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Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Public High School Female Principals: A Phenomenological Study On Their Career Paths, Yuxin Carcamo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of public high school (PHS) female principals across 12 PHSs in southern California. The lived experiences were generally defined as educational leadership career paths. The theory guiding this study was social cognitive theory. This theory guided the study by providing a framework to explore how intrapersonal, workplace, and job factors influence PHS female principals’ career paths. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of PHS female principals on their leadership career paths? Data were collected through interviews, focus group interviews, and observations of 12 …

The Efficacy Of Youth Leaders' Outreach Approach Impacting Gen Z: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Hannah Hattie Mcbean

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of youth leaders’ outreach strategies for engaging Generation Z (Gen Z) in attending church, as well as the lived experiences of Gen Z as recipients of these outreach strategies. The study investigated the factors that impact youth leaders’ decisions to employ specific strategies to sustain church attendance among Gen Z and how Gen Z perceived the efficacy of these strategies. A phenomenological approach allowed for a comprehensive examination of participants' subjective experiences in real-world settings. The research utilized purposive sampling to recruit youth leaders and Gen Z participants from nondenominational churches in …

From Belongingness Deficits To Self-Harm: Examining Internalized Shame, Self-Esteem, And The Moderating Roles Of Resilience, Social Support, And Religious Coping, Yulissa Bochey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Belongingness is a fundamental human need, and its absence can contribute to profound emotional and behavioral consequences. When individuals experience prolonged social exclusion, they often internalize rejection, resulting in shame, diminished self-worth, and, in some cases, self-harming behaviors. Despite a growing body of research on social exclusion and emotional distress, there is little known regarding how internalized shame, self-harm, and religious coping relate with belongingness deficits. This study investigated the relationship between belongingness deficits and internalized shame, with particular attention to the moderating roles of resilience, perceived social support, and religious coping, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem. …

An Exploration Of The Prioritization And Application Of Self-Care For Mental Health Therapists Working Within Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Mental Health Organizations: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Lynn Leyva

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the prioritization and application of self-care for mental health therapists working within Mississippi Gulf Coast community mental health organizations. The theory guiding this study was Milton Rokeach’s belief system theory, which examined the significant impact of beliefs, attitudes, and values on decision-making regarding clinician self-care in personal and professional realms. The central research question for this study asked how mental health therapists in community mental health organizations described their experiences of prioritizing and applying self-care during and outside of therapy practice. There were three subquestions to support the central research …

Scriptural Coping And Emotional Wellbeing: Examining The Mediating Role Of Hope Among Christian Professionals In The Helping Profession, Chinedum Amene

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationship between scriptural coping and emotional well-being among Christian medical and mental health professionals, with particular attention to the mediating role of hope. Christian medical and mental health professionals often operate in emotionally demanding environments and are frequently guided by faith-based practices, such as engaging with Scripture, to manage stress and maintain emotional stability. While religious coping has been extensively studied, limited empirical research has examined scriptural coping as a distinct construct within psychological research.

Grounded in Religious Coping Theory, Snyder’s Hope Theory, and principles of cognitive-behavioral theory, this study investigated whether engagement in scriptural …

High-Functioning Autism, Stress, And Access To Resources: A Grounded Theory Analysis Of Families’ Strategies To Create A Network Of Support, Emmett S. Ramirez Vasquez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this systematic grounded theory study was to understand the process of partnership building for parents of individuals between the ages of 10-29 with high-functioning ASD at two counties in Central New York. The method of grounded theory was applied in this study as it gave an opportunity to study this process of partnership building between parents and support systems since previous theories had been insufficient to address this process. This study used a qualitative methodology to gather data from 12 participants including parents of individuals between the ages of 10-29 with high-functioning ASD as well as their …

A Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of Military Spouses With Secondary Traumatic Stress Who Are Married To Veterans Diagnosed With Ptsd, Trisha R. Perry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in military spouses whose partners have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The theory guiding this study was Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC). The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of STS in spouses married to a service member with PTSD? Additional sub-questions addressed changes in worldview, marital satisfaction, and daily functioning. Criterion and snowball sampling were used to select participants who were married to service members with PTSD for the study. Following the hermeneutical phenomenological …

Artificial Intelligence, Synthetic Media, And The Criminal Justice System, Jeffrey J. Jacobs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies continue to evolve at an exponential pace, and their utilization of synthetic media in criminal activity presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges for criminal justice systems. This dissertation explores the intersection of AI-driven synthetic media crime and the U.S. criminal justice system, identifying how such technologies are being utilized in criminal activity and evaluating the system’s capacity to adapt. This study uses a longitudinal, mixed-methods research design; it also collects and analyzes data from law enforcement agencies, AI developers, and cybersecurity experts to forecast future crime trends and assess the efficacy of current justice system …

Creating An Adaptable Discipleship Training Guide To Address The Absence Of Young Adult Ministry Leaders At Church A, Braeden Fleck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This guide was designed to address a lack of young adult ministry leaders within the researcher’s local church. This thesis project serves as a witness to the development and implementation of an adaptable discipleship training guide. The project proclaims that a flexible discipleship curriculum is the key to cultivating spiritual formation in young adults, specifically those belonging to the Z generation. The primary strategy behind implementation was to use short term intervention through a period of five consecutive weeks to assess spiritual growth of young adult congregants who attend a hybrid satellite church campus. The research project was catalyzed by …

Impact Of The Menstrual Cycle On Female Endurance Athletes' Performance, Julia M. Monk

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Background: During different phases of the menstrual cycle, a female endurance athlete will experience some physiological and fatigue variables. This study aims to analyze whether the differences in variables, specifically an increase in heart rate and fatigue, impacts endurance performance. Method: 20 endurance-trained, runners performed a maximal treadmill test in each of the phases of the menstrual cycle: early follicular phase (days 2–3, ± 1 day), mid-follicular phase (days 10–12, ± 1 day), and luteal phase (days 21–22, ± 1 day). Heart rate was measured before, during, and immediately after the test as well as time to exhaustion and the …

Comparing General Perceptions Of Law Enforcement Suicides To Other Line-Of-Duty Deaths: Pilot Study, Shannon E. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Officer suicide remains an underrecognized occupational hazard despite increasing awareness of mental health risks within law enforcement. This quantitative, cross-sectional pilot study examined public perceptions of officer suicide compared to line-of-duty deaths caused by violence or accidents and assessed whether mental health literacy and suicide stigma influenced these perceptions. Grounded in framing theory, stigma theory, the health belief model, and the interpersonal theory of suicide, the study explored how knowledge and attitudes shape legitimacy judgments. A sample of 169 non–law enforcement adults in the United States completed the Mental Health Literacy Scale, the Stigma of Suicide Scale–Short Form, and the …

The Influence Of Humility And Spirituality On The Relationship Between Work-Family Conflict And Mental Help-Seeking Attitudes In Skilled Trade Workers, Charles Dean Twellmann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationships among work-family conflict (WFC), humility, spirituality, and mental help-seeking attitudes (MHSA) among skilled trade workers in the United States. Skilled trade occupations are characterized by demanding schedules, physical labor, safety risks, and cultural norms emphasizing independence and self-reliance, factors that may influence occupational strain and attitudes toward psychological support. Although WFC and help-seeking have been examined in other high-demand professions, limited research has explored how humility and spirituality relate to these constructs within skilled trade populations. Validated self-report measures of WFC, humility, spirituality, and MHSA were administered to 196 skilled trade workers who were …

Spiritual Mentoring In Action: Empowering Younger Women In Spiritual Growth Through The Wisdom And Guidance Of Spiritually Mature Women, Elwanda C. Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This researcher presents an action thesis project that examines generational spiritual mentoring among women who are current or former members of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, with a focus on how structured mentoring can integrate biblical, theological, and apologetic principles into discipleship practices. While mentoring is widely used in academic and professional settings to transfer knowledge, develop skills, and foster personal growth across generations, this study adopts that model to a faith-based context. It emphasized the intentional sharing of Scripture, lived experiences, and a Christ-centered worldview to nurture spiritual maturity. The research investigates the effectiveness of a structured, …

Quantitative Study Of The Predictive Correlational Relationship Between Passenger Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors In Aviation Ground Safety Events, Nikkolas Howard Kraay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the relationships between passenger cabin safety knowledge, attitude, and behavior using the Knowledge-Attitude-Behavior (KAB) framework as the guiding theoretical model. Although prior aviation safety research has demonstrated a linear progression from knowledge to attitudes to behaviors, these studies were conducted primarily in Asian cultural contexts. The present study investigated whether this linear sequence would hold within a larger cultural passenger population. A predictive correlational design was used, and data was collected through an online survey completed by 194 adult airline passengers. The instrument measured cabin safety knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intent, along with demographic characteristics.

Data was …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of Rural Elementary School Teachers’ Stem Education And Training Development, Jack W. Owens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience rural elementary school teachers receiving STEM education, professional development, and training to provide high-quality STEM education to students at rural elementary schools. The theory guiding this research study was Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory, which promotes autonomy, competence, and relatedness; when these factors are present, thereby teachers’ motivation and effectiveness in teaching STEM are enhanced. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of rural elementary teachers concerning their preparedness to teach STEM subjects? This research study used a transcendental phenomenological qualitative design. This …

Exploring The Relationship Between Telework Intensity And The Voluntary Or Involuntary Nature Of Physical Work Arrangements Related To Work-Related Rumination, Savannah R. Schwartz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Work-related rumination occurs when an individual thinks about work during non-work hours. Following the emergence of COVID-19, more employers adopt flexible models of physical working arrangements for their employees that extend beyond traditional on-site (working from a designated business office location) models, such as hybrid (working part of the time from home and part of the time at a designated business office location) and fully remote (working from home all of the time) models. The present non-experimental quantitative, cross-sectional survey study explored the relationship between telework intensity (i.e., the amount of time one spends working remotely), as well as the …

Legal Administrators’ Perceived Impact Of Coaching On Job Satisfaction And Commitment: A Phenomenological Study, Michael Francis Hayes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Executive coaching has emerged as a leadership development tool that can influence how professionals interpret their work experiences within organizations. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how legal administrators within the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) described their lived experiences with executive coaching and how those experiences influenced their perceptions of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 active-duty legal administrators. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns within the collective experiences described by the participants. The analysis revealed several themes that characterized how legal administrators experienced coaching and its …

Man In The Medium: A Historical Examination Of The Life And Work Of Roger Ailes In The American Political Arena, Korey A. Bowles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Roger Ailes is one of the most prolific figures in American politics and media of the last 60 or so years. Despite his many contributions and achievements, he remains relatively unknown among the public and underrepresented in the field of communication research. This study uses a critical historical approach to examine the life and influence of Ailes on the American political and media landscapes through his work with Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Bush, and numerous other key political figures, as well as the founding of Fox News Channel. In doing so, this study provides insight into Ailes’ perspective on the ecology …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Exploring Teacher Retention Through The Lens Of The Four Capital Theory, Mary Ruth Callaway Hertweck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand teacher retention from the experience of teachers in a school with high retention rates for two or more consecutive years. Furthermore, this study described teacher retention in a school with high retention, and how the high retention rate has influenced teachers decision to remain in that school. The theory guiding this study is the four capital theory as it includes the social, human, structural and positive psychological capitals and provided insight on how these relate to teacher retention. The central research question for this study is: what are the experiences …

Acute Effects Of Olympic Lifting Post-Activation Potentiation On Baseball Pitching Velocity And Ball Flight: A Crossover Study, Brent Hauser Pourciau

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study evaluated the acute effect of an Olympic lifting-based post-activation potentiation (PAP) warm-up on fastball performance in collegiate baseball pitchers. Using a randomized, counterbalanced within-subjects crossover design (N = 13), each participant completed two warm-up conditions in a single indoor session: (a) a standard dynamic baseball warm-up and (b) the same standard warm-up followed by a brief Olympic-lifting PAP sequence (1 x 3 clean pulls at 80% predicted one-repetition maximum [1RM], 1 x 3 power cleans at 80% predicted 1RM, and 1 x 3 power jerks at 60% predicted 1RM, with 2-minute rests between sets) and a 3-minute …

The Impact Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Enhancing Employee Well-Being And Performance In The Workplace, Chris M. Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the lived experiences of clinical administrative professionals in healthcare settings who have undergone Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training. The importance of this study lies in addressing significant gaps in existing literature, particularly the long-term outcomes of CBT training in healthcare workplace settings and the necessity of tailoring these training to diverse work environments. The purpose of the study is to explore how CBT training influences the mental health, job performance, and overall well-being of these professionals.

Employing a Transcendental Phenomenology approach, the study will conduct in-depth interviews with clinical administrative professionals in various healthcare settings. The sample …

The High Cost Of Care: A Georgia Qualitative Study Of High School Counselors' Responsibilities And Their Well-Being, Shadiqa Techell White Points

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Secondary school counselors play a vital role in supporting the students’ academic, social, emotional, and vocational development. However, the increasing scope of their duties - especially in response to increased demands on student mental health and the lasting consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic - has led to an increase in the emotional and psychological demands placed on them. While there is a large body of research examining student outcomes, qualitative studies that analyze the ways counselors understand the effect of their professional roles on their personal well-being are scarce. The current qualitative study assumed a hermeneutic phenomenological orientation to examine …

Positive Behaviors And Traits In Clinical Supervision: A Qualitative Study, Katelyn Jakubovic

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study explored the individual lived experiences of mental health counselors undergoing clinical supervision, focusing on their perceptions of the supervisory relationship, supervisory process, and outcomes by identifying specific traits and behaviors across various domains. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the sample of 20 participants across professional developmental stages and practice settings. Narrative and thematic analysis of the data revealed a nuanced portrayal of the supervisory relationship. Overall, participants characterized their supervision experiences as being predominantly positive and growth-facilitating. Participants identified key supportive factors, such as communication, resources, and scheduling flexibility. Analyses also uncovered significant areas for improvement, …

To Be Holy: How Expository Preaching On Holiness Impacts The Understanding Of John Wesley’S View Of The Gospel At Hopewell Methodist Church, Robert Moseley Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem identified in this thesis is that the adult members of Hopewell Methodist Church do not possess a Wesleyan view of the gospel and its goal. The action research project employs expository preaching to convey doctrinal truths discovered in Scripture. The project involved preaching an eight-week series of expository sermons on selected Scripture passages, covering foundational doctrines of the faith and explaining the gospel. The purpose of the sermon series was to introduce the congregation to John Wesley’s doctrine of holiness and to instate a Wesleyan view of the gospel. Furthermore, participants had the opportunity to join a weekly …

A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Men In The Dmv Area, Who Experienced Sexual Trauma Prior To 18 Years Old, Transitioning Into, Through, And Out Of Professional Counseling, Gregory Cecil Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A transcendental phenomenological approach can be a very effective qualitative research method in exploring the “lived experiences” of Black men in the DMV area, who experienced sexual trauma prior to 18 years old, transitioning into, through, and out of professional counseling. An enormous void in literature exists concerning the exploration of Black male sexual trauma survivors, their stories, and their professional counseling experiences. This counselor education issue will be investigated in this qualitative research proposal. The research question to be explored is "What are the lived experiences of Black men, who experienced sexual trauma prior to 18 years old, transitioning …

The Homeschooled Student Athlete And Their Transition To College: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study, Michele Marie Sandon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover homeschooled student-athletes’ lived experiences as they transitioned to the rigors of academics, social settings, and athletic life at NCAA and NAIA institutions in the United States. This study was guided by Tinto’s integration theory, which offers insight into how college students experience academic and social integration. The central research question asked: What was the homeschooled student-athlete’s experience in transitioning to college? This qualitative study used a transcendental phenomenological design to examine those lived experiences. The data was collected from a purposeful sample of eleven homeschooled student-athletes through semi-structured interviews conducted …

Predicting Middle School Students’ Attitude Towards Mathematics By Race And Biological Sex After Participating In Open Up Resources Mathematics Curriculum: A Quantitative Study, Sharonna Laquenette Howell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational design study was to examine how well race/ethnicity and biological sex predict students’ attitudes toward mathematics among middle school students following participation in the Open Up Resources mathematics curriculum. By conducting this study, the researchers filled a gap in the literature by determining whether the use of the Open Up Resources mathematics curriculum, race, and biological sex predicted students' attitudes toward mathematics. Research on the impact of K-12 Open Education Resources curricula on students’ attitudes toward mathematics was lacking. Participants in this study included middle school students in a North Carolina school district. …

The Interactions Of Faith Development, Attachment With Relational Authenticity, And Theory Of Mind In Children With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Lisa Haley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) interrupts typical spiritual, socioemotional, and cognitive developmental trajectories. Faith Development (FD), attachment with Relational Authenticity (RA), and Theory of Mind (ToM) may serve to provide positive coping strategies for children with ACEs. Few studies explored the interactions of FD, attachment with RA, and ToM in children. Additionally, sparse research involved RA independently or in relation to attachment formation. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how FD, attachment with RA, and ToM interact in children with ACEs. The lived experiences of children with ACEs and the interactions of FD, attachment with …

Healthy Outcomes From Positive Experiences Training And Child-Serving Providers, April Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An in-depth knowledge base of prevention frameworks with strategies to address the root causes of dysfunction is lacking for many child-serving providers as they work to prevent and mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Through learning the building blocks of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) that prevent and buffer trauma, child-serving providers may become more effective in preventing ACEs and enhancing resiliency. Child-serving providers often focus on reducing deficits or mitigation of traumatic experiences, as opposed to building resilience to prevent traumatic experiences from occurring in the first place or strengthening the ability of children to bounce back when ACEs occur. The …

How Rural Veterans Enrolled In Veteran’S Treatment Courts Describe Their Experiences With Having Their Health Care Needs Adequately Met By The Court, Armando B. Dela Rosa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the experiences of rural veterans enrolled in Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) with a focus on their access to healthcare services. The purpose of this research is to understand how these veterans' healthcare needs are being met and the barriers they face, contributing to the academic discourse on veteran healthcare accessibility. The central research questions address the adequacy of healthcare provision for rural veterans and how they navigate court-ordered care. The study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing in-depth interviews with a sample of 15 veterans from various rural locations in Nevada. Data was collected through structured Zoom …