Digital Commons Network^™

Sancocho Leadership: Nurturing Leadership And Vocation Of Latinas, Miriam Méndez

Doctor of Leadership

Latinas are vital to the future of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ), but the church has failed to properly nurture and develop their pastoral leadership gifts. They contribute significantly to congregational life, pastoral care, community outreach, and theological imagination. However, their presence in formal pastoral leadership roles remains limited. This dissertation examines the structural, cultural, and theological factors that influence Latina pastoral development. The solution for developing Latina women into pastoral leadership positions in the ABCNJ is the introduction of a contextual, culturally rooted model called Sancocho Leadership. Drawing on practical theology, Latina feminist theology, and leadership …

Burnout And Mindful Self-Care Practices Among Bipoc Women Music Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Melissa V. Peters

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Music therapy as a profession has long acknowledged burnout as a significant occupational concern, yet the experiences of marginalized therapists remain understudied. In particular, little research has explored how burnout and self-care manifest for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) women in a field historically dominated by white women. Most of the existing literature on this topic is focused on the majority identity of music therapists, white women. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the reported levels of burnout among BIPOC women music therapists as well as their reported frequency of engagement in …

Exploring How Yoga Affects Embodiment In Female Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence: A Scoping Review, Kenzie R. Albers

Social Work Theses

Introduction: With violence against women continuing to rear its ugly head across the world, it remains imperative for helping professionals and researchers to continue advocating for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Yoga shows promising results for people who have experienced trauma and have depressive or anxious symptoms. One area of research not explored is the effect of yoga on female IPV survivors’ feelings of self-embodiment and bodily autonomy.

Methodology: This scoping review was conducted based on the five-step framework created by Arksey and O’Malley. The guiding research question was: What does the current literature suggest about the effects of …

Human Resources Professionals’ Perceptions About Employment And Retention Of Women With A Substance Abuse History: A Qualitative Study, Mary Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This study was an exploration of human resources professionals’ (HRP) perceptions about employment and retention of women with a substance abuse disorder history. Job embeddedness was used as a critical lens to understand HRPs’ motivations for their actions and to gain insight into their choices.

A generic qualitative methodology was used to understand the complexity of HRPs’ experiences in employing and retaining women with substance use disorder history. The data-collection method consisted of semi structured interviews of 10 HRPs from midsize organizations in the Southeast Florida region.

The results of the thematic analysis revealed 10 themes that addressed the research …

Seeing Public Health In Color: Phenomenological Perspectives Of Bipoc Women In Leadership, Jasmyn Spicer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Public health is a complex, ever-changing industry that holds pivotal capacity to impact society on a larger scale. For the United States, disparities and inequity in public health have had significant consequences for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Effective leadership in public health has the potential to impact roles, policy development, and the overall scope of oversight regarding the quality of care that communities are provided in the industry. While BIPOC women are underrepresented in public health leadership roles, they have the capacity to advance equity in the field and contribute to culturally responsive care in foundational …

Victimization Trauma And Eating Pathology; A Global Perspective, Madisyn E. Feliciano, Cate Morales, Kelsey Hagan

UROP Posters

Introduction: Exposure to traumatic events is a well-established risk factor for eating pathology, including binge eating, purging, restricting, and excessive exercise. This association has been primarily explored in higher-income countries, like the United States. The goal of this study was to elucidate the associations among victimization trauma (physical assault, sexual assault, and other unwanted sexual experience assessed) exposure and (binge eating, purging, restriction and excessive exercise) in a global sample of women.

Methods: Participants were 2,458 women attending universities across seven countries (US, UK, Canada, Germany, Iran, Turkey, Colombia) who were recruited through their undergraduate participant pool. Students who completed …

Correlates Of Recovery Capital Among Women In Jails: Leveraging A Dimensional Recovery Framework, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Martha Tillson, Jaxin Annett, Hartley Feld, Michele Staton

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: Recovery capital encompasses internal and external factors that support recovery from substance use disorder, such as employment, social support, and physical and mental health. There is a need for more research on recovery capital among women who are incarcerated, who often face complex barriers to recovery, such as poverty, unemployment, and histories of trauma.

Methods: Women (N ¼ 900) were recruited from Kentucky jails as part of the broader NIDA-funded Kentucky Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) cooperative project. Measures from baseline interviews (during incarceration) were selected in alignment with the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)’s four …

The Efficacy Of International Conflict Feminism In Postconflict Peacebuilding: Learning From The Lived Experiences Of Liberian Women Through A Decolonial Lens, Kristen N. Mcnutt

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Focusing on Liberia, this study investigates the efficacy of governance feminism (GF) and international conflict feminism (ICF) in postconflict liberal peacebuilding, specifically analyzing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda to reveal critical gaps between policy narratives and the lived realities of Liberian women. Grounded in decolonial feminism and the coloniality of gender and peace frameworks, the research integrates ideographic narrative analysis of UN Women and Liberian government policy reports, a day-in-the-life study with 13 Liberian women, and surveys and interviews with multilevel actors across international organizations, government, and grassroots organizations, guided by …

Large Language Model-Assisted Research Question Development In Public Health: A Case Study In The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic), Qi Zhang, Bidusha Neupane, Priyanka Patel, Futun N. Alkhalifah, Yi He, Leslie Hodges

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Objective:

To assess the feasibility of using large language models (LLMs) to develop research questions about changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages.

Design:

We conducted a controlled experiment using ChatGPT-4 and its plugin, MixerBox Scholarly, to generate research questions based on a section of the USDA summary of the final public comments on the WIC revision. Five questions weekly for three weeks were generated using LLMs under two conditions: fed with or without relevant literature. The experiment generated 90 questions, which were evaluated using the FINER criteria (Feasibility, Innovation, Novelty, Ethics, …

Analyzing Challenges Women Face In Leadership Roles In Higher Education, Ashley Saingilus

Theses and Dissertations

The applied dissertation was designed to provide an analysis of the challenges women face obtaining leadership positions in higher education. History has shown an evolution of women in the workplace. Reviewing the identified challenges provided insight while giving the opportunity for recommendations to institutions to make appropriate changes. The theoretical concept for this study centered around social congruity theory, also known as role congruity theory, providing insight as to how social views have defined roles, especially those related to gender and women. The study looked at how real life experiences align with such challenges. It also looked at how higher …

Trade Policy Measures And Quality Infrastructure In The Ecowas: Investigating The Inclusiveness Of The Intra-Regional Agri-Food Trade, Olayinka Idowu Kareem, Christine Wieck

Journal of African Trade

The preponderance and heterogeneous trade policy measures and quality infrastructure deficiency impact agri-food trade inclusiveness in the ECOWAS. Moreover, the inappropriate activities of some border institutions such as harassment (especially for women), graft and different charges made trading along illegal trade corridors inevitable which thereby enhances the nefarious rent-seeking activities. Furthermore, the knowledge frontier in this area is extended with the exploration and exposition of the issue of trade-related quality infrastructure. Hence, this study determines the consequences of the trade policy measures and quality infrastructure on intra-regional agri-food trade inclusiveness in the ECOWAS with a consideration of the impact on …

Teaching Digital Evangelism And Web Design As Redemptive Work For The Women Of The Northeastern Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Brenda Michele Rhyne

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem.

The COVID-19 pandemic eliminated thousands of jobs, including positions held by women within the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Unemployment and underemployment may contribute to diminished self-esteem and adverse mental-health outcomes. The problem of unemployment and underemployment is not simply economic—it is theological. For women in the Northeastern Conference, the lack of an ordered pathway to explore technology-related fields as a career option represents both an economic and a spiritual loss. A course combining technical and evangelistic training may promote members' involvement in evangelistic initiatives (i.e., TMI) while simultaneously providing technological skills. Also, women who do not regularly use …

Women's Social Roles And Alcohol Use Among Military-Connected Spouses, Sheila Kathleen Mccabe Nickerson

Dissertations and Theses

Increases in women's alcohol use are an intensifying public health problem in the United States, contributing to a hidden epidemic of alcohol-related mortality. Women's alcohol consumption is often not openly discussed or recognized due to social stigma, the perception that women drink less than men, and the fact that women can experience negative health consequences from lower levels of alcohol consumption (relative to men), making the issue less visible than it actually is. A range of factors potentially influence women's drinking, including social roles (i.e., mother); yet, the literature is varied as to whether the combination of multiple-role demands/expectations fosters …

The Kids Aren’T Alright, Amy B. Levin

Arkansas Law Review

It is not new that students struggle in law school. Research has shown for decades that, while students generally begin law school with healthy well-being, the competitive nature of law school combined with the stress of the Bar and securing post-Bar employment causes increased anxiety, depression, isolation, and related symptoms among students, especially women and underrepresented groups. What is new is the sheer number of law students struggling with serious mental health challenges today—a number that has reached crisis proportions.

This Article is divided into four parts. In Part I, I explore the mental health landscape for high school, college, …

Intimate Partner Violence And Brain Injury In Women: Understanding Prevalence, Symptomatology, And Consequences, Jacob T. Perez

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to physical, sexual, or psychological harm caused by a current or former partner. While IPV can affect anyone, women are particularly vulnerable and disproportionately affected. Physical IPV often includes experiences of repeated trauma to the head, face, and neck, including strangulation. These injuries can result in a range of consequences, including comorbid conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and cognitive impairments, along with neurological effects like reduced brain connectivity and white matter integrity. Common brain injuries associated with IPV include traumatic brain injury (TBI), which results from blunt force trauma; subconcussive/repetitive blows, caused by head …

Play, Instruct, Lead: Investigating The Influence Observing Same-Gender Role Models Has On Leadership Development Of Collegiate Women Student-Athletes Coaching At Youth Sports Camps: A Phenomenological Study, Mercy-Nora Osei

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe how observing same-gender role models influenced the leadership development of collegiate women student-athletes (CWSA) when coaching at youth sports camps (YSC) at NCAA institution campuses in the United States. The theory that guided this study was Albert Bandura’s theory on social learning, as it explained the relationship between observational learning and the influence role modeling had on leadership development. The central question was: How does observing same-gender role models influence the leadership development of collegiate women student-athletes when coaching at youth sports camps? This study used a transcendental phenomenological design to …

The Relationship Between Perceived Misogyny, Patriarchy, And Gender Discrimination, And The Socio-Emotional Development Of Black Females During Adolescence In Black American Christian Churches, Renée L. Roberts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored Black women’s perceptions of misogyny, patriarchy, and gender discrimination within Black American Christian churches. While research has examined adolescent social and emotional development in relation to religion, little attention has been given to how negative religious experiences shape psychological development. This study addressed that gap by examining how systems of oppression are encountered from adolescence through adulthood. Fourteen Black women ages 35–60 were recruited through social media and participated in 60–75-minute interviews. Using reflexive thematic analysis, six themes emerged: Misogyny as Restriction and Silencing; Long-term Emotional and Social Impact of Misogyny; Patriarchy as Normalized Male …

Homelessness Among Utah Women: A 2025 Update, Robyn C. Blackburn, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

In 2025, the total number of Utah residents experiencing homelessness on any given night grew to 4,584,¹ up from 3,131 in 2020² (a 46.4% increase), as reported in our 2022 research snapshot³ on this topic, and an 18.0% increase from 2024.⁴ According to The Office of Homeless Services under the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the number of people who accessed homelessness services in Utah sometime during the year grew 27.2% between 2021 and 2025, from 24,037⁵ to 30,578 individuals.⁶ Homelessness continues to remain a concern for many Utah women and families, and it …

Gaming: An Untapped Resource For Women In Computer Science Careers?, Claudia Quynh Luu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research focused on women who identify as gamers (i.e., an individual who regularly plays video games) with the goal of better understanding how being a gamer might help or hinder women’s interest in computer science careers. In particular, I examined the connection between interest in computer science careers, gaming, sexual harassment experiences, coping strategies, and allyship for women in gaming using a mixed-methods approach. The sample (N = 166) included women identifying as previous or current gamers. Participants were recruited from a psychology participant pool and gaming communities on Discord. We conducted a series of analyses to examine whether …

Substance Use Disorders, Trauma, And Women: A Phenomenological Study, Crystal E. H. Stephenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Substance use disorders (SUDs) do not discriminate who or how they impact individuals, families, or communities. Women impacted by SUDs face challenges such as lack of transportation, minimal family support, some of the women were triggered by co-ed groups, and childcare needs are just a few categories that prevent them from adhering to and engaging in treatment. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of eight women with substance use disorders and trauma. The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured guide that covered areas of their lives impacted by substance use disorders and trauma. Data was analyzed using methods …

The Shared Experiences Of Betrayed Women In North Carolina Dealing With Long-Term Issues From Trauma Associated With Marital Infidelity: A Phenomenological Study, Anita M. Pittman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the shared lived experiences of women affected by marital infidelity in North Carolina. Physical, emotional, and spiritual issues arise due to betrayal and brokenness of secure attachments. Findings from this study revealed that some shared emotional issues women faced following infidelity included depression, guilt, self-blame, and low self-esteem. Some issues took longer to recover from than others, such as loss of trust, low self-esteem, and varying physical health-related issues. The guiding theories for this study were Bowlby and Ainsworth’s Attachment Theory, Emotion-Focused Therapy developed by Greenberg and Johnson, and Vygotsky’s …

Reframing Fitness And Nutrition For Women: Understanding Hormonal And Metabolic Differences, Brooke J. Luecke

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores how women can consider approaching fitness, nutrition, and recovery based on the physiological differences between men and women. While much of the existing fitness and nutrition research has been based on male participants generalized to women, this paper aims to woman-centric, tailored recommendations. By focusing on hormonal cycles, metabolism, and muscle physiology, my paper will suggest a need for women to adjust their exercise and dietary practices for optimal health outcomes, including fat loss and raised energy levels. My suggestions in this paper are supported by the latest research, including Dr. Stacy Sims' insights on female health, …

Amplifying Mother Leaders’ Voices: A Feminist Inquiry Into Gender Inequity In Higher Education Leadership, Katherine Bard

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Women now comprise more than half of mid- and upper-level administrators in higher education, yet they remain underrepresented in the most senior leadership roles. For mothers in leadership, this underrepresentation is compounded by gendered structures, expectations, and norms that shape their personal and professional lives in distinct ways. While scholarship has examined working motherhood broadly and gender inequity in higher education separately, little research has focused on how mother leaders experience and interpret gender inequity in higher education leadership. This study sought to address that gap by exploring the lived experiences of ten mother leaders working at research-intensive (R1) universities …

Using Descriptive Phenomenology To Understand Women In Leadership Navigating Work-Life Integration Before And After The Coronavirus Pandemic, Tara Elaine Scroggins Glass

Dissertations

This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of women leaders as they integrated professional and personal roles before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Although leadership during crisis has been widely studied, limited research has explored how women leaders across diverse sectors negotiated organizational change while sustaining worklife integration. Guided by the Haddon et al. (2009) model of work-life integration and informed by role conflict, conservation of resources, and intersectionality theories, this study sought to capture the essence of women leaders’ experiences navigating unprecedented disruption. Data were collected through semi-structured virtual interviews with twelve women leaders representing healthcare, education, corporate, …

Ukrainian Women In The Russo-Ukrainian War: Between Survival And Resistance, Jelena Nikolic Khatatbeh

Dissertations

This dissertation explores how the Russo-Ukrainian war has transformed the lives, identities, and resistance strategies of Ukrainian women. Drawing on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with forty-five Ukrainian women conducted between March 2022 and February 2023, it analyzes how everyday survival, political thought, and civic activism have changed during the war. Using a modified grounded theory approach and a feminist lens, this study examines women’s psychosocial experiences, their evolving political consciousness, and their active roles in humanitarian, cultural, and cyber resistance.Findings reveal that the war simultaneously reinforced and disrupted traditional gender expectations. While Ukrainian women dealt with increased domestic and caregiving burdens …

A Critical Analysis Of Women’S Experiences Of Sport Participation In Saudi Arabia, Nouf Bamuhair, Richard Giulianotti, Carolynne Mason, Amer Alajmi

Journal of Global South Sport Studies

This study investigates Saudi women's experiences in sports participation within the context of the country's evolving social reforms. It addresses a major research gap on participation and policy issues, alongside a dearth of in-depth empirical studies on women and sport in Saudi Arabia. Traditionally, cultural norms, policies, and conservative interpretations of Islam have restricted women's involvement in sports in Saudi Arabia. However, recent reforms under Vision 2030, aim to enhance women's participation in sport. Using an intersectionality framework, the study examines how age, socioeconomic status, and geographical location shape women's sports experiences. Through semi-structured interviews with women in Riyadh and …

Mental Health Concerns Counselors Should Be Aware Of When Working With Women Experiencing Infertility, Corrina Harris, Kellie Forziat-Pytel

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Women experiencing infertility (WEI) are a unique group that rarely receives acknowledgment in the literature as such. These women encounter physical, emotional, and financial burdens throughout their infertility journey. Counseling research is limited on information addressing the experiences of WEI. This article highlights this unique group by providing an overview of the infertility journey for women. Counselors will learn the common mental health concerns to be aware of when working with WEI and examine a case example of infertility with a counselor’s approach. In addition, the article will identify the research gaps related to this population. Implications are made for …

With Love From The Front: Exploring Authenticity In Historical Fiction, Sarah E. Ray

Masters Theses

This MFA thesis is comprised of an artist statement, a scholarly essay on authenticity in WWII historical fiction, and a novel set during World War II. The artist statement outlines personal experiences, faith perspective, and writing aesthetics that shape the approach to historical storytelling, examining how a history-oriented upbringing and Christ-centered worldview inform a writing philosophy centered on crafting emotion through authentic character development and vivid sensory details. The scholarly component argues that authentic WWII fiction requires both meticulous historical accuracy and genuine emotional truth. Drawing on primary sources including interviews with former WWII Army members, wartime diaries, and period …

The Relationship Between Sex Guilt And Sex Anxiety On Sexual Function In Sexually Active Adult Women, Mia Audina Olivia, Ahmad Naufalul Umam

Papers from the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology Conferences

Sexuality is a deeply ingrained aspect of human identity and experience, and its importance can vary greatly from person to person and across different cultures and contexts. There is a widely accepted perspective in sexual behavior research that western women have more flexible sexual norms and thus function better than women from eastern cultural background. Meanwhile, research in eastern countries often only focused on health matters and bounded to abstinence-centred moral value. This study addresses this gap by investigating the intricate relationship between sex guilt, sex anxiety, and sexual function among sexually active adult women in Indonesia. A sample of …

A Formidable Female Network: The Role Of Women In William Henry Fox Talbot’S Establishment Of Early Photography, Rose Teanby Phd

Art Inquiries

This paper explores how women assisted William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) to establish his Photogenic Drawing and Calotype photographic processes in Great Britain and Europe. Utilising preserved contemporary correspondence as a primary source of unedited transcribed conversations, the genesis of photography can be revisited from an alternative viewpoint of extensive familial collaboration. Letters between Talbot and his female relatives exposed a sophisticated network of interconnected mid 19^th century social elite, providing multiple opportunities for informal advocacy and timely dissemination of the new scientific art.

Epistolary exchanges from 1839 to 1858 provide new insights into women’s subtle, less visible influence …