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Noise-Induced Gains: Are You Damaging Your Hearing While You Train?, Taylor Hitschmann, Lillian Beauvais, Blake Roth, Andrew Gannon

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study investigated the potential risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among individuals who listen to music during exercise. Survey data were collected alongside sound intensity measurements to better understand listening behaviors in fitness settings. Results indicated that although most participants reported listening at recommended safe levels, a notable proportion exceeded these thresholds, potentially increasing their risk of NIHL. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring listening habits during workouts. Hearing health professionals are encouraged to enhance public awareness and promote safe listening practices to help reduce the likelihood of long-term auditory damage.

The Role Of Glu/Gly/Zif-8 Edible Film In Improving The Superior Rheological And Water Vapor Barrier Properties And Antibacterial Activity For Active Food Packaging, Nancy Siti Djenar, Kardian Rinaldi, Dina Nur Rahma, Dina Kustiana

Chimica et Natura Acta

The low barrier to water vapor and gas is a critical limitation of glycerol-plasticized gluten-based edible films (GBEF) for food packaging applications. In this study, gluten (Glu) and glycerol (Gly) were cross-linked with 0.25–1.00% (w/v) zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to improve interfacial compatibility and enhance the structural integrity of the film matrix. The formation of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions between ZIF-8 and the Glu/Gly matrix strengthened the chemical network, resulting in increased tensile strength (TS). The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of Glu/Gly/ZIF-8 edible films (Glu/Gly/ZIF-8 EF) ranged from 1.085 to 1.453 g/m²/24 h, indicating significantly improved barrier properties. …

The Impact Of Doulason The Parental And Newborn Outcomes Of Black And Hispanic Birthing People: A Secondary Data Analysis, Nicole Amanquanor

ETD Collection

Black and Hispanic birthing people in the United States continue to experience disproportionately high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality compared with White birthing people, even after controlling for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to examine the impact of racially congruent doula support on the parental and newborn outcomes of Black and Hispanic birthing people in two urban safety-net hospitals. Quantitative data were derived from “The HoPE Doula Study”, a mixed-methods study conducted between June 2022 and December 2023, which followed 81 birthing people and 12 doulas across prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. …

The Impact Of A Mindfulness Meditation Program On Phq-9 Scores In Eskd Clients At The Dialysis Center, Christi Collins Weaver

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Patients undergoing hemodialysis for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) experience high rates of untreated depressive symptoms, which negatively impact quality of life, treatment adherence, and therefore increased hospitalization and higher mortality rates.

PICOT: In adult patients receiving in-center hemodialysis (P), how does the implementation of a structured mindfulness meditation program (I), compared to usual care (C), affect depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (O) over an eight-week period (T)?

Evidence: Current literature demonstrates that depression is highly prevalent among individuals with ESKD and is associated with increased morbidity and decreased treatment adherence. Evidence supports mindfulness …

2026 U.S. News Grad School Rankings Includes 13 Ud Schools, Programs, University Of Dayton

News Releases

Thirteen University of Dayton schools and programs are listed among the '2026 U.S. News Best Graduate Schools Rankings.'

Biting Hurts: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Childcare Stakeholders’ Experience When Toddlers Bite In North Texas, Sarah Elizabeth Borszich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of participating in decision-making responses following biting incidents for key childcare stakeholders at licensed childcare centers in Northeast Texas. At this stage in the research, lived experiences of participating in decision-making responses following biting incidents were generally defined as integrated processes, perceptions, or actions taken by childcare stakeholders when engaging in decision-making after a biting incident in a childcare setting. The theories guiding this study were social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) and sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978). The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of …

Answering The Call: Resiliency, Gender, And Growth Following Secondary Trauma In Emergency Dispatchers, Brandi D. Colding

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined secondary traumatic stress (STS), resiliency, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and gender among 911 emergency dispatchers, a population exposed to high levels of indirect trauma yet underrepresented in research. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether resiliency moderates the relationship between STS and PTG, and whether gender moderates the relationship between resiliency and STS. Data were collected from 99 U.S. emergency dispatchers using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results indicated that most participants reported elevated STS, and correlations revealed that resiliency was negatively related to STS, while STS was …

The Experience Of Coptic Orthodox Youth Concerning Morals Taught In Public Education, Peter S. Endrawis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of Coptic Orthodox youth concerning moral education taught in public schools. There were four research questions this study answered: 1) How do Coptic youth describe their experience of navigating moral teachings in public schools? 2) What meaning do Coptic youth ascribe to church tradition based on their experience in public schools? 3) How do Coptic youth describe their worldview concerning faith based on their experience in public schools? 4) How do Coptic youth describe their worldview concerning spirituality based on their experience in public schools? The theory guiding this …

Disability Laws: An Instrumental Case Study Exploring Staff Capacity To Support Incarcerated Juveniles With Disabilities In The Mid-Atlantic Region, Jennifer L. Howarth Mira

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental case study was to explore how juvenile detention staff are prepared to understand and comply with disability laws when working with incarcerated juveniles with disabilities. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social learning theory as it suggests a person’s environment can be directly influenced by themselves or by others. The central research question this study investigated was: How are juvenile detention staff prepared to understand and comply with disability laws when working with incarcerated juveniles with disabilities? This qualitative study included 11 staff members employed in mid-Atlantic juvenile detention centers with at least six …

The Lived Experiences Of Remote, Part-Time Faculty Members With Transformational Leadership: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study At A Private Christian College In Appalachia, Edward Christian L. Chicko

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of remote, part-time faculty at a private Christian college in Appalachia as they encountered transformational leadership in their professional roles. Faculty morale was defined as the emotional, psychological, and professional well-being of faculty as shaped by their perceptions of institutional leadership in a remote teaching environment. Guided by transformational leadership theory, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, this study examined how leadership behaviors influenced faculty engagement and institutional connection. A transcendental phenomenological design was used to examine participants’ lived experiences. Purposeful sampling recruited 11 …

The Effectiveness Of Wellness Programs On Public Safety Personnel, Thomas T. Nguyen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stressful situations have become a common theme that many first responders have encountered while on the job. As more studies have surfaced regarding the causes of stress, the ability to reduce stress while minimizing any adverse reactions that result from them have been minimal. Just as the catalysts for stress are not the same for everyone, the reactions to treatments that are offered will vary in effectiveness. Since not all agencies have programs in place to deal with the mental and physical traumas that affect first responders, the focus will be on one agency that has recently implemented multiple treatment …

Evaluating Pathways Into Health Care Among Healthcare Students In Virginia, Olivette Burroughs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate gaps in healthcare training that lead to healthcare access inequalities and the role of the pathway programs' effectiveness in the pathway process in Virginia. The problem addressed in this study was to assess how healthcare education pathway programs impact access to care in rural and underserved areas of Virginia. The study used the qualitative health belief model by Hochbaum, Rosenstock, Kegeles, and Leventhal to examine pathway program participants' beliefs and perceptions, and the grounded theory by sociologists Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss, to establish theoretical relationships. The rationale for the study was …

The Lived Experiences Of South Carolina Public School Teachers On The Effects Of Servant Leadership On Teacher Retention: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Victor P. Rockhill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of secondary teachers in South Carolina with servant leader traits and their effects on teacher retention. The conceptual framework for this study was Robert Greenleaf’s servant leadership, as phrased by Van Dierendonck’s five traits of servant leadership, which have a positive effect on teachers’ retention. The central research question was: How do public school teachers in South Carolina describe the effects of servant leadership on teacher retention? This study used Moustakas’ Modified van Kaam method to arrive at the essence of the phenomenon by analyzing the data …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Resilient Special Education Teachers In Jamaica, Carlene Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of resilient special education teachers in Jamaica. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman's cognitive appraisal theory, also known as the cognitive appraisal theory of stress and coping, as it is related to how special education teachers appraised and coped with stress. What did appraisal and coping look like in the lived experiences of resilient special education teachers from Jamaica? Given the nature of a transcendental phenomenological approach, which focuses on describing a phenomenon, this approach was suitable for this …

Sacred Geography And The Restoration Of Divine Presence: The Garden Of Eden, Egypt, The Wilderness, And The Promised Land In The Theology Of The Torah, Gary Ryan Perry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation argues that the Torah presents redemption through a progressive spatial framework in which sacred geography reveals the restoration of God’s dwelling among His people. The narrative movement from the Garden of Eden to Egypt, the Wilderness, and finally the Promised Land forms a theological arc that structures the Torah’s presentation of covenant, priesthood, and divine presence. The Garden of Eden establishes humanity’s original royal priestly vocation within sacred space. Egypt functions as an anti-garden, where abundance and provision exist apart from a covenant relationship with God. The Wilderness represents a redemptive restart, in which Israel is formed through …

Educators Lived Experiences With Burnout: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Leiaje Sidberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of burnout for high school teachers in an East Coast city. The theory guiding this study was Polidore’s resilience theory, as teacher retention depends on competence and longevity. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of burnout for high school teachers? Ten educators participated in interviews, focus groups, and reflective journaling. Data were thematically analyzed to identify shared meanings in their experiences. Four major themes emerged: causes of burnout, manifestations of burnout, needs related to burnout, and developing resilience. Participants described diverse causes of …

Using Somatic Experiencing To Mitigate Symptoms Of Secondary Traumatic Stress In Female Helping Professionals, Jillian Christie Guinta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological and quantitative study explored the lived experiences of a dozen women within the veterinary, social work, and nursing communities and how secondary traumatic stress impacts their lives. Faced with unanticipated patient illnesses, facilitating compassionate end-of-life procedures, and rapidly moving from one emotional state to the next between patients, professionals are carrying tremendous unprocessed emotional burdens that can affect them physiologically and psychologically. Somatic Experiencing (SE) indicates tremendous promise in rehabilitating practitioners’ trauma-impacted nervous systems by offering techniques to release emotional stress and re-regulate the nervous system (Kuhfuß et al., 2023). This mixed-methods study explored the world of these …

Impact Of Hierarchical Organizational Structures On Gen-Z Turnover Intention, Mason W. Doty

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research project sought to address the influence hierarchical organizational structures have on Gen-Z turnover intention. Technological advancements coupled with Gen-Z entering the workforce with their unique perspectives and expectations have sparked a new phenomenon of “job-hopping.” This research focused on U.S. servicemembers and Department of War civilian employees that are employed at a military installation in Texas to evaluate turnover intention as a direct result of their hierarchical organizational structure. This research featured two survey instruments: the 6-item Turnover Intention Scale (TIS) and 25-item Expanded Multidimensional Turnover Intention Scale (EMTIS) to identify potential correlations in turnover intention across the …

Pastoral Burnout: Applying Spiritual Gifts As A Buffer Against Burnout In Members Of The Clergy, Jeffrey S. Parsell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a dramatic decline in pastoral ministry satisfaction, physical well-being, psychological well-being, and spiritual well-being has been reported. Recent polls have discovered that nearly half of pastors have given serious consideration to leaving and abandoning their ministry due to the physiological, psychological, and spiritual toll their work takes on them and their families. Burnout has been cited as one of the primary factors contributing to this growing trend. Pastors are not alone in this epidemic, as many helping professions are experiencing similar trends. Despite sharing many similarities with helping occupations such as fulfilling the …

The Lived Experiences Of Community College Faculty Working With Students With Cross-Categorical Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Michelle Rosalie Amenta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the preparedness towards disability for faculty members at community colleges. The theory guiding this study was Oliver’s social model of disability, as the theory explained the relationship between environmental, institutional, and attitudinal barriers and disabilities. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of community college faculty who instruct students that self-disclose their cross-categorical disabilities? The research sample included thirteen faculty members from community colleges in varied disciplines across the United States. Data collection consisted of individual interviews and focus groups, with analysis using Moustakas’ modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen Method …

The Media's Influence On The Public's Perception Of Police Use Of Force, Kristopher D. Lauro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Police use of force has long been a concern within law enforcement, but in recent decades, it has faced increasing scrutiny from the general public and across all sectors of society, sparking widespread debate on the practice. The rise of body-worn cameras (BWCs) and the prevalence of cell phone recordings of police incidents have amplified attention on the issue. Media representations of police use of force are influential in bringing together or shaping public opinion and often encapsulate ideological biases; the pervasive publicity associated with such incidents provides a unique opportunity for detailed examination of the underlying relationship between media …

Navigating The Thin Blue Line And Single Parenthood: An In-Depth Exploration Of Police Officers’ Experiences In Highlands County, Florida, Stress Reduction, And Work-Life Balance, Courtney Lashae Hamilton Toney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present study examined how the demographic of single parent police officers reduced and coped with stress, whether coping mechanisms utilized were effective or not, changed overtime, and whether the coping mechanisms were influenced by personal factors and leadership within their departments. This study took place in Highlands County, Florida with a sample size of 13 participants. The participants responses were captured through in-depth semi-structured interviews within this qualitative descriptive study. Majority of participants described how their coping mechanisms changed over time to better their lives or the lives of their family. The changes were affected mostly by their children …

Correlating Communication Channels With Baptism Outcomes: A Quantitative Case Study Using Media Multiplexity Theory In The Texas Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Kenrunne L. Dixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the use of social media within the local church setting as a tool for engaging diverse communities through tailored, targeted messaging that addresses their unique needs and desires. The use of multiple channels helps connect on different levels, allowing for more profound and lasting relationships (Ledbetter, 2021). This quantitative research explored the local church and how it invests in connecting to its communities outside the church walls through multiple communication channels. Local church congregations invest significant time and resources in planning programs that seem only to attract current members. Their congregations …

Ongoing Exile In 1 Peter, William J. Bynum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In his first epistle, Peter employs the biblical theme of ongoing exile as a controlling metaphor to depict his readers’ circumstances. By doing so, he situates those readers as participants in the overarching biblical storyline of God’s restoring through Jesus Christ what man has lost through sin. The shape of that grand narrative is anticipated in what has called “the Deuteronomic scheme of sin–exile–restoration.” Using the idea of an ongoing exile followed by restoration, the writer of 1 Peter accomplishes two vitally important objectives. First, he shows his mostly Gentile readers’ experiences to be participation in exile like that of …

Cross-Gender Teaching Dynamics In Single-Gender Schools: A Case Study On School Leaders’ Perspectives On Gendered Teaching Practices, Support, And School Culture, Kelsie R. Copeman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this comparative case study is to examine the gendered experiences of teachers through the perspective of school leaders at single-gender schools. The theory guiding this study is Tomlinson’s theory on differentiated instruction, as it explains how the recognition and response to student differences allows for effective teaching in order to optimize learning experiences. The central research question is: How do school leaders perceive and navigate cross-gender teaching dynamics in single-gender schools? This study uses semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and journal entries from school leaders. The sample consists of 10 school leaders with current experience in single-gender schools, …

Instructors' Lived Experiences Of Using Authentic Assessments In College Calculus Courses Across The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Christy Hart Kains

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of instructors with authentic assessments in college calculus courses across the United States. The theory guiding this study was Astin’s student involvement theory, which provided a framework to study the involvement of students in higher education. The central research question for this study was: What are the lived experiences of instructors who utilize authentic assessments in college calculus courses across the United States? This study used a qualitative design following the transcendental phenomenological approach of Moustakas. The sample included 12 instructors from two-year and four-year colleges in …

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Risk Perceptions And Patient Burden, John William Glisson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational study examined relationships among perceived environmental risk factors, depressive symptoms, and functional symptom burden in adults diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative condition with an unclear etiology, and some individuals attribute the diagnosis to environmental exposures such as pesticides or military service. The purpose of this study was to assess whether environmental risk perceptions were associated with depressive symptoms or functional impairment, and whether depressive symptoms were associated with functional status. Participants were recruited through online ALS support networks and advocacy organizations, resulting in a final sample of 145 adults …

Professional Development In West Virginia's Rural Public Schools Relating To Secondary Math Teacher Retention: A Phenomenology Through The Lens Of Andragogy, Tanya L. Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of factors related to professional development that influence the retention of secondary math teachers in West Virginia’s rural public schools. The theory guiding this study was adult learning theory, specifically Knowles’ andragogy, as it explains the perceptions of secondary math teachers from their perspective as adult learners. The Central Research Question was: What are rural secondary math teachers’ perceptions of factors related to professional development that influence retention? This phenomenological study was conducted in rural areas of West Virginia, examining the perceptions of ten secondary math teachers …

A Qualitative Study Of Expectancy Violations Theory On Instructor Feedback For Online Graduate Students Within United States Universities: How Student Perceptions Form When Their Expectations Are Violated, Josephine Hudson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Distance education has become increasingly commonplace as technology and digital connections have become widespread in everyday life. Like traditional classrooms, feedback in online classrooms is a critical form of communication between professors and students to facilitate learning and foster relationships despite the lack of face-to-face communication that distance education imposes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how graduate and doctoral students’ experiences with expectancy violations influence their perceptions of feedback through the lens of Expectancy Violations Theory. Graduate and doctoral students who were or had been enrolled in at least two distance education courses participated in this …

An Examination Of Cumulative Exposure To Potentially Traumatic Events And Identity Distress In Emerging Adults: The Influence Of Life Stressors, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, And Event Centrality, Kane Richard Vest

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Plentiful research has been conducted to examine the negative outcomes of exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Together, findings have indicated that certain exposures increase the risk of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and adjustment problems in children, teens, and young adults. However, few studies have specifically focused on the influence of such experiences on the development of identity distress in emerging adults, and even fewer have examined such influence in the context of exposure to multiple potentially traumatic events. Exposure to natural hazards such as the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes is known to impact economic, social, and educational outcomes, but …