Digital Commons Network^™

Detransitioners: Dealing With The False Promises Of Gender Transition, Diane M. Roselli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Until recently, sex change surgery was rarely performed and on adults only; however, the discovery of cross-sex hormones, advances in plastic surgery, and the Dutch protocol contributed to the use of a treatment regimen for children consisting of puberty blockers (GnRHa), cross-sex hormones, and sex reassignment surgery, known as gender-affirmative treatment (GAT). A growing number of individuals, who opted to undergo the transition process, are detransitioning by ceasing hormone therapy or requesting corrective/reconstructive surgery. Their lived experiences are relatively unknown because most detransitioners drop out of treatment, are silenced by trans activists, and are not acknowledged by medical organizations. This …

Nature Of Child Welfare Social Work, Sarah Vail Anders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social workers in the field of child welfare ensure the safety and well-being of children. While this career field is rewarding, it results in high levels of stress, burnout, and fatigue for workers. To support the challenging needs of child welfare social workers and to enable them to successfully protect children and support their families, an examination of the nature of child welfare social work was conducted. The purpose of this study was to understand the nature of child welfare social work in North Carolina, which was gained through a qualitative transcendental phenomenological study. Twenty-one child welfare social workers were …

A Mission Simulation Retreat For Senior Youth Leaders To Train Adventist Young Professionals In The South Bahamas Conference, Jamal Doran Franklyn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The mission simulation retreat SDA action research project trains senior youth leaders of young adult professionals for urban ministry through their vocational orientation. To address the problem of only having a global youth day one-day mission drive, the Mission Simulation Retreat (MSR) equipped young leaders in local SDA churches to simulate mission projects matching their professional careers. By building on the Hebrew culture, the priesthood of all believers, and spiritual gifts, MSR customizes a spiritual gifts database that aligns with vocational careers to provide mission project options by vocational skills. Through focus group presentations, a questionnaire, and a survey, data …

Exploring Family Mealtime Environment, Screens, And Mental Health Among School-Aged Children In Japan, Ami Nishimori Alnouri

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of family mealtimes during breakfast and the mental health of school-aged children (6-18 years) in Japan, comparing those who used and did not use screens during breakfast. This study involved two research questions: How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who used screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? How did parents of Japanese school-aged (6 to 18 years) children who did not use screens (electronic devices) at mealtime experience family mealtime during breakfast? In this study, a qualitative phenomenological approach employed semi-structured interviews with …

Compassion Fatigue: A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Public School Special Education Teachers, Linnea Tilley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of public school special education teachers who have experienced or are experiencing compassion fatigue. The theory guiding this study was the self-determination theory, as it explains how individuals are motivated by competence, relatedness, and autonomy and aligns with the topic of compassion fatigue. The central research question of the study was, what are the lived experiences of public school special education teachers who have experienced or are experiencing compassion fatigue? The study used a transcendental phenomenological study design. Individual interviews, focus groups, and artifacts were used to …

Created To Be Slaves: Reexamining The Doctrine Of Original Sin, William Daniel Gamble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

One of the earliest debates in the church was over the nature of Sin, its transmission to subsequent generations, and its effects upon man’s nature. Two terms, “sin nature” and “original sin,” have become the prevailing terminology, yet there remains debate concerning the meaning or appropriateness of these terms. This discussion will examine and assess the doctrine of Original Sin through the prism of the metaphor of slavery as found and utilized throughout the OT and NT. Ancient Slavery, in its various forms, serves as the background for understanding the idioms and metaphors employed concerning the power and role of …

Disproportionate Rate Of Mental Health Care For African American Service Members, Amy Tesla Kingjones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study understands and describes the disproportionate rate of mental health care for African American Service Members in the US military. With minorities making up less than 20% of the US armed forces, fitting into predominantly white spaces is necessary for continued success and can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. The theory guiding this study is critical race theory, as it uncovers and challenges how laws, policies, and societal norms perpetuate racial hierarchies and disadvantage marginalized communities. It emphasizes the social construction of race, highlighting that it is not an inherent biological category but a product of historical, political, …

Perceived Childhood Paternal Betrayal Trauma: The Impact To Attachment And Interpersonal Relationships As Adults, Jacquelyn S. Marcum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore adult female perspectives of being abandoned by a father during their grade school years (between ages 6 and 12). Current research has indicated that parental abandonment or rejection creates anxious, avoidant, and insecure attachments into adulthood. Wounded attachment can significantly impact the ability to form healthy attachments as adults. Limited research is available on children between the ages of 6 to 12 on how betrayal trauma impacts the developmental stages, the sense-of-self, and the ability to form and maintain healthy attachments within relationships throughout adolescence and adulthood. In the current …

Assessing A Reading Score's Ability To Predict Pta Program Student Success, Tiffany H. Bain

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Admission into a physical therapist assistant (PTA) program continues to be highly competitive, with consistently more applicants than available seats. Student success is essential for maintaining CAPTE accreditation. There is limited research on admission criteria and predictors of success in physical therapist assistant education. This study aimed to determine if the Accuplacer or ACT reading test scores can predict student success (program completion and first-time NPTE-PTA) in a physical therapist assistant program using Astin’s input-environment-output (IEO) model as the theoretical foundation. This non-experimental logistic regression study used retrospective secondary data from an associate degree-level physical therapist assistant program 2016 through …

Experiences Of Resilient Military Veterans Transitioned To Education: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Troy Denward Busby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences leading to high resilience in military veteran teachers employed in education roles in an international setting. The central research question of this study is: What are the resilience-building experiences of military veteran teachers? Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory guided the study of veteran resilience, exploring the roles of competence, choice, and connection related to authentic learning, performance, and resilience. This study makes use of rich data collected from in-depth and multiple individual and focus-group interviews as well as a letter-writing prompt to generate themes, develop textural and …

Exploring Job Demands That Increase Burnout Rates Among Secondary, Public, Interrelated Special Education Teachers: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Wendy M. Turner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology is to understand the experiences of secondary, interrelated, public-school teachers in Georgia and their job demands and job resources that affect the development of burnout syndrome. There are two theories guiding this study: the burnout theory and the job demands-resources theory. These theories work together to frame understanding and guide the research questions for this phenomenological study. The burnout theory lays the foundation for identifying the characteristics of burnout syndrome while the job demands-resources theory allows us to identify specific characteristics of the job that can increase or decrease the likelihood of special education …

Cognitive Learning Strategies And Candidates In Teacher Education Programs: A Phenomenology, Nicole Kircher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of graduates from teacher education programs in the Western United States and their exposure to cognitive learning strategy instruction. The theory that guided this research is cognitive learning theory, which focuses on the internal processes surrounding memory and information. The research questions explored the experiences of teacher education program graduates with cognitive learning strategy instruction, how these programs incorporated cognitive learning strategies into their curriculum, and how graduates applied their knowledge of these strategies to their own teaching post-graduation. The chosen design was hermeneutic phenomenology, which is …

The Relationship Between Perceived Leadership Communication And Feedback On Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, And Professional Isolation Of Remote Workers, Simone I. Orlowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown have significantly contributed to the fact that teleworking has established itself in all branches of industry. With remote working, communication mainly occurs via digital channels such as emails, chat platforms, or video conferencing, and leaders need to ensure that communication is clear, regular, and effective to avoid misunderstandings and promote collaboration. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between effective communication and feedback from leadership with job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and professional isolation of remote employees. In a quantitative correlational study, participants were recruited from different branches in …

Family Communication Patterns Theory: A Mixed Methods Examination Of Single Mothers’ Communication Styles, Susan Renee Mattson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The mixed methods approach was used to research single mothers’ communication patterns. Fitzpatrick and Ritchie’s family communication patterns theory (FCPT) was used to guide the research. Online surveys and semi structured interviews were used to gather data that were analyzed through MAXQDA and SPSS software. The research examined factors such as age, culture, and the number of children a mother has in correlation to variables such as conformity and conversation orientation on the FCPT scale. The quantitative portion of the research revealed significant findings about culture and conformity orientation in single mothers from collectivist cultures. The qualitative section mirrored similar …

Challenged And Chosen: Discipling Christians With Chronic Conditions Towards Kingdom Identity And Purpose, Allison J. Hampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose for this DMIN action research project was to create an eight-week discipleship program and accompanying workbook to help Christians diagnosed with chronic medical conditions to rediscover their identity in God. Because of the limitations and physical changes that often accompany chronic diagnoses, members of Living Chronic Faith (a faith-first nonprofit organization that serves believers with chronic diagnoses) felt incapable of serving on the same level as their physiotypical counterparts. Marginalized by their faith community and hesitant to engage in their ministry contexts, eleven LCF members participated in this online focus group. This project’s surveys, interviews, journal entries, and …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Experiences Of University Faculty Navigating The Diverse Environments Of Remote, Office-Based, Or Hybrid Work, Justen Gross

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this phenomenological qualitative analysis, the experiences of university faculty in diverse environments of remote, office-based, or hybrid work were explored. COVID-19 significantly impacted businesses and organizations' ability to function in the traditional office-based environment based on government restrictions and directives. Office-based work and remote work have been in place for some time. Hybrid work was a relatively new phenomenon that required additional exploration as little was known about hybrid working models. This study explored how diverse work environments, personal factors, social factors, and organizational factors influenced job stress and job satisfaction post-COVID-19 with staff and faculty at a large …

The Psychological And Spiritual Experiences Of Christian Caregivers Of Physically Or Mentally Disabled Family Members, Doneshia Burns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of Christian caregivers caring for mentally or physically ill family members. This qualitative phenomenological study described the psychological and spiritual influence of caring for mentally or physically ill family members. The first question that the researcher attempted to answer was: What lived experiences do family caregivers experience when caring for loved ones with physical or mental disabilities? The second question that was explored was: How does caring for loved ones influence Christian family caretakers' spiritual well-being. The third question explored how caring for loved ones influences Christian family caretakers' psychological or mental …

Examining Educational Experiences Of Healthcare Providers Who Transitioned Into A Different Healthcare Role: A Phenomenological Study, Dustin P. Carnell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the educational experiences of healthcare practitioners seeking to transition into a different healthcare role. The theory guiding this study is adult learning theory, as this closely aligns with the learning experienced by advanced healthcare practitioners. This study answers the central research question, what are the experiences of healthcare professionals who seek additional education to transition into a different healthcare role? This study consists of an individual interview, focus group, and journal prompts to achieve triangulation and was distributed to healthcare workers across the United States who have transitioned roles in …

Readiness For Interprofessional Teamwork Of Graduate Public Health Students At The Time Of Their Graduation, Liliana Morosanu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of lacking empirical evidence for the contribution of interprofessional education (IPE) towards readiness for teamwork interprofessional practice (T-IPP) of Master of Public Health (MPH) graduates, and to design an IPE evaluation model in response. Current knowledge about T-IPP of MPH graduates is insufficient yet critical for professional practice. It is unclear how academic IPE builds MPH students’ T-IPP skills, and whether other training sources exist. A cross-sectional multimethod design was implemented with a sample of 58 MPH graduates from accredited programs within 12 months from graduation, of whom 12 …

Special Education Teachers' Perspective On Burnout When Legal Counsel Is Part Of The Iep Team: A Phenomenological Study, Erin M. Squibb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand teacher perceptions of special education teacher burnout rates when legal counsel or parent advocates are Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members in public schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The two theories guiding this study are the social cognitive theory and the job demands-resources model. Special education teachers are leaving the field at an alarming rate. It is essential to understand burnout specifically related to special education teachers. This study determined how fourteen special educators with varying years of teaching experience described their experience when an advocate or legal counsel was …

Gatekeeping The Choral Classroom: The Existence Of Caste System Levels In High School Choral Singing, Amber J. Klein

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The high school choral music sector has become increasingly competitive in education, leading to selectively allowing certain students into the choral classroom and fostering exclusionary practices within choral music instruction. The term "gatekeeping" may evoke a sense of unease and concern, although it refers to a long-standing system that has existed for centuries. Gatekeeping, which excludes pupils who do not meet the standards set by the competitive choral world, is a growing concern in music education. The all-ability choir movement has experienced gradual growth in urban areas following years of challenges that originated from implementing the No Child Left Behind …

The Experiences And Perceptions Of Open Educational Resources Creators And Adopters: A Phenomenological Study, Renee J. Lindsey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study is to describe the experiences and perceptions of open educational resource creators and adopters at southeastern United States community colleges. The theory guiding this study is the connectivism learning theory developed by Siemens and Downes as it addresses how learning occurs through digital resources and tools. The central research question for this study is what are the lived experiences of community college educators who adopted and created open educational resources? The research design method for this qualitative study is a hermeneutical phenomenology to focus on the lived experiences of the study participants. The …

The Lived Experiences Of Male Nurses In Nursing Education: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, James Robert Nolin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of male nurses currently in nursing academia to determine what attributes draw them and keep them in academic roles. The phenomenon was viewed through the lens of interpersonal relations theory, social learning theory, and hermeneutic phenomenology, looking for similarities and differences to discover the population’s views, beliefs, and experiences. The sample included 21 male nurses currently teaching in nursing programs. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observations collected through field notes allowed for an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of male nursing faculty. The data were analyzed …

The Correlation Between The Degree To Which Teachers Perceive Their Administrators As Exhibiting Collaborative Leadership Style Traits And Teacher Leader Job Satisfaction Levels, Megan M. Moffa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to determine the predictive relationship between administrators’ use of collaborative leadership factors as perceived by teacher leaders and teacher leaders’ job satisfaction levels. The study was framed by collaborative leadership theory and job satisfaction theory and adds to the empirical evidence by examining the connection between administrators’ use of collaborative leadership and teacher leader needs. The research question explored how accurately teacher leader job satisfaction levels can be predicted from perceived administrator use of collaborative leadership traits. The study consisted of 112 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teacher leaders in rural, suburban, …

Mentorship Among Early Career Senior Pastors: Examining Whether Mentored Leaders Are Better Equipped To Lead, Shayla Lenai Hilton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early career senior pastors are often expected to confidently step into senior leadership positions with minimal support, direction, guidance and/or training. The support of an experienced mentor could potentially lessen the challenges for early career leaders. The purpose of this mixed-methods phenomenological study was to explore the effectiveness of mentorships for early career senior pastors who hold senior leadership positions in Christian churches in the United States. For the purposes of this study, a early career senior pastor is defined as an individual with 0-10 years of experience in a senior leadership position. The phenomenological study explored three questions: (1) …

The Development Of A Men’S Ministry At Remnant Church To Foster The Spiritual Leadership Development Of Men To Provide Leadership For Family, Church, And Community, Anthony L. Herron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem this student seeks to address is that the Remnant Church in Midwest City, Oklahoma, does not have a men's ministry to develop men as spiritual leaders. The Remnant Church is a non-denominational church focused on growing and developing people to become more like Jesus Christ. The men of the Remnant Church do not meet regularly for discipleship or fellowship.

The men of Remnant Church are not organized to provide a network of support for men. Men need a support network within the church to develop spiritually. Men need a forum for discussing men's issues, such as leading in …

Chiropractic Patient Safety Education Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Michael P. Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe and interpret chiropractic educators’ experiences teaching patient safety competencies within the didactic portion of a Doctor of Chiropractic program in the Southern United States. The theory guiding the study is the information processing model. The study’s central research question is, what are the lived experiences of chiropractic educators teaching didactic patient safety courses? The study utilizes a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative methodology. Data was collected via individual interviews, a focus group, and a protocol writing prompt. The data was collected from 12 chiropractic educators teaching patient safety competencies within the didactic portion …

High School Teachers' Experiences With Increasing Attendance Rates For Indigenous Students Within A Pbis Model In A Grade Eight-12 High School: A Qualitative Case Study, Amanda Broadway

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to understand the reasons for chronic absenteeism of Indigenous students living on the reservation at a small independent school and how the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) framework may increase attendance rates. The theory guiding this case study is Skinner’s behavior theory. Behavior theory is used to describe the reasons behind the problem behavior of not attending school. Behavior theory includes antecedent and consequence interventions that may help to reduce chronic absenteeism and can be implemented within a PBIS framework. The PBIS framework may be used to implement proactive interventions in the …

Injury Prevalence Among Females Playing American Football, Anthea Warren-Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While extensive research has examined injuries in men's football, there is a significant lack of studies systematically investigating the types, patterns, and long-term effects of injuries among female football players. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the types and frequencies of injuries sustained by female American football players. A recruitment letter was sent via email, and following approval, an anonymous online survey was distributed to collect data from participants about their injuries during the 2023 season. The study included 13 teams from the WFA Pro division, with a total of 647 players, recruiting 245 participants aged 19 …

The Impact Of 21st-Century Technology Teaching On Socio-Economically Challenged Students In Public High Schools: A Phenomenological Study, Duncan Kenneth Guishard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of 10 teachers who have used 21st-century technology teaching methods in three U.S. public high schools (PHS), North, South, and West in the Mid-Eastern United States. Schlossberg’s transition theory guided this study and was used to address the central research question: What essential elements of 21st-century technology teaching practices do you believe can improve students’ performance and academic success in U.S. public high schools? The three sub-questions helped uncover the teachers’ lived experiences and perspectives using 21st-century technology teaching methods in public high schools. Purposeful sampling …