Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Intra-Host Relationships Of The Microbiota At Multiple Sites, Ariel Jose Hernandez-Leyva

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The human body hosts an abundance of microbial communities that, through complex and multi-faceted interactions, interface with host physiology and help govern health and disease. Many of these interactions are beneficial and help maintain host homeostasis or contribute to the metabolic capacity of the host. Some are detrimental, potentially inducing or further exacerbating disease. All are complicated by the vast diversity of microbes that comprise the microbiota at any given site. Identifying microbes or microbial functions that influence health and disease for study and potential use as biomarkers is tantalizing, though difficult. The vast diversity of potential community compositions, redundancy …

The Social Validity Of The Zones Of Regulation, Tracy Grass

Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to examine teachers’ perceptions of the social validity of the Zones of Regulation, specifically in terms of the constructs of acceptability, feasibility, and perceived effectiveness, in elementary school classrooms. Despite the popularity of this social-emotional learning (SEL) program, limited research has explored its social validity. To address this gap, a mixed-methods research design was used to gain a comprehensive understanding of teacher perceptions and experiences.

A total of 43 elementary teachers completed the Usage Rating Profile—Intervention Revised (URP-IR), and seven teachers participated in semi-structured interviews. Abductive thematic analysis was used to integrate data and …

From Classroom To Career: Developing A Vocational Training And Job Coaching Program For Individuals With Down Syndrome At Gigi's Playhouse, Mason Freiburger

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville. GiGi’s Playhouse is a non-profit with 61+ locations across the United States and Mexico, that offers free educational and therapeutic programming for individuals of all ages with Down Syndrome. The primary goal of this project was to develop and implement an evidence-based vocational training program for adults with Down Syndrome to promote work readiness, independence, and community participation. A secondary focus of this project was to support skill generalization through real-world application and individualized job coaching within a community-based internship. Program development included classroom-based instruction targeting communication, executive …

Creating Engaging Activities To Improve Overall Group Participation Within Centennial Adultcare Center, Ava Woessner

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was conducted in collaboration with Centennial Adultcare Center, an adult day program that is dedicated to providing a stimulating and supportive environment for personal growth and independence through professional care within a reasonable fee. The center serves a variety of diagnosis including but not limited to: dementia, cerebral palsy, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), stroke, and autism. The primary objectives of this project were to develop engaging, member-focused activities through the use of graded interventions and adaptive equipment, provide staff members with effective resources, and enhance the visibility and promotion of adult day services through social …

Melody Of Wrath: A Retelling Of The Pied Piper, India Raye Sorensen

Theses and Dissertations

Melody of Wrath is a young adult fairy tale retelling of the Pied Piper legend centered on fifteen-year-old antihero Magnus. Driven by grief and rage after the massacre of his people, Magnus wields music as dangerous magic to summon a plague of rats and exact revenge on a corrupt city. The novel follows his morally complex journey from vengeance through compromise to a final test inside a transformative mountain, where he confronts the cost of retribution and the uncertain possibility of redemption. Drawing on folktale scholarship, archetypal theory, and literary antiheroes such as Hamlet and Edmond Dantès, this project uses …

Integrating Traditional Samoan Music With School-Aged Children In Fostering Culturally Appropriate Behaviors Within The Framework Of Fa'afaletui And Multimodal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Stormi Rachelle Winscot

Theses and Dissertations

Fa’aSamoa, the cultural framework shaping Samoan values, relationships, and daily life, deeply informs educational experiences in American Samoa. Music, as both cultural expression and communal practice, offers a powerful lens through which student engagement can be understood. This exploratory study employed multimodal interpretative phenomenological analysis (MMIPA), guided by the Fa’afaletui framework, to examine how Samoan and Pacific Islander students responded in embodied ways to traditional Samoan, culturally adapted Western, and other Western (folk, classical, pop) music in classroom settings. Drawing on focus group interviews and systematic observations, the study centered students’ movement, vocal expression, rhythmic participation, and peer interaction as …

Comparing The Effectiveness Of Telehealth Training For Parents Using “Help Is In Your Hands”: Joint Attention And Mands, Vivian Desiree Cortez Dominguez

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to compare the effects of remote parent training for parents of autistic children in Peru, ages 2-4 years old. Using the Spanish version of the digital program called “Help is in Your Hands” (Rogers & Stahmer, 2026; 3C Institute, 2026), three mothers were trained on how to support their child's ability to participate in joint attention and mand. Autism is a condition in which children present with challenges in engaging with others, such as sharing joint attention and using mands. Several evidence-based trainings target these difficulties. However, accessing these trainings can be expensive and time-consuming. In less-developed …

Incorporating Occupational Therapy Programming In An Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (Ipse) Program At The University Of Georgia, Kathleen S. Chitty

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project focuses on incorporating occupational therapy in an inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) program at the University of Georgia. The Destination Dawgs program is an IPSE program at The University of Georgia for young adults with intellectual disabilities. This capstone project identifies how an occupational therapist can assist with wellness, independent living, social skills, and emotional regulation skills in IPSE programs.

Promoting Postural Care Across The Lifespan: Development Of Educational Materials For A Seating And Positioning Clinic, Tori Knox

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with the Department of Disability and Aging’s Middle Tennessee Seating and Positioning Clinic and focused on developing educational materials to support the implementation of 24-hour postural care management. The clinic serves individuals with complex seating and positioning needs by providing both commercially available and custom-fabricated equipment. Postural care management is a preventative and therapeutic approach that promotes optimal body alignment, reduces secondary complications, and enhances quality of life for individuals with mobility impairments across all daily positions. This project aimed to increase awareness and understanding of postural care management among clients, caregivers, …

Determinants Of Self-Employed Retirement Preparation: The Mediating Effects Of Financial Capability, Financial Literacy, And Financial Self-Efficacy, Ricardo Russi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

A substantial number of older Americans lack confidence in their retirement preparation, and many approach retirement without a formal plan. Additionally, despite the economic significance of self-employment, little research has examined whether self-employed individuals differ from wage workers in retirement preparation and the conditions of underlying such differences. Guided by capability theory, this dissertation investigates the relationship between self-employment and retirement preparation, with particular attention to the mediating roles of financial capability, financial literacy, and financial self-efficacy.

Using data from the 2018 National Financial Capability Study (NFCS) (N = 9,499 working-age adults), the study employs Bayesian structural equation modeling to …

Math In Melody: How Music Strikes A Chord With Memory And Learning, Aidan V. Waters

Honors Theses

As a result of personal curiosity, this thesis seeks to understand the current status of music integration within educational settings, discussing its importance and potential impact. By considering existing literature, it analyzes music’s effectiveness in K-12 education, particularly within the mathematics classroom. Based on the current body of research, the study identifies three key features of music integration: its effectiveness as an energizer, a memory tool, and a means of creating structure within the classroom. Building on these findings, a proposed ten-day, music-integrated Algebra I unit on functions is presented, applying the research in a variety of ways. The unit …

The Value Of Alternative Schools As A Substitute For Traditional Public Schools, Cody Majewski

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

This cross-sectional survey research was focused on high school counselors and administrators, who are responsible for recommending high school students for alternative placement. Alternative schools have historically been places where students go who have been excluded from the mainstream school population. Past research has shown that excluding children for behavioral purposes is counterproductive and has a higher-than-average probability of leading to negative outcomes for those children. The purpose of this study is to revise guidelines that can be put in place at traditional high schools to allow for greater flexibility in determining if a student is eligible for alternative placement. …

The Invisible Fuel: How Corporate Affinity For Technology Drives Resilience, Rachel Gandy

Theses

This paper examines how Corporate Affinity to Technology (CAT) affects organizational resilience among U.S. managers. Based on survey data from 364 managers in the retail, finance, and healthcare industries, this research indicates that the degree of technology use in a firm does not relate to the firm’s level of broadband availability or technology intensity, but rather to the extent to which technology is woven into the fabric of skills development, organizational culture, and the decision-making process. High-CAT firms are resilient under stress; low-CAT firms are fragile, irrespective of the level of technology they have invested in. Recommendations for managers who …

Enhancing Post‑Discharge Outcomes: A Quality Improvement Project To Reduce 30‑Day Readmission Rates For Patients With Schizoaffective Disorder, Samson Laryea Norteye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This DNP quality improvement project aimed to reduce 30-day readmission rates for patients with schizoaffective disorder (SAD) by enhancing discharge planning interventions. Using pre- and post-intervention methods, the project compared readmission rates before and after implementing interventions and gathered feedback from patients and staff to identify barriers and facilitators. The intervention bundle included patient education, participation in psychotherapy or support groups, medication reconciliation, and the use of long-acting injectables (LAIs) during hospitalization and prior to discharge. Evaluation of postintervention data revealed that none of the 10 patients in the intervention group were readmitted within 30 days, indicating a significant reduction …

A Phenomenological Study Of Digital Divide In Rural Philippines, Dennis Dizon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The digital divide reflects policy relevant disparities in access to and effective use of internet based information resources, as experienced and interpreted by individuals navigating regulatory environments and governance conditions in the rural Philippines. Policymakers need to understand how the digital divide affects business owners and working-class people, with the impact of high costs and poor internet infrastructure in remote areas of the Philippines. Many of these business owners and working-class people lack access to the privileges and benefits of high-speed internet access. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of these business owners …

Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Across The United States, Srivathsan Vijaya Raghavan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While cervical cancer is not among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the United States, it remains a significant concern due to its preventability through regular Pap smears and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. However, incidence rates are rising as screening participation among U.S. women declines. This quantitative study (N = 15714) explored cervical cancer screening behaviors by analyzing levels of community involvement and social functioning, guided by the socioecological model (SEM). The dependent variable was cervical cancer screening, while the independent variables were community involvement and social functioning. The study controlled for health insurance status, age, race, ethnicity, employment, education, …

Exploring The Black Church’S Role In The Black Man’S Experience With Depression: A Qualitative Inquiry, Terry Edwards Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black men experience disproportionate mental health disparities, particularly in relation to depression, yet remain less likely to engage in formal mental health treatment due to cultural stigma and barriers to care. The Black church, a historically trusted institution within the Black community, may influence how depression is understood and managed. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore how Black men in Inkster, Michigan perceive the role of the Black church in influencing their understanding and management of depression. The Health, Illness, Men, and Masculinities (HIMM) framework guided this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 …

Evaluating An Lgbtq+ Adolescent Sexual Health Toolkit: Boosting Confidence And Provider Knowledge, Joslyn Lypka

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

When leveraged correctly, sexual health education empowers youth to build resilience, deepen self-understanding, and confidently navigate gender and sexual identities. However, many school-based programs emphasize cisgender and heterosexual norms, leaving LGBTQ+ adolescents with limited access to inclusive and affirming sexual health information. This project aimed to develop and evaluate an online sexual health education toolkit designed to increase knowledge and support self-advocacy among LGBTQ+ adolescents, parents/caregivers, and healthcare providers. In collaboration with a Midwest nonprofit organization serving sexual and gender-diverse individuals, an online toolkit was developed and evaluated using two sequential Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles. During the first cycle, subject matter …

Implementation Of A Process For Tracking Hgb A1cs In A Community Mental Health Organization, Devin Gill

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

Background: Individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, yet are less likely to receive routine screening of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to implement a standardized workflow process to ensure consistent tracking of HbA1cs in adult consumers greater than 18 years of age with SMI receiving services at a rural community mental health (CMH) organization.

Methods: The primary intervention is a workflow process, with focus on the clinical information systems and organizational system. This quality improvement project was guided utilizing the …

The Role Of Broadband Access In Enhancing Organizational Resilience, Corporate Adaptability, And Performance, Rachel Gandy

Theses

This paper examines how Corporate Affinity to Technology (CAT) affects organizational resilience among U.S. managers. Based on survey data from 364 managers in the retail, finance, and healthcare industries, this research indicates that the degree of technology use in a firm does not relate to the firm’s level of broadband availability or technology intensity, but rather to the extent to which technology is woven into the fabric of skills development, organizational culture, and the decision-making process. High-CAT firms are resilient under stress; low-CAT firms are fragile, irrespective of the level of technology they have invested in. Recommendations for managers who …

Quality Improvement Project Enhancing Maternal Health Outcomes: Evaluating The Impact Of Universal Social Determinants Of Health (Sdoh) Screening In An Interdisciplinary Pregnancy Care Model, Shannon Morgen

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Social determinants of health (SDOH), including housing instability, food insecurity, transportation barriers, and interpersonal violence, significantly influence maternal outcomes and contribute to disparities such as preterm birth and maternal morbidity. Despite national recommendations for universal SDOH screening, implementation in prenatal care remains inconsistent, limiting opportunities to identify and address social needs. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate a standardized SDOH screening and documentation process to improve referral completion and examine its impact on hospital readmissions among obstetric patients. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Socio-Ecological Model and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the project …

Quality Improvement Project: Enhancing Efficacy And Reducing Urine Contamination Through Simulation In The Ed, Kimberley Strong

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Urine specimen contamination in emergency department settings contributes to diagnostic inaccuracies, unnecessary antibiotic use, increased healthcare costs, and decreased patient satisfaction. This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a simulation-based educational intervention on staff knowledge, self-efficacy, and urine specimen contamination rates among emergency department nurses and patient care technicians with less than six years of clinical experience in a rural Texas hospital. The aim of this project was to enhance knowledge and self-efficacy while reducing contamination rates over a six-week period. The project was guided by Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory as the theoretical framework, supported by Lewin’s Change Theory, …

Russian And Chinese Propaganda In The Modern Era: Two Case Studies Of Corrupt Nations, Matthew P. Clark

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This work is the culmination of my research for an Honors Thesis in Political Science. In the context of my unique definition of propaganda, I compare propaganda in both Russia and China. During the course of this work, I focus on cultural erasure and transformation, economic propaganda, the prevalence of Russian and Chinese state-controlled media to espouse propaganda, and specific quotations by both presidents Putin and Xi. My central contribution to the field of political science is a unique definition of propaganda and an analysis of two different works. The analysis entails a discussion of to what degree each leader …

Shame On You! The Socialization Of Self-Conscious Emotions In Early Childhood, Ashton K. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how parents and children discuss self-conscious emotions across early childhood. Self-conscious emotions such as shame, guilt, embarrassment, awe, and pride play a critical role in children's social and emotional development. Although prior research has demonstrated links between parent and child emotion talk about basic emotions such as happiness, anger, disgust, fear, sadness, less is known about how parents and children talk about self-conscious emotions. Participants for the current study were 247 parent-child dyads. The dyads completed a wordless storybook task designed to elicit discussion of five self-conscious emotions (shame, guilt, embarrassment, awe, and pride) annually across three …

Impact Of Provider Self-Efficacy On Caring For Patients With Prediabetes, David R. Knight

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Prediabetes affects millions of adults in the United States, yet inconsistent provider knowledge and confidence limit evidence-based screening and management in primary care, a gap well-documented in the literature. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether a structured educational intervention improved provider self-efficacy related to prediabetes identification and management. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory and the Transtheoretical Model, with implementation guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, this project asked: among family practice providers, how does prediabetes education affect provider self-efficacy over four weeks? A quasi-experimental pre/post design was used. Four asynchronous educational modules focused on evidence-based screening, …

Quality Improvement Project: The Critical Role Of Provider Knowledge In The Golden Hour, Kimberly Mcglothan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Maternal and infant mortality rates in the Southern United States remain disproportionately high, and inconsistent implementation of the Golden Hour, defined as uninterrupted skin to skin contact for at least the first hour after birth, continues to limit its evidence based maternal and neonatal benefits. The aim of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of a structured provider education intervention on Golden Hour compliance and provider confidence. Guided by Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory and implemented using Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model, a quantitative, quasi experimental pre-post design was used. The project was …

Quality Improvement Project: Faculty Preparedness For Recognition, De Escalation, And Reporting Of Violence In Clinical Education Settings, Dawn "Deedee" D. Moline

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Violence and aggression in healthcare settings present ongoing safety concerns for nursing faculty supervising students during clinical education, particularly when teaching occurs in hospital environments where faculty are not employed. Faculty often rotate across multiple clinical sites and may lack consistent preparation or access to standardized safety education and reporting systems. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project was to evaluate the effect of a targeted educational intervention on nursing faculty perceived preparedness to recognize, de escalate, and report aggression encountered during clinical instruction. Guided by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and Lewin’s Three Stage Change Model, …

Implementing Simulation-Based Learning In Fieldwork Bootcamp To Enhance Level Ii Fieldwork Preparedness, Kathryn Livingston

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Belmont University’s School of Occupational Therapy (OT) and the Center for Interprofessional Engagement & Simulation. A needs assessment of OT Faculty, Level II Fieldwork Educators, and the OTD Class of 2026 identified essential skill expectations and common areas of difficulty related to Level II placements. In response, this project developed multiple simulation experiences for Fieldwork Bootcamp to provide students with hands-on practice of core skills in preparation for their Level II placements. A resource manual was developed containing case studies, training guides, debriefing scripts, and setting-specific materials for use during Fieldwork …

Promoting Participation In Leisure Activities At The Center For Living And Learning, Katie Eison

OTD Capstone Projects

The Center for Living and Learning is a private nonprofit residential treatment facility on a 30-acre farm in Franklin, TN, housing adults who experience severe and persistent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The Center provides opportunities for leisure activities during the day; however, due to symptomology such as avolition, anhedonia, and social withdrawal, residents often struggle with participation in valued leisure activities. This doctoral capstone project aimed to promote participation in leisure activities, social participation, and community engagement. The Interest Checklist and Leisure Satisfaction Measure were administered to determine residents’ individual interests and satisfaction levels with leisure …

Quality Improvement Project: The Impact Of The Clinical Judgment Measurement Model In Nursing Faculty, Lamia Zeidan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Clinical judgment is essential for nursing practice and can be taught using the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM). A needs assessment conducted at the project site revealed that students had limited clinical judgment skills, there was no emphasis on clinical judgment in nursing skills courses, and the faculty had a limited understanding of the CJMM. In response to the findings of the needs assessment, the quality improvement (QI) project was developed using a quasi-experimental design. Guided by Lewin’s Change Theory and Benner’s Novice to Expert Educator theoretical framework, the project aimed to provide faculty with education on the CJMM and …