of A Parent With Lewy Body Dementia, Tina Ellis Long

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of adult children caregivers of a parent with Lewy body dementia (LBD). The study was guided by Pearlin’s stress process model (SPM) and Thibault and Kelley’s social exchange theory (SET), as these theories informed aspects of caregiver burden and stress, as well as caregiver motivation. The study implemented a qualitative design with a transcendental phenomenological approach, exploring caregivers’ subjective individual experiences, while also observing caregivers’ common objective experiences. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, journal prompts, and cognitive representations, and was analyzed using the Colaizzi open coding …

Forgiveness And Marital Restoration After Infidelity Among Mid-Atlantic Christian Couples: A Hermaneutic Interpretation, Denise Crable Crarey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Infidelity can inflict substantial damage to a marital relationship, specifically emotional trauma, broken trust, instability, and possibly divorce. However, some choose to extend forgiveness and work towards restoration of the marital relationship. The problem addressed by this study is the absence of known factors contributing to marital restoration from the perspective of wounded partners among Christians in the Mid-Atlantic United States. The purpose of this study is to understand which factors promote marital restoration from the perspective of the injured spouse in the Christian community from the Mid-Atlantic United States. The theoretical perspectives for this study are the Enright Process …

Exploration Of The Impact Of Social Isolation And Intimate Partner Violence On Combat-Wounded Veteran Caregivers, Kassandra Lyn Orrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the study was to help bridge the gap in understanding the relationship between caregivers and the impact that caring for a combat-wounded veteran has on their relationship with society, and whether social isolation gives way to an increase in domestic violence. In addition, this study explored the biblical implications of caring for combat-wounded individuals and how to better serve those who care for society's wounded. The population comprised 49 combat-wounded veteran caregivers who were assigned anonymous surveys and contacted via various military caregiver sites or organizations. Participants completed a survey that will track their demographic information, along …

Exploring The Practice Of Mindfulness In Ministry Among Kansas Assemblies Of God Clergy, Angela K. Sartain

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Interest in integrating mindfulness into Christian counseling and pastoral practice increased; however, very little research has documented its experience among Assemblies of God clergy. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Kansas Assemblies of God clergy who have engaged mindfulness within a ministry context. Based on acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, viewed through a Christian lens; the research examined understanding, adaptation, and practice regarding worship, leadership, and pastoral care. Data from in-depth interviews with Kansas Assemblies of God clergy were analyzed thematically and patterns of meaning and practice were discovered. The results revealed how Kansas Assemblies …

Elementary Music Educators And The Mcclosky Technique, Shannon Day

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite years of private vocal instruction and coursework on the singing voice, many music educators have not continued their vocal study beyond their former institutional requirements, nor have they received training in the proper use and care of the speaking voice, which has led to the development of vocal disorders and complaints of poor vocal health. This study examines the varying levels of vocal health among elementary music educators as they undergo vocal health exercises using the McClosky Technique. The McClosky Technique offers a distinctive approach to vocal health that emphasizes the release of muscular tension within the voice. The …

U.S. Navy Seal Operational Understanding From 1945 To 1989: A Case Study, Cade Morgan Kemp Pickford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation will examine the evolution of U.S. Navy SEAL doctrine, mission scope, and overall strategic role from their formal establishment in 1962 through the Cold War interventions in Grenada (1983) and Panama (1989). It will argue that the SEALs transformed from a more experimental counterinsurgency force into a much stronger and more strategically significant instrument of U.S. military policy, shaped by the combat experience, institutional challenges, and ever-evolving geopolitical demands. Drawing upon several primary sources, including archival records, official military histories, several oral interviews, and doctrinal publications, this study employs a qualitative, thematic methodology to analyze patterns in operational …

High School Teachers’ Experiences Fostering Empathy At A Florida Charter School: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Angela Lynn Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of high school teachers fostering empathy at a charter school in Florida. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s social constructivism as it provided the framework for exploring the phenomenon of fostering empathy in the classroom while considering the role of teacher and student interactions. The Central Research Question was as follows: What are the lived experiences of high school teachers with fostering empathy in their classrooms at a charter school in Florida? This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach with a purposeful sample of 10 high …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of College Student Motivations For Learning While Overcoming Addiction: Building University Recovery Capital, Jason James Gemme

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand how addiction recovery shapes college students' motivation to learn at Haven University, an institution in the South Atlantic region of the United States. The central phenomenon of motivation was generally defined as the internal drive that propels an individual towards achieving a goal or fulfilling a desire, such as overcoming addiction or pursuing academic learning. The theory guiding this study was Maslow's hierarchy of human motivation. This theory was instrumental in understanding the psychological factors that influenced college students' motivations for addiction recovery or learning and elucidated ways to integrate …

Switching Sides: A Grounded Theory Study Of Transition From Christian To Atheist, Joel C. Furches

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study developed a data driven, six stage model of deconversion, defined as the transition from publicly identifying as a Christian to publicly identifying as an atheist. Using a Grounded Theory approach for analysis, and an archival approach for data collection, the research analyzed 35 autobiographical accounts of deconversion to identify common psychological, social, and behavioral processes underlying religious-deidentification and atheist identification. The findings revealed six background features characteristic of religious environments with higher likelihood of producing deconverts, four categories of objections that precipitate dissonance, and six coping strategies individuals employ in response to that dissonance. Central to the model …

A Connection A Day Keeps The Patient Away: How Remote Patient Monitoring Connected To The Internet Of Things Will Change Us Healthcare Into The Us Healthcare System, Ethan Sinn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The importance of this study was due to the market inefficiencies hindering US healthcare. The three market inefficiencies of excessive cost, access challenges, and low outcome yields have puzzled industry stakeholders for years. These inefficiencies continue gobbling up resources now accounting for around 20% of American GDP. The inefficiencies are symptomatic results of two surface level problems in the US healthcare market: financial misalignments and informational fragmentation. The financial mismatches and informational gaps have caused havoc to the natural market’s daily flow since making their way to the surface and remain firmly connected to the root cause of US healthcare’s …

A Cross To Bear: Examining Nonadaptive Manifestations Of Secondary Trauma In Professional School Counselors, Byron Ronaldo Kellam

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This interpretative phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of vicarious trauma among Professional School Counselors working in urban and rural school districts in the southeastern United States. Professional School Counselors are routinely subjected to children’s traumatic histories, positioning them at elevated danger for secondary psychological distress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion. Although increased awareness of vicarious trauma in helping professions is prevalent, inadequate research has examined how Professional School Counselors translate and reconcile the significance of these experiences within school-oriented contexts. The primary theory guiding the study was Constructivist Self-Development Theory. This theoretical framework synchronizes with the research’s attending …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Exploring Veteran Mentor Teachers’ Role In Shaping Novice And Uncertified Special Educators At Joy High School In Texas, Venyke C. Medley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences mentoring novice or uncertified special education teachers for veteran special education teachers at Joy High School in Texas. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social learning theory, which emphasizes the importance of observational learning, modeling, and mentorship in shaping professionals. The central research question was: How do veteran special education teachers in Title I secondary schools describe the mentorship and training needs of novice and uncertified special education teachers related to implementing special education policies and individualized instructional practices? Using purposive sampling, 10 veteran special education …

The Phenomenology Of Residential Youth In Child Welfare Settings And The Social Workers Who Work With Them., April Leigh Rorabaugh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examines the experiences and challenges faced by social workers in child placement for adolescents aged 12-18 within North Carolina’s child welfare system, an issue that warrants immediate attention. Hardworking and determined social workers are on the ground fighting in an already overtaxed system that is resulting in options that are frighteningly few for the care our youth so desperately need. Many of the most vulnerable children in the welfare system are being placed in other states for residential treatment. This is not only traumatic but also robs youth of everything they are familiar with at such a …

The Lived Experiences Of School Counselors In Counselor Education And Supervision Doctoral Programs: A Phenomenological Study Of Self-Efficacy And Professional Identity, Bryana Lynn Caviness

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceived impact of doctoral studies on self-efficacy for school counselors who have earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) from CACREP-accredited programs. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory as it emphasizes the role of beliefs in one’s capabilities to manage prospective situations. This study sought to understand the lived experiences of these professionals and how their doctoral education influenced their confidence in performing the multifaceted roles of school counseling. By capturing these lived experiences, the study aimed to identify both the strengths …

Empowering Elementary Music Students To Compose And Perform With Ipad, Matthew Martin Massengale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

iPad is a popular device commonly used an educational tool, yet little information is available about how iPad can be used to supplement gaps in music education in elementary classes. It is widely accepted that music education increases student achievement across multiple curriculums: therefore, any techniques and tools available to deliver music lessons that may close gaps in access to quality music education are important to study and understand. Through qualitative research techniques, this study will examine and analyze the efficacy of using iPad in music lessons. Students will access music history and theory through apps installed on iPad. Students …

The Protective Factors Of Alcohol Use And Problem Drinking By Emerging Adults During The 2020s And The Era Of Covid-19, Aubrey A. Coplon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research investigated the protective factors that shape alcohol use and problem drinking among emerging adults during the 2020s, with a spotlight on the COVID-19 pandemic. As this age group grapples with the complexities of self-discovery and independence, the pandemic introduced a new set of challenges and shifts. Through qualitative interviews, this study worked to uncover the resilience strategies and support systems that have emerged as crucial in mitigating alcohol misuse. It examined the role of social connections, mental health resources, coping mechanisms, and evolving social norms in buffering against problem drinking. While the pandemic intensified some risks, it also …

Experiences Of Cholesterol Management Among Obese Individuals: A Qualitative Exploration Of Statin Use, Diet, And Physical Activity, Ke'andra S. Foggie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia has increased over the past decade, with obesity identified as a major contributing factor. This study examined how individuals with obesity and hypercholesterolemia managed cholesterol and experienced related challenges within their daily lives. Guided by the Chronic Care Model, the research explored participant-reported experiences of statin therapy and lifestyle practices, including dietary behaviors and physical activity, as components of cholesterol management. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis to analyze participant-reported barriers, supports, and contextual factors that shape how these practices are incorporated into daily routines. Although extensive research has examined statin …

Teachers’ And Parents’ Perception Of The Impacts Of Social Skills Education Among Learners With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Marian Baffoe Bonnie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of the impacts of social skills learning for teachers and parents at a preschool in a central African country. The theory that guided this study was Premack and Woodruff’s theory of mind as it provides a scholarly underpinning for understanding the social and communication deficits experienced by individuals with autism. The central research question that guided the study was: How do teachers and parents perceive the impacts of social skills education among children with autism spectrum disorders? A qualitative methodology using a phenomenological design was used. Purposive sampling was …

Exploring Nursing Students' Experiences Of Simulation-Based Learning In Developing Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning And Clinical Judgment In The Management Of Mental Health Patients: A Qualitative Case Study, Irene Bellew

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore how simulation-based learning experiences shape the development of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment for associate degree nursing students when caring for patients with mental health needs. It addressed the need to narrow the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in clinical settings, enhancing the preparedness of novice nurses. By positioning nurse educators as facilitators of innovative strategies, this study advocates for the integration of simulation-based learning within nursing curricula. Roy’s adaptation model guided the study, and data were collected through observation of simulation sessions, semi-structured interviews, and reflective …

Lived Experiences Of Faculty Working In Recently Consolidated Public Secondary Schools In Rural Southeastern United States Of America: A Phenomenological Study, Mary Elizabeth Baker Vick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of faculty members of a consolidated secondary public school within a rural district in the southeastern United States. The theory guiding this study was Lewin’s theory on institutional change as it explains how individuals experience the unfreezing, changing, and refreezing phases during organizational transitions. The Central Research Question was, what are the lived experiences of secondary public school faculty during and following the consolidation of their secondary public school in rural Southeastern United States of America? This qualitative research study utilized a transcendental phenomenological approach to investigate …

How Christian Beliefs Shape Long-Term Recovery In A 12-Step Program, Decarol L. Gulliford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how individual Christian beliefs play a role in long-term recovery in a 12-step program. The findings from this study, focusing on this purpose, addressed the problem recognized as having a lack of research related to the Christian spiritual beliefs associated with the 12-step program and its successes or failures. Logotherapy provided the lens for the theoretical framework with data collected from a sample of seven individuals who had been sober for at least 10 years. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed for themes using Braun and Clarke’s six phases …

Stuck In A Paradox: Loving An Unseen God While Hating The Neighbor That Is Visible: A Quantitative Correlational Study, Felisha A. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Racism within the Christian church is a persistent concern that may influence interpersonal relationships and spiritual development. Although research has examined this broadly, there has been limited research on the relationship between perceived racism and spiritual maturity in a Christian church setting. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between racism and spiritual growth amongst Christians, assess the perceived prevalence of racism in the church, and explore perceptions of responsibility for addressing racism in the church. It was hypothesized that a negative relationship would be found between racism and spiritual maturity. Data was collected from …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Faith-Based Advocacy Experiences Of Leaders Of Christian Academic Libraries, Melanie Lewis Croft

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the faith-based advocacy experiences for library leaders at Christian institutions of higher education. The theory guiding this study is spiritual leadership theory, which demonstrates how library leaders connect library resources and services to the advancement of the mission and goals of a Christian institution of higher education. The central research question asked, What are the lived experiences of library leaders in Christian institutions of higher education who have engaged in faith-based advocacy? Participants in this study were those who served as the primary administrator of an academic library within a …