Digital Commons Network^™

A Predictive Correlational Design Study To Explore Secondary Student Self-Efficacy And School Refusal, Danielle L. Holmes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational design study was to examine the predictive ability of self-reported self-efficacy beliefs and school refusal behavioral functions on secondary students’ attendance percentages. This study was critical because there needs to be a better understanding of the causes of school refusal and successful interventions for school refusal, since students with disabilities who engage in their education as adolescents become more successful adults. The sample was comprised of 110 secondary students with disabilities, aged 12–17, attending secondary schools within the ABC School District in a western state of the United States. Data were collected using …

Separating The Wheat From The Chaff: A Quantitative Pilot Study Of Biblical Christian Spirituality As A Regulator Of Dark Triad Personality Traits, Patricia L. Elston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of the psychological literature on Christianity as a regulator of Dark Triad personality traits over the last 25 years revealed just a handful of quantitative and qualitative studies that relied exclusively upon long-standardized constructs drawn from cultural Christian ideology. Such constructs remain in direct contrast to biblical tenets to opine that Christianity has no important impact upon the development and persistence of highly aversive Dark Triad social attributes. The current quantitative pilot study was conducted in a small sample (n=26) of adult male and female born-again members of an international Evangelical Christian motorcycle ministry whose primary recruitment is …

Compliance With Corporate Governance Guidelines In The Nigerian Banking System: Implications For Commercial Banks’ Performance And Profitability, William Ikenna Anianwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The effectiveness of laws, rules, and guidelines depends on the ability of the subjects to adhere to the tenets of such regulatory guidelines. The concept of corporate governance embodies the rules and guidelines that define the effectiveness of corporate operations. So, when corporate governance rules and guidelines are fully complied with by corporate entities, it enhances corporate performance and profitability. This is derived from the fact that the corporate governance structure defines the activities, rights, responsibilities, and decision processes within a corporate organization, of which commercial banks are part. Nigeria has never lacked corporate governance rules and guidelines; however, the …

From Transactional To Transformational: Cultivating A Theologically Robust Learning Experience For Upper School Senior Bible Classes, Linus Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem at Holy Ground Christian Academy is that its approach to senior-level Bible classes is transactional rather than transformational for life and godliness. With parents feeling pressured to find effective educational options for their children and teachers facing growing demands from administrative duties, education urgently needs a new vision. Parents want their children to succeed and leave a lasting impact on society, while educators seek purpose in their careers. Modern educational trends push schools toward a utilitarian, transactional approach to learning, and private Christian college-preparatory schools are no exception. Within the Christian college-preparatory setting, Bible classes often struggle with …

Exploring Student Perceptions Of Higher-Education Social Media Presence: A Qualitative Descriptive Study Through The Lens Of The Theory Of Interactive Media Effects, Bobby Mikel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As higher-education institutions (HEIs) compete for prospective students in an increasingly saturated digital environment, effective communication on social media has become both essential and challenging. Guided by the cybernetic communication tradition and the theory of interactive media effects (TIME), this qualitative descriptive study explored how students perceived and engaged with social media content produced by HEIs. The study utilized a qualitative survey to explore students’ perceptions of social media content produced by an HEI in the southeastern United States. Additionally, a content analysis of social media posts was conducted to examine how the HEI engages with students. Findings revealed that …

Secondary Teacher Experiences Of Classically Taught Students’ Social-Emotional Development: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Kirby Elizabeth Donaldson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to interpret the experiences of 7th-12th grade educators at George Washington Academy who teach solely through classic literature and primary accounts of historical and social significance, focusing on their perceptions of their students’ social and emotional development. The theory that guided this study was Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, which provided a framework for appropriate social-emotional development across all ages. The central research question was, “What are the experiences of secondary (7th-12th grade) educators who utilize classic literature and primary accounts of historical and social significance regarding their students’ psychosocial development?” The phenomenological …

Culturally Relevant Project-Based Learning: A Quasi-Experimental Study Of The Effect Of Playwriting Instruction On Student Perceptions Of School Racial Climate, Gerald W. Aungst

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental posttest-only nonequivalent control group study with matched comparison groups was to determine if any differences exist in perceptions of school racial climate in four areas—quality of interaction, promotion of cultural competence, cultural socialization, and critical consciousness socialization—among middle-school students receiving culturally relevant project-based writing instruction, standard project-based writing instruction, and traditional writing instruction when controlling for prior English language arts achievement. A convenience sample of at 83 middle school students in two urban schools in Pennsylvania were given project-based playwriting instruction by a nonprofit arts organization. One similar school served as a control. Student …

Grief Disrupted: A Phenomenological Study Of How African Americans Experienced Grief Without Traditional Rituals During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jacqueline Williamson-Webb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In recent times, the dominant psychological understanding of grief is as an emotion (Gravesen & Birkelund, 2021; Meiselman, 2021). However, grief is also socially constructed, meaning that the emotions and behaviors labeled as grief have their beginning in the social space. Grief, then, is a performative act shaped by cultural traditions and public rituals (Murrell et al., 2023). Consequently, the purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study is to understand the lived grief experiences of African Americans (AAs) living in New Jersey who experienced a personal loss through the death of another person during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erving Goffman’s dramaturgy guides …

The Study Of The Inevitability Of Adopting Effective Project Management Strategies In Cutting Project Costs And Time Overruns, Fatima Okei

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The inevitability of adopting effective project management strategies in cutting project costs and time overruns is the focus of this qualitative single-case study, which investigated the persistent challenges of costs and time overruns in government road maintenance projects in Nigeria. Based on constructivist paradigm and employing a flexible, case study design, data were collected through interviews with 15 experienced professionals and surveys from 10 stakeholders involved in road maintenance in Nigeria. Thematic analysis of the data revealed five major themes: leadership actions, stakeholder behavior, organizational culture, project management strategies, and external constraints. Findings underscored the critical role of transformational leadership, …

Ancient Astronaut Theory And Christian Belief Among Evangelical Millennials: A Quantitative Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study, Richard Barry Bazzell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, exploratory, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was to explore the possible influence of the Ancient Astronaut Theory upon Evangelical Christian millennials in the aspects of their biblical worldview, belief in the triune God, and Christian praxis. The researcher structured the study upon four pillars: (a) Evangelical millennials, (b) Evangelical theology, (c) Lev Vygotsky’s social constructivism, and (d) Eric Von Däniken’s Ancient Astronaut Theory. The study population was Evangelical millennials in the state of Texas. The study’s instrumentation was a researcher-designed 5-point Likert scale survey titled Ancient Astronaut Theory–Evangelical Christian Millennials (AAT–ECM). Because the respondents were fewer in …

Exploring The Impact Education Level Has On Academic Resiliency Scores For Law Enforcement Recruit Students Enrolled In A Full Time 28-Week Training Program, Ericka Sadowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the impact of education level on resilience among law enforcement recruits in a 28-week training program in Central Florida. Resilience is essential for recruits to manage the stresses of training, and understanding its relationship to education can improve recruitment and training practices. A total of 210 recruits participated, with data collected using the Academic Resilience Scale (ARS). Surveys were distributed through encrypted emails to ensure confidentiality and accuracy. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics and resilience scores, while the Shapiro-Wilk test and Levene’s test confirmed normality and homogeneity of variances. With assumptions met, a one-way ANOVA compared resilience scores …

African American Women Employed In The Education Sector Who Have Biological Children With Mental Health Or Behavioral Problems: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Cynthia Henderson Porter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study is purposed to identify and describe the lived experiences of African American mothers employed in a pre-K-12 public school district in Virginia who have biological children with mental health or behavioral problems. The study was qualitative, as this method allowed challenges to be explored personally and humanistically. The theory guiding this study is social constructivism, as it relates to African American mothers’ views of their experiences in the work setting; the assumed perception of colleagues, administrators, and others; and challenges at work pertaining to limitations in functioning, performance, and interpersonal stressors that mothers may encounter. The central …

Student Perspective Of Motivation And Success In Online Learning, Jonathan Samuel Long

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the perceptions of how motivation influences success in online courses for students at a rural high school in the North Georgia. The theory guiding this study was motivation theory, including growth mindset theory, self-determination theory, and adult learning theory. The central research question for this study is, “What are high school students’ perceptions of the influence of motivation on success in an online course?” This study utilized a case study approach in a rural high school in Northeast Georgia to qualitatively analyze data. Data was collected through a letter-writing exercise, personal …

Factors Shaping Policy For Cybersecurity Resilience In Critical Infrastructure (Ci) Organizations: Proposing An Adaptive Cyber Resilience Policy Model (Acrpm), Raymond Pythias Friedman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the factors that influence cybersecurity resilience in private critical infrastructure (CI) organizations, with a focus on governance structures, internal controls, employee attitudes, and cybersecurity capabilities. Although the empirical focus is on private-sector entities, the findings bear significant implications for public policy, given the societal reliance on CI sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and water. Employing a convergent mixed-methods design, the study synthesizes quantitative survey data from cybersecurity professionals with qualitative case studies of CI organizations.

The analysis reveals that internal controls and employee attitudes are the most salient predictors of organizational resilience. Governance exerts an indirect influence …

Understanding The Influence Of Declining Nursing Motivation On Hospital Performance: A Qualitative Mixed Method Case Study, Kisena J. Leverette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative single-case study examined how a decline in nursing motivation affects nurse retention and organizational performance in a large urban hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with nurse managers and anonymous surveys administered to registered nurses, resulting in a total of 20 participants. There were three emergent themes discovered from the findings from the interview transcripts and survey responses. Supportive leadership, intrinsic and extrinsic factors, safe staffing and workplace management were the primary emergent themes for this research. This research revealed that open communication, fair compensation, and proactive support from leadership are imperative. Additionally, …

A Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study For A Christian Marriage Mentorship Program In Kentucky, Victoria Barbour

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic qualitative case study was to explore the marriage mentorship program of Glory Carriers Church (pseudonym) a non-denominational Christian ministry in central Kentucky to be a larger model for other churches that may also have or want to build their marriage mentorship program. The theories guiding this study are social constructivism therapy, the wraparound model, solution focused therapy, emotion focused therapy and last, the Gottman Method: Sound relationship house. The central research question asked, “What programs does Glory Carriers Church provide for married couples?” with Sub-question 1 that asked, “How does this program provide wraparound support …

Exploring The Relationship Between Becoming A Parent, Goal Orientation, And Productivity, Among Self-Employed Entrepreneurs, Andrew Dean East

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study explored the relationship between parenting status and goal orientation and productivity among self-employed entrepreneurs. Using a sample of 471 participants, the study compared entrepreneurs with and without children under five years of age living at home to examine group differences, relational patterns, and potential moderation effects. No statistically significant differences were found in goal orientation or productivity between parents and non-parents, indicating that early-stage parenting does not inherently hinder these traits. However, a small but statistically significant positive correlation was observed between goal orientation and productivity, suggesting that individuals with higher internal motivation reported slightly greater productivity, …

Countermovement Jump Force Plate Metrics As Neuromuscular Indicators For Seasonal Micro-Adaptations And Hitting Performance Variability In Professional Baseball, Brandon Russell Pentheny

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explored the use of countermovement jump (CMJ) force plate metrics as indicators of neuromuscular status and their relationship to hitting performance variability across a competitive season in professional baseball. Although there is an increase in the integration of sports science and performance analytics in professional sports, a significant gap remains in longitudinal, in-season monitoring models that connect neuromuscular adaptations to hitting-specific outputs, such as bat velocity and ball exit velocity (BEV). This study examined lower-body force production as measured by uniaxial bilateral force plates and how they interact with hitting output task demands over time. Using a longitudinal …

Understanding Firefighter Culture And Mental Health, Alyssa G. Chirillo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study, using a grounded theory approach, explores the lived experiences of firefighters, the cultural dynamics within the firefighting profession, and the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among this group. Drawing on previous research, the study examines how exposure to vicarious trauma, the roles and responsibilities of firefighters, and the inherent risks of the profession shape attitudes toward mental health treatment. The research investigates explicitly whether firefighter culture and lived experiences influence the pursuit of mental health support. Participants from the Summerville Fire Department in Summerville, South Carolina, were recruited voluntarily. Data were collected through …

A Phenomenological And Transcendental Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Mental Health Practitioners Acquiring The Competencies To Become A Sandtray Therapy Practitioner, Deborah Kay Webb-Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological, transcendental study was to describe the lived experiences of 16 mental health practitioners in North America who acquired competencies through various training programs or certification courses to proficiently integrate sandtray therapy as a cross-theoretical approach. Through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, participants described how they developed the competencies and standards to integrate sandtray therapy as a cross-theoretical approach with diverse populations, while also engaging in dialogue about the need for greater governance and regulation of training programs. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Husserl’s theory of transcendental phenomenology and the …

Human Resources Impact On Person-Environment Fit And Job Performance: A Single Case Study Design, Constance J. Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Person-environment (PE) fit is central to the interactional psychology (IP) theory, which is the behavioral consequences of the interface between individuals and their environment. According to both PE fit and IP theories, employee motivation, job satisfaction, and job performance are enhanced when individuals are compatible with various aspects of the workplace. In this single-subject, bounded case study, the researcher explored HR’s influence on job performance and person-organization, person-job, and person-supervisor fit. The sole participant is a subject matter expert with over 35 years of experience in HR-related fields. The study procedures consisted of four interview sessions, an observational/field study, and …

A Comparative Analysis Of K–12 Public School Music Teacher Burnout From 1986 To 2025, Veronica A. Rovatti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This historical comparative analysis assessed five different sources to understand the effect stress and burnout have had on public school music educators over the last fifty years. In the United States, music educators are facing stress and burnout in their teaching careers, which can result in attrition from their profession. In this research study, four studies pertaining to music educator burnout are analyzed through a narrative compilation of research already established. Also analyzed is a supplementary recent article providing contemporary relevance. The criteria for source selection included studies or articles that primarily researched stress and burnout among K-12 public school …

Identification Of Optimal Knowledge Transfer Methods From Generation X To Millennials, Maria Nanci Denmark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study uses a descriptive phenomenological approach to examine the experience and insights of Generation X and Millennial software engineers employed by the United States government on their preferred methods for tacit knowledge transfer. Phenomenological examination allows for the structured exploration and documentation of common themes and fundamental structures across the generational cohorts. Participants were selected based on inclusion criteria that produced a sample that shared common training and career paths split evenly across the two generations. Using Colaizzi’s Seven Step Method for analysis, the researcher led semi-structured interviews producing data that provided a clear description of the themes …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Teachers’ Growth Mindsets In Low, Middle, And High Socioeconomic Schools, Molly Bettencourt-Courtright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if a significant difference exists among teachers’ growth mindsets among those teachers employed at low, middle, or high socioeconomic status schools. This study is important because teachers’ growth mindsets have an impact on students’ academic achievement through factors such as motivation and self-efficacy. Research has demonstrated the correlation between belonging to a low socioeconomic status and poor academic achievement or learning. Therefore, this study adds to the literature regarding the effects of teachers’ growth mindset by examining the differences in mindset among teachers employed at low, middle, and high socioeconomic …

Millennials, Work Motivation, And Leadership Transition, Ngozi Maduagwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The workforce has evolved and this path was accelerated by the aftermath of the global COVID pandemic starting 2019. Traditionalist and Baby Boomer employees have been rapidly transitioning out of the workforce, which has created a need to find motivated workers and leaders to fill vacated positions. Millennials have been surveyed for their potential to fill these leadership vacuums, yet the research suggested that they present differently from other generational cohorts in terms of their motivation to work and their motivation to lead in the workplace. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine whether any relationship could …

Mental Well-Being, Belonging, And Chronic Absenteeism: A Correlational Study, Crystal D. Woodall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic absenteeism (CA) is an overwhelming issue facing schools in the United States. A lack of a student’s sense of belonging or signs of emotional symptoms are often red flags that can forecast future absenteeism problems with students. CA has been found to have a positive correlation with a student’s sense of belonging and emotional symptoms. Some CA interventions are geared toward increasing a student’s sense of belonging at school and or improvements in overall mental well-being. The purpose of this predictive correlational study was to examine the relationship between students’ self-reported levels of peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms, …

Divine Intervention Emphasized In Ptsd Treatment Strategies, Zachary R. Kuster

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined how theological concepts might enhance PTSD treatment outcomes by challenging existing paradigms within evidence-based interventions. While some therapeutic models acknowledge the value of integrating theological concepts within treatment, little empirical evidence explains how emphasizing the theological concepts that may already exist within evidence-based strategies may enhance the overall efficacy of treatment. In this study, an experimental group received strategies emphasizing grace, hope, and forgiveness, while a control group received strategies without these emphases. The PCL-5 psychometric assessment tool was used to measure changes across two 4-week PTSD programs that incorporated 48 strategies from the same four therapeutic …

Police Officers’ Perception Of The Anti-Police Movement And How That Affects Officer Retention In Minnesota, Kimberly Wood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research aims to investigate the perceived mass exodus of police officer departures alongside police officer retention rates throughout Minnesota. The study investigates whether high-profile police officer prosecutions together with national news incidents directly cause police officers to leave their jobs along with the Ferguson Effect taking place. The profession of policing has become more challenging and dangerous for its practitioners. The combination of recruitment challenges and increased assaults on police officers without punishment for perpetrators and elevated arrest resistance from suspects has led to the perceived mass exodus of police officers. The number of officer shootings and assaults combined …

Additive Mindfulness: A Systematic Review And Thematic Analysis, Whitney M. Crawford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mindfulness is a state of present moment-focused non-judgmental awareness, the purposeful practice of which has been shown to promote psychological well-being by alleviating past-oriented rumination, future-focused worry, and experiential avoidance. Because the most widely adopted mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) were developed based on Buddhist meditation practices, there have also been developed various religiously modified iterations of mindfulness–especially those tailored to Christian clients who are wary of engaging with Buddhist-derived practices. While secular and Buddhist MBIs promote non-judgmental awareness for the sake of mere nonattachment to external and internal experiences, Christian mindfulness promotes detachment from these things in order that one may …

A Phenomenological Study Of Secondary Music Teachers And Their Experiences With Class Schedules In Central Virginia, Aliza Marie Nogueras

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is currently a lack of recognition for the unique influence of class schedules on music educators’ lived experiences in public-schools. This study examines how middle and high music class schedules play a role in music teacher’s curriculum development and overall well-being. Class schedules created without regard to musical instruction may create significant challenges for music teachers, reducing instructional time, disjointing curricula, and causing inconsistencies in delivering high-quality music education. Focusing on music teachers in Central Virginia, this hermeneutic phenomenological study highlights the specific lived experiences of public-school music educators. The central research questions explore how class schedules shape instructional …