Digital Commons Network^™

Barriers To Physical Activity Among Community College Students, Erica Keels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceived barriers, motivators, and student-identified strategies related to physical activity among students enrolled at a community college located in Northwest Florida. Guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM), Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Health Belief Model (HBM), and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study employed a qualitative descriptive design to examine students’ lived experiences and perceptions that influence their physical activity behaviors. Data were collected through an online open-ended survey administered to students aged 18 years and older. A total of 134 students initially accessed the survey, and 126 eligible participants …

Covenantal Allegiance In The Epistle Of James: An Integrative Critical-Covenantal Interpretation, Lorpu Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation argues that the Epistle of James presents faith as covenantal allegiance enacted through communal practices under social and theological pressure. While scholarship on James has frequently separated socio-historical analysis from theological interpretation, this study proposes an integrative reading through the Integrative Critical-Covenantal Method (ICCM). ICCM employs a three-step procedure comprising close textual analysis, text-triggered socio-historical diagnosis, and theological analysis, with integrated adjudication. The dissertation examines seven strategically selected “pressure texts” in James: 1:9–11; 1:27; 2:1–13; 2:14–26; 3:13–18; 4:1–10; and 5:1–6. These passages reveal how James addresses status competition, patronage expectations, economic vulnerability, partiality, rivalry, and injustice within diaspora …

Factors Influencing High School Band Enrollment For Eighth Grade Students In Ohio Small Town School Districts, Jon Steven Kauffman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many factors influence the choices of eighth-grade students as they decide whether to enroll in high school band. While musical ability and achievement can play a role in this decision, research suggests that social influences, such as peer relationships, a sense of belonging, and the band program's cultural environment, often have a greater impact on students' decisions. The Ohio Department of Education classifies school districts into four categories: Urban, Rural, Suburban, and Small-town. Although similar to other designations, small-town districts require a distinct label because of the unique mix of factors in these locations. They lack the population density of …

Beyond Crisis: Patient Access And Sustainability, Miguel A. Mendoza

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Critical systems underwent drastic workflow adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these operational alterations persist today, while others have been reduced or eliminated. This is a qualitative study on the operational, technological, and human-centered challenges experienced by healthcare organizations providing primary care services in Southwest Ohio during and immediately after the pandemic. This flexible research design implements in-depth, semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals leading primary care operations to capture a longitudinal perspective on pandemic-era service delivery, and the legacy systems still in place today. Thematic analysis revealed seven themes that determine the effectiveness of care delivery models. Social Determinants …

Social-Emotional Learning In A Middle School Band Program: A Qualitative Case Study, Edward J. Anthony Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social-emotional learning (SEL) supports students’ development of interpersonal skills, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making during adolescence. Although music education provides collaborative learning environments, limited research has examined how participation in middle school band programs contributes to students’ social-emotional development. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore how participation in a middle school band program contributes to the development of social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies among students. Through interviews, observations, and document analysis, this study seeks to understand how students and educators experience and perceive the social and emotional dimensions of ensemble participation within the middle school band setting. …

Building Moral Resilience: The Role Of Biblical Forgiveness In Dealing With Moral Injury Among Christian Combat Veterans, Kwasi Boateng Asamoah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An unsuccessful navigation of exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) can result in psychological, emotional, and spiritual distress, which can lead to moral injury. Moral injury continues to receive wider attention among researchers and clinicians in the field of military psychology and mental health due to the prevalence of exposure to PMIEs among this population. Research has shown that over half of the veteran population has experienced at least one PMIE, and about 6.5% have reported moral injury. Although moral injury is considered an injury of the soul and has spiritual consequences, there remains a gap in the literature …

A Brief Historical Survey Of The Use Of Traditional Hymnody In Select Baptist Churches In Texas, Christina N. King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research set out to understand the past, present, and future value of hymnody in select Baptist churches in Texas. The research addresses the critical concerns in Baptist worship: the shift from traditional to contemporary music and the potential loss of theologically sound songs that have historically grounded the faith of believers. The primary purpose of this study is to discover the depth and breadth of hymn usage in worship and understand how hymnody is perceived to shape believers theological understanding and spiritual formation. This study was undertaken as a multi-site case study of five select churches, with five people …

The Challenges Of Employee Selection, Cayward L. Wiggins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative single case study examined the challenges associated with employee selection and the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in improving hiring practices within public sector organizations. The general problem addressed was the failure to consistently utilize EI testing resources, which may result in the selection of less qualified employees. The specific problem focused on the inconsistent integration of EI tools during recruitment and interview processes. Guided by a post-positivism paradigm, the study explored how human resource (HR) managers and personnel understood and applied EI in candidate evaluation. Data was collected from 30 HR professionals using interviews and surveys to …

The Moderating Influence Of Intrinsic Religiosity For Technostress And Tech Addiction In Adults Working In A Digital Environment, Elaine M. Hensley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examined factors influencing levels of technostress and tech addiction in adults working in digital environments, where technology is rapidly advancing. The main research questions asked: If and to what extent intrinsic religiosity and resilience, independently and through their interaction, predict levels of technostress and tech addiction among adults in a digital workplace environment. The research design used two multiple linear regression analyses and two moderation analyses to ascertain whether the null hypotheses would be retained. The procedure involved recruiting 222 participants through Prolific who activated a survey link from Qualtrics. The link contained demographic data and four surveys …

Women In Ministry Leadership: Balancing Work, Personal Life, And Family Responsibilities, Coretta Shawn Thompson Siler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Women in ministry leadership experience specific difficulties managing professional ministry, personal health, and family obligations (Frederick, T. V., Dunbar, S. B., & Hargrove, D. S., 2023). This paper focused on the specific struggles of women in ministry leadership, despite the numerous challenges women face across various fields. Its purpose was to examine the obstacles, interactions, and repercussions of these issues in faith-based groups and church leadership. The Dissertation-in-Praxis addressed these difficulties and offered a one-day workshop as a real-world solution. It aimed to educate women in leadership on biblical concepts, leadership styles, and methods for juggling their obligations. With servant …

Resilience In The Age Of Covid-19: A Phenomenological Study Of Survivors 65 And Older, Kwajulyn Onothia Rucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Few studies have examined resilience among those aged 65+ during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research fills that gap, offering data to guide policies and treatments for future pandemics. The pandemic revealed factors influencing psychological resilience, with stressors linked to health issues becoming chronic worldwide. Older adults faced heightened stress, and 95.5% of COVID-19 deaths occurred in those 50 and older. Lockdowns increased isolation and depression, yet many showed resilience by drawing on strengths, social networks, and circumstances. Key themes from this study included faith, engagement, adaptability, and adversity. Most (80%) adapted well, feeling 'fine' or 'okay' and finding hope through …

From Perception To Performance: The Acute Impact Of Virtual Reality On Hitting Metrics In Collegiate Baseball And Softball Hitters, Darrianne Kylie Hale

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of the four warm-up conditions of virtual reality (VR), heavy bat, light bat, and game bat on hitting metrics in collegiate baseball and softball players. Specifically, this research investigated whether a perceptual-cognitive warm-up using virtual reality produced performance outcomes comparable to traditional physical warm-ups in key physical hitting metrics, including bat speed, time to contact, launch angle, and exit velocity. Each participant experienced all four warm-up conditions in a within-subjects, repeated measures design. Performance was measured using Blast Motion and HitTrax technologies, and statistical analysis was conducted using a …

Restoring Breath: A Culturally Grounded Response To The Leadership Gap In Keaukaha, Jacquelyn T. Gomes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In Hawaiʻi, where economic strain and rising suicide rates continue to impact young adults, the challenges facing emerging leaders extend beyond ministry models to issues of identity, belonging, and survival. This praxis project addressed the leadership gap among young adults (ages 20–40) in the Keaukaha community of Hawaiʻi Island. While Hale Pule Ke Ola Hou demonstrated strong engagement from elders and children, the absence of young adult leaders revealed deeper challenges in generational continuity, cultural connection, and ministry relevance. Grounded in biblical discipleship and Hawaiian cultural values, this project proposed a contextualized, organic model of leadership development integrating relational presence, …

Understanding The Application Of Military Leadership Skills In Transition To Civilian Leadership Positions, Darik Pickerel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem is that the leadership skills of ex-military leaders are not always effectively leveraged when they transition into civilian organizations, resulting in a missed opportunity to harness valuable competencies. The purpose of this flexible design qualitative single case study was to explore how civilian organizations could effectively leverage the valuable leadership skills of ex-military leaders. Three research questions guided the study: What leadership skills do ex-military leaders bring to civilian employment in the production industry based on the experiences of ex-military leaders, their organizational subordinates, and their organizational superiors? How can ex-military leaders most effectively apply their skills to …

Project Future: Turner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Leadership Development And Success Planning Project, Tonya Renee Mcclure

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study found that adaptive, relational, and vision-centered leadership approaches significantly enhance emerging leader development and engagement at Turner Chapel AME Church. Grounded in contingency theory (Fiedler, 1967), decision-making theory (Vroom & Yetton, 1973), and Northouse's (2022) transformational and servant leadership concepts, the mixed-methods research integrated quantitative and qualitative data. The findings underscore the essential roles of coaching, strategic organizational design, and spiritual formation in cultivating authentic leaders. Integrating transformational and servant leadership creates a lasting framework for emerging leader development, pointing to the value of intentional, data-driven leadership pipelines within faith-based organizations.

Self-Care Professional Development On Preschool Teachers’ Mindful Self-Care And Burnout: A Quantitative Research Study, Tiffany Gibby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, experimental, pretest-posttest control-group design study with random assignment is to determine if self-care training changes mindful self-care and burnout scores of preschool teachers. The study fills the gap in the literature on whether an ongoing professional development approach to self-care is effective. The issue is more research is needed to determine if there is a difference in self-care activity and burnout scores between preschool teachers who receive self-care training and those who do not receive self-care training, when controlling for pre-test scores. The sample was 125 full-time, preschool teachers working in childcare centers drawn from …

Social Networking Influences In The Challenges Of West African Immigrant College Students In Kentucky – A Hermeneutical Qualitative Study, Martin Chukwusolum Akwari

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutical phenomenological study is to explore how social network groups modulate the lived experiences of West African immigrant students in colleges and universities in Kentucky. Grounded in Bourdieu’s social capital theory and informed by a social constructivist interpretive framework, this study explored how shared experiences within social network groups influence how West African immigrant students interpret their academic and social environments during college years. The study is anchored on a central research question: How does social interaction with others influence how immigrant students of West African origin interpret their lived experiences in higher education institutions …

Korean Pastors’ Lived Experiences Of Their Congregants’ Mental Health Issues In The Philadelphia Suburbs: A Phenomenological Study, Guiyoung Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe Korean pastors’ lived experiences of dealing with their congregants’ mental health issues in the suburban areas of Philadelphia. The theory guiding this study is ecological systems theory, which helps explain the mental health issues of Korean Americans and the factors influencing their help-seeking behaviors within the major ecological systems unique to this population. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 10 Korean pastors serving Korean American churches in suburban Philadelphia. The collected data was analyzed and aggregated into themes through coding.

A Quantitative Study On Loneliness: Exploring The Interaction Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Maladaptive Beliefs, Adult Attachment, And God Attachment, Breanna Mcneal

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study is to explore a moderated mediation analysis of the relationship between child adversity and loneliness when maladaptive beliefs are included as a mediator, along with adult attachment and God attachment as separate moderators with two subcategories (anxiety and avoidance). The results are based on 428 adult survey responses in which the key findings indicate that there is an initial direct effect between child adversity and loneliness, and that maladaptive beliefs mediate the relationship between child adversity and loneliness. Each of the moderated mediation models are supported only from the maladaptive beliefs to loneliness path …

Becoming Resilient: The Lived Experiences Of African American Women Who Were Raised By Single Mothers While Pursuing Higher Education, La'quita Shaunae Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of African American women ages 18–45 who were raised exclusively by single mothers while pursuing higher education. The purpose of the study was to examine how participants interpreted and made meaning of resilience within the context of their academic journeys. Nine participants met inclusion criteria following an initial screening process. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using IPA’s iterative, idiographic approach, allowing for in-depth exploration of individual narratives prior to cross-case thematic synthesis. Findings revealed resilience as relational, intergenerational, and culturally grounded. Themes reflected maternal modeling, adaptive persistence, …

The Effects Of Narrative Identity Awareness On The Relationship Between Adult Attachment, Shame, And God Attachment, Jacqueline H. Watson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examines the interconnectedness of adult attachment, shame, God attachment, and narrative identity awareness. Insecure adult attachment has been shown to result in increased shame experiences and has been linked to insecure God attachment. Awareness of narrative identity has been used to improve left-right brain integration and correct problematic narratives that often lead to shame. This research employs Likert scale-style questionnaire data, parallel mediation, and linear regression-based models to assess the connections between study variables. More specifically, it examines whether narrative identity awareness moderates the relationship between adult attachment, shame, and God attachment. Participants included self-identifying Christian adults …

The Relationship Between Mentorship And Career Longevity For New Clinicians In Emergency Medical Services, Katherine Elizabeth Contreras

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to understand how mentorship assisted a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) clinician in navigating the challenges of the first year at an EMS agency in Central Texas. Guiding the study was Lev Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism, which focuses on knowledge gained through human activities, social interactions, and behavior modeling. Twelve study participants completed one-on-one interviews, two participants completed a single focus group interview, and the researcher conducted naturalistic observations, during which the participants shared personal, firsthand experiences that answered the study’s central research question: How does mentorship help new EMS …

A Comparison Of Engaged And Disengaged Churches Within The Northstar Church Network Of Northern Virginia, Robert Owen Guilliams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis compared engaged churches with disengaged churches within the NorthStar Church Network of Northern Virginia. The study sought to find the underlying reason for the disengagement of some churches and either lead to reengagement or a recommendation for affiliation with a more compatible association of churches. The foundation of this project was the Biblical call for cooperation of believers within both the local and universal church. The praxis project operated on the belief that this call for cooperation extends beyond individual believers to churches engaged within an association of local churches in a particular area, and even further to …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Psychological Impact Of Race And Gender On Black Clergy Women, Quaitra A. Bynum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the psychological impact race and gender have on Black clergywomen serving in leadership positions in the church. The current research explored how Black clergywomen perceive race and gender in the Black church, how race and gender influence Black women when pursuing senior clergy positions, and how strength and resilience impact Black women who serve in church leadership positions. The theories guiding this study were the Black Feminist Theory, Intersectionality, and the Strong Black Woman Theory. In the early 1980s Black women activists such as Patricia Hill Collins and Kimberlé Crenshaw …

Discipleship: Attracting, Retaining, And Discipling Young Adults In Beauty Spot Missionary Baptist Church Fayetteville, North Carolina, Mamie Masella Bailey-Kindell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The partnership of young adults as well as their active involvement in God’s Kingdom work is a key issue facing Christian discipleship within churches in the 21st Century (Allan & Allan, 2020). The young adult congregants had been missing from the sacred teaching, preaching, and discipleship development training within congregations. What seemed only a temporary phenomenon had become a startling realization that reflected the demise of discipleship among the young adult congregants within churches. Christian leaders had wondered when the young adult congregants would return to the gatherings for spiritual worship, refreshing, and spiritual development (Barna Group, 2019, October 21). …

The S.A.V.E. Model Of Biblically-Based Existential Therapy For Residents Of The Assisted Living Facility Casa Di Riposo Sardara In Sardinia, Italy, Gregory K. Cherven

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian gerontological counseling, a traditionally non-progressive field, is a crucial area of ministry, particularly for older adults in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. At Casa di Riposo Sardara in Sardinia, Italy, many residents aged 70 and older lacked a solid biblical understanding of existence and eternal life, contributing to widespread existential anxiety among this population. To address this issue, the researcher developed the S.A.V.E. (solitude, autonomy, value, eternity) model of biblically based existential therapy. This model targets the four main pillars of existential therapy: meaninglessness, isolation, freedom, and death, offering biblical solutions for each. The approach incorporates positive imagery …

Harmonizing Faith: An Investigation Of The Efficacy Of A Small Group Study On The Theology Of Music For Spiritual Growth, Timothy Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this study addresses is that Trinity Anglican Church in Connersville, Indiana, had not cultivated a theology of music among its congregants to enrich encounters with God through music. The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to implement a small group study on the theology of music to enrich encounters with God through God-honoring, captivating music. The researcher employed a novel approach: Luke 10:27 served as a paradigmatic framework for exploring how music relates to the dimensions of heart (i.e., emotion), soul (i.e., spiritual encounter), strength (i.e., embodied experience), mind (i.e., intellect), and neighbor (i.e., communal and …

Imago Dei Leadership Model, Jessica Lei Kritner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis sought to observe the intentional application of leadership styles at Birmingham Master Commission (BMC), a traditional discipleship program for college aged adults (ages 18–25). While biblically centered and focused on spiritual formation, BMC lacked healthy leadership precedent and defaulted to peer-leadership only. This practice created a sporadic leadership culture that restricted student growth, autonomy, and investment in the program. This Dissertation-in-Praxis served as a process-based intervention on the psychological and spiritual impacts leadership styles have on young adult leaders. Transformational, servant, and participative leadership practices were modeled in existing ministry systems: one-on-one mentoring, leadership labs, and small group …

Unpacking Barriers And Enablers To Quality Early Childhood Education And Care In Lebanon: A Multi-Level Perspective, Rana Bassaj, Caroline Floccia

School of Psychology

This article investigates the barriers and enablers to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Lebanon’s complex and multilingual context. In this qualitative study, 56 stakeholders—ministry representatives, NGOs, educators, parents, and healthcare professionals—were interviewed. The study reveals a fragmented governance structure and inequitable funding that impact the quality and equitable access to ECEC provision. Despite the value placed on ECEC and OL, systemic weaknesses, including inadequate staff compensation and donor-driven priorities, constrain progress. Findings also highlight grassroots resilience, with committed educators and NGOs adapting to meet local needs. Using Kagan’s system-level framework and Torii et al.’s (2017) quality domains …

China Maritime Report #53: Filling The Ranks: China's Military Recruiting System And The Pla Navy, Erin Richter, Joshua Arostegui

CMSI China Maritime Reports

Main Findings

• The PLAN manages direct recruitment of some non-commissioned officers, officers, and civilian personnel. However, the recruitment, mobilization, and service assignment of conscripts is centrally managed by the PRC government.
• Each year, the PRC establishes military conscription quotas for provincial-level governments to meet through recruitment. While compulsory conscription can be enforced, the government rarely compels individuals to enter military service due to China’s large population and high rates of volunteerism.
• In 2021, the PLA shifted to a twice-a-year conscription cycle by distributing the flow of conscripts into and out of the force across two time periods rather than one. …