Digital Commons Network^™

The Relationship Between Emergency Department Nurses’ Occupational Stress, And Their Experience Of Resilience, Chipo Mathis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of occupational stress and resiliency among emergency department (ED) nurses in a high-acuity urban hospital environment. The study was grounded in the transactional model of stress and coping as proposed by Lazarus and Folkman, conservation of resources (COR) theory as proposed by Hobfoll, and the job demands-resources (JD-R) model to examined how ED nurses perceive workplace stressors, engage available resources, and develop resilience with ongoing clinical demands. The main research question unpacked how occupational stress affects the ED nurses how resilience impact coping, recovery, and professional functioning. It utilized a phenomenological research …

Employee Engagement In The Digital Age, Kimberly A. Wells

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher in this qualitative multiple-case study explored how technology has impacted employee engagement in the modern workplace. The problem being addressed is the continual decline in employee engagement, and the limited understanding of whether technology influences engagement -and if so – how it impacts engagement. A flexible design and qualitative methodology were used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 25 subjects across two non-profit organizations. The researcher transcribed each interview, which was then coded and analyzed. The findings revealed several core themes, including digital saturation, device benefits, device etiquette, device boundaries, and technostress. These themes indicate that technology enables greater …

The Impact Of Nutritional Education On Hemoglobin Levels In Adolescent Cross-Country Runners, Phillip L. Hardy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Iron deficiency and anemia have been documented in adolescent endurance athletes, particularly female runners, due to increased physiological demands during growth and sustained training stress. However, limited research has examined seasonal hemoglobin progression in high school cross-country athletes while simultaneously examining outcomes during participation in structured nutrition education. Therefore, the purpose of this longitudinal quantitative study was to examine hemoglobin levels, dietary iron intake, and nutrition knowledge among adolescent cross-country runners across a competitive season during participation in a four-session, nutrition education program delivered from August 2025 through November 2025. Participants included 44 high school runners from northwest Georgia who …

Developing A Digital Platform For The Christian Leadership School At True Vine Baptist Church, Tonia Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Dissertation-in-Praxis (DiP) project examined the development and implementation of the True Vine Christian Leadership School (TVCLS) at True Vine Baptist Church. Rapid congregational growth revealed a need to connect members to sustained discipleship beyond worship attendance. In response, TVCLS was developed as a digital ministry solution to bridge the gap between initial engagement and long-term spiritual development while advancing the Great Commission. The purpose of the project was to provide biblical and theological instruction, promote outreach and fellowship, and cultivate a congregation with a deeper connection to Christ. The program utilized the Christian education framework established by the Sunday …

Student Misbehavior And The Lived Experiences Of School Administrators And Teachers: Legal Challenges And Policy Implementation In A Georgia School District: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Mary C. Cox

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of school administrators and teachers in managing student misbehavior along with the legal challenges and policy implications in a Georgia school district. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it provided a framework for examining how school administrators and teachers’ self-efficacy influences their perception, interpretation, and response to student misbehavior in the classroom. This theoretical lens was integral to exploring the dynamic interaction between personal beliefs, environmental factors, and behavioral outcomes. The central research question for this study was: What are the lived experiences …

A Phenomenological Study On Pastoral Leadership In Post-Covid In-Person Worship Attendance Growth Within Southern Baptist Congregational Polity, David Christian Justice

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research is to examine and reveal the perceived experiences of pastoral leadership in post-COVID in-person worship attendance growth among North Carolina Southern Baptist Churches (NCSBCs) operating within the framework of congregational polity. The theory guiding this study is that pastoral leadership is vital for post-COVID in-person worship growth in Southern Baptist Churches (Bryan, 2024; Hudson, 2018). Hudson’s (2018) competency model for church revitalization identifies pastoral leadership as “one of the most consistent predictors of a church’s ability to grow after a period of plateau or decline” (p. 3). The unique leadership structure of Southern …

Psychological Contract And Perma Well-Being, Ryan T. Roddey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The PERMA model, a five-factor framework- positive emotion (P), engagement (E), relationship (R), meaning and purpose (M), and accomplishment (A)- was developed to assess the building blocks of well-being (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). In the workplace setting, organizations perceive how positive organizational psychology shapes employee well-being through exchange relationships (Donaldson et al., 2022). Previous research confirms the effect of the psychological contract on well-being when the contract is violated in the workplace. Yet, limited studies examine the association between overall well-being and employee exchange agreements, such as the psychological contract. This study explored the differences between relational and transactional psychological …

Empathetic Administration: Leveraging Phenomenological Insights To Enhance Student Mental Health Support In Higher Education, Arlissia Lenton Bradley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how students at universities in Texas navigated online mental health resources and coping supports while managing mental health challenges. The central research question that guided this study was: What were the lived experiences of students in higher education who were managing mental health issues? Utilizing Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework, the study examined how cognitive appraisals and self-effective beliefs, environmental supports and constraints, and behavioral coping strategies interacted as students interpreted and responded to mental health stressors in academic contexts. Data was collected in a virtual setting …

Early Educational Benefits In Criminal Justice Learning And Practice: Efficacy Of High School-Level Criminal Justice Programs, Richard Brewer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The value of educational progress and placing optimally educated agents into the criminal justice career field has been carefully examined throughout the history of justice, and the procurement of skills and knowledge applicable to field operations is aligned with several core Peelian tenets. The safe assumption is that every police action is observed or documented, and efforts must be made to build bridges to amend the law enforcement misconducts of yesteryear. One methodology to reduce the number of undesired incidents, expand occupational growth, and obtain optimal confidence levels among personnel in the volatile policing arena is implementing earlier learning development …

Age Of First Smartphone Ownership With Social Media Access And Its Impact On Mental Health Outcomes, Derrick W. Swandol

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between the age of smartphone ownership with social media access (ASO) and self-esteem and depression symptoms, as well as to determine if the results could be moderated by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as an individual transitions from adolescence to adulthood. The study was conducted with n=54 (72% female), of whom 83% first owned a smartphone with social media access ≥ 12 years-of-age. This study was unable to obtain the minimum sample size for a statistically significant study and is considered underpowered due to needing a minimum sample size of …

Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Christian Women’S Response To Their Spouses’ Pornography Use, Margaret Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study explored the emotional responses Christian women experience upon discovering their spouse’s pornography use and how they perceive their spouse’s openness during and after disclosure. Guided by Husserl’s descriptive philosophy, the study used confidential Zoom interviews and a focus group with Christian women aged 18 and older to gather first‑person accounts of the phenomenon. Through phenomenological reduction, repeated readings, and the refinement and synthesis of meaning units, six superordinate themes emerged: faith as an Interpretive lens; pornography as a violation of relational, emotional, and moral boundaries; discovery as an emotional and relational turning point; communication as a …

Smartphone Addiction And Issues Associated With It, Clifford C F Massie Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The focus of this research is the possible addiction to smartphones and the effects on mental, physical, and social health. Smartphones are one of the most commonly used devices in the world today with billions of people in the world having them. People of all ages have formed a connection to and dependence on these devices and use them multiple times daily. People obsess over these devices daily by checking them or just touching their pocket to ensure they are still there. This could be considered a form of addiction. This study aimed to look at the connection to these …

Federal Employment: The Experiences And Perceptions Of Active-Duty United States Air Force Spouses With Advanced Degrees, Meagan A. Seibert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Underemployment and unemployment are commonly experienced by military spouses due to their migratory lifestyle, leading to a decline in retention rates for military personnel. Employment hardships only increase for advanced degree holders, although examination into the federal employment of military spouses has remained absent. The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to understand the impact that federal employment regulations and restrictions have on military spouses who have advanced degrees. Guiding this study was Bright and Pryor’s Chaos Theory of Careers, which explains the influence of change and chance in life on career development. Additional theoretical frameworks include Spillover Theory, …

Becoming An Ambassador Of Jesus Christ: A Strategy To Recruit, Enlist, And Develop Volunteers At Restoration Church, John Christopher Blackwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this Doctor of Ministry thesis project is to develop a biblical strategy to recruit, enlist, and develop volunteers at Restoration Church by reframing service through the scriptural identity of believers as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. Within the ministry context of a rapidly growing, culturally diverse congregation, Restoration Church faces a persistent shortage of volunteers stemming from congregational mergers, spiritual apathy, negative associations with volunteering, and the absence of a sustainable philosophy of service. Therefore, this project focuses on a comprehensive, reproducible approach that connects gospel transformation to participation in ministry. A biblical curriculum called Discover Restoration was …

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 …

An Investigation Into Bridging The Rural Stem Gap With Multimedia Learning Principles: A Phenomenological Study, Joseph W. Halko

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of STEM teachers at rural secondary schools concerning the use of multimedia learning tools to support cognitive processes during instruction. Meyer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML) provides the theoretical framework for this study, ensuring that multimedia learning modalities, such as e-learning platforms and educational technology, are grounded in sound cognitive theory. The central question is, “What are the lived experiences of rural secondary STEM teachers concerning the use of multimedia learning tools to support cognitive processes during instruction?” To support this investigation, a phenomenological methodology based …

Parents Of Students With Severe Autism Studying In Virtual Learning Environments And Their Perceptions And Experiences Working With School Administrators: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Shelli L. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand parents’ lived experiences and perceptions of their interactions with school administrators in virtual learning environments. The study centers on the following research question: What are the experiences of parents of children with severe autism as they work with school administrators in virtual learning environments? The hermeneutical framework guiding this study is Vygotsky’s Constructivist Learning Theory, which helps us understand learning through interaction, collaboration, and cognitive apprenticeship, with a focus on instructional practices that prioritize students’ cognitive development. The phenomenological design is to help the researcher to examine parents’ lived experiences …

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 …

Developing Biblically Based Media As A Tool To Influence Societal Values Towards Godliness, Jasmine Deanne Andrews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The media can influence cultural values using narrative storytelling. Common tropes in narrative storytelling may reinforce cultural norms that vilify women and reinforce racial stereotypes. Frequent exposure to these negative tropes in the media condition audiences to accept gender and racial biases rather than society taking responsibility for gender and racially motivated violence and social mistreatment. These gender and racial biases can be further reinforced by church doctrines that support cultural norms that vilify women and reinforce racial stereotypes. This study exposed audiences to biblically-based media using the faith-based film, Then Sings My Soul, to determine the types of images …

Pastors’ Children’S Stress In Evangelical Church In Java, Indonesia: A Phenomenological Study, Daniel Trihandarkha

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the pastors’ children's experience with stress in the evangelical church on the island of Java, Indonesia. The theory guiding this study is the self-determination theory developed by Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, as it explains the existence and absence of psychological needs of organisms to grow and thrive. The theory describes the struggle of the pastors’ children in environments where the relationship with the caregivers is fundamental in determining the growth of the pastors’ children and their well-being. The theory where relatedness, autonomy, and competencies, will examine the lived life of …

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. …

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, …

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 …

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 …

James And Paul: Conflict Or Continuity, Brian Allan Elensky

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigates whether the Epistle of James presents a fundamentally different gospel from Pauline theology, a claim advanced by Robert Eisenman and other scholars who portray James as the leader of a rigorist, non-resurrectional, sectarian movement. The study employs a forensic investigative model shaped by the researcher’s experience as a police officer, combining historical-grammatical exegesis of James with analysis of key New Testament texts, early Christian witnesses such as Eusebius and Hegesippus, and modern scholarship on James, Paul, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The research concludes that James does not oppose Paul but complements him. James 2:14–26 rejects a …

Protecting Computer Systems In The Post-Quantum World, Thomas C. Gerlach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The 20th century saw remarkable growth due to technological advances, with many of the most significant advances due in no small part to the transistor and the computer revolution it spawned. During the last several decades, an even more transformative technology has been making incredible advances: quantum computing. Quantum computers will significantly impact computer security, with a profound risk to encryption and privacy. However, because of the incredibly complicated nature of quantum computing and the variety of fields involved, quantum computing continues to be viewed as science fiction by many and is failing to garner enough attention within the computer …

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 …

An Applied Study In Community College Classical Guitar Education, Jaime Adrián Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the expansion and popularity of classical guitar programs in universities and conservatories worldwide, a lack of attention exists for students considering a music education career deficient in music literacy and guitar technique. In the modern sense, classical guitar pedagogy begins with Andres Segovia and the iconic master classes he conducted throughout the world from the 1950s up until he died in 1987. Guitar education in academia is still a relatively new concept. At the same time, there are various method books from 19th-century guitar masters and modern guitar educators. Despite these developments in guitar education, students in an open-enrollment …

A Correlational Study Of Principal Self-Efficacy When Compared To Levels Of Work Locus Of Control And Perceived Autonomy Support, Christene Michelle Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational design study was to examine how well perceived autonomy support and work locus of control predict perceived principal self-efficacy among public secondary school principals throughout the state of Maryland. Discovering factors that could contribute to the effectiveness of school-based leadership may help school districts uncover new ways of providing professional development and support to assist principals in leading their buildings. The Principals’ Sense of Self-Efficacy Scale, Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Perceived Autonomy Survey were instruments used to measure the criterion variable of principal self-efficacy and the predictive variables of locus …