Digital Commons Network^™

Rest For The Weary Soul: A Mixed Methods Psychospiritual Exploration Of Faith As A Path To Mental Health Recovery Among Students, Fremativo A. Vergara, Melvin G. Barete, Evan P. Taja-On

Journal of Catholic Education

Many individuals turn to faith for strength, guidance, and resilience, particularly at times of emotional hardship. As concerns continue to grow about mental health, particularly that of students, exploring how faith influences coping mechanisms and recovery offers valuable insights into alternative approaches to emotional wellbeing. The study found that students exhibit high levels of resilience and spiritual intelligence, suggesting that faith-based beliefs are crucial in students’ ability to cope with adversity. A strong positive correlation between resilience and spiritual intelligence indicates that students who integrate faith into their lives are more likely to develop the psychological strength needed to navigate …

Leadership Strategies To Reduce Burnout Among Physicians In Academic Medical Centers In The State Of California, Navdip Kaur Hothi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physician burnout in academic medical centers remains a persistent healthcare administration challenge, with nearly half of U.S. physicians reporting symptoms of burnout in recent years. The issue threatens workforce sustainability, patient safety, and organizational financial stability, particularly in California’s academic medical centers, were physicians face complex clinical, academic, and operational demands. The integrative review examines leadership strategies that reduce physician burnout in California’s academic medical centers, aiming to lower rates from about 45% to under 30%. Transformational Leadership Theory guided the examination of leadership-driven organizational and system level approaches to burnout reduction. Twenty-seven sources were appraised using the Johns Hopkins …

Relationships Between Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders, Their Guardians, And Expressive Arts Therapy: A Literature Review, Sarah K. Unkefer

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review collects the comprehensive, current research around effective treatment of adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) and explores ways to provide psychoeducation for the adolescent and their guardians to foster healthy relationships and open communication. This author explores the ways that expressive arts therapy influences treatment and long-term recovery of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) by addressing familial communication and internalized stigma. Previous studies have shown that the current primary reaction from guardians is forcing abstinence, which often damages the adolescent-guardian relationship. Since this is one of the most important relationships in an adolescent’s projected recovery journey, …

What's The Scoop On Life In New Hampshire? Youth Perspectives On New Hampshire As A Place To Live, Learn, And Work After High School, Elliot Ng, Jayson Seaman, Cindy L. Hartman, Andrew D. Coppens, Kate Moscouver, Hannah Falcone

Carsey Publications

To support its long-term economic vitality, New Hampshire must cultivate and retain its young talent. This brief analyzes the perspectives of New Hampshire youth and proposes actionable strategies that encourage them to build their futures in the state. While a majority of New Hampshire youth leave the state after high school, retention opportunities lie in leveraging what youth already love about the Granite State: Its natural environment, abundant outdoor amenities, and safe communities. By leveraging these assets and complementary policies such as expanding career-connected learning, promoting the abundance of in-state opportunities, and developing centralized social spaces, New Hampshire can create …

Exploring The Role Of Family Engagement In Youth Behavioral Health Programs, Jordon R. Washington-Trahan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The behavioral health leaders at Organization X do not have a clear and practical way to engage family members in youth behavioral health programs. When caregivers are not actively involved in youth behavioral health treatment, youth may disengage from missed appointments and discontinue treatment prematurely. The present case study focused on Organization X, a small behavioral health organization located in the Southeastern United States. The Baldrige Framework of Excellence was the conceptual framework for this study, with a focus on consumer engagement and workforce operations. Semi structured and structured interviews were conducted with three behavioral health leaders. Data were collected …

Vicarious Trauma And Compassion Fatigue Among Counselors Serving Law Enforcement Populations, Makayla Thompson

Liberty University Research Week

Approximately 98% of clinical therapists report treating clients who have experienced at least one traumatic event (Bride, 2007). Research has established associations between clinical work with trauma-affected populations and increased vulnerability to vicarious trauma (VT) and compassion fatigue (CF) among counselors (Armes et al., 2020; Rayne et al., 2020). VT refers to cumulative and enduring changes in a clinician’s cognitive schemas resulting from sustained empathic engagement with clients’ traumatic experiences (McCann & Pearlman, 1990). CF describes emotional and physical exhaustion that diminishes a clinician’s capacity for empathy and compassion, often understood as the cost of caring for those suffering (Figley, …

Evaluating An Lgbtq+ Adolescent Sexual Health Toolkit: Boosting Confidence And Provider Knowledge, Joslyn Lypka

Doctoral Dissertations & Projects

When leveraged correctly, sexual health education empowers youth to build resilience, deepen self-understanding, and confidently navigate gender and sexual identities. However, many school-based programs emphasize cisgender and heterosexual norms, leaving LGBTQ+ adolescents with limited access to inclusive and affirming sexual health information. This project aimed to develop and evaluate an online sexual health education toolkit designed to increase knowledge and support self-advocacy among LGBTQ+ adolescents, parents/caregivers, and healthcare providers. In collaboration with a Midwest nonprofit organization serving sexual and gender-diverse individuals, an online toolkit was developed and evaluated using two sequential Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles. During the first cycle, subject matter …

Quality Improvement Project Enhancing Maternal Health Outcomes: Evaluating The Impact Of Universal Social Determinants Of Health (Sdoh) Screening In An Interdisciplinary Pregnancy Care Model, Shannon Morgen

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Social determinants of health (SDOH), including housing instability, food insecurity, transportation barriers, and interpersonal violence, significantly influence maternal outcomes and contribute to disparities such as preterm birth and maternal morbidity. Despite national recommendations for universal SDOH screening, implementation in prenatal care remains inconsistent, limiting opportunities to identify and address social needs. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate a standardized SDOH screening and documentation process to improve referral completion and examine its impact on hospital readmissions among obstetric patients. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Socio-Ecological Model and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the project …

Exploring The Black Church’S Role In The Black Man’S Experience With Depression: A Qualitative Inquiry, Terry Edwards Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black men experience disproportionate mental health disparities, particularly in relation to depression, yet remain less likely to engage in formal mental health treatment due to cultural stigma and barriers to care. The Black church, a historically trusted institution within the Black community, may influence how depression is understood and managed. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore how Black men in Inkster, Michigan perceive the role of the Black church in influencing their understanding and management of depression. The Health, Illness, Men, and Masculinities (HIMM) framework guided this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 …

Burnout And Secondary Traumatic Stress Experiences In Mental Health Professionals Working With Military Veterans, Megan Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout among mental health professionals has been a long-standing phenomenon when working with trauma individuals resulting in increased job turnover rates and decreased quality of care for patients. The job demands- resourced model and constructivist self- development theory were used to guide this study. The purpose of this research study was to explore how mental health professionals working with the military veteran population experience burnout and secondary traumatic stress. A descriptive qualitative design was used with purposive and snowball sampling to attain 10 mental health professionals from various facilities serving military veterans. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and were …

From Browsing To Building: Navigating Your Google Resource Space (Drive & Site), Libby Cunningham

Capstone Projects

This capstone project aimed to develop a trauma-informed, evidence-based support hub for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) working with children involved in the foster care system. CASA advocates are frequently exposed to secondary trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue, which can impact their effectiveness and overall well-being. Additionally, trauma exposure significantly affects children’s emotional regulation, behavior, and participation in daily occupations. The primary objective of this project was to design, develop, and organize a comprehensive digital resource platform tailored to the needs of Kalamazoo CASA and their active cases. Utilizing evidence-based literature on trauma-informed care and secondary trauma, relevant resources were …

The Missing Link Between Occupational Therapy And Hemodialysis: Program Development And Implementing Intradialytic Ot In A Rural Hospital Setting, Madison Maki

Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy (OT) has demonstrated effectiveness in supporting individuals undergoing hemodialysis, a life‑altering yet lifesaving treatment for end‑stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Despite this, hospitalized patients who require dialysis often receive reduced rehabilitation services due to the time‑intensive nature of dialysis and the productivity demands placed on therapists. Additionally, gaps in therapist knowledge regarding the unique functional deficits and educational needs of this population further limit service delivery.

This doctoral capstone project (DCE), conducted at Upper Peninsula Health System (UPHS), a hospital in rural Northern Michigan, addressed these barriers through the development of a comprehensive resource …

Addressing Barriers To Occupational Therapy Access For Foster Youth Through Advocacy And Education, Josephine Sanders

Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy (OT) is well positioned to support regulation, sensory processing, and participation in daily activities, yet its role in trauma-informed care is often underrecognized. Foster youth experience disproportionately high rates of trauma exposure, which can affect emotional regulation, behavior, relationships, and participation in meaningful occupations. Despite these needs, barriers within healthcare systems and limited awareness of OT’s role often prevent foster youth from accessing services.

This doctoral capstone experience focused on increasing access to OT for foster youth through advocacy, education, and advanced clinical learning and practice. The experience took place at CAYA Therapies in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where …

Book Review: Social Justice Design And Implementation In Library And Information Science Edited By Bharat Mehra, Ellie F. Kawada

School of Information Student Research Journal

Social Justice Design and Implementation in Library and Information Science, edited by Bharat Mehra, is an engaging volume that explores the pursuit of social justice in its many forms in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). The included chapters cover case studies of social justice implementation in library services, theoretical frameworks for subversive methods of research and education, and the future of library advocacy for social justice. While the volume is centered on English-speaking countries and lacks the perspective of paraprofessional library staff, the themes and examples presented in the book are invaluable to any LIS students, professionals, …

Carrying The Call: A Literature Review On Pastoral Burnout, Nisaa Robinson

College of Arts and Cultural Studies

This literature review examines theory and practice related to the leadership challenge of burnout among Black full-time pastors serving mid—sized urban churches in the Midwestern United States. Utilizing 21 sources across peer—reviewed, professional, popular, and action—network literature, the review applies pragmatic and interpretive research philosophies to evaluate contributing and mitigating factors, conceptual frameworks, validated assessments, and leadership practice implications. The review synthesizes foundational literature, clergy—specific extensions, and culturally responsive scholarship to identify evidence—based insights. Significant gaps in culturally specific, regionally disaggregated research are identified, with implications for future inquiry and organizational leadership practice.

Online Learning During Covid-19: A Case Study Of Ict Equity And Access In A Rural Ghanaian Primary School, Angelina Arrington

Howard University Journal of African Studies (HUJAS)

The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused significant disruption to the continuity of instruction in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Africa Centers for Disease Control, 2020). School closures that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated Sub-Saharan Africa’s acute problems with the education systems, especially in terms of access to human and financial resources to effectively make education accessible and equitable to all students. Education in Sub-Saharan Africa has been recognized by education researchers and policy makers as one of the world’s most significant problems (Asongu and Odhiambo 2019; Dembélé and Lefoka 2007; UNESCO Institute for Statistics 2011). The continuation of …

Exploring Occupational Therapy’S Role In Addressing Mental Health Disparities And Emergency Service Utilization Among Homeless Populations: A Comprehensive Review, Megan Darnell

Capstone Projects

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession focused on enabling individuals to engage in meaningful activities and roles through a client-centered approach. This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was completed in the Emergency Department (ED) at Bronson Methodist Hospital, where individuals experiencing homelessness frequently present with unmet mental health needs. A gap was identified in the accessibility and utilization of community-based mental health and social resources, contributing to repeated ED utilization. The purpose of this DCE was to examine how resource provisions impact the frequency of ED visits and engagement with community mental health services among this population. Objectives include developing …

Exploring Systemic Challenges In The Western North Carolina Dental Safety Net: A Qualitative Analysis, Blaire Mirmow, Bill Milner, Nadia Laniado

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Despite statewide growth, rural communities in Western North Carolina (WNC) face persistent barriers to oral health care driven by chronic dental workforce shortages and systemic geographic disparities. Within this Appalachian region, the dental safety net serves as a vital yet strained support system, struggling with limited financial resources and a lack of provider participation that leaves many underserved populations without essential oral health services.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the experiences of individuals working within the WNC dental safety net to identify barriers and strategies required to strengthen the delivery of oral health care in high-need rural settings. …

Inside The Study: A Meta-Exploration Of Undergraduate Ra Experiences In Social Work, April Janel Jackson-Andal

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Social work is not generally seen as a research-based field, yet social workers rely on evidence-based practices to address clients’ needs (Council on Social Work Education [CSWE], 2022; National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2021). Research has shown that social work students often avoid research due to disinterest or anxiety (Gredig et al., 2022). Professors typically favor master’s-level students, providing few hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates (Inoue et al., 2017; Sidell, 2007). This creates a gap in understanding undergraduate experiences.

This qualitative study explores the experiences of 5 undergraduate research assistants in the social work department at The University of …

Pengaruh Strategi Sq4r Tipe Bantuan Multimedia Vs Buku Teks, Pengetahuan Awal, Gaya Belajar Kolb Terhadap Hasil Belajar Bahasa Inggris Teknik, Meiti Leatemia

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

Penelitian ini bertujuan menyelidiki pengaruh strategi SQ4R tipe bantuan multimedia versus buku teks terhadap hasil belajar.

Comments On Proposed Regulations Reg-117270-25: Trump Accounts Under Section 530a, Jin Huang, Margaret Clancy, Michael Sherraden, Lissa Johnson, Stephen Roll

Center for Social Development Research

In December 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department published a notice of intent to issue regulations concerning Trump Accounts (also known as 530A accounts), requesting public comments on proposed regulations for the Trump Accounts Contribution Pilot Program. This testimony presents comments submitted n response. Drawing on decades of Child Development Account research, including insights from the SEED for Oklahoma Kids experiment (SEED OK), the authors urge Treasury to adopt automatic enrollment to ensure that all eligible children— not only those whose families actively enroll them—receive the $1,000 pilot-program contribution. They outline federal–state implementation pathways using Social Security number data, recommend layered …

2026 Honors College Research Conference: Book Of Abstracts And Program, Honors College

2026 Honors College Research Conference

This booklet contains the collection of research abstracts presented at the 2026 Honors College Research Symposium, held on April 17, 2026, at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The symposium highlights original undergraduate research across disciplines including science, engineering, humanities, health, education, business, and agriculture. The publication documents the scholarly contributions of Honors students through both oral and poster presentations.

Loyal Sons: German-Jewish Patriotic Assimilation In Modern Germany, Yitzi Dear

History Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The modern history of Germany’s Jews developed through two contemporaneous and parallel transformations across the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries: first, the development of the German national identity and creation of the German state; second, the gradual emancipation of Germany’s Jews and their integration into society. As a result of these two simultaneous developments, the majority of German Jews increasingly defined themselves through their German nature and connection to the state. Assimilation became not only a path to survival but also a sincere expression of ideological and cultural conviction.

Amid the social, political, and economic crises of the Weimar Republic, a …

Divergent Paths Towards Belonging: A Comparative Analysis Of Latina/O/E Domestic And International Student Experiences At A Pwi, Sebastian Lema, Rita Kagaju

25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2026)

In this study, we examine how undergraduate international students from Latin America and domestic Latina/o/e students experience belonging and inclusion at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). While existing research highlights systemic barriers and microaggressions faced by domestic Latina/o/e students, we address a critical gap by exploring the distinct challenges faced by international Latin American students. We ask how these groups’ experiences of inclusion, microaggressions, and support systems differ within a PWI context. Using qualitative interviews with 55 students (40 domestic, 15 international), we employed grounded theory to analyze themes such as classroom dynamics, feelings of inclusion/belonging, and institutional support. Our …

Hope College Abstracts: 25th Annual Celebration Of Undergraduate Research And Creative Activity, Hope College

25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2026)

The 25th Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity was held on April 17, 2026 in the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse at Hope College and featured student-faculty collaborative research projects. This program is a record reflective of those projects between the 2025-2026 academic year.

Enhancing The Well-Being Of Refugees With Disabilities Through Equitable Access To Essential Services: A Participatory Qualitative Study In The United States, Mustafa Rfat

Brown School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Access to services for refugees with disabilities (RwDs) is critically important for improving their well-being and enhancing their integration. This population often faces prolonged exclusion that begins in their country of origin and often continues to worsen during displacement, leading to accumulated disparities. Because the United States (U.S.) refugee program is structured around rapid employment, refugees who do not fit the fast-track employment criteria are often left behind. RwDs are often considered unemployable, which automatically shifts resources and services away from them. Abandoning RwDs during the critical period of resettlement puts them at heightened risk of increased and long-term exclusion. …

Hurc 2021 Program, James Huff

Ex Sapientia Loqui

The program for the 2021 inaugural session of Harding Undergraduate Research Conference (HURC), sponsored by the Harding Honors College and the Arkansas Eta chapter of Alpha Chi.

Faculty Senate Minutes, Academic Year 2024-2025, April 16, 2026, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

Minutes for the Faculty Senate Meeting held April 16, 2026.

Setbacks And Stigmas: The Career Consequences Of Mental Health Treatment For Soldiers In Combat Roles, Micah Mark Marchand

LSU Master's Theses

This study examines how potential career consequences, perceived stigma, and confidentiality concerns influence mental health help-seeking among United States Army Soldiers, with particular attention to differences across Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) categories. Despite the availability of behavioral health services, many service members delay or avoid treatment due to fears that seeking care may negatively impact their careers, including risks to promotion, deployment eligibility, and retention. Guided by Systems Theory, this research explores how interconnected military structures, policies, and cultural norms shape these perceptions and behaviors.

Using a confidential survey design, data were collected from current service members and recently separated …

Pacts: Critical Dispositions Necessary For A Culturally Responsive And Transformative School, Family, And Community Partnership For Black Pan-African Immigrant Students And Families, Jada Phelps, John Nimmo, Talgat Bainazarov, Zahra Abukar, Jamal Dar, Michelle Stratton, Leslie Ann Locke, Tianyang Xu

Leadership, Learning and Counseling Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study highlights a culturally responsive transformative school, family, and community partnership in the Western Region of the United States. The partnership served over 100 students and 300 parents of Black Pan-African immigrant descent responding to persistent school alienation. Using Critical Race Theory, Community Cultural Wealth, and a critical participatory action research design, we explored the structural forces shaping these experiences and the community-based responses that sought to resist them.

Data sources included professional development sessions, counterstorytelling, Theater of the Oppressed, asset mapping, and semi-structured interviews.

Findings revealed key partnership members centered five dispositions—Prophetic Activism, Asset- Based Ideology, Critical Consciousness, …