Digital Commons Network^™

A Phenomenology Of High School Educators’ Experiences Teaching Students With Traumatic Backgrounds In South Carolina, Amanda R. Eron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe educators’ lived experiences teaching high school students who have experienced trauma in South Carolina. This study focused on the following central research question: How do educators describe their lived experiences teaching high school students who have experienced trauma in South Carolina? The study explores three research sub-questions: (1) How do educators describe and understand the complex demands they experience and the available resources they have within their classroom, schools, and school district? (2) How do educators describe their experience with trauma-related training or education? (3) How do educators describe their …

Exploring Long-Term Trauma In Children Following Early Nicu Hospitalization: A Qualitative Study Of Maternal Perspectives, Genee Leniece Francis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are hardships that occur in the life of a child before the age of 18. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of mothers whose child was hospitalized in a NICU during the first 2 months of life, focusing on traumatic injury or long-term trauma symptoms, as evidenced by intellectual delays, emotional regulation issues, or behavioral challenges in children. Purposeful, criterion, and snowball sampling were used to identify English-speaking participants over the age of 22 who served as a primary caretaker of a child currently between the ages of 4 and 11. …

Educators’ Understanding And Implementation Of Compliance Of The Iep Process For Students With Disabilities In A Northeastern United States Charter School: A Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study, Lamarr Re'nee Riddick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single intrinsic case study was to understand educators' knowledge base of the IEP process at a charter school in the Northeastern United States. The theory guiding this study was the social constructivism theory by Vygotsky. The constructivism theory by Vygotsky is a student-centered approach to learning that is integral for students with disabilities to have the skills taught to them in a functional, individualized setting. This design employed a single-case study methodology that followed the strategic criteria established through an intrinsic investigation. The sample of 10 participants yielded a study that shed light on reality, presenting …

An Examination Of Perceptions Of Strangers' Trustworthiness: A Comparison Of Religious Beliefs, Angelia Theresa Hogan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When Panikkar wrote that the “meeting of religions is an inescapable fact of today,” he was describing the very premise of this study. The continual social interactions between people of different faiths and beliefs require an understanding of both perceptions and prejudices in order to help foster trust and cooperation in a global setting. The availability of current data on unimpeded and immediate perceptions of the social trustworthiness of a photographed face on the part of people of different religious beliefs is sorely lacking. This study examined whether people with six different religious affiliations assigned different levels of trustworthiness to …

Bridging The Gap: Optimizing Outpatient Care Delivery In Rural Kenya Through A Telemedicine Workflow Training Initiative, Elizabeth K. Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Access to timely, high-quality outpatient care in rural Kenya is constrained by workforce shortages, geographic barriers, and inefficiencies in care delivery. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project evaluated the impact of implementing a structured telemedicine workflow and training program for a regional mission hospital in the highlands of Western Kenya and its satellite outpatient clinic. Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, Kotter's Change Theory, and the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, the project employed a quasi-experimental, pre-post design, with eight medical providers participating in structured workshops, interactive telemedicine simulations, and workflow integration exercises. Impacts were …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Exploring Special Education And General Education Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Teaching Phonemic Awareness To English Language Learners, Nicholas Kenneth Hebert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study described teachers' experiences teaching phonological awareness to English Language Learners in New York State. The theory guiding the study is Bandura’s work on self-efficacy from his social cognitive theory (SCT). Bandura’s work on self-efficacy provided a framework to answer the central research question: what are the lived experiences of kindergarten through grade 5 special education and general education teachers regarding self-efficacy teaching phonemic awareness to English Language Learners (ELLs)? There were 10 special education and general education teachers who have a master's and have worked with ELLs within the last 5 years. Purposeful, …

The Impact Of Instagram Exposure On The Beauty Standards And Body Images Of Young Black American Women, Chiquila Tonelle Arrington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the phenomenological study was to explore the impact of Instagram exposure on the beauty standards and body image of young Black American women. Drawing from literature highlighting the negative psychological effects of social media, such as comparison, body surveillance, and negative emotions, the research aimed to capture the experiences of Black women navigating beauty ideals in digital communication spaces. The study focused on Instagram because of the visual nature of the content and its alignment with the visual nature of the construct of beauty. The study explored behaviors, intentions, and habits associated with Instagram use.

The research …

From Theology To Practice: A Faith-Based Financial Literacy Program For Church Leaders And Congregants, Jacklyn Morrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis addresses the pressing need for financial literacy within church communities by developing a faith-based financial education program tailored for Reignited Worship Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite the abundance of biblical teachings on stewardship, many churches and their members experience chronic financial instability, limiting ministry effectiveness and personal well-being. The praxis project identifies a gap between theological understanding and practical financial management among African American congregants, exacerbated by systemic economic challenges and limited educational resources. Guided by biblical principles and a holistic ministry approach, this study proposes a comprehensive program integrating scriptural stewardship with practical financial tools. The …

Clinical Practice Variation Among Pediatric Rheumatologists Treating Kawasaki Disease: Results Of A North American Survey, Daniel Ibanez, Bianca Lang, Julia Shalen, Ali Yalcindag, Linda Wagner-Weiner, Kenneth N Schikler, Shoghik Akoghlanian, Hulya Bukulmez, Kristen Hayward, Laura Berbert, Sivia Lapidus, Andrea A Ramirez, Cagri Yildirim-Toruner

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: The best treatment for children with KD who fail to respond to the first dose of IVIG (refractory KD) is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine treatment practices of pediatric rheumatologists in North America who manage IVIG-refractory KD.

Methods: A 34-item web-based survey was sent to 102 randomly selected members of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). The anonymous survey addressed the use of primary intensification as well as the treatment of IVIG-refractory KD.

Results: The response rate was 82%; 56% (all pediatric rheumatologists) completed the survey. Primary intensification was …

Home, Shania Rachel Mathews

Theses

Home is a film where I wanted to explore the idea of the phrase so where s home? being a confusing & spiraling phrase. This is something that hits really close to me. It is a phrase that always seems to catch me off guard. As an international student, I have been around a couple of states for studies. I have made homes in all these places. I have had core memories there that link me to those locations. However, the feeling of not truly belonging would always linger. I really wanted to create a film that captures the main …

A Phenomenological Study Of Homeschooling From A Single Parent Perspective: Pipe Dream Or Possibility?, Sarah C. Ball

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of single parents who chose to homeschool their students in South Florida. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems. The central research question was focused on how single-parent home educators describe their experience. The methodology used was qualitative, utilizing the following data collection methods: personal interviews, journaling, and focus groups. The participants were single parents — widowed, divorced, or by choice — who chose to homeschool their students in South Florida. Once the data were collected, the analysis included identifying commonalities, recognizing emergent themes, and transcribing …

Workplace Violence: A Paradigm Shift, Ann Marie Hutchens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace violence (WPV) has reached epidemic proportions. WPV poses devastating results on the healthcare industry: affecting quality of care and patient outcomes, contribute to the development of physical and psychological conditions for nurses, and reduce the healthcare teams’ level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The United States is already facing a nursing shortage due to baby boomers retiring and an increase chronic disease and the elder population. Although strongly prevalent, WPV is significantly underreported. It is believed that the low rate of reporting is a consequence of apathy that violence is an occupational hazard, and that nothing will change. …

The Perspectives Of Secondary School Science Teachers Regarding The Next-Generation Science Standards In Fostering Critical Thinking Skills In The Rural Public High Schools Of A Southeastern Coastal State: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Janakikutty Vipin Das

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of secondary school science teachers regarding the Next-Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in fostering students’ critical thinking skills in rural public schools in a southeastern coastal state. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory (SCT), which helps describe the interconnected personal, behavioral, and environmental factors that explain teachers’ challenges in implementing NGSS. SCT provided a framework for answering the central research question: What are the perspectives of secondary school science teachers in rural public secondary schools of a southeastern coastal state regarding the Next-Generation Science Standards …

Relationships Between Cultural Factors And Motor Abilities In Autistic And Non-Autistic Children, Lindsey Anderson, Allison Gladfelter, Milijana Buac, Waifong Catherine Cheung, Ziteng Wang, Sinan Onal

CISLL Publications

Autism and motor abilities have been found to be closely related. Culture affects motor development as well as various diagnostic criteria for an autism diagnosis, yet cultural factors are rarely considered in research and in clinical diagnostics. This study explored the relationship between cultural factors, characteristics of autism, and balance abilities in autistic (n = 16) and non-autistic (n = 28) children by utilizing a demographic survey, the Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd edition (SRS-2), and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) Balance subtest. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze whether the relationship between autism characteristics and …

Factors Influencing Hispanic Students Obtaining A Post-Secondary Degree, Amy Paz

Masters Theses (Archived)

This qualitative case study explored the factors influencing Hispanic students’ decisions to pursue post-secondary education. Guided by the research question, What factors influence Hispanic students’ decision on obtaining a post-secondary college degree? the study examined the lived experiences of five participants who pursued various pathways, including two- and four-year institutions, vocational training, and workforce entry. Semi-structured interviews revealed four central themes: (1) influence and motivation, (2) cultural and educational background, (3) challenges and barriers, and (4) the importance of a college degree. Findings highlighted the significant role of family as both motivators and guides, the influence of cultural values, and …

"The Yellow Wall-Paper": Decoding Medical Patriarchal Structures (A Common Theme Within Gothic Literature/Horror), Yvonne T. Samuels

Masters Theses (Archived)

This paper makes the claim that Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wall-Paper” encoded the medical system as part of the patriarchy used to control and harm women, especially within the 19^th Century, and how this is a common theme within gothic literature and modern-day horror. Through the Feminist Literary Criticism framework and the methodology of textual analysis, certain literary devices Gilman uses, including the Gothic trope of the narrator’s environment in “The Yellow Wall-Paper” is analyzed to reveal women living in a patriarchal society during the 19^thCentury and the medical system being a source of power. “The …

Emotion Regulation Differences Between Gender And Sexuality Groups: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jake Camp, Emma Blundell, Patrick Smith, Katharine Rimes

School of Psychology

Gender and sexual minority (GSM) people are at increased risk of mental health difficulties compared to their cisgender-heterosexual peers. This is likely because of exposure to minority stressors. Emotion regulation difficulties have been proposed as an important mechanism for mental health disparities in GSM populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether GSM groups differ from cisgender and heterosexual groups in global and specific aspects of emotion regulation (e.g., emotion awareness, strategies, impulse control, cognitive appraisal, and emotion suppression), and whether emotion dysregulation mediated the relationship between GSM identity and mental health outcomes. We identified 40 eligible studies, of which …

Delay Of Gratification And Relationship To Eating Disorders, Monica D. Grambusch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Delay of gratification has been studied across a wide range of topics, with a typical association with positive traits for self-control and behavior adaptation. This study focuses on eating disorders and Delay of Gratification to understand the contradictory nature it may have related to eating disordered behaviors. The Eating Attitudes Test (26), Delay of Gratification Inventory, and a demographics survey were conducted online, screening for participants over 18 years of age with self-reported previous eating disorders. This quantitative study focused on two research questions. Research Question 1 examined if there was a relationship between Delay of Gratification scores and selfreported …

To Buzz Or Not To Buzz: A Survey Design Of Embouchure Development Among Kentucky Brass Musicians In Higher Education, Christopher P. Schmidt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This survey design study examined the methods of embouchure development practiced by Kentucky brass musicians in higher education. The purpose of the study was to explore how collegiate brass professors, their graduate teaching assistants, and undergraduate student musicians apply or omit mouthpiece buzzing in their daily practice routines and private-studio instruction. The study explored pedagogical influences rooted in the teachings of William Adam, Philip Farkas, Emory Remington, and Arnold Jacobs to identify how their philosophies inform contemporary approaches to brass pedagogy. The findings revealed consistent pedagogical diversity among KPUBPs, with most participants using mouthpiece buzzing, long tones, airflow drills, and …

The Efficacy Of Experiential Learning In Chinese Education: Bridging The Gap Between Academic Rigor And Real-World Application, Megan Hutchinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the perceived effectiveness of experiential learning in developing practical English skills for Chinese EFL students at a university in China. The theory building this study, Kolb’s experiential learning theory, was used to explore how incorporating experiential learning theory could help students bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-life ability, allowing them to practice in authentic learning environments and preparing them for life outside the classroom. The central research question was, “What are the lived experiences of college students who participate in experiential learning in EFL classrooms in China?” This …

Acoustic Black Hole Structures Using 3d-Printed Polymer Concrete, Siham S. Al Shanti

Civil Engineering ETDs

Mitigating unwanted vibrations is essential in the design of structural and mechanical systems to ensure safety, reliability, and long-term performance. This dissertation advances the Acoustic Black Hole (ABH) concept, passive vibration control strategy, by replacing geometric tapering with controlled material properties. Using Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, elastic modulus variation in polymer concrete (PC) enabled wave velocity reduction without compromising fatigue resistance. The high strength, excellent damping, and rheological properties of PC makes it ideal for 3D-printed ABH structures. This work examined bond performance between normal concrete properties, developed PC mixes with tailored rheological and mechanical properties, and evaluated their 3D-printability. A …

Telehealth, Access To Care, And Perceived Lived Experiences Of Seniors Living In Sumter, South Carolina, Taquisha Anquinette Howard-Sanders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Telehealth has emerged as a transformative approach to healthcare delivery, particularly for populations facing geographic, financial, and mobility-related barriers. In rural communities such as Sumter, South Carolina, seniors 50 and older continue to experience challenges in accessing timely care, including limited transportation, provider shortages, digital illiteracy, and financial constraints. Conducted by Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use (ABMHSU), this qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of seven seniors in Sumter to understand how telehealth influences engagement in healthcare. This study was guided by three research questions (RQ) that examined seniors’ experiences using ABMHSU, focusing on predisposing factors, enabling …

A Phenomenological Study: The Lived Learning Experience Of Learning-Disabled Formerly Incarcerated Individuals With Learning-Based Ptsd Symptoms, Sirsey H. Martinez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived K—12th grade learning experience of formerly incarcerated adults with specific learning disorders (SLDs) and learning-based posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. This study aimed to understand how specific learning disorders affected school learning experiences and obtain input on how to improve learning in schools. A transcendental phenomenological approach was utilized in this qualitative study to obtain and report trustworthy research findings that represented the overall essence of the participants’ lived learning experiences. Ten formerly incarcerated adult males with specific learning disorders and learning-based PTSD symptoms were interviewed. Data was …

Exploring John Maxwell’S 16 Undeniable Laws Of Communication As A Possible Framework For Public Speaking Success: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of The Top 20 Ted Talks And Their Alignment With The Principles, Kevin C. Mcintyre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The qualitative content analysis aimed to discover whether Maxwell’s 16 undeniable laws of communication are applied to the top 20 TED Talks of all time based on view count catalogued on the TED website and inform a framework for public speaking success. Through the lens of Fisher’s narrative paradigm of coherence and fidelity, while situated in Craig’s rhetorical tradition, which builds on ethos, pathos, and logos, the study examined the gap in workplace competence moving beyond theory to practical guidance. Additionally, the study was guided by three research questions that were answered in the study. Through an immersive multimodal examination …

Jesus’S Dual Human And Divine Nature In The Gospel Of John: Transcending Maslow’S Self-Actualization With Divine Mission And Obedience, Willie Trevale Reynolds Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores how the Gospel of John presents Jesus’s dual human and divine nature as the basis for a fulfillment model that surpasses Maslow’s concept of self-actualization. The study integrates narrative, rhetorical, comparative, and theological approaches. Through these methods, it shows that John places fulfillment in divine mission and obedience rather than in human potential or psychological development. John’s Gospel also depicts Jesus addressing human needs—physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual. At the same time, it reframes fulfillment as participation in God’s redemptive work. By contrasting Maslow’s hierarchy with the Johannine narrative, the dissertation argues that Jesus embodies completeness through …

“Forward Into Light”: The Shaping Of The Suffrage Ideology Of Alice Paul And The Practical Theological Application Of The Quaker Spices In The American Women’S Suffrage Movement, Alice L. Alvarado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote after decades of dedication and agitation by women in their monumental fight to win the franchise. Alice Paul, a second-generation suffragist, dedicated her life to the cause and became the new face of the suffrage movement in Progressive America. A birthright Hicksite Quaker, Alice Paul’s ancestry can be traced back to the Quakers of England, and her extended family connected with early practitioners such as George Fox, along with a blood relation to William Penn. Paul’s Quaker ancestry, Quaker upbringing, Quaker guarded education, and …

Infotainment And Youth Political Perceptions In Pakistan: A Qualitative Uses And Gratifications Study, Sara Anwar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research presents the problem of infotainment as a media genre and its contribution to the political perceptions, civic behavior, and cultural attitudes of youth in Pakistan. The uses and gratifications theory, situated within the sociopsychological tradition and the transmission model of communication formed the basis of the research where the integration of information and entertainment was viewed as a process that changes the political awareness among the youth. A qualitative exploratory research design was utilized. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with students at the university who participated in the study because of purposive selection. NVivo software was used to …

Faith-Based Practices And Health: The Role Of Faith-Based Guided Meditation In Managing Type 2 Diabetes, Willie M. Velasquez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of my study was to investigate how faith-based guided meditation influences health management behaviors and individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Specifically, I examined its effects on glycemic control, stress levels, and emotional well-being. Current diabetes management approaches, such as medication, diet, and exercise, often fail to address psychological and spiritual aspects critical for effective self-management. Grounded in the Biopsychosocial Model of Health, this mixed-method study explored the potential of faith-centered meditation to promote improved self-care behaviors and enhance emotional resilience. The research included a sample size of 40 participants, male and female, ages 18-60, of diverse backgrounds, divided …

Analysis Of The Health Access Initiatives Available For Newly Resettled Immigrants And Refugees In Charlotte, North Carolina, Yetunde Akinyelu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Health Access Initiative for Newly Arrived Immigrants and Refugees in Charlotte, North Carolina addresses the major obstacles which prevent these populations from obtaining vital healthcare services (P Iqbal., et al 2022). The research investigated healthcare difficulties faced by immigrant and refugee populations after their arrival in the United States while developing solutions to enhance their healthcare accessibility and results. The research employed qualitative methods to gather data through semi-structured interviews with immigrants and refugees who resided in Charlotte (Alkhawaldeh, et al., 2023). The research took place in community-based locations to create an environment where participants could freely discuss their …

A Phenomenological Study: The Lived Experiences Of Social Studies Teachers’ Perceptions Of Building Rapport To Enhance Classroom Management, Jesse Darren Newcomer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic-phenomenological study was to gain a profound understanding of what secondary education social studies teachers experience when they increase strategies to build rapport with students to strengthen classroom management techniques. There were 10 participants who teach in Central Pennsylvania public school districts. The theory guiding this study was self-determination theory by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, given the study's social-emotional focus. The central research question guiding this study was, “What are social studies teachers’ perceptions of how building rapport with students influences classroom management?” There were three sub-questions: What type of motivation is used when developing …