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Understanding The Roles Of Individual And Family-Based Resilience Resources And Mechanisms In Youth With Painful Disorders Of Gut-Brain Interaction, Corinne Taylor Evans

All ETDs from UAB

Background Children living with chronic pain are at risk for many negative physical and mental health consequences. However, certain positive attributes and factors can help lessen or prevent such consequences. Children with painful disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) experience deficits in social, emotional, and physical functioning. However, it is unknown whether a combination of individual and family-based resilience factors may lower these risks and contribute to improved physical and mental health responses. Methods 120 children with painful DGBIs were recruited from a pediatric gastroenterology clinic. Children and caregivers completed a series of questionnaires measuring individual and family-based resilience resources (e.g., …

Employee Engagement Strategies For Purchasing Managers, Winona L. Sewell Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of employee engagement negatively impacts organizations through revenue loss, poor productivity, and toxic cultures. Purchasing managers are concerned with decreased employee engagement as it negatively impacts productivity and revenue. Grounded in situational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies purchasing managers use to increase engagement and productivity. The participants were six managers who have been successful in implementing strategies to increase employee engagement. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Through thematic analysis, three key themes were identified: (a) communication, (b) leadership styles, and (c) culture. A key recommendation is for purchasing managers …

Using The Token Economy To Improve Show Rates In An Outpatient/Community Mental Health Clinic, Gertrude Nabila Ndansi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The type of project was a quality improvement intervention. The identified practice problem was limited appointment shows among patients with appointments. Outpatient clinics often struggle with patients not showing up for appointments. Addressing this gap was critical for improving patient outcomes and resource efficiency. The practice problem must be addressed within the context of nursing practice by enhancing access to consistent mental health care and giving patients more timely support, leading to better outcomes and overall wellbeing.

A Clinical Practice Guideline For Enhanced Rehabilitation Assessment In Poststroke Patients, Chanda Honeywood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project aimed to develop clinical practice guidelines (CPG) to strengthen the assessment of poststroke patients for rehabilitation. The project sought to adopt an evidence-based approach to develop standardized recommendations that can help in the timely and appropriate rehabilitation of stroke survivors, thereby reducing the risk of long-term disability and readmissions. Stroke is a significant cause of disability and poor functional recovery, increased healthcare costs, and lower quality of life for patients occur because of poor rehabilitation assessment. While rehabilitation protocols already exist, discrepancies in patient evaluations result in intervention delays and ineffective uptake of rehabilitation programs, limiting the …

The Motivating Factors Of A Multigenerational Workplace Based On Work Values And Reinforcements, Alaina Lister

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are currently four generations in the workplace—Generation Z, millennials, Generation X, and baby boomers—each having its own values and motivations due to different life experiences. Leaders are facing new challenges regarding how to motivate each generation in relation to rewards, recognition, and work values. It was unknown whether there are empirical differences in motivation and leadership preferences based on generational cohort. The purpose of this study was to examine how the members of four different generations are motivated based on their preferred rewards and recognition, and the work values they hold. The targeted population were members of Generation Z, …

Employee Engagement And Productivity Among Remote Workers In The Finance Industry, Mauriom Ndikeh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions made remote work a defining feature of the modern workforce. Some finance industry leaders lack effective employee engagement strategies to increase productivity in remote work environments. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore successful employee engagement strategies some finance industry leaders used to increase productivity in remote work environments. This project was grounded in Kahn’s employee engagement theory. The participants were six finance industry leaders from financial organizations in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Data were collected using semistructured Zoom interviews, field notes, …

To Study The Correlation Between Project Management Methodologies, Leadership Styles, And Team Engagement., Mouna Ittira Subbaiah

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The software industry is expanding rapidly due to emerging technologies, innovative business strategies, and evolving customer demands. Software projects vary in complexity, requiring diverse approaches to ensure successful development from initiation to completion. This complexity has driven the adoption of continuous learning, lean principles, and agile methodologies. Modern methodologies prioritize flexibility, adaptability, productivity, inclusivity, and knowledge sharing. The choice of a particular method depends on organizational culture and project characteristics. The characteristics of the methodology will directly and indirectly influence team engagement. However, transitioning between methods can be challenging, involving significant costs and time investments. Recently, many organizations have shifted …

Language Style Evaluation Validation For Implementation On Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices, Meghan A. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored various methods of evaluating language style for integration into prompts designed for a sophisticated augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. A total of 395 individuals without a language disorder were recruited via a crowdsourcing platform to complete five surveys. The initial four surveys were designed to assess individuals' language style using different approaches (questionnaire developed with ChatGPT, self-written, questionnaire developed by Hartman and McCambridge, and choosing tags). Following the completion of these four surveys, a fifth survey was dynamically created based on the responses in the previous four surveys. Each possible response in the fifth survey was …

A Toolkit For Improving School Climate: Lessons Learned From Action Research In A Network Of 16 Charter Schools, Grant E. Erwin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Educators today face daunting challenges, especially in addressing persistent gaps in outcomes for historically underserved students from low-income and minority backgrounds. Practitioners often cite school climate as a key barrier to student success—an assertion supported by research linking school climate to students’ academic and personal outcomes. This study sought to improve school climate across 16 urban middle and high schools within one charter network. Using a mixed methods Collaborative Action Research (CAR) design over multiple years, the study triangulated academic research, external resources, and on-the-ground lessons to provide practical guidance for other educators. Data were collected from multiple stakeholders and …

Elevating After-School: Addressing After-School Program Quality Through Improvement Design, Kate Marie Vincent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how Pathfinders After School, a national after-school provider can improve program quality amid rapid expansion. As enrollment has grown, program quality has declined, evidenced by decreasing net promoter scores (NPS), rising student behavior incidents, and terminated district partnerships. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (1979), this mixed-methods study uses improvement science methodology to test systemic interventions that empower key user groups and enhance program effectiveness. An improvement team, composed of crossfunctional organizational members, conducted root-cause analysis to identify primary drivers of after-school program quality. Core focus areas included staff training, student engagement, feedback mechanisms, and implementation fidelity. …

The Modern Pilgrimage Of Umrah: The Convergence Of Spiritual Devotion And Pop-Consumer Culture In Indonesia, Syamsu Madyan, Habil Abyad, Imam Wahyudi Karimullah

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study explores Umrah’s significant growth as a religious tourism model in Indonesian Muslim society. The discussion examines factors that influence that growth, from the increased income levels of Indonesian middle-class Muslims to the Umrah propaganda generated by the wave of social media. This study will also capture Umrah as a solution for Indonesian Muslims to the long waiting queue for Hajj quota in Indonesia, as it is seen as a good opportunity for religious commodification through the touristic market being exercised by stakeholders such as policymakers and travel agencies. As the Umrah tourist market will be analysed in this …

Nostalgia, Trauma And Recovery: A Case Study Of Hazrat Hamza Shah Shrine, Ismail Rafik Shaikh, Subhash Kizhakanveatil Bhaskaran Pillai, Indrawati Indrawati, Irfan Syed Mirza, Yu-Fang Yen, Arina Khoirunnisa

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious tourism, as a pillar of spirituality and faith, continues to uplift and encourage believers in times of hardship. However, religious tourism was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected many stakeholders at different levels. This study explores the experiences of various stakeholders at the Hazrat Hamza Shah Shrine in Goa over three different time periods: nostalgia (before the pandemic), trauma (during the pandemic), and recovery (following the pandemic). Utilising qualitative data from interviews and social media sentiment analysis (53 posts on Facebook, 185 on Instagram, 64 on YouTube, and 102 on Google Maps), the study has identified a …

Investigating Momentary Body Image Disturbance, Affect, And Disordered Eating Among College Students, Allison T. Cunning

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite evidence that eating disorders are associated with elevated mortality rates, increased risk of suicide, and societal and financial burden, treatment outcomes for individuals with eating disorders remain poor. Body image disturbance has emerged as a robust risk factor for the development and maintenance of disordered eating (e.g., overeating, binge eating, purging, restriction) and theoretical and clinical perspectives most commonly operationalize body image disturbance as a trait construct. However, empirical evidence suggests body dissatisfaction may fluctuate, and these fluctuations may play an important role in the relationship between risk factors and disordered eating. The current study employed ecological momentary assessment …

Longitudinal Relations Between Self-Esteem And Depression: A Continuous Time Analysis With Exploration Of Sleep Duration Effects, Mackenzie Cummings

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Adolescents and young adults face elevated risk for depression. While poor self-esteem and sleep disturbance are known risk factors, few studies have examined their unique and interactive contributions. Longitudinal research often overlooks unequal intervals and multiple sources of variance (e.g., between- and within-person). This study used continuous time structural equation modeling to address these gaps and examine relationships between self-esteem, sleep duration, and depression from adolescence into adulthood. Drawing on four waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 6,184), I tested whether sleep duration moderated the self-esteem–depression link and explored gender differences. …

Between Breaths: Healing And Being, Corina Yu Zhao

Journal of Wellness

Burnout among healthcare professionals is an increasingly recognized crisis, yet pathways to resilience remain underexplored. This narrative chronicles the author’s personal journey from profound exhaustion to self-discovery and renewal. Through the integration of contemplative practices, nature exposure, and mindful nourishment, the author navigated the challenges of residency and emerged with a deeper understanding of well-being. By incorporating Isha Kriya meditation, Surya Kriya yoga, and self-inquiry practices rooted in Advaita Vedanta, the experience evolved into a transformative path of inner resilience. This report highlights the necessity of prioritizing self-care within the medical profession and offers evidence-backed insights into holistic wellness practices, …

We Are Still Here: Intersectional Collaborations In Research, Practice, And Resistance Among Mfp Scholars, Antonia R.G. Alvarez, Sameena Azhar, Tyrone M. Parchment, Judith Perrigo, Anne S. J. Farina, Tania Paredes, Jonathan P. Edwards, Susan Klumpner

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

As Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) scholars, we formed meaningful connections as academics, students, and friends. Throughout this reflective article, we explore the profound impact of our intersectional and critical race-informed scholarship on our professional practice and pedagogy while highlighting the ways that collaborating on this work enriched our journeys as scholars of color. These collaborations have expanded our perspectives and fostered new ways of thinking about the unique health and mental health experiences of ethnoracial communities. Through these partnerships, we have advanced diverse scientific literature and addressed critical gaps within the existing canon of …

Is She Being “Fast?”: Exploration Of African American Women’S Experience With Sexual Objectification, Alaigra V.R. Usher

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Issues of sexual objectification have been intertwined in America’s history since enslavement. This phenomenology study aimed to explore African American women’s lived experiences with sexual objectification and to understand the essential themes and conceptualizations that African American women attribute to sexual objectification. Through semi-structured interviews with a criterion sampling of African American women, the research sought to identify core themes surrounding sexual objectification experiences. In the results of this study, it was found that this population conceptualizes their sexual objectification experiences through seven themes: Earliest Sexual Objectification Experiences (SOE), SOE, Responses to SOE, Parental Protection, Reasons for SOE, SOE places, …

Building Media Literacy In Adolescence: A Cognitive Behavioral Clinician's Manual To Combat Misinformation And Misdiagnosis During Sessions, Patricia Sacchetti

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This paper examines the role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in countering misinformation that youth encounter on social media and other informal sources, with the goal of creating a manual for mental health clinicians. The use of CBT by clinicians working with adolescents to combat the issue of misinformation and misdiagnosis has received little attention in the literature. Mental health clinicians’ knowledge of media literacy as a psychological construct can foster an effective treatment style by building upon the foundation of well-established theory and practice, such as CBT. CBT is a multifaceted treatment that can help guide mental health clinicians …

Overcoming Barriers To Connection Between People With Schizophrenia And Their Caregivers, Sarah G. Fernandez

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The purpose of this doctoral project is to bring together existing literature on relational barriers between patients and caregivers, and strategies for overcoming them, for one reason: to help clinicians facilitate connection within families and households where one person has schizophrenia. It is therefore comprised of two parts: this paper containing a three-part literature review on barriers to connection including social skill deficits characteristic of the disease of schizophrenia, environmental factors, and caregiver burden and expressed emotion within families, as well as protective factors and strategies for overcoming them. The second component of this project is a psychoeducational module geared …

Peering Into The Past And Future: Connection, Challenge, Growth, And Rural Peer Mentors, Tinker Elizabeth Jacobs Duclo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Peer mentoring is a recognized strategy for supporting student success, academic persistence, and belonging in higher education. However, while mentee benefits are well-documented, the long-term effects on peer mentors (PMs) remain underexplored, particularly at Rural-Serving Institutions (RSIs). My evaluation bridges that gap by examining the lasting impact of PM service through a qualitative evaluation of the Rifle Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Peer Mentor Program. Guided by Rural Cultural Wealth (RCW) theory and using the Most Significant Change (MSC) model within a constructivist framework, my evaluation centers alumni PM voices, gathering their reflections on the significant changes and impacts of their …

The Role Of Imagination In Archaeology: Linking Contemplation And Method At The Amache National Historic Site, Sami Zepponi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Archaeology is both a science and an interpretative process, blending material discovery with imagination to reconstruct past experiences. This research, conducted through the 2024 University of Denver Amache Field School, explores the archaeological imagination and the creative and cognitive engagement that shapes historical interpretation. Using Amache, a WWII Japanese American incarceration site, as a case study, this thesis examines how material culture, landscape modifications, and reflection inform archaeological understanding. This study explores how imagination connects tangible findings to cultural narratives by integrating community-based archaeology, place and landscape theory, and contemplative inquiry. Findings highlight imagination as essential to archaeology, enabling deeper …

Cultivating Resilience In The Anthropocene: Evaluating A Gssw Ecological Justice Curriculum, Windy Selig

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice evaluated the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) Ecological Justice Pathway to examine how resilience is conceptualized and cultivated within the curriculum. Grounded in a constructivist paradigm and guided by an ecological justice framework, this evaluation explored the pedagogical and curricular strategies designed to prepare social work students for the emotional, ethical, and professional demands of practicing in the Anthropocene—a time marked by ecological degradation, climate crisis, and compounding social inequities.

Through qualitative methods, including faculty interviews and curriculum document analysis, the evaluation identified both explicit and implicit components that foster student resilience. …

Perceptions Of Exclusionary Discipline In Inclusive Classroom: A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Co-Teachers’ Experience With Special Education Students Of Color, Tino Tomasi

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Exclusionary discipline practices in public middle schools disproportionately impact students of color in special education, disrupting their academic progress and social development. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how public middle school co-teachers in inclusive classrooms perceive the use of exclusionary discipline for special education students of color. The study explored the lived experiences of eight public middle school co-teachers through three research questions: (1) How do public middle school co-teachers in inclusive classrooms perceive the use of exclusionary discipline for special education students of color? (2) How do public middle school co-teachers in inclusive classrooms …

Attitudes Toward Pig Islet Xenotransplantation For Type 1 Diabetes: A Scoping Review, Daniel J Hurst, Daniel Rodger, Luz A Padilla, Fernando Ovalle

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Over 8 million people globally have type 1 diabetes. Islet allotransplantation offers an alternative to insulin therapy but is constrained by donor availability. Genetically modified pig islet transplantation presents a potential solution, yet understanding stakeholder attitudes is crucial before clinical adoption.

METHODS: This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA guidelines. CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO, and SCOPUS were searched for studies examining attitudes toward pig islet xenotransplantation among patients, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders.

RESULTS: From 199 sources, 16 met eligibility criteria, spanning ten countries from 2003 to 2023. The 23,780 participants included 1,535 (6.5%) patients/family members, …

Exploring K-12 Educators Remaining In The Profession In Louisiana Public Schools: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Brittany Benoit

Student Theses and Dissertations

School systems across the United States and worldwide face significant challenges due to a shortage of qualified teachers. These conditions negatively affect student outcomes and place additional financial burdens on school systems. Teacher shortages often lead to larger class sizes and increased workloads for existing educators, further exacerbating the issue. Addressing teacher retention is crucial to improving educational quality and stability within school systems. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences and perceptions of relationships that influenced K-12 Louisiana Public School educators to remain in the profession. Guided by Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, the research emphasized intrinsic factors that contributed to …

Impact Of Trap-Neuter-Return Programs On Municipal Spending, Natalie Maria Hanna

Student Theses and Dissertations

Trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs are an effective way to reduce the number of free-roaming cats without relying on euthanasia by preventing further reproduction. Despite substantial research into the effectiveness of TNR, few studies explore the financial implications of implementing TNR at the municipal level. The purpose of this research was to identify if there is a relationship between the implementation of TNR and municipal spending on animal services by analyzing annual budgets and financial reports pre- and post- TNR implementation in a single municipality alongside shelter data in the same time period. Findings in this research suggest that implementing a TNR …

Exploring The Elements Contributed By School-Level Administrators That Influence Teacher Retention, Summer Craddock

Student Theses and Dissertations

Teacher shortages and high attrition rates challenge educational systems, impacting instructional quality, school culture, and student outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how school-level administrators influenced teacher retention among K-5 public elementary teachers in a rural South Carolina school district. Guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, the research explored how administrators meet teachers’ needs and how fulfilling these needs motivates them to stay. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used, with semi-structured interviews conducted with eighteen certified K-5 teachers with at least five years of experience and actively employed in the district. The first research question examined teachers’ experiences …

Building A Collaborative Culture Among A Remote Staff In K-12 Virtual Schools, Jamie L. Droegemeier

Student Theses and Dissertations

The rise of full-time virtual K-12 schools presents unique challenges for administrators in cultivating a collaborative staff culture among remote staff members. Collaboration among educators is essential for trust, professional development, and student achievement; however, existing research primarily focuses on traditional school settings. The problem addressed in this study is the difficulty K-12 virtual school administrators face in fostering collaboration among staff who work in different locations, potentially affecting instructional quality, job satisfaction, and student outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to identify the best practices K-12 virtual school administrators had implemented to build a collaborative culture …

Examining Teachers’ Perceived Effectiveness Of Marzano’S Teaching Strategies For Enhancing Student Engagement In Secondary Level Ela Classes, Casey Chantel Grinder

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interview questions and a teacher questionnaire to explore 10 secondary ELA teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of Marzano’s strategies on student engagement. Participants included experienced teachers with a minimum of five years of classroom instruction—who had received formal training in the Marzano framework provided by their school district. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, the study examined five central themes: implementation of Marzano’s strategies, impact on student academic competence, student engagement and motivation, challenges and barriers, and support mechanisms used by educators. These themes provided a comprehensive lens to better understand how the Marzano …

Utilizing Creative Writing Techniques In First-Year Composition, Brett Moss

Student Theses and Dissertations

One common issue found in first-year composition courses is a lack of emphasis on creative style and writing about writing (WAW) concerns. This thesis is concerned primarily with explaining how creative writing skills can benefit students in first-year composition courses, as well as advocating for more WAW ideas. I argue that by allowing students the chance to write with a more creative mindset in an environment which consciously considers writing as a skill, not just in the English department but across disciplines, a greater understanding of the importance of writing can be gained, along with more transfer skills.