Digital Commons Network^™

Work-Life Conflict, Anxiety, And Depression In Collegiate Athletic Trainers With Children Under 5, Jordan Helton, Glenn R. Penny, Seth Swary

Student Dissertations

The research problem for this study was that collegiate athletic trainers with children under 5 years old experience significant work-life conflict and negative mental health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore how collegiate ATs with young children describe their experiences of work-life conflict and to how these experiences relate to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Guided by interrole conflict theory and work-life conflict theory the study posed two research questions: (1) How do collegiate ATs with children under 5 describe their experiences of work-life conflict? (2) What is the relationship work-life conflict experiences on the symptoms …

Program Agenda 12-16-25, Angela Brock

Programs Committee (PC)

No abstract provided.

Approved Programs 12-16-25, Angela Brock

Programs Committee (PC)

No abstract provided.

Motivations And Challenges Of First-Generation College Students From Rural Areas To Pursue A Master’S Degree, Bridget Weber

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

First-generation college students from rural backgrounds remain underrepresented in graduate education, and limited research has examined the factors influencing their pursuit and persistence in master’s degree programs. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the motivations, challenges, and support systems experienced by rural first-generation college students pursuing a master’s degree. Five participants who identified as first-generation college students from rural communities participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, visual educational timelines, and reflective journals. Data analysis involved open coding, analytic memoing, and thematic analysis to identify patterns across data sources.

Findings revealed three primary …

Ucc Minutes 12-16-25, Angela Brock

UCC Agendas/Minutes

No abstract provided.

Icc Agenda 12-16-25, Angela Brock

Individual Course Committee (ICC)

No abstract provided.

Approved Courses 12-16-25, Angela Brock

Individual Course Committee (ICC)

No abstract provided.

Social Murder And The Antisocial Contract, Marissa Jackson Sow

Maryland Law Review

No abstract provided.

Caste As Practice, Analogy, And Metaphor, Mark A. Graber

Maryland Law Review

No abstract provided.

Homemade For Change: Addressing The Barriers To Home Cooking Among Emerging Adults For Better Health, Finances, And Well-Being, Sarida Smitthimedhin

Masters Theses

This study investigates how a visual approach—combining design, photography, and illustration with nutrition—can encourage home cooking. In today’s fast-paced society and overabundance food culture, many emerging adults struggle to prepare meals at home. This study examines how food industry practices and cultural trends shape the eating habits of emerging adults by exploring the reasons behind the decline in home cooking and its adverse effects on health, finances, well-being, and the environment.

Although research indicates that most adults recognize that home cooking is the healthiest choice, they often do not practice it, citing time and lack of cooking knowledge as their …

The Fruit Of The Spirit Beyond Sunday: A Practical Implementation Of The Fruit Of The Spirit Through Visual And Experiential Learning, Amy English

Masters Theses

In today’s world, modern Christian women recognize the importance of the Fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and temperance—but many Christian women find it difficult to consistently put these virtues into practice. A key reason for this struggle is the lack of practical methods and visual reminders that help women recall and apply these qualities in their daily lives. Without clear, accessible ways to nurture these spiritual fruits, believers may find that their growth in these areas is limited or inconsistent.

This thesis explores how combining intentional spiritual habits with creative visual tools can make …

"I Like The Idea In Theory": Experiencing The Imperial Matrix Through Legal Gender Marker Changes And Nonbinary Disidentifications, Wynn Strange

Dissertations and Theses

Since 2018 twenty-two states and the District of Columbia have implemented administrative changes that provide a third gender option on at least one state identification document allowing nonbinary and intersex people the opportunity to select a gender marker that reflects their gender identity. This study draws from 28 interviews with agender or otherwise nonbinary people living in Maryland and California. I use queer of color and critical trans theory to consider the implications of legal gender marker changes. This research explores how social, historical, and geographical location can influence ones' awareness of, experiences with, and relation to real and imagined …

Communication Strategies Finance Leaders Use To Increase Employee Productivity And Organizational Profitability, Tricia Ashbourne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract A lack of effective communication strategies to increase employee productivity and profitability is a concern among leaders in the finance industry. This problem is important because, without such strategies, organizations might experience decreased employee morale and misalignment, which could reduce productivity and profitability. Grounded in leader–member exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore the effective communication strategies that senior finance leaders use to increase employee productivity and organizational profitability. Participants were six senior leaders from the finance industry in the Cayman Islands, each with at least 5 years of executive responsibility over …

Navigating The Shadows: A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Psychological Well-Being Of Coachees From Strengths-Based Coaching, Lorenzo Moultrie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizations may experience negative impacts, such as the loss of valuable employees and disruptions in team dynamics, when coaching interventions lead to challenges against organizational norms or policies. Coaching industry leaders must understand the negative impacts as indicators of workplace vulnerability affecting employees and productivity. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how coachees describe their lived experiences of strengths-based coaching (SBC) and its impact on their psychological well-being (PWB). The SBC’s dual outcomes on PWB, using a conceptual framework that integrates positive psychology coaching, Ryff’s model of PWB, and social exchange theory, grounded this study. The …

Understanding Medication Adherence Among American Indian/Alaska Native People With Type 2 Diabetes Within A Commercial Health System, Leandra Bitterfeld

Dissertations

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults experience higher rates of type 2 diabetes and worse glycemic control than non-Hispanic White Americans. Despite the importance of medication adherence for T2DM management, there is only one study in the last 15 years examining the relationship between medication adherence and A1C among AI/ANs. Furthermore, T2DM research among AI/ANs has largely been conducted within Indian Health Service and Tribal healthcare systems, though most AI/ANs live outside of reservations, meaning many use commercial health systems. The purpose of this dissertation is twofold. We sought to first understand the experience of AI/AN people accessing T2DM in a …

Implementation And Outcomes Of A Digital Onboarding Taskforce In The Acute Care Setting, Julianna Lenoir, Alexzandra Gentsch, Akshay Krishnan, Jeffrey Ndubisi, Marissa Witmer, Kristin L. Rising, Brooke Worster, Angela M. Gerolamo

Jefferson Center for Connected Care Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Use of digital health technology can improve patient health outcomes; however, not all patients have the knowledge and skills to download a health app and access a patient portal. Providing digital onboarding support to hospitalized patients has potential to overcome some barriers to accessing needed education in the community, including both having the time and a location to receive education. To address this, our team developed the Jefferson Digital Onboarding Taskforce (JeffDOT), a group of staff and students who approach hospitalized patients and provide one-on-one teaching on how to sign up for and use a patient portal.

METHODS AND …

In-Depth Understanding Of Binge Eating Behavior Among African American Women, Maria Ramia Dibbs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Counselor educators lack an in-depth understanding of the unique needs and experiences of African American women with binge eating behavior, leading them to be ill-equipped to train counselors to meet these culturally specific needs. As a result of this study, counselor educators were able to understand how African American women experience binge eating behavior, enhancing training for counselors. This qualitative study included a transcendental phenomenological approach and focused on providing answers regarding the lived experiences of African American women with binge eating behavior during their binge eating episodes. Semistructured interviews with eight African American women with binge eating behavior were …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Student Perception Of The Usefulness Of Llms For Academic Achievement Among Business Technology Course Levels (200, 300, And 400) When Comparing Free Versus Paid Llm Access, Wendy Chun

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a difference in student perceived usefulness of large language models (LLMs) for academic achievement among undergraduate business students at different business technology course levels (200, 300, and 400) when comparing access to free versus paid LLMs. This study is important because it contributes to a practical understanding of the impact of LLM-assisted learning on students' perception of how LLMs contribute to academic achievement at the undergraduate level; therefore, this study contributes to the literature by providing empirical-based information on how a student perceives the effectiveness of using …

Brainspotting And The Strong Black Woman Schema: A Pretest–Posttest Study On Psychological Wellness, Iiesha Lasha Ricks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Black women in the United States experience disproportionate health disparities resulting from the intersecting effects of racism and sexism. Although researchers widely acknowledge these disparities, they have given less attention to how race- and gender-based oppression affect mental health outcomes. Brainspotting (BSP) is a trauma-informed approach emphasizing clinician attunement and a nonjudgmental space for processing distress. While BSP has shown promise with diverse populations, few studies have specifically examined its use with adult Black American women. This quantitative pretest–posttest study investigated the efficacy of BSP in improving psychological wellness among Black women and whether endorsement of the Strong Black Woman …

The Lived Experiences Of Implementing Social-Emotional Learning Competencies In The Classroom Of Teachers In A Southern State: A Phenomenological Study, Lakenya King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of teachers in a southern state who implemented social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies in the classroom. The study was guided by Goleman's theory of emotional intelligence (EI), which focused on SEL needs and benefits. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of teachers who implemented SEL competencies in the classrooms in a southern state? This study used a transcendental phenomenological design to gain insight into the phenomenon from 10 teachers in a public district in a southern state who implement SEL competencies in the classroom. …

Nursing Home Leadership And The Connection To Fostering Quality Care In Nursing Homes, Daphne Hicks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing homes in the U.S. state of Mayland experience a high volume of reports for abuse and neglect and are poorly ranked for responding to complaints, leading to a low overall rating. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore leadership practices that could result in improvement in quality of care and reductions in abuse and neglect, using a needs assessment and development of a logic model as a precursor for a formative evaluation. The framework applied was Lead Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Development Coalitions, and Systems Transformation. Eight nursing home administrators were interviewed to collect primary data, …

The Truth Effect And Divided Attention By Picture Memorization, Aedan D. Erickson, Caitlin G. Tjeerdsma, Jacob D. Ostergard

Student Work

The truth effect examines an individual’s likelihood to believe new information with repeated exposure. This study analyzed the effects of a secondary memorization-distraction task on the truth effect and whether familiarity with the subject matter increases the impact of the truth effect. We recruited 95 undergraduate, college students to view a slideshow containing four trivia statements under conditions of repeated or single exposure and assignment or no assignment of a secondary memorization-distraction task. The results showed no effect of a secondary memorization-distraction task on the truth effect and no relationship between repeated exposure and validity scores. Participants’ familiarity of subject …

How Racism Affects Attitudes About Post-Secondary Education, Anne Duong

Masters Theses (Archived)

As the number of students of color in America continues to increase each year, these minority groups remain underrepresented in higher education. The educational system must adapt and make changes to better serve the diverse cultures and backgrounds of new students. Recognizing the presence of structural and systemic racism in American history, this research aims to explore whether racism affects students' learning experiences in K-12 schools and how this, in turn, influences their attitudes toward pursuing post-secondary education. The study focuses on high school students in 12th grade from a Texas public school, representing the backgrounds of students of color. …

Beheld To Behold: A Rhetorical Theology Of Otherness In Acts, Hannah E. Gross

Masters Theses

The phenomena of otherness foundationally grounds this work. A micro-concept of Martin Buber’s I and Thou Theory, otherness is central to this study particularly as it is rhetorically situated in the work of Acts. The research draws from ideological criticism to produce a rhetorical theology. Findings uncover two primary relational dynamics of otherness: (1) God to the believer to the unbeliever and (2) God to the believer to the believer. These constructions of dialogical engagement in Acts are donned witness and withness, offering keen insight on a rhetorical theology of otherness.

Learning To View Christianity As True Myth And How It Should Influence Both Our Thinking And Our Actions, Joshua Jaccob Hazeldine

Masters Theses

Often, Christianity and the Scriptures are viewed through either a purely academic lens or an emotionally based lens. While both methods have value and use, they also have major flaws that can hinder our growth and understanding. This thesis presents a more effective approach to understanding the Scriptures and our Christian faith. By combining both the heart and the mind, we have a method that can see the truth and logic of Christianity without missing the wonder and amazement of Christianity. This method was called True Myth by C.S. Lewis, for it acknowledges the total truth of everything in Christianity …

Archetypes: Angels Of Literary Art; Demons Of Science, Ronald A. Davidson

Masters Theses

This Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing thesis focuses on archetypal literary theory and criticism and their application to Bushido of the Cur, a novella by Ronald A. Davidson. The critical analysis will evaluate the characters in the novella and identify how their roles in the story align with everyday human experiences, suggesting the existence of a literary collective unconscious. The creative manuscript, Bushido of the Cur, exploits the craft of character development to present a storyline that feels authentic, even though it is a work of historical fiction in the western noir genre. The goal of the manuscript is …

Operation Evil Empire: The Strategic Weaponization Of Rhetoric In Psychological Warfare, Sabrina Marie Smith

Masters Theses

The Cold War redefined warfare around information, ideology, and perception. Victory depended less on territory and more on legitimacy. In 1983, Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union were extremely high. President Ronald Reagan’s “Evil Empire” speech emerged at a critical juncture, marking a pivotal moment when U.S. foreign policy embraced assertive ideological confrontation. The rhetoric of this speech did more than address the American public; it served as a strategic instrument aimed at weakening Soviet ideological cohesion. It became a turning point in U.S. Cold War rhetoric, targeting both the Soviet leadership and its oppressed …

Exploring Spiritual Coping And Anxiety Reduction In Military Personnel Transitioning Through The Meb Process And Undergoing Vocational Training: A Qualitative Approach, Camron L. Rawls

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study examined how transitioning military service members (TMSMs) navigating the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) used spiritual and vocational resources to manage stress and cope with identity loss. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants enrolled in or recently completing the Ch. 31 Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) or another vocational training program. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through repeated cycles of coding, memoing, and theme development. Six major themes emerged: (1) bureaucratic confusion and identity disruption that increased anxiety and led …

Effect Of Spirituality On The Mental Health Of Adults Who Experienced Bullying In Their Childhood, Celiana Rodriguez-Gonzalez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Bullying experiences in childhood have been found to significantly affect mental health in adulthood, particularly through depression and anxiety. Spirituality has been identified as a protective factor for mental health, contributing to quality of life, satisfaction, and purpose. It may also buffer the effects of violence and bullying. This correlational study examined the relationships among childhood bullying, spirituality, and adult mental health in a sample of individuals from Puerto Rico (N=124). Specifically, whether spirituality moderates the relationship between childhood bullying and adult mental health outcomes. Results indicated that childhood bullying was moderately associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, …

Utilization And Preparedness Of Physical Therapists For Management Of Migraines In Georgia, Heath B. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative survey experiment was to examine the referral to and utilization of physical therapists in Georgia for assisting with the management of migraine patients, explore the preparedness of Georgia physical therapists to provide evidence-based interventions for migraine patients, and compare the differences between the utilization and preparedness of rural physical therapists and urban physical therapists within the state. The theories guiding this study were the behavioral and biopsychosocial models. The behavioral model demonstrated that individuals' behaviors affect their access to care and perceived need for medical interventions. Due to the demographics of Georgia, characterized by a …