Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experiences Of Lgbtq+ Individuals Living In Male Residential Spaces In The South, Bri Reda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While LGBTQ+ visibility on college campuses has increased, LGBTQ+ students still report negative experiences, particularly in residential environments where harassment and unwelcoming attitudes are common (Kortegast, 2017; Pryor, Ta, & Hart, 2016). Previous studies have shown that LGBTQ+ individuals often conceal their identities in residence halls due to discomfort, further diminishing their feelings of safety and connection to the campus community (Blakmon, O’Hara, & Viars, 2020; Pryor, Ta, & Hart, 2016). Despite efforts to implement inclusive policies, little research has explored the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in male-assigned residence halls, especially in states like Mississippi with gender-segregated housing requirements (Mississippi …

Reading Teacher Perceptions: The Impact Of Educator Preparation Program Literacy Coursework And Clinical Experiences On Teacher Efficacy In Historically Underrepresented Populations, Emily Taubken

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite research that indicates the critical importance and lifelong impact of early reading proficiency for students, national reading proficiency trends demonstrate most students in the United States are not yet reading at grade level, with disparities existing among historically underrepresented subgroups. Additionally, research shows that preservice and in-service teachers have documented limited feelings of self-efficacy in teaching reading specifically, suggesting limitations in preservice training for educators. To better understand how reading teachers perceive the efficacy of their preservice teacher academic and clinical experiences, especially for those who serve historically underrepresented student populations, this study seeks to document the perspectives of …

From Parallel Beginnings To Divergent Destinies: A Comparative Study Of China’S State-Led Liberalization Growth And Pakistan’S Dependency Trap, Safeer Ahmad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the development trajectories of China and Pakistan, which shared a similar colonial legacy and hampered economic, political, and social conditions at the time of their establishment in the mid-20th century. However, despite these similarities, the former is a global power, and the latter is still struggling to project a sustained development approach in the 21st century. This research addresses this divergent outcome by using a comparative approach to analyze the institutional, economic, and policy decisions of both countries that eventually shaped their contemporary position and role in the international community. China’s reformation period under a centralized government …

Visualizing The Fretboard: Arpeggiated Patterns, Muscle Memory, And Neurocognitive Strategies For The 5-String Electric Bass, Matthew Alexander Woisin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proficient navigation of the 5-string electric bass requires a comprehensive mastery of various techniques and a solid understanding of music theory. This includes a detailed grasp of arpeggios, chord extensions, and the development of deeply ingrained muscle memory for precise execution. This thesis introduces a structured methodology that refines existing fretboard visualization techniques and applies a unique manner of fretboard mapping, offering a more precise framework for comprehending and unlocking the full range of the instrument. By drawing insights from music theory, music education, cognitive science, neuroscience, and technology this approach is achieved by synthesizing research on visual pattern recognition, …

Current Knowledge And Perspectives Of Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport In An Athletic Environment, Meredith Rebecca Morgan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sport performance personnel are in a unique position to directly impact athletes. While the primary individuals who manage athlete health are physicians, sport dietitians, and certified athletic trainers, sport coaches and strength and conditioning coaches also play an impactful role in an athlete’s performance and well-being. Using an original survey, this study investigated REDs knowledge by certified athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and sport coaches. The survey was employed to assess sport performance professionals’ general knowledge of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) and low energy availability (LEA) and opinions on the role of health professionals in REDs identification, …

Building Focus: Using Relaxation Music To Support Students With Autism In The Classroom, Whitney Drewrey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the use of audio sensory input, specifically, relaxation music, as a strategy to reduce off-task behavior in elementary students with autism within the general education classroom. The aim was to minimize distractions and teacher redirections, thereby promoting a more inclusive and productive learning environment for all students. Guided by the principles of improvement science, the research employed a single-case design with three elementary students diagnosed with autism. Data were collected through momentary time sampling and mood inventories during independent classwork periods.

The central research question guiding this study was: What effect does relaxation music have on the …

Topic Modeling And Culturomic Analysis Of 30,000 Books Over 100 Years Using Gensim, Michael A. Freeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the cultural influence of historical events on English-language fiction published between 1820 and 1929. Using a corpus of 30,256 digitized books from Project Gutenberg, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling was applied to identify recurring themes across eleven decades. The study sought to determine whether historically significant events could be detected within fictional narratives. One clear instance emerged: Napoleon Bonaparte and the Napoleonic Wars appeared explicitly in the 1820s corpus. Beyond this, several thematic patterns were observed—such as maritime language in the 1840s, national identity in the 1880s, and youth-oriented dialogue in the early 20th century—that plausibly …

Examing Fear Conditioning/Extinction And The Role Of The Amygdala In Human Neuroimaging., Olivia Cook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fear plays a crucial role in survival but can lead to psychological disorders when dysregulated. Fears can be innate due to evolutionary relevance or learned through associative processes, where predictive accuracy of threat is pivotal. Disruptions in fear neurocircuitry contribute to anxiety disorders, characterized by heightened activation and impaired learning. Fear conditioning and extinction paradigms based on classical Pavlovian conditioning have been used to study mechanisms underlying fear learning. Using this experimental model, fear networks in rodents have been described in detail with clear distinction between conditioning and extinction neural functioning. Yet, there is no consensus on the neurobiological processes …

Experiences Of Title Ix Hearing Panel Members., Amanda Gage Stonecipher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The number of allegations of sexual misconduct on college campuses has been increasing over the past decade and higher education institutions are charged with addressing the misconduct. Addressing student behavior on college campuses through a conduct process is woven into the fabric of higher education, and many institutions use a hearing panel model to determine if institutional policies were violated. My research aims to explore how student conduct hearing panel members process the tension between the emotional management required when hearing intimate and traumatic details of a sexual misconduct case. The data for this research were collected via semi structured …

The Role Of Law Enforcement In Sexual Assault Kit Submissions: A Statewide Analysis Of Decision-Making Processes & Focal Concerns In Kentucky., Rychelle Elizabeth Wilks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual assault case attrition persists throughout the criminal justice system, partly due to inconsistent Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) submission decisions. This dissertation examines factors influencing police officers' decisions to submit SAKs for forensic testing, applying the focal concerns perspective to understand how legal and extra-legal characteristics shape these decisions. Using statewide Kentucky data from July 2007 to March 2018, this study analyzed 2,194 adult sexual assault cases from 192 law enforcement agencies. Of these cases, 1,520 (69.3%) resulted in SAK submission. Logistic regression analyses examined the full sample, as well as four subsamples. Results provide mixed support for focal concerns …

The Role Of Psychological Capital And Case Management Intensity In Patient Activation In Permanent Supportive Housing Residents., Sarah J. Carter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores patient engagement with health, or patient activation, in the formerly homeless population housed in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and receiving case management support. Research is limited on patient activation in PSH residents; consequently, there is minimal understanding of factors contributing to one’s attitudes and behavior towards health care in this group. Psychological Capital refers to the components of hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism. Research in other marginalized groups indicates increasing psychological capital may improve health behaviors. Case management provides support to PSH residents and forms of social support have been associated with improved health outcomes. Applying the …

The Relationship Between Forgiveness And Religiosity In Counseling In The Saudi Population, Salman Alqahtani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Forgiveness is an important psychological process associated with religiosity, with both having been shown to support mental health and promote personal growth. Forgiveness remains understudied in Arab and Islamic societies, specifically in Saudi Arabia, where religiosity is an important cultural value. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the relationship between forgiveness and religiosity among Saudi college students in a faith-oriented and collectivistic society. Data were collected from 106 Saudi college students using the Arabic variation of the Forgiveness and Reconciliation Inventory (A-FRI) and the Arabic Inventory of Religiosity (AIR). Results showed a statistically significant …

College Ready Or Not? Exploring Undergraduate Perceptions Of Their High School College Preparation, Charles M. Morgan Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate students’ perceptions of their high school preparation for college. Rather than relying on institutional measures like test scores or course completion, the study focused on how students themselves described their readiness and the supports they received in high school. By highlighting student voice, the research aimed to reveal strengths and gaps in current approaches to preparing students for higher education.

The study was grounded in Educational Equity Theory (Darling-Hammond, 1997), which emphasizes that fairness in education requires supports tailored to students’ individual needs. A qualitative, phenomenological design was used. Undergraduate participants …

The Butterfly Effect: Cognitive Coachingsm As A Catalyst For Educator Learning And Lasting Change, Katie B. Givens-Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) research study explores instructional coaches’ perceptions of the impact of Cognitive Coaching℠ on teacher instruction, efficacy, and professional learning implementation. Findings across the four research questions reveal a cohesive perception among instructional coaches that Cognitive Coaching℠ functions as a catalyst for teacher growth, agency, and efficacy.

Coaches described their roles primarily as facilitators who guide rather than direct, emphasizing trust-building, reflection, and empowerment as essential. The findings highlight that Cognitive Coaching℠ strengthens teacher self-efficacy, which aligns with the six core principles of andragogy, with coaches observing increases in confidence, risk-taking, and professional agency. The …

Adoptive Parents Use Of Social Media To Discuss Adoption Communicative Openness, Hannah Araba Baidoo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adoption communicative openness (ACO) involves dialogue between adoptive parents and their adopted children about adoption-related issues. Through this communication, parents share information about birth families and address adoptees questions to support psychological well-being. Although ACO benefits adoptees, research rarely examines how adoptive parents themselves practice and experience openness. This study explores how adoptive parents discuss ACO with one another on the r/AdoptiveParents subreddit. Using qualitative discourse analysis, it examines how parents describe their challenges, and success surrounding communication openness. The analysis highlights parent’s concerns about when and how to disclose adoption information and the uncertainty that shapes their communication choices. …

Learning To Be Trauma-Informed: An Examination Of Individual-Level Factors Predicting Perceptions Of And Response To Trauma-Informed Practice Trainings, Kelly Daniel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trauma is a substantial threat to public health. As such, significant effort has been exerted into developing interventions which mitigate the consequences of trauma. Trauma-informed practice (TIP) aims to alleviate the effects of trauma by building policies and practices focused on safety, trust, transparency, support, collaboration, and empowerment. This study investigated how individual-level factors, including readiness for organizational change, perceived benefit of TIP training, and personal trauma history affect one’s ability to apply a TIP lens in a sample (n =100) of members of a graduate-level college. Further, it explored if one’s perceptions of and response to trauma-informed practice training …

Tennessee Reconnect And Adult Learner Retention, Brandon R. Dotson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between participation in the Tennessee Reconnect (TNReconnect) program and the retention of adult learners at two community colleges in northeast Tennessee. Grounded in Astin’s (1993) Input–Environment–Outcome (I-E-O) model, the study employed quantitative methods to investigate whether program duration, demographic characteristics, academic performance, and financial aid status predicted the likelihood of retention among adult learners.

Using institutional records of 2,355 students, binary logistic regression analyses were conducted across three models. The first model tested whether the duration of TNReconnect participation predicted retention. Results indicated that both program duration and GPA were significant predictors. Each additional semester …

Branding The Divide: Political Ideology And The Strategic Challenges Of Higher Education Marketing, Oscar J. Early Mr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how first-year students experience and interpret institutional branding within the context of their personal and social identities, with particular attention to the role of political ideology. While previous research had examined general branding strategies and declining public trust in higher education, scholars have given little attention to the ways in which prospective students make meaning from institutional messaging during one of the most significant transitions of their lives.

I conducted interviews with 12 first-year students from four-year colleges and universities across South-Central Appalachia. The phenomenological analysis revealed that students’ interpretation of …

Behavioral Manifestations Of Childhood Abandonment: African-American Men's Reflections And Strategies To Support Teenage Boys In K-12 Education, Jarmel Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the behavioral manifestations of childhood abandonment as reflected in the lived experiences of African-American men and to identify strategies that may support African-American boys in K–12 educational settings. Although there has been limited documentation regarding the direct connection between childhood abandonment and behavioral challenges in school environments, this study seeks to address that gap by capturing the reflections of African-American men who experienced abandonment during their formative years. These reflections provide insight into how abandonment may shape behavior in educational spaces and what types of interventions or supports might have made a …

Assessing Post-Pandemic Engagement In The Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) In Northeast Tennessee, Christen Minnick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since 1974, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has provided healthy food resources, nutrition education, and provider referrals for families at risk for poor nutrition. Public health professionals have consistently presented evidence that WIC engagement reduces premature births and infant mortality, improves child health and development, and increases specialized care access for participants. While average monthly participation in WIC has increased since the program’s inception, trends indicate that only around half of eligible families have consistently engaged with the program since 2011. Research has linked declining WIC participation to administrative burden, citing learning, psychological, compliance, …

Educator Perceptions Of Mindfulness Education In Rural Elementary Schools In Tennessee, Mary C. Shepherd-Mcgown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine educator perceptions of mindfulness instruction and the alignment of school policies in rural elementary schools in Tennessee. Despite growing interest in mindfulness in education, few studies have investigated how these practices are experienced and implemented within under-resourced, rural contexts.

Guided by Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (SLT) and framed conceptually by the Whole-School Mindfulness (WSM) model, the study explored how social, organizational, and policy factors influence the adoption of mindfulness practices. SLT provided a theoretical lens for understanding how educator behaviors are shaped through observation, modeling, and reinforcement, while the WSM framework …

A Comparative-Correlational Study On The Mental Health And Well-Being Of First-Generation Students At A Historically Black College And University, Shedred Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mental health and well-being of first-generation college students (FGCS) in comparison to non-first-generation college students (NFGCS) at a private Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the Southeast. This study was undertaken to investigate students' mental health and well-being, as well as their use of, access to, and the availability of mental health services. A comparative-correlational research design was employed to collect and analyze the data. The study used a sample size of 388 responses from undergraduate college students enrolled at the private HBCU. Of the 388 students in the sample, …

Undergraduate Students' Perceptions Of Sense Of Belonging And Engagement Opportunities In The Campus Community, Shelby Jo Akers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental, correlational, quantitative study examined the relationship between undergraduate students’ perceptions of sense of belonging and their participation in university programming and engagement opportunities at a medium-sized public institution in the Southeastern United States. Guided by the Integrative Framework for Belonging (Allen et al., 2021), the study explored how specific student factors including academic major, campus residency status, class standing, primary mode of instruction, and employment status intersect with engagement to shape students’ sense of belonging. Engagement opportunities that were measured included dimensions of campus facility use and participation in clubs and organizations. Questions related to perceptions of the …

"That Was Something I Had To Get Used To”: Communication Challenges Of African Graduate Teaching Assistants, Mohammed Hafiz Nabila

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the communication challenges and adaptive strategies of African Graduate Teaching Assistants (AGTAs) in U.S. higher education, focusing on East Tennessee State University. The study aimed to understand how AGTAs navigate linguistic, cultural, and institutional barriers in their teaching roles. Using semi-structured interviews with seven participants, data were analyzed through thematic analysis to identify key patterns and meanings. Findings revealed challenges related to accents, cultural adjustment, and limited institutional preparation. Faculty mentorship played a vital role in shaping AGTAs’ confidence, interpretation of challenges, and professional growth. However, lack of support often led to isolation and self-doubt. The …

Mountain Communities During A Time Of War: A Case Study Of The Hutsul Region In The Carpathian Mountains Of Ukraine, Pavlo Rybaruk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the ethno-ecological technologies employed by the Hutsul people within the highland agrarian economy of the Carpathian Mountains. Over centuries, the Hutsuls have developed ethno-ecological technologies that maintain ecological integrity while supporting community livelihoods.

The study addresses three primary research questions: What are the most important ethno-ecological technologies of the Hutsul highland economy? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be applied to economic, agricultural, and tourism development in the Hutsul region? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be combined with contemporary approaches to encourage sustainable development in the region?

The research explores the devastating impact of the Russian …

Perceptions Of Practitioners: An Examination Of Practices For Retention And Support Of Special Education Teachers, Megan L. O'Dell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition remains a critical challenge in public education, particularly among special education teachers who face unique legal, instructional, and emotional demands. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of current and former K–5 special education teachers to better understand the practices and resources that influence their decision to remain in or leave the profession. The central research question investigated how leadership, professional learning, and working conditions shape teacher sustainability in special education roles. Twelve participants, including six currently employed special education teachers and six who had exited the profession, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis revealed five major themes: …

Exploring The Impacts Of Medical Invalidation On Postpartum Parents With Pcos, Shalini Venkat

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) face an increased risk of poor perinatal health, yet little is known about whether negative healthcare experiences contribute toward these outcomes. Patients with PCOS have reported experiencing invalidation by healthcare providers; however, the effects of these encounters in postpartum populations remain unclear. Using data from an online survey, the current study investigated whether PCOS status moderated the relationships between invalidating communication by healthcare providers, pregnancy and birth complications, postpartum depression, and postpartum anxiety. While experiences of invalidating communication by healthcare providers predicted worse perinatal health, those with PCOS solely experienced an increased risk of …

“War Is God” And “Unguessed Kinships”: Blood Meridian And Cormac Mccarthy’S “Border Tetralogy”, Seth Reeves

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis applies the metaphysics of philosopher Gilles Deleuze to Cormac McCarthy’s novel Blood Meridian, arguing that the novel initiates a thread of immanent subjectivity that unfolds throughout the Border Trilogy that follows it. Against a hierarchical metaphysics of transcendence, specifically an inverted Platonic Idealism, Blood Meridian dramatizes an immanent world of “optical democracy,” a prose style that levels the human and nonhuman and eludes subject and object categories. The kid’s autonomy from Judge Holden’s violent domination marks the truncated beginning of a Deleuzian subjectivity of becoming-other and immanent kinship. This incomplete gesture continues in the Border Trilogy, where …

Exploring Commuter Trio Students' Student Support Services At A Public University, Travis J. Batiste Edd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study explored the experiences and service needs of TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) commuter students at a public regional university in northern Louisiana. The literature review showed that while TRiO SSS programs have a demonstrated history of promoting academic success and retention for first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities, little institutional research has been conducted to better understand how student residential status impacts learning outcomes and utilization of campus resources. Drawing on Astin’s theory of involvement, this study described the lived experiences of TRiO SSS commuter participants and the impact of commuting on their engagement, programmatic use, …

The Impact Of Career Development Education In Rural Communities: A Program Evaluation, Hayden S. Austin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of a regional career development education program using a post-test-only, exploratory descriptive design with middle and high school students from rural and urban school districts in West Central Texas. Students who participated in the Career and Education Outreach (CEO) program received four classroom sessions focused on labor market information, high-demand industries, employability skills, and career pathways. The purpose of this research was to explore whether students’ perceptions of the value of career development education differed based on geographic region, economic level, educational level, ethnic composition of the district, and the students’ own demographic characteristics. A …