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From Tradition To Transformation: Cultural And Musical Inclusivity In Sda Worship Practices, Alicia Raquel Jones-Lumbuz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines worship inclusivity within multicultural Seventh-day Adventist congregations in the greater Houston, Texas, area, focusing on the experiences of migrants, first-generation Americans, and long-standing members. It highlights how their diverse cultural backgrounds, theological beliefs, and worship expectations shape congregational life. The study fills a gap in Adventist worship scholarship by exploring the lived experiences of worshippers in multicultural settings, particularly the perspectives of migrants whose attitudes toward worship are influenced by cultural heritage and traditional views of reverence. Data were collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic observations. Thematic analysis reveals eight interrelated themes, showing that …

The Narratives Of Where Black Men On The South Side Of Chicago Found Emotional Connection While Growing Up, Yakima Diemer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to explore and understand the lived experiences of Black men from the South Side of Chicago. This study explored, through storytelling, the life experiences of Black men from the South Side of Chicago regarding their emotional connectedness with their primary caregivers in addition to who they turned to, and what they turned to in order to feel a sense of support and connection if and when there were none. Participants for this study included Black men who were over the age of 25 and reported being raised on the South Side of …

A Phenomenology Study: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Latino Women In The South Of California With Symptoms Of Depression And The Influence Of Faith And Religion In Their Recovery, Ivette G. Perez-Paquien

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This is a qualitative study of a phenomenological nature that explores the phenomenon and experiences of Latina women with depressive symptoms residing in Southern California, as well as the influence of faith and religion on their recovery. The investigation of this phenomenon was conducted using the theoretical model of descriptive research proposed by Husserl, along with the data analysis technique for descriptive phenomenological research based on the approach designed by Richard Krueger. The research question posed to guide this study was: What are the experiences described by Latina women suffering from symptoms of depression regarding faith, religion, and their recovery …

Quantitative Correlation Of Middle School Students’ Perspectives Of Teacher Caring And Student Effort, Susan Lackey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational research was to study the potential correlation between the middle school students' perspectives of teacher caring and student effort. The study was important because it investigated an understudied population in a new geographic location. The sample included 352 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students within five middle schools in eastern North Carolina. Two instruments were used to collect survey data from the students. The first instrument administered included the MUSIC Model of Motivation Inventory, which was derived from the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation®. The second instrument was the Course Effort Scale, derived from the …

Spiritual Fortitude And Foster Care, Alesha R. Leonard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 2022, over 200,000 American children exited foster care settings, with many reporting feeling underprepared to face the demands of adulthood (Children’s Bureau, 2023; Haggman-Laitila et al., 2018). Adults with foster care backgrounds are more prone to struggle with cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development, which may hinder brain development throughout emerging adulthood years (Avery & Freundlich, 2009). This study introduced spiritual fortitude as a potential protective factor against poor transitions to adulthood and against mental health struggles among adults with foster care backgrounds. Spiritual fortitude involves development and practice of spiritual coping mechanisms to build resilience (Van Tongeren et al., …

Spiritual Health Support Groups In The Local Church: Addressing Spiritual Wellbeing In West Virginia’S Eastern Panhandle, Grant Michael Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental health services in the Appalachian region of the United States were lacking, both perennially and at the time of writing (Smith & Fisher, 2016). As the needs of this region and the nation continued to climb, the availability of trained, clinical counselors remained stagnant or worse. This lack of socially necessary services created a need that could be addressed in part by the local church. While professional counselors were in short supply and took a great deal of time to educate and train, the repercussions of the then-current mental health crisis needed to have immediate solutions and relief. The …

Exploring The Impact Of Cultural Beliefs On Death Anxiety: A Qualitative Study To Inform Healthcare Education And Practices, Sharon Sonnilal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A hermeneutic phenomenological approach framed this qualitative study, examining how cultural beliefs, spiritual traditions, and relational contexts shape death anxiety and meaning-making among adults from diverse backgrounds. Terror Management Theory and Culturally Sensitive Grief Treatment guided the conceptualization of death anxiety as a culturally mediated and relational phenomenon rather than an isolated psychological response. A purposive sample of 13 adults aged 18 and older represented diverse cultural, racial, gender, and spiritual identities. Recruitment occurred via Instagram, and participants completed an open-ended demographic and narrative survey. Participants who provided rich survey narratives received invitations to complete semi-structured Zoom interviews to deepen …

Does Enrollment In A Career, Technical, And Agricultural Education (Ctae) Program Predict Students’ Maladaptive Behaviors And High School Graduation Rates In A Rural Georgia High School: A Descriptive And Correlational Analysis, Breanna M. Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the effectiveness of the Career, Technical, and Agricultural (CTAE) program in a rural Georgia high school and its effectiveness on high school graduation rates and maladaptive behaviors in the setting. Grounded in both the Social Learning Theory and Happenstance Theory, this study explores how structured and unplanned experiences influence student outcomes. A quantitative, non-experimental correlational design was used to analyze archivable data from approximately 512 students across six cohorts spanning the 2015-2016 school year through the 2024-2025 school year. Variables in the study include CTAE participation, behavioral referrals, and graduation rates.

Findings from the study reveal positive …

Broken Promises: The Lived Experiences Of African American Employees Who Interpret The Removal Of Dei Policies As A Breach Of Psychological Contract, Geneva A. Henderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The publicized murder of George Floyd in 2020 prompted organizations across the United States to affirm their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Following the 2025 presidential administration, however, many organizations began retracting DEI policies and adopting merit-based initiatives aligned with new federal mandates. For African Americans (AA), this shift echoed a familiar historical pattern of progress followed by withdrawal, requiring them to navigate promises made and promises withdrawn. Despite the significance of these changes, little is known about how AA employees experience the workplace after the removal of a value-laden policy. This interpretative phenomenological analysis study explored the …

Intelligence-Based Missionary Preparedness, Barry Marbach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation in Praxis applies Biblical imperatives, theoretical research on leadership, relevant training models, and leading with intelligence to improve missionaries’ overall effectiveness. The dissertation supports CLUB1040 as a relational missionary movement created to contribute to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. CLUB1040 trains and mobilizes indigenous church leaders throughout the Middle East and North Africa. This mission includes inspiring the church to make this generation the one that reaches every unreached nation. Recognizing the possibility of hostility to the Gospel due to religion and culture, the intent of the training is to introduce intelligence to mitigate the danger and …

Understanding Intergenerational Relationships Of Asian Immigrants And Their Adult Children: A Phenomenology, Christine Yiu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many studies have examined the challenges U.S. immigrants face during acculturation, but few have examined Asian immigrants’ intergenerational relationships with their adult children. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Asian American adults in intergenerational relationships with their first-generation immigrant parents. The theoretical frameworks were Berry’s Acculturation Theory, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, and the Christian Worldview. The central research question was: How do Asian American adults describe and make meaning of their intergenerational relationships with first-generation immigrant parents? Participants were nine Asian Americans, aged 23 to 35, with at least one first-generation Asian immigrant …

Perceptions Of The Effects Of Launch Control Center Environmental Exposures And Alert Schedules Among Missile Operations Officers: A Mixed Methods Phenomenological Study, Dawnie Rae Ramie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed methods hermeneutic phenomenological study focused on an investigation of the perceptions of missile operations alert duty and the effects on health and sleep hygiene among Air Force missile operations officers. Questionnaires, interviews, and surveys were all used to gather data on subjects’ experiences and perspectives, including methods to mitigate the effects of poor sleep. Driving questions of research included how missile alert schedules affect sleep habits, as well as how missileers perceived alert duties may impact their health. Data was collected through a web-based Qualtrics Likert questionnaire (N=139), open-ended interviews with purposively selected subjects (N=17), and web-based Qualtrics …

Parental Understanding Of The Influence Of Ecological Systems On The Educational Experiences Of The Dependent Children Of Enlisted And Officer Families Stationed In Japan: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Nortia M. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore how enlisted and officer parents stationed in Japan understand and described how different ecological systems influence the educational experience and academic performance of their dependent children. The theory that guided this study is Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as it provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the inter-influential relationship between the children and the different ecological systems in their environment. The central research question provided a conduit for further exploration by asking how do enlisted and officer parents understand and describe how different ecological factors from Bronfenbrenner’s systems theory shape the …

Parental Understanding Of The Influence Of Ecological Systems On The Educational Experiences Of The Dependent Children Of Enlisted And Officer Families Stationed In Japan: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Nortia M. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore how enlisted and officer parents stationed in Japan understand and described how different ecological systems influence the educational experience and academic performance of their dependent children. The theory that guided this study is Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as it provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the inter-influential relationship between the children and the different ecological systems in their environment. The central research question provided a conduit for further exploration by asking how do enlisted and officer parents understand and describe how different ecological factors from Bronfenbrenner’s systems theory shape the …

The Struggle Is Real: How Black Female Supervisees Navigate Gendered Racial Microaggressions In Cross-Racial Clinical Supervision, Regina S. Rogers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Clinical supervision between White supervisors and Black female supervisees occurs within contexts where power and racial dynamics are salient. Existing research suggests that Black female supervisees are at increased risk of experiencing gendered racial microaggressions due to their marginalized identities; however, limited research has examined how these intersectional stressors are navigated within cross-racial supervision. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of Black female supervisees in cross-racial supervisory dyads, with a focus on how they perceive and navigate gendered racial microaggressions and how these experiences impact psychological well-being, the supervisory working alliance, and professional development. …

Inadequate Access To Healthcare In Low-Income Hispanic Communities In Brooklyn, Joanna Marie Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative research was to understand healthcare disparities using the Solar and Irwin conceptual framework and to shed light on healthcare disparities as the reason low-income Hispanic patients, male and female, from the ages of 20-90 in Brooklyn, New York, received inadequate access to healthcare. Healthcare disparities represented a critical issue in providing adequate patient care for adult Hispanic patients within the United States healthcare system. Research into healthcare disparities has been conducted; however, detailed information about the causes of the disparities was lacking, especially concerning inadequate access to healthcare in low-income Hispanic communities. This qualitative research …

The Perceptions Of Social Workers On The Mental Health Needs Of Immigrant Hispanic Males In New York City: A Phenomenological Study, Mauline Lawrence-Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research was to describe the experiences of social workers as they provide services to meet the mental health needs of Hispanic immigrant males in New York City. The study was based on Bronfenbrenner's (1979) Social Ecological Theory and Vygotsky's (1978) Social Constructivism to examine how social workers in New York City perceived and addressed the mental health needs of Hispanic immigrant men, while accounting for the influence of cultural and systemic factors. The main research question used in the study was: How do social workers in New York City describe their experiences providing services to Hispanic …

Vulnerability Through Story Deepening Male Relationships, Paul Samuel Hahn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Men need a vulnerable community. This action research project examines the development of a vulnerable community within the local church context at Maranatha Bible Chapel in Horseheads, NY. The men of Maranatha Bible Chapel feel the persistent challenges in Western culture that erect barriers to vulnerable masculine relationships within the community. Even though the men of Maranatha Bible Chapel report high participation in the church, they chronicle feelings of isolation and a desire for closer relationships between the men in the congregation. This action research project seeks to address the problem of vulnerable male relationships at Maranatha Bible Chapel by …

The Perceived Effects Of Safety Coaching On Safety Knowledge And Training Transfer: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Dariusz Krajewski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace safety remains a concern in municipal environments, where time and resource constraints limit training. This phenomenological study involved an examination of municipal employees’ experiences with safety coaching and how these experiences influenced the transfer of safety knowledge into daily work practice. Transfer of training theory, social cognitive theory, and transformational leadership theory were the theoretical foundations for this study.

The researcher conducted semi-structured virtual interviews with 15 participants. Data analysis followed Moustakas’ (1984) phenomenological approach. The methodological process involved bracketing, horizontalization, clustering into themes, textural and structural descriptions and essence description. The researcher clustered the thematic findings into seven …

Exploring Nonresident African American Fathers’ Experiences Of Fatherhood, Jennifer Juanita Occil

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore nonresident African American fathers’ experiences of fatherhood. Although research has examined the influence of father involvement on children’s social, educational, and psychological outcomes, limited qualitative research has focused on the lived experiences of nonresident African American fathers, particularly those with higher levels of education and from the fathers’ perspectives. Family systems theory guided this study, focusing on differentiation of self, interdependency, and boundary setting. The central research question was, how do nonresident African American fathers describe their experiences of fatherhood? For this study, six nonresident African American fathers who had …

Technology Idolatry: Daniel’S Fourfold Ancient Antidote To This Modern Problem Facing A Christian Singles Group In Dallas, Kimberlee Bousman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the rise of artificial intelligence and devices like cell phones, humanity is more connected to technology than ever. Increasingly, many people, including Christians, have become addicted to technology, spending hours scrolling. One biblical character who lived in an idolatrous culture yet remained entirely devoted to the Lord was Daniel. Making spiritual disciplines an integral part of his life enabled Daniel to stay obedient to God. This study was conducted to help a singles group that was struggling with spending too much time on technology and making it an idol. This qualitative phenomenological study was designed and implemented over seven …

Silent Invaders: Stopping The Spread Of The Spotted Lanternfly, Sloane Z. Hall

Masters Theses

The Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect originating from China, has rapidly spread across the United States, harming agriculture, forestry, and surrounding ecosystems. It’s destructive feeding behavior severely impacts grapevines, fruit trees, and hardwoods, which directly affects wine production, farm communities, and local environments. The aim of this research was to investigate the biological, ecological, and economic stakes of the infestation, as well as the methods currently used to monitor and control its spread. Specifically, it examines how communication frameworks, design practices, and extension approaches influence producers’ adoption of recommended Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols. Through the research, a literature review, …

The Effect Of Transfer Student Enrollment On The Overall Gpa In Division I Men’S Basketball, Emme Hurn

Masters Theses

The study explored the impact that transfer student-athletes have on the overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of a team in Division I Men’s Basketball. Through the use of Alexander Astin’s Input-Environment-Output model, academic preparation and environments were examined to determine their role in academic outcomes. The purpose of this research was to test this theory in order to answer three key research questions: Is there a statistically significant difference in overall team GPA when comparing Division I men’s basketball teams with a high number of transfer student-athletes, and teams with no transfer student-athletes? What is the relationship between the number …

Factors Associated With Vaping Frequency Among University Students, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye

Masters Theses

Electronic cigarette use among university students is a growing public health concern, with approximately 20-25% reporting current use. Despite extensive research on vaping initiation, factors associated with vaping frequency among established users remain understudied. This study examined stress-coping mechanisms, peer influence, and health risk perceptions as predictors of vaping frequency, guided by Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). A quantitative cross-sectional survey was administered via Microsoft Forms to 399 university students aged 21-25 with recent vaping experience, recruited nationally through campus flyers and online platforms. Multiple linear regression was conducted in SAS OnDemand for Academics, with stress-coping, peer influence, and health …

Adsorption And Kinetic Study Of Toxic Dye (Methylene Blue) Removal From Simulated Industrial Wastewater Using Sustainable Material, Zahraa H. Obaid, Jasim M. Salman, Alaa R. Omran, Noor S. Naji

Baghdad Science Journal

Water pollution is a global issue that affects both human health and the environment. The increasing use of the methylene blue (Mb) dye in various industrial applications poses significant risks. The study aimed to use hydrochloric acid-modified Ziziphus Spina Christi powdered leaves (ZSC) as an effective and low-cost adsorbent for removing Mb dye from effluents. Batch experiments were conducted with contact times of 10–180 minutes, initial dye concentrations of 10–60 mg/L, temperatures of 25–60°C, pH values of 5–9, and sorbent dosages of 0.25-2 g per 40 ml of dye solution. The results showed that the highest removal efficiency of Mb …

Ecological Health Risk Assessment Of Some Heavy Metals In Dust From Some Nursery And Primary Schools Of Al-Kut City, Iraq, Wisam Thamer Al-Mayah, Zahraa Zahraw Al-Janabi, Isam Hani Hameed

Baghdad Science Journal

Heavy metals in dust are considered one of the most important environmental consequences of human activities. The objectives of this study are to investigate the ecological risk of heavy metals on human health in the dust of schools in Kut City, Iraq. The dust samples were collected from 25 primary schools and kindergartens. The pH, EC, TDS, and concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Zn, Co, Mn) were measured. The heavy metals were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated. The results showed that the …

Antagonistic Activities Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Exoproducts Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Sirwan M. Muhammed Ameen

Baghdad Science Journal

The rise of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious global health threat and reduces the efficacy of current treatments. The present study investigates the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of exoproducts from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against MRSA. The confirmation of the identities of P.aeruginosa and S.aureus was achieved through the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Using the agar diffusion assay, the cell-free supernatants (PA-CFS) derived from both the extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa strain and the reference strain ATCC 27853 demonstrated notable antibacterial activity against MRSA, exhibiting inhibition zones ranging from 28.67 ± 0.33 to 33.33 ± 0.33 mm and …

The Effect Of Spirulina Supplementation Into The Basal Diet On The Productivity And Environmental Cost Of Thin-Tailed Lambs Fattening, Nadlirotun Luthfi, Edy Rianto, Sutaryo Sutaryo, Endang Purbowati, Hasna Fajar Suryani

Baghdad Science Journal

Spirulina platensis is a supplement that has a good impact on the growth performance of lambs, but information about the amount of this substance in feed efficiency and environmental impact is still required to be determined. The study aimed to examine the effect of the supplementation level of Spirulina platensis in the basal diet on the productivity and environmental costs of Thin-tailed lambs fattening. Twenty-four male lambs (aged 4 months; weighing 14.99 kg) were allocated to a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and six replications in each treatment. The treatments were 1) 100% basal diet without Spirulina supplementation (T0); …

Understanding Husbands Who Live With A Spouse Who Abuses Substances: A Phenomenological Study, Starla Rachelle Huckeba

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Christian non-addicted husbands who are married to a substance-abusing wife in Texas. A thorough review of existing literature indicated that previous research has focused on female non-addicted family members. From this, a gap was identified, and the central research question was developed: How did the Christian non-addicted husband describe the personal effect of living with a substance-abusing wife? Family systems theory, attachment theory, and attachment to God theory guided this study. The sample included 12 husbands whose wives abuse substances. The data collection consisted of the completion …

The Effect Of Return-To-Office Mandates On Worker Engagement And Perceived Work-Family Conflict, Caleb M. Daughhetee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this cross-sectional, quasi-experimental study was to examine relationships among employee perceptions of return-to-office (RTO) mandates, employee engagement (EE), and work-family conflict (WFC) among previously remote U.S.-based workers. Despite extensive RTO mandates following the COVID-19 pandemic, limited research has examined the relationship between worker perceptions, EE, and work-family dynamics. Grounded in personal engagement theory (Kahn, 1990), role theory, and the Job Demands-Resources model, this study investigates whether RTO perceptions predict EE and WFC, and whether WFC mediates or moderates the relationship between RTO perceptions and EE. Data were collected from 145 participants using a researcher-developed RTO perception scale …