Digital Commons Network^™

Increasing Self-Esteem In Early Adolescents, Megan Ostendorf

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Self-esteem is how someone views themselves in different aspects of their life. It can fluctuate throughout a person’s life. The literature review in this paper looks at the impact that it makes on their academics, connectedness to school, peer interactions, and how parenting styles play a role in a student's self-esteem. School counselors play a role in helping students to better succeed academically using a variety of interventions using small groups throughout their day. The small group in this paper is used to increase early adolescent students with their self-esteem. The small group takes place once a week for eight …

The Importance Of Adopting A Neurodiversity Affirming Approach: A Training For School Counselors, Emily Bauer

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Consisting of a literature review and a training presentation, this project investigates the concerning mental health crisis affecting the autistic community and educates school counselors on how to shift to a neurodiversity-affirming approach to better support student needs. Research shows that autistic individuals subjected to applied behavioral analysis (ABA), social skills training (SST), and other behaviorist treatments experience significantly poorer mental and physical health outcomes as well as lower quality of life, indicating a critical need for change (Aral et al, 2023; Cassidy et al, 2020; Stewart et al, 2023). Supported by modern research, a neurodiversity-affirming approach is a better …

Stigma In Special Education Services With Student Focused Solutions, Deion Heinen

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Stigma can impact groups in many different ways. Special education students have endured stigma and the effects of this stigma for decades as proven by years of research. However, student focused solutions have been lacking in the literature and this is critical to give our educators tools to use in order to promote a positive learning environment in their classroom. While in this study, stigma was not proven in students that I currently teach that have IEPs or receive intervention services it was indicated that students rate themselves lower than general education students about how they perceive school. While more …

Progress Monitoring Importance, Challenges, And Solutions, Brenda Steffens-Romereim

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The project includes information from a literature review of progress monitoring since the Endrew F vs. Douglas County School District case and how progress monitoring requirements have changed. The project continues to explain two challenges and two solutions to progress monitoring and how to improve it for a teacher with many students on the caseload.

The Impacts And Interplay Of Adolescent Personal Contexts And Sense Of Belonging To Mathematics On Postsecondary Stem Field Interests And Intentions, Monica J. Weir

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This quantitative correlational research sought to examine the relationship between high school students’ sense of belonging to mathematics and their interests and intentions to pursue fields of study and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With a theoretical framework based on the belongingness hypothesis and social cognitive career theory (SCCT), the author explicitly linked the universality of the phenomenon of sense of belonging to individual, contextual, environmental, and experiential factors that influence career-related interest development. A sample of 328 high school students attending one private, Catholic, college preparatory school in the Upper Midwest of the United States responded …

Understanding Disabilities: Developing An Inclusive High School Curriculum With Peer Interaction, Mariah Weiss

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The overall goal of this capstone project was to develop and subsequently implement a curriculum for high school students interested in learning about individuals with disabilities. The project, calledUnderstanding Disabilities: Developing an Inclusive High School Curriculum with Peer Interaction, wasdesigned for students eager to learn about disabilities and for those looking to pursue a career in education or another field that works with individuals with disabilities.

As documented in numerous articles, the field of education can pose its own challenges, some of which may lead to the current shortage of special education teachers in most states (Bruno, Lam, …

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) Interventions For Group Therapy For College Students Experiencing Depression, Ty Ogren

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This group manual was created to support college students struggling with a depressive mood disorder such as Major Depressive Disorder. The instance of mental health concerns, including depression, have increased greatly over the last several years. Depression is the most common mental health concern for college students, and the rate at which they experience depressive symptoms has exceeded that of the general population. Depressive symptoms in college students can lead to many concerns like poor academic achievement, self-isolation, poor diet and nutrition, and suicidal ideation (Liu et al., 2022). This group manual aims to equip college students struggling with depression …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Juvenile Delinquency, Abigail Holmquist

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

Youth that have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are at a much higher risk of delinquent acts and involvement in the juvenile legal system. This study includes discussion on two studies of ACEs, conducted by Felitti et al. (2019) and Cronholm et al. (2015), reviews the impact of ACEs on juvenile delinquency in certain demographics, and includes case examples of how I have seen ACEs impact previous clients I had on my caseload. Discussion includes examples of how Social Control Theory and General Strain Theory apply to the relationship of ACEs and juvenile delinquency. Future research recommendations …

The Impact Of The Virginia Department Of Education On Music Education During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Erica S. Denham

Masters Theses

This research was to identify how the Virginia Department of Education handled Music Education during the COVID-19 pandemic. When proper support from the Department of Education is given, music educators can run their programs efficiently without doing much research on their own. By examining the COVID-19 policies and procedures created by the Virginia Department of Education, this qualitative study investigated how much emphasis was put on the unique needs of an education in music. Therefore, this investigation examined these policies and procedures to note in what ways music education was taken into special consideration. This study explored three distinct phases …

Update The Console: Educating The Next Generation About The Benefits/Problems Of Video Games, Nicholas A. Del Rio

Masters Theses

Video games have changed since the late 90s and early 2000s. Technology has advanced, graphics have gotten more detailed, stories and narratives have become more intricate, and gameplay has become more involved. Gaming nowadays is much more accessible, popular, well-known, and widespread compared to back then. It is important to not only know about the roots of video games, but also how it has changed over the years. With many new advancements comes many new benefits and problems. This research covers how video games affect the new generation of gamers, especially children, compared to the older generation of gamers, along …

An Overview Of The Behaviors That Can Occur For Special Education Teachers And Speech-Language Pathologists In The Absence Of Communication Devices To Assist Students With Developmental Disabilities, Katie Nold

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this project was to research communication devices used in unique education settings with students with developmental disabilities, how the devices were accessed, and the benefits of these devices, as noted by the special education teachers and speech-language pathologists who worked with the students with developmental disabilities.The use of iPads in educational settings has proven particularly beneficial for teachers and students with developmental disabilities, especially those requiring alternative augmented and alternative communication (AAC) methods. According to Davidovich and Yavich (2019), these devices facilitate communication between teachers and students, fostering a more interactive and engaging learning environment.

By incorporating …

Six-Month Follow-Up Comparing Ait And Eft In The Reduction Of Negative Emotions Associated With A Past Memory, Gregory Brown, Kavita Batra, Emily Dorin, Andrew Han, Arianna Palermini, Robert Sottile, Sherine Khanbijian

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Faculty Research

Statistics have shown that about sixty percent of individuals with psychiatric illness do not respond adequately to standard treatments, yet only 1% of research studies are focused on developing new therapeutic strategies for these patients (McIntyre et al., 2023). This study investigated the long-term efficacy of Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) as compared to Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), specifically evaluating the durability of the resolution of emotional distress tied to a single memory six months post-treatment. The study began with 72 participants: and 51 completed a follow-up survey, resulting in a response rate of 70.8%. The sample was predominantly female (65%), …

Harmonizing Faith Across Generations: The Spiritual Resonance Of Modernizing Traditional Worship Lyrics, Hyoeun Eunice Jeon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The quest to create an inclusive worship environment that honors diversity without sacrificing the sacred essence of traditional hymns is challenging. This study is anchored in the understanding that music, as a profound expression of faith, has the power to transform individuals and communities, and therefore modernizing traditional hymn lyrics could be vital in bridging the generational divide. This would then enhance the sense of togetherness in communal worship. By employing a qualitative research approach, this study analyzes the impact of lyrical modernization on intergenerational engagement within worship settings. Data was collected through interviews and participatory observation, tapping into the …

The Role Of Camaraderie In The Moods Of African American U.S. Military Veterans With Ptsd: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Virginia K. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the essence of the collective lived experiences of United States military veterans of African American ethnicity who were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the role that camaraderie plays in their moods. Veterans are a marginalized group who often feel they are rejected by society, but as Christians, we should be interested in human beings, promoting their well-being, and practicing psychology as an act of love. Guided by social identity theory and social justice theory, this study was aimed to gain understanding of how group memberships and social categorization …

Protect Small Businesses: Addressing Security Threats And Insider Risks, Alan Saquella

Publications

Small businesses face unique security challenges that make them highly vulnerable compared to larger organizations. While large companies often have dedicated teams of cybersecurity experts, fraud examiners, investigators and the resources to implement robust security measures, small businesses typically operate with limited budgets and minimal staff, making them prime targets for a variety of internal and external threats.

Factors Associated With Cognitive Flexibility In People With Opioid-Use Disorder: A Pilot Study, Paul S. Regier, Thais Costa Macedo De Arruda, Laura Sinko, Anne M. Teitelman, Anna Rose Childress

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

The ability to adapt to changing circumstances has strong survival value. Individuals with substance use disorders tend to get "stuck" over-responding to drug-reward signals and pursuing drugs despite negative consequences. A lack of flexibility may be tied to impairments in neurocognition, including learning, memory, and executive function. However, results are often mixed, potentially due to heterogeneity in factors such as mental health, personality traits, or prior adversity. This study aimed to identify which factors influence neurocognitive variations within the opioid use disorder (OUD) population. Based on prior literature, we hypothesized that individuals with OUD would show deficits (vs. controls) in …

A Phenomenological Analysis Of African American Clergy And Congregation Weight Loss Interventions, Linda Fay Carper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of Houston African American clergy regarding their roles and effectiveness in leading weight loss interventions within their faith-based communities. The research addresses the gap in peer-reviewed literature on the impact of Houston-area African American faith-based leadership on the success of weight loss initiatives. Grounded in the Transtheoretical Theory, the study explores clergy perceptions of decisional balance, self-efficacy, and processes of change to inform future health interventions. Ten purposive participants, meeting the inclusion criteria of being clergy leaders in Houston-based congregations with at least 50% African American membership, shared their insights. Data were collected …

Secondary Teachers’ Perceptions About Strategies To Teach Reading Comprehension, Carol Judd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study examined the challenges teachers faced in teaching reading comprehension to secondary students within the study school. Reading comprehension is a key skill for academic success, yet many students struggle to understand complex texts in subjects such as history, science, and mathematics. The purpose of this research is to assess how teachers perceive the integration of reading strategies in core content areas and the impact of professional development on their teaching practices. The conceptual framework used to guide this study was the social cognitive theory of self-efficacy, which suggests that teachers' beliefs in their abilities to implement effective strategies …

Symptoms Of Academic Burnout In Associate Degree Nursing Students, Laura J. Witherspoon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Academic burnout may contribute to high attrition in associate degree nursing (ADN) students because academic burnout affects academic success, causes physical and mental health problems, and decreases self-esteem. Academic burnout may be more prevalent in ADN students because ADN programs are shorter but more intense. The purpose of this study, guided by Maslach’s multidimensional theory of burnout, was to examine the relationship between time in the ADN program and symptoms of academic burnout in nursing student participants and the difference in academic burnout among the four semesters in the ADN students. Maslach’s Burnout Inventory-General survey for students was emailed to …

The Impact Of Counselor Educators’ Unprofessional Behavior On Students, Kristin Alyssa Dolph

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current research into Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited counseling programs has provided data that counselor educators and supervisors (CESs) who conduct themselves in an unprofessional manner affect their colleagues, peers, and students. Although there is an existing problem of unprofessionalism impacting students, there is a dearth of information on this exploration through a qualitative lens. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of counseling students impacted by their CESs displaying unprofessional behaviors. Participants were master’s-level counseling students in a brick and mortar CACREP-accredited program who were either …

Succession Planning And Situational Leadership: The Perceptions And Experiences Of Pastors At Charismatic Bahamian Churches, Kedeisha Aleicia Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental-hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore and understand the succession planning experiences for pastors at charismatic churches in New Providence, Bahamas. The central phenomenon of succession planning is a complex, intentional, continuous, and systemic organizational process that seeks to identify, develop, appoint, and transfer authority to potential leaders (Barbu, 2024; Lacey, 2003; Rothwell, 2016). The guiding theory was Hersey and Blanchard Situational Leadership II (Sbeih & Jones, 2021). The theory’s primary styles were directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating, and they were integrated with succession planning to consider the charismatic nondenominational Bahamian pastoral experiences. The method of …

Perceived Parental Narcissism: The Adult Child's Search Of Romantic Attachment Through Self-Compassion, Deanna A. Bishop

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Narcissistic personality disorder is defined by a strong desire for admiration and apathetic responses to others’ emotional needs making bonding in any relationship difficult (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Healthy bonding within a family environment can be hindered by the lack of empathetic response and agentic behaviors that are characteristic of this personality type (Shaw, 2014). By virtue of innocence and dependency, children are the most vulnerable. The literature illustrates that emotional abuse and neglect, like parental narcissistic abuse, disrupts secure attachment between the parent and the child and can also prevent the child from learning healthy coping mechanisms, such as …

Approaches In Preparing Transfer Degree Students For University Study: A Case Study Of A Community College In Rural Southwest Virginia, Melissa Suzanne Mckinney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand approaches for preparing students for their transition to a four-year university following completion of a transfer-focused associate degree at a community college. The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The study followed an embedded, single case study design and included faculty members, staff, administrators, and students within the transfer division, along with general college staff at a rural community college in southwest Virginia. The study used surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather data which was analyzed to identify relevant themes and unique approaches to preparing transfer …

Predicting The Effects Of Cyberpatriot Participation, Internet Experience, Gender, And Grade Level On Cybersecurity Judgment (Intuitive And Rational) Among Middle And High School Students: A Quantitative Predictive Correlational Study, Sarah Shin Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to determine if cybersecurity judgment (intuitive and rational) could be predicted from a linear combination of years of CyberPatriot participation, internet experience, gender, and grade level among middle and high school students. The importance of this study lies in its potential to address a critical gap in understanding factors influencing cybersecurity judgment decisions among middle and high school students. From a suburban high school in the western part of the United States, 123 middle and high school students who participated in the CyberPatriot after-school program volunteered as samples in this study. …

Easy As 1, 2, 3: An Analysis Of Rhythm-Counting Systems And Their Affect On Performance Accuracy In Beginner Band Students, Brendan Beiersdorfer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Music educators implement rhythm-counting and syllable systems globally to guide students in rhythm interpretation and performance. These systems are often associated with music disciplines and cultural regions; however, the influence of these systems on students’ rhythmic performance accuracy is not well-documented. This quantitative, quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Traditional, Kodály, and Takadimi rhythm-counting systems on the rhythmic performance of beginner band students. The sample included students from three educational settings (n = 146), each providing instruction in one of the three rhythm-counting systems. Pre- and post-instruction assessments were administered to measure rhythmic accuracy and compare each …

Improving Early Detection Of Skin Cancer Through Enhanced Screening Practices, Ashley Cline

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With an effort to enhance early detection and intervention, this research investigates the urgent need for better skin cancer screening procedures. Developing and evaluating a multicomponent intervention to improve skin cancer screening and increase skin cancer early detection rates in primary care settings was the purpose of this project. In order to assess the use of improved screening procedures for early skin cancer detection in the primary care setting at the Complete Health organization’s Ormond Beach branch, the evidence-based practice study used a quasi-experimental approach. The project focused on the clinical question of whether implementing enhanced screening practicessuch as patient …

The Influence Of Socioeconomic Status On Youth Enrolled In Public Urban High Schools: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Destiny Breanna Carrington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of low socioeconomic status (SES) students who were enrolled in a public urban high school. The theory guiding this study is the theory of social cognition, as it describes the fact that since learning happens in social environments, when students are properly supported in the classroom it can change their overall outcomes. Students of low SES may need extra motivation in the classroom, diverse types of instruction, and other positive reinforcement to help them perform better. Reciprocal determinism is at the center of the vortex for social …

Comparing The School Engagement Of Middle And High School Special Education Students Enrolled In School-Based Mental Health Services, Elizabeth Anne Mcphearson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a difference in student engagement scores amongst middle and high school special education students who are or are not utilizing school-based mental health services (SBMHS). To continue improvements in the effectiveness of school-based mental health services and to assist students in personal behavior management and school engagement, the impact of mental health services must be understood. The study participants were drawn from a convenience sample of middle and high school special education students participating in school-based mental health services located in Minnesota during the 2023-2024 school year. …

The Relationship Between Workplace Bullying And Organizational Commitment: Virtual V. Traditional Working Environment, Christa Lynn Bartholomew

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between workplace bullying and organizational commitment in a virtual workplace compared to a traditional workplace. The importance of conducting this study was due to workplace bullying having serious implications on physical health, psychological health, family conflict, burnout, and intentional turnover which can have an effect on organizational commitment. A survey utilizing the Negative Acts Questionnaire (Einarsen et al., 1991) and the Organizational Commitment Scale (Balfour and Wechsler, 1996) was distributed to a total sample size of 83 participants. Participants in this study were between the ages of 22-65 …

Exploring The Significance Of Emotional Intelligence In Organizational Effectiveness: A Case Study Of Created To Serve Ministries, Leslie Mcneill Gordon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation addressed the critical imperative of enhancing emotional intelligence within Created 2 Serve Ministries, recognizing its pivotal role in fostering organizational health and effective leadership. The project aimed to comprehensively investigate current emotional intelligence levels within Created 2 Serve Ministries, develop tailored interventions, and implement strategies to improve emotional intelligence among members and leaders. Recognizing that emotional intelligence is essential for cultivating empathetic relationships, resolving conflicts, and navigating the complexities of pastoral care, the rationale for this endeavor was based on identified challenges within the ministry, including interpersonal conflicts, communication breakdowns, and the potential for burnout among leaders. Through …