Digital Commons Network^™

Mental Health Among Minorities In Law Enforcement Positions, Sydnee Monet Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Law enforcement officers often deal with complex work environments, including negative public opinions, challenging legal systems, and resource constraints. These factors can compound to make officers' work more psychologically stressful. This is especially true for minority officers who also have to deal with daily incidents of prejudice, discrimination, and cultural misunderstandings within the police force. The current qualitative phenomenological study employed semi-structured interviews to investigate the experiences of minority police officers, in an effort to gain more insight into their mental health experiences. The results of this study show that discrimination, systemic issues, and stigma associated with accessing psychological help …

The Peoples’ Perception Of The Influence Of Inclusion On Academic Performance To Students With Special Educational Needs In Public Schools; A Qualitative Ethnography Study, Lashante Tate

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative ethnography study was to explore how teachers perceived the influence of inclusion practices on the academic performance of special education (SPED) students in public schools. Guided by Vygotsky’s social development theory (SDT), the study was conducted at Growing Hands & Feet Academy in a southern state and included 12 certified teachers with at least three years of teaching experience in inclusive classrooms. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and classroom observations and analyzed using thematic coding and content analysis. Findings revealed that teachers generally perceived inclusion as beneficial to SPED students’ academic and …

A Phenomenological Study On The Influence Of Teacher Perceptions On Play-Based Learning, Courtney Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of implementing play-based learning for teachers at early childhood settings in Georgia. The theory guiding this study was Jon Dewey’s theory of experiential learning, as it addressed the significance of children learning through play. The Central Research Question was: What are the experiences of teachers implementing play-based learning in early childhood settings in Georgia? A qualitative methodology approach utilizing transcendental phenomenology was taken to describe the lived experiences of 13 teachers implementing play-based learning. The setting included early learning centers and schools in Georgia. A combination of snowball …

Examining The Relationships Among The Cognitive, Emotional, Social, And Physical Domains Of Listening-Related Fatigue For U.S. Adults Between The Ages Of 30 And 50 With Hearing Loss, Nichole Marie Wooton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adults with hearing loss (AHL) frequently report high levels of listening-related fatigue (LrF). This has mainly been attributed to the increased biopsychosocial demands involved in communication efforts for those with hearing loss (HL). Such fatigue can be measured objectively using the Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale for Adults (VFS-A-40) (Hornsby et al., 2021a). This quantitative survey study explored the relationships among gender, type of HL, and socioeconomic status (SES) and their complex connections among the four domains as defined by the VFS-A-40: cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. Using an online survey method, this research employed a strictly quantitative design to examine differences …

Fire, Covenant, Redemption: Biblical Fire Imagery And Covenant In The Bible, Tony O'Neal Hinton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Understanding biblical signs and symbolism is essential for recognizing how God communicated and interacted with both the original people of the Bible and the modern church. A lack of this knowledge can often lead to misinterpretation of Scripture or the adoption of a false perception when the original context is neglected. From Genesis to Revelation, signs and symbols typically convey either literal or metaphorical meanings. Numerous passages throughout the Bible demonstrate that God used fire as a tool for various purposes. In fact, the King James Version records the term “fire” over 500 times, underscoring its prominence throughout Scripture. Fire …

The Pressure To Endure: How Black Women Over 50 Navigate The Dichotomy Of Human Resilience And Supernatural Strength, Debra Ann Garner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to discover how Black women over 50 interpret their life experiences in the face of pressure to be strong and faith filled. It explored the intersection of race, gender, age, and faith, specifically concerning older Black women and their interpretations of the impact of cultural and societal expectations. With data from ten interviews, this study examined how the women view the dichotomy of life as Strong Black faith-filled women who are inwardly self-silencing, suppressing, and who use other coping mechanisms through decades of lingering emotional trauma. From prior studies, the Strong Black …

Mental Illness And The Role Of The Church, Shelle Mathis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mental illness remains a growing concern in society, prompting increased focus on the church’s role in offering support. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of pastors and congregants regarding mental illness and the stigmas associated with it. Sixteen adult participants, ages 31 to 65, from churches in Elyria and Lorain, Ohio, were interviewed through semi-structured questions. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: stigma, overspiritualization, education and training, collaboration with mental health professionals, and resource accessibility and advocacy needs. Pastors with lived experience of mental illness expressed greater empathy and recognized the …

Enhancing Spiritual Care In Medical Missions Through A Contextual Apologetic Workshop, Jacob G. Caraotta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a lack of resources and a gap in the literature for training prayer teams for medical mission endeavors. The Contextual Apologetic Workshop, an intervention project, was designed to fill the gap in the literature by training participants in prayer, evangelism, and apologetics. It utilized the Contextual Apologetic System, a framework built around the Contextual Triad, which includes the cultural context, setting, and endemic religions that inform outreach dynamics and preparation. The cultural context identifies if the population is high- or low-context, and includes the subcultures. The setting refers to outreach types, such as medical missions or construction projects. …

Evaluating Perceived Ease Of Use Of Augmented Reality In Aviation Maintenance: A Technology Acceptance Model Approach, Russell Quenten Gardner Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examines the perceived ease of use (PEU) of augmented reality (AR) technology among two key groups: aviation maintenance students, representing workforce readiness, and professional aircraft maintenance technicians, representing field expertise. This approach offers a comprehensive understanding of AR’s role in maintenance training by accounting for varying levels of participant experience. Addressing the need for innovative methods to improve task accuracy, efficiency, and knowledge retention, this study emphasizes user acceptance as a critical factor for AR adoption. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this research investigates how technician experience influences perceptions of AR’s usability and whether PEU …

Teacher Burnout In Education: A Phenomenological Study On The Mediating Role Of Psychological Safety Through Organizational Leadership, Darin G. Palmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lack of psychological safety that increases burnout for secondary education teachers at schools in the Southeastern United States. Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory guided this study, aiming to provide valuable insights into how secondary education teachers’ sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness within their work environment influences their experiences of burnout. The central research question of this study was: What are the burnout experiences of secondary education teachers in a low psychological safety environment? The methodology for this study included a transcendental study design utilized to sample 10 participants …

The Shared Experiences Of Florida Outpatient Psychiatric Providers Working With Patients Post-Involuntary Hospitalization And Aftercare Compliance: A Phenomenological Study, Amy L. Watson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of outpatient providers who treat psychiatric patients following involuntary hospitalization. The central phenomenon under investigation is how psychiatric providers experience their professional responsibilities when treating patients who have been involuntarily hospitalized. The study focused on the impact of involuntary hospitalizations on outpatient providers including how outpatient providers experience challenges in the outpatient milieu; how providers experience the legal and ethical portions of their jobs; and how outpatient providers experience the need for self-care. Guided by social learning theories, this study explored how and why participants learned from their …

African American Women Employed In The Education Sector Who Have Biological Children With Mental Health Or Behavioral Problems: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Cynthia Henderson Porter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study is purposed to identify and describe the lived experiences of African American mothers employed in a pre-K-12 public school district in Virginia who have biological children with mental health or behavioral problems. The study was qualitative, as this method allowed challenges to be explored personally and humanistically. The theory guiding this study is social constructivism, as it relates to African American mothers’ views of their experiences in the work setting; the assumed perception of colleagues, administrators, and others; and challenges at work pertaining to limitations in functioning, performance, and interpersonal stressors that mothers may encounter. The central …

Secondary Teacher Experiences Of Classically Taught Students’ Social-Emotional Development: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Kirby Elizabeth Donaldson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to interpret the experiences of 7th-12th grade educators at George Washington Academy who teach solely through classic literature and primary accounts of historical and social significance, focusing on their perceptions of their students’ social and emotional development. The theory that guided this study was Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, which provided a framework for appropriate social-emotional development across all ages. The central research question was, “What are the experiences of secondary (7th-12th grade) educators who utilize classic literature and primary accounts of historical and social significance regarding their students’ psychosocial development?” The phenomenological …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Respiratory Therapists’ Perceptions On Potential Degree Requirements, John Wayne Lindsey Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of respiratory therapists (RTs) regarding the proposed transition from an associate’s degree (ASRT) to a bachelor’s degree (BSRT) as the minimum entry-level credential for the respiratory therapy profession. The respiratory therapy profession faces significant educational challenges due to the increasingly advanced requirements for evidence-based practice (EBP) and teamwork across multiple healthcare disciplines. The theoretical framework for this study was based on three interrelated theories: Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory, and Benner’s Novice to Expert Model. Together, these theories established solid groundwork for exploring how RTs …

Mental Illness In African American Women: A Transcendental Phenomenology On Self-Efficacy And The Treatment-Seeking Behavior Of Secondary And Post-Secondary Educators, Sasha N. Gordon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological research shows the influence of mental health treatment on the self-efficacy of African American women who are secondary or post-secondary educators in Northern Illinois. For African American women educators, taking care of their mental well- being and being aware of mental health conditions are crucial. Sharing personal stories and experiences can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Promoting awareness and understanding of mental health issues are vital in our communities, and access to resources and support are necessary. Using self-identity theory can aid in comprehending motivations and behaviors, leading to greater satisfaction and fulfillment and the …

A Comparative Analysis Of K–12 Public School Music Teacher Burnout From 1986 To 2025, Veronica A. Rovatti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This historical comparative analysis assessed five different sources to understand the effect stress and burnout have had on public school music educators over the last fifty years. In the United States, music educators are facing stress and burnout in their teaching careers, which can result in attrition from their profession. In this research study, four studies pertaining to music educator burnout are analyzed through a narrative compilation of research already established. Also analyzed is a supplementary recent article providing contemporary relevance. The criteria for source selection included studies or articles that primarily researched stress and burnout among K-12 public school …

Identification Of Optimal Knowledge Transfer Methods From Generation X To Millennials, Maria Nanci Denmark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study uses a descriptive phenomenological approach to examine the experience and insights of Generation X and Millennial software engineers employed by the United States government on their preferred methods for tacit knowledge transfer. Phenomenological examination allows for the structured exploration and documentation of common themes and fundamental structures across the generational cohorts. Participants were selected based on inclusion criteria that produced a sample that shared common training and career paths split evenly across the two generations. Using Colaizzi’s Seven Step Method for analysis, the researcher led semi-structured interviews producing data that provided a clear description of the themes …

Promoting Leadership To Enhance Safety In Aircraft Maintenance: A Phenomenological Study Of Aviation Technical Operations, Komi Tete

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how leadership styles affect the safety practices and overall performance of aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) in aviation Technical Operations (TechOps) environments. The study built on previous research indicating that safe and efficient aircraft operations depend on numerous technical and social processes. It focused on the comprehensive lived experiences of AMTs as they related to leadership influence on safety. The transformational leadership theory and safety culture theory guided the study, aligning with the inquiry by explaining how leaders could influence the behavior, motivation, and safety practices of AMTs. Ensuring the safety …

Factors Shaping Policy For Cybersecurity Resilience In Critical Infrastructure (Ci) Organizations: Proposing An Adaptive Cyber Resilience Policy Model (Acrpm), Raymond Pythias Friedman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the factors that influence cybersecurity resilience in private critical infrastructure (CI) organizations, with a focus on governance structures, internal controls, employee attitudes, and cybersecurity capabilities. Although the empirical focus is on private-sector entities, the findings bear significant implications for public policy, given the societal reliance on CI sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and water. Employing a convergent mixed-methods design, the study synthesizes quantitative survey data from cybersecurity professionals with qualitative case studies of CI organizations.

The analysis reveals that internal controls and employee attitudes are the most salient predictors of organizational resilience. Governance exerts an indirect influence …

Understanding The Influence Of Declining Nursing Motivation On Hospital Performance: A Qualitative Mixed Method Case Study, Kisena J. Leverette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative single-case study examined how a decline in nursing motivation affects nurse retention and organizational performance in a large urban hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with nurse managers and anonymous surveys administered to registered nurses, resulting in a total of 20 participants. There were three emergent themes discovered from the findings from the interview transcripts and survey responses. Supportive leadership, intrinsic and extrinsic factors, safe staffing and workplace management were the primary emergent themes for this research. This research revealed that open communication, fair compensation, and proactive support from leadership are imperative. Additionally, …

Exploring The Intersection Of Spiritual Principles And Mental Health Counseling: Mitigating The Risks Of Spiritual Bypass Through Critical Analysis, Norma Y. Galván-Téllez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological research's objective was to show how spiritual bypass (SB) phenomenon occurs in individuals in the context of trauma avoidance. The research focused on investigating the underlying dynamics of how religion and spirituality may be used to bypass emotional healing and how specific religious and spiritual practices can be joined into mental health counseling (MHC) to enrich therapeutic outcomes. By investigating these frameworks, the research attempted to offer new discoveries into the challenging dynamics between SB and effects of mental health interventions. The theoretical groundwork of this study was transpersonal psychology, developed by Stanislav Grof—an area of psychology that …

Retrospective Adult Bullying Role Trend Analysis With Correlational Investigation Between The Victim Role And Stigma-Based Demographic Information, Shilowe A. Ensminger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A longstanding social construct that has negatively impacted large numbers of individuals throughout generations is bullying. Despite anti-bullying programs and policies, current literature indicates that bullying is an ongoing concern throughout schools and in the workplace. The consequences of bullying have been shown to impact the mental and physical health of those involved with potentially severe outcomes. Current literature focuses on analysis of childhood bullying experiences, leaving a gap in the research investigating adult reflective bullying trends. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental survey, and causal-comparative study was to address this gap by recruiting adult participants for a reflective analysis …

Mental Well-Being, Belonging, And Chronic Absenteeism: A Correlational Study, Crystal D. Woodall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic absenteeism (CA) is an overwhelming issue facing schools in the United States. A lack of a student’s sense of belonging or signs of emotional symptoms are often red flags that can forecast future absenteeism problems with students. CA has been found to have a positive correlation with a student’s sense of belonging and emotional symptoms. Some CA interventions are geared toward increasing a student’s sense of belonging at school and or improvements in overall mental well-being. The purpose of this predictive correlational study was to examine the relationship between students’ self-reported levels of peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms, …

Training Timothy: An Analysis Of Discipleship And Leadership Development In Multicultural Churches, Philip Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As America’s social and cultural landscape continues to diversify, churches face the challenge of fostering contextually relevant, biblically grounded communities characterized by unity in Christ. Church leaders play a crucial role in this process by articulating a shared mission that transcends humanistic cultural differences and working towards a unifying biblical culture, based on a common understanding and vocabulary. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine how church leaders were selected, developed, and mobilized in Protestant multicultural churches in America to create a unifying biblical culture through biblical discipleship in a multicultural context. For this study, discipleship was …

U.S. Navy Spacecraft Recovery Operations, 1957-1961, Marc Robert Henderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study is to highlight U.S. Navy efforts during early space recovery operations. The space recovery mission was new to the United States’ Cold War Navy, and in many cases its space recovery forces learned through trial and error, beginning with Jupiter missile nosecone recoveries in 1957. The study examines the collaborative efforts between the U.S. Navy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to locate and retrieve Project Mercury astronauts and space capsules after they traveled into space and splashed down in the ocean. It identifies technological aides on which recovery forces led by the U.S. …

Exploring The Relationship Between Becoming A Parent, Goal Orientation, And Productivity, Among Self-Employed Entrepreneurs, Andrew Dean East

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study explored the relationship between parenting status and goal orientation and productivity among self-employed entrepreneurs. Using a sample of 471 participants, the study compared entrepreneurs with and without children under five years of age living at home to examine group differences, relational patterns, and potential moderation effects. No statistically significant differences were found in goal orientation or productivity between parents and non-parents, indicating that early-stage parenting does not inherently hinder these traits. However, a small but statistically significant positive correlation was observed between goal orientation and productivity, suggesting that individuals with higher internal motivation reported slightly greater productivity, …

Left Of The Boom: Addressing Burnout Before It Occurs, William S.D. Vernon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined healthcare burnout, focusing on both organizational and individual factors that contribute to it, as well as mitigation strategies. Healthcare burnout increases the risk of harm to healthcare workers as well as their patients. Participants of the study included healthcare workers with direct experience in burnout. The aim was to understand their personal experiences, the actions, both individual and organizational, that contribute to burnout, and the methods that have been used with varying success to address it. The study also explored the connection between self-determination theory and the areas-of-work-life model, along with participants’ insights into contributing actions and …

Target Consumers For Bottled Mild Salsa, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

In the fall of 2024, researchers at Utah State University (USU) studied western U.S. consumer preferences and willingness to pay for regionally sourced processed food products. Researchers examined consumer preferences, purchasing habits, and pricing for three processed food products, one of which was bottled mild salsa (16-ounce bottle). This fact sheet describes the target market (consumer group) for bottled mild salsa. Target consumers were identified as those who consume salsa at least several times weekly.

Targeting Tomm40 And Tomm22 To Rescue Statin-Impaired Mitochondrial Function, Dynamics, And Mitophagy In Skeletal Myotubes, Neil V Yang, Sean Rogers, Rachel Guerra, Justin Y Chao, David J Pagliarini, Elizabeth Theusch, Ronald M Krauss

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Statins are the drugs most commonly used for lowering plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Although generally well-tolerated, statins can induce myopathy, a major cause of non-adherence to treatment. Impaired mitochondrial function has been implicated in the development of statin-induced myopathy, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We have shown that simvastatin downregulates the transcription of

Growing A Church Worship Band, Charmaine Landrum

Masters Theses

Many churches either leave the music to the professionals, or let untrained musicians blunder their way through the service, distracting their congregations. Little research has been done pertaining to the development of average or inexperienced musicians for Sunday Services. Considering the shift in worship music and technology, there is a need to train the next generation of worship team members. There is a lack in research pertaining to the best methods for training untrained musicians who want to volunteer but may not be ready for the platform. One particular church, Revolution Church in Canton, Georgia, is solving their dilemma by …