Digital Commons Network^™

Don't Say You Love Me, Breanna Dunwell

Masters Theses

Teen dating violence is a silent epidemic that is not talked about enough or taken seriously. This shows that age does not matter when it comes to any type of abuse or harassment – physical, emotional, sexual, stalking, etc. The household that the victim lives in, race, parents marital status, and financial situation do not play a role into who is a victim versus someone who is not. The perpetrator does not care about those kinds of details. They only care about needing to be in control of the other person. Even though this is a snippet, the story shows …

Feasibility And Preliminary Efficacy Of A Lymphedema And Fibrosis Self-Management Program For Head And Neck Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Jie Deng, Barbara Murphy, Lucy Andersen, Erin Mcmenamin, John Lukens, Joy Cohn, Karthik Rajasekaran, Ryan Quinn, Bryan Spinelli, Alexander Lin

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) are at high risk for developing lymphedema and fibrosis (LEF). Once diagnosed with LEF, survivors must engage in a lifelong program of self-care to minimize long-term adverse effects. However, evidence-based LEF self-management (SM) programs are lacking. To fill this void, we developed and pilot-tested a LEF-SM program for HNC survivors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The LEF-SM Program was developed using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model of health behavior change as a framework. The program was pilot tested in a three-group randomized controlled trial evaluating feasibility and preliminary efficacy. Fifty-nine participants were randomized to: Usual …

Activation Or Deactivation? Rethinking Ferrate(Vi) Reactivity Within A Broader Modulation Framework, Zepei Tang, Yang Deng

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed Care Training For Teachers In Early Childhood Education Settings, Molly Michelle Michaels

Theses and Dissertations

The maltreatment of children is currently a global health priority (Chamberlain et al., 2019). By the age of 16, over two-thirds of children report having experienced at least one traumatic event (Toof et al., 2020). Exposure to childhood trauma can negatively impact brain development, leading to problems functioning across community, home, and school settings (Burke Harris, 2018). In response, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration developed a framework for trauma-informed care to address the significant impact of trauma on individuals (Loomis, 2018). However, few studies exist that explore the use of trauma-informed care practices in early childhood education …

Improving Self-Care In Nursing Professionals, Tina R. Kinnear

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Nurses in high-acuity settings like telemetry units face intense physical and emotional demands, often leading to burnout and secondary traumatic stress. This project aimed to integrate self-care into nursing culture through leadership and evidence-based strategies to support resilience and well-being.

Problem: At a telemetry unit in Stanislaus County, 67% of nurses reported burnout or secondary traumatic stress despite institutional focus on well-being. Barriers like high patient acuity and lack of standardized self-care practices persist. In addition, the unit has consistently scored below the 65% benchmark on the Glint People Pulse “Culture of Health Index,” with survey engagement …

Implementation Of A Triage System For The Residents At A Residential Facility To Improve Triage Assessment Skills Of The Staff As Well As Improve The Level And Timeliness Of Care, Andrew J. Choi Rn, Neha Gopal Rn, Andres N. Padilla Rn, Dana Son

Master's Projects and Capstones

Triage is an integral part of the clinical process which involves assessing patients and determining their level of care in order to get them appropriate, timely treatment. Several countries utilize a standardized triage system with established criteria to aid staff in their decision-making during assessments (Peta et al., 2023). The Nursing and Residential Triage (NaRT) tool, from the Manchester Triage System (MTS), was shown to enhance staff clinical assessment skills and help avoid inappropriate ED transfers during a study among older adults in a residential facility (Markey et al., 2024). For this project, the main issue identified at the residential …

Enhancing Patient Safety: Fall Prevention Through Video Education, Fithawit T. Zere

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Problem: Globally, hospital falls remain a leading cause of injuries, increased costs, short and long-term disability and emotional impact on patients/families. Despite required prevention measures, a local hospital experienced rising fall rates during 2024 (n=71);13 of these occurred in the Med-telemetry microsystem. Although multiple strategies and financial investments occurred, nursing compliance with the fall prevention “bundle” remained suboptimal.

Context: Thirteen falls resulted in $182,000 in 2024. A quality improvement (QI) project was initiated over 12 weeks after routine audits revealed inconsistency in application of several components of the required bundle: particularly, the fall prevention video upon admission.

Interventions: A …

Application And Comparison Of Satellite-Derived Sea Surface Temperature Gradients To Identify Seasonal And Interannual Variability Off The California Coast: Preliminary Results And Future Perspectives, Jorge Vazquez-Cuervo, Marisol García-Reyes, David S. Wethey, Daniele Ciani, Jose Gomez-Valdes

Faculty Publications

The application of satellite-derived sea surface temperature in coastal regions is critical for resolving the dynamics of frontal features and coastal upwelling. Here, we examine and compare sea surface temperature (SST) gradients derived from two satellite products, the Multi-Scale Ultra-High Resolution SST Product (MUR, 0.01° grid scale) and the Operational SST and Ice Analysis (OSTIA, 0.05° grid scale), available through the Group for High Resolution SST (GHRSST). Both products show similar seasonal variability, with maxima occurring in the summer time frame. Additionally, both products show an increasing trend of SST gradients near the coast. However, differences exist between the two …

A 12,800-Year-Old Layer With Cometary Dust, Microspherules, And Platinum Anomaly Recorded In Multiple Cores From Baffin Bay, Christopher R. Moore, Vladimir A. Tselmovich, Malcolm A. Lecompte, Allen West, Stephen J. Culver, David J. Mallinson, Mohammed Baalousha M.Sc, Ph.D., James P. Kennett, William M. Napier, Michael Bizimis, Victor Adedeji, Seth R. Sutton, Gunther Kleteschka, Kurt A. Langworthy, Jesus P. Perez, Timothy Witwer, Marc D. Young, Jordan Jeffreys, Richard C. Greenwood, James A. Malley

Faculty Publications

The Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis (YDIH) posits that ~12,800 years ago Earth encountered the debris stream of a disintegrating comet, triggering hemisphere-wide airbursts, atmospheric dust loading, and the deposition of a distinctive suite of extraterrestrial (ET) impact proxies at the Younger Dryas Boundary (YDB). Until now, evidence supporting this hypothesis has come only from terrestrial sediment and ice-core records. Here we report the first discovery of similar impact-related proxies in ocean sediments from four marine cores in Baffin Bay that span the YDB layer at water depths of 0.5–2.4 km, minimizing the potential for modern contamination. Using scanning electron microscopy …

Exploring The Impact Of Foot Overpronation On Gluteus Medius Activation In Recreational Runners: A Biomechanical Analysis, Austin D. Stroeh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Pes planus foot type and gluteus medius (GMed) dysfunction are independently considered risk factors in developing several overuse running-related injuries because they propagate kinematic and kinetic changes in the leg during the gait cycle. While both produce similar kinesiological actions, research on the relationship between foot type and GMed activation in running is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pes planus and pes rectus foot types and their association with GMed activity during running gait in recreational endurance runners. 47 recreational endurance-based runners running approximately 5-15 miles weekly for at least 6 months with …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Middle School Students’ Social-Emotional Learning And Sense Of Community In Collaborative And Non-Collaborative Learning Environments, Edielou Saroca

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if there is a difference in social-emotional learning and a sense of community between middle school students whose teachers engage in collaborative learning structures and teachers who do not. This study is important because it addresses a gap in the literature regarding the impact of collaborative learning on middle school students’ social-emotional learning and sense of community. This study provides information and support to educational institutions to manage challenging behaviors in the classroom and enhance social-emotional and sense of community skills. The sample comprised 140 middle school students who attended …

Storytelling Pedagogy To Promote Musical Expression Through Community Building In The High School Ensemble Class, Hector E. Ayerdiz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite research on technical pedagogical techniques to improve musicianship in students, there are still some non-conventional pedagogical approaches that educators have not researched in detail. Among these is purposeful storytelling to develop community and vulnerability in students to enhance musical expression and technique. This study sought to understand the impact of the music teachers' use of storytelling on high school music ensemble students. It also investigated storytelling's usefulness in developing music skills and techniques in students by forming positive learning environments. Guided by narrative design, this qualitative research study looked at the phenomenon of storytelling in the high school music …

Spirituality And Perceived Insider Status: A Study Of Organizational Commitment Of African American Female Leaders In Fortune 1000 Companies, Toni Y. Stubbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationships among spirituality, perceived insider status, and organizational commitment among African American female leaders within Fortune 1000 companies. Using a cross-sectional design, the research gathered data from 119 participants through online surveys that included the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), the Perceived Insider Status Scale (PIS), and the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Analyses included Pearson correlations and mediation modeling to address the research questions. The results revealed a strong, statistically significant relationship between perceived insider status and organizational commitment. Although spirituality did not directly predict organizational commitment, it demonstrated a small but significant mediating effect between …

Sustaining The Score: A Narrative Inquiry Comparing California Teacher Induction And Adult Ensemble Participation For Music Educator Longevity And Growth, David Haley Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The relationship between music educators' participation in adult ensembles and any perceived benefits to their teaching careers remains underexplored. At a time when teacher recruitment and retention rates are unsustainable, this information can help provide ways to engage educators in a way that benefits both themselves and the academic success of their students. This qualitative study examines the perspectives of music educators across a wide variety of ages and grade levels. This study compares explicitly the formal, mandated support of California’s teacher induction program with the informal, voluntary support found in adult ensembles. Many music educators in California began their …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Teachers From The Northeast Region Of The United States And How They Cope With Workplace Stress And Burnout, Zakkiyyah W. Sally

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to better understand the lived experiences of Pre-K to 12th grade teachers from the Northeast Region of the United States as it relates to the development of burnout and stress. The central phenomenon of the study has been to discover ways teachers choose to cope and best manage stress, which can lead to burnout. This research study also served to investigate school related resources available to teachers to help support them with stress, burnout, and coping. Teachers have noted that they manage stress and burnout with various strategies, such as mindfulness, compassion, …

Investigating Black Students’ Perceived Motivations For Degree Attainment At A Community College: A Case Study, Kacie Rene Birdsong

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to discover the motivation that influences the retention for Black student graduates at a local community college in southern Mississippi. The practical implications of this research are significant, as college graduation rates directly reflect the financial health of a higher education institution. Understanding why Black students are particularly motivated to complete their degrees is not only academically intriguing but also has practical implications for the future of higher education. As enrollment rates are on the decline, graduation rates become even more critical. When it becomes an issue of many students dropping out of …

Where Words Fail Music Speaks: A Qualitative Exploration Of Uses And Gratification Theory And How Music Influences College Students In Their Daily Productivity, Relationships And Self-Perception, Abagayil E. Hatt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The dissertation project explores the music consumption of college students aged 18 - 24 and its influence on them. The study focus is how music impacts daily productivity-related decisions, relationships, and self-perception. Through ZOOM interviews and personal logs, this qualitative dissertation explored the influence music has on college students aged 18 – 24. This study contributes to the field of communication by revealing how music influences young adults’ communication, decisions, and identity. This study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of how music shapes behavior and identity.

Lead Like Jesus For Healthcare - Improving The Culture Of Healing Through Biblical Leadership Training, James Michael Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Lead Like Jesus is a 501(c)(3) ministry founded in 1999 that aims to reshape leadership through the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. The organization promotes leadership development that integrates servant leadership principles into a transformational leadership model, applying these ideas in secular settings where success is often linked to authority, control, and power. The principles behind the Lead Like Jesus movement are rooted in the Scriptural accounts of Jesus' life and teachings, emphasizing a leadership style characterized by humility, empathy, and genuine care for others. A review of offerings from professional associations, consulting firms, and other sources of leadership …

Identifying Key Factors In Global Human Trafficking Using Factor Analysis, Nike Joy Alawode

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study aimed to examine key factors influencing human trafficking trends through quantitative analysis of historical archival data from trafficking cases. Using a comprehensive dataset, the factor analysis design assessed variables associated with human trafficking, including age, gender, methods of control, types of labor, types of sexual exploitation, and recruiter-victim relationships. Through descriptive and inferential analyses, this study identified demographic and situational patterns linked to trafficking, uncovering how age and gender intersect with exploitation types, and how different means of control were applied across contexts. Findings may illuminate recruiter-victim dynamics, particularly regarding how relationships impact victim targeting and recruitment methods. …

Understanding How The Spiritual Formation Process Has Been Affected In A Post-Covid 19 World, Matthew E. Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The need for community is essential in the life of the believer. Without a solid community, a believer may fall into isolation and even driven away from God instead of closer to Him. Psychologists have stated that community impacts human cognitive and moral development. James Fowler takes this a step further, outlined a believer’s stages of faith compared to human development. These levels of development directly impact the spiritual formation process in the life of a believer and demonstrate the vital role it plays in the believer’s life. Discipleship remains an important tool for helping a believer move through these …

Teacher Perspectives Of Supporting High School Students Who Are Sex Trafficked In Northeast Ohio: A Qualitative Study, Melanie Timco

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the perspectives of supporting students who are actively sex trafficked for the teachers at high schools in Northeast Ohio. The theory guiding the study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory as it applies to the formation of teacher perspectives based on cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors. Teachers shared their perspective of supporting students who were actively sex trafficked in high school through hermeneutic phenomenology. I utilized criteria and snowball sampling of 12 high school teachers in Northeast Ohio. Open-ended surveys, interviews, and focus groups were conducted with teachers to render their …

The Perceived Understanding Of Emotional Well-Being And Needs Among Older Adults In Rural West Virginia: A Phenomenological Study, Amanda M. Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of older adults regarding emotional well-being in rural West Virginia. Havighurst’s activity theory on aging provided the lens for guiding the research and was supplemented with a framework of reablement. The in-depth literature review showed prevalent trends and limitations in current research on the rural aging population’s efforts to maintain and meet their emotional well-being needs. An essential aspect of the literature review was the limited resources available in rural communities in general. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants recruited from the public. As part of the data …

The Indications Of The Need For Training For Biblical Worship Principles In Evangelical Churches In Texas, Carlos Benson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite numerous Evangelical churches in Texas, most churchgoers hold limited ideas about what defines worship. There is a shortage of biblically principled teaching in the Evangelical Church, particularly in the areas of First and God-honoring worship and its practices, including the Great Commission. This research primarily defines and explores the current state of worship in the Evangelical Church. This research examines how the original Adam and Eve beings, created to worship, have transformed into present-day worshipers. Today's worshipers include Sunday-only attendees, schedule-driven individuals, and spiritually drained souls, with a particular focus on those in Texas. This study will also provide …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Role Of Resilience In Trauma Recovery Of Those Living In Southeastern Rural America, Summer D. Loduca

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the ways in which adults who live in rural communities in the Southeastern United States convalesce from trauma within the framework of barriers and limited access to mental health services. Garmezy’s (1991) developmental psychology approach to resilience, which highlights internal and external protective factors, guides this study as personal resilience, and how it contributes to trauma recovery in underserved settings, is explored. Ten participants aged 32 to 49, engaged in semi-structured interviews as they shared their lived experiences of coping with, and healing from, trauma. Five principal themes were reach in analyzing the data through …

Leadership, Personality Traits, And Teacher Training Characteristics Of Secondary Band Directors In Small Alabama Schools, Robbin Nicol Holder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental study aimed to determine the disparities in the leadership, personality traits, and teacher training characteristics of successful public and private secondary band directors in small schools in Alabama. The study focused on identifying perspectives that have not been previously explored or documented. A survey was conducted among band directors at Alabama secondary schools with a daily average enrollment of 300 or fewer students in grades nine through eleven. This information was based on data provided by the Alabama Department of Education and reported by the Alabama High School Athletic Association. The research encompassed dependent variables in leadership, …

The Lived Experience Of Siblings Living In The Home With An Autistic Child, Betty Polion-Cheatum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A sibling in the household is beneficial for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to research studies, however, most of the attention is placed on managing the ASD child's behaviors. To provide insight into the non-autistic child’s perceptions, this qualitative phenomenological study investigated the lived experiences of siblings living in a home with an ASD sibling. A questionnaire survey method was used to analyze the non-autistic siblings' perceptions and lived experiences. This dissertation reviewed what sibling relationships look like for a typically developing sibling of a child with ASD. The gap in research showed there is not enough …

Exploring School-Based Early Intervention For Developmental Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study Of Parental Experiences, Brenda Nichol Webb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Today it is estimated that one in six children in the United States has one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays. There is a large body of evidence pointing to the necessity of early intervention to improve both short and long-term life outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities from both the medical and social sciences. Despite this fact, the identification process during early childhood from a parental perspective remains under- researched. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities during the evaluation process and receipt of services …

Christian Schoolteachers’ Shared Experiences Of Learning And Teaching In The Face Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The East Coast Of The United States, Elizabeth Joy Geddes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study sought to better understand and describe the lived experiences of Christian schoolteachers who provided in-person instruction during COVID-19. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, 12 ACSI Christian schoolteachers from the East Coast of the United States were asked to share their stories of providing in-person instruction during the fall of 2020. While studies have explored the challenges and adaptations of public-school educators during COVID-19, there remains a significant gap in understanding the experiences of Christian schoolteachers who navigated in-person instruction amidst the pandemic. The gap highlights the need for focused research to capture the unique perspectives, challenges, and …

Maternal Mortality In Zambia: Associations With Health Services Utilization, Birth Spacing, And Province, Selina Mubwanga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal mortality remains one of the leading public health issues in Zambia characterized by elevated maternal mortality rates among women of reproductive age. This research study investigated the effect of birth spacing, province type and location, and maternal health services utilization on maternal deaths among women in the Lusaka, Eastern, Central, and North-Western provinces of Zambia. The theoretical underpinning of this investigation drew upon the social-ecological systems framework. Using secondary data from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) of 1,868 women aged 15–49 years, the study adopted a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research design. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Phq-9 Use, Grace Eluma

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The DNP project revolved around educating healthcare staff on using a depression screening tool known as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Undiagnosed depression can affect people’s quality of life, their functional condition, and general health outcomes, making it a significant problem that needs to be addressed. The U.S Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends using evidence-based screening tools such as the PHQ-9 to assess, diagnose, and monitor the condition’s severity. However, a few nurses use this tool despite being aware of it or misusing it, resulting in under-utilization, inappropriate assessment, and increased events. The project aimed to implement a staff …