Digital Commons Network^™

Framing The Pressure: Mental Health Representation In Olympic Athletes Through The Weight Of Gold, Daniel B. Gearin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how the HBO documentary The Weight of Gold constructs meaning around athlete mental health through narrative and visual framing. Grounded in framing theory, the purpose of this research is to identify the key themes presented in the film and analyze how cinematic techniques shape audience understanding of mental health in Olympic athletes. The rationale for this study stems from a gap in existing research, as most scholarship focuses on psychological outcomes rather than how media representations construct those meanings. Using a qualitative approach, the study applies thematic analysis to 17 scenes of the documentary, supported by a …

Comfort Beyond Grief: The Influence Of Brazilian Spiritism On Grief, Maria Luiza D. Reynaud

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the transformative influence of Brazilian Spiritism on the experience of grief, utilizing a qualitative framework of autoethnography and ethnography. The research begins with the author’s personal account of transitioning from paralyzing existential anxiety and a childhood fear of hell and death to a state of spiritual peace fostered by the study of the Spiritist Doctrine. Historically perceived as an unbearable mystery, Spiritism posits life as a continuous continuum where the immortal soul merely sheds the physical body like a cocoon to return to its true home.

Rooted in the 19th-century codification by Allan Kardec, the doctrine is …

Understanding How Single Mothers In Southwest Nigeria Navigate Mental Health Challenges And Financial Hardships: A Culture-Centered Approach, Zulykha B. Akinjobi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Single motherhood is a growing yet stigmatized family structure in Southwest Nigeria, where patriarchal norms, cultural expectations, and structural inequalities converge to produce unique mental health and financial challenges for women. This qualitative study examines how single mothers in Southwest Nigeria navigate mental health challenges and financial hardships through the lens of the Culture-Centered Approach (CCA). Drawing on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 single mothers residing in the Yoruba-speaking region of Southwest Nigeria, this study foregrounds locally situated narratives to understand how these women construct and reconstruct meanings of single motherhood within their cultural and structural contexts. Findings reveal that …

Endometriosis Knowledge Among Emergency Medicine Providers: Diagnostic Skills And Symptom Recognition, Caidon Iwuagwu, Laurel X. Chen, Ellen Slattery, Pranjal Srivastava, Hamsitha Karra, Sheyenne Tung, Adrienne Burton, Camila Bomtempo, Jamie Aranda

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Endometriosis is associated with significant diagnostic delays, averaging 6.7 years, largely due to nonspecific symptoms and inadequate diagnostic approaches. Over 15,000 emergency department (ED) visits in the United States annually involve patients with endometriosis, highlighting the need for knowledge of endometriosis. This study surveys emergency medicine (EM) attendings, residents, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and fellows to assess knowledge and practice in managing endometriosis-related ED complaints. Methods: A questionnaire from a prior endometriosis survey was modified for EM providers and administered anonymously via email (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) in monthly newsletters to providers at an academic and six associated community EDs. …

Teachers' Lived Experiences Addressing The Benefits And Challenges Of Screen Based Technology Use In The Classroom: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Amanda M. Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher explored Title I elementary school teachers’ lived experiences in addressing the challenges and benefits of screen based technology (SBT) use in classroom spaces. Guided by Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural learning theory, a transcendental phenomenological approach was utilized by the researcher to explore the unique nuances of different learning spaces, buildings, and educational contexts. As SBT has become indispensable to modern education practitioners, teachers must balance the benefits to student learning with screen fatigue, reduced interpersonal interaction, and access disparities. The central research question states: How do Title I elementary school teachers describe their lived experiences in addressing SBT use …

The Intervention Effects Of Self-Leadership And Motivation On The Second Language Motivation Mechanism In Tanzanian Form 5 Students: A Static-Group Study Using Structural Equation Modeling, Euna Kim Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, static-group study was to determine the effect of the intervention among high school newcomers in the English-medium instruction (EMI) context in Tanzania. Tanzanian adolescents have difficulty adapting to the transition to secondary school, as the language of instruction is not their native language. Four high schools in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania participated in the study, with 381 participants in the intervention group and 373 in the control group. The intervention group attended self-leadership training and second-language (L2) motivation workshops, while the control group did not. After the intervention, the two groups completed surveys using …

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership Theory On Leadership Opportunities For Black Women In Black Protestant Churches, Jasmine Y. Lafayette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to changes within society and theological leanings, more Christian leadership opportunities are available for leaders within predominantly Black churches. Campbell-Reed (2018) found that women make up 50 to 75% of the membership in these congregations yet assumed less than 10% of church leadership and perhaps 1% of pastors (p. 2). With such a robust representation of Black women, are they equally represented in leadership roles and opportunities? While there is ample space for speculation about these low percentages, there is also space for exploring the experiences of women regarding leadership opportunities. Transformational leadership theory assumes that the relationship between …

A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Of South Texas Non-Denominational Hispanic Ministry Leaders' Spiritual Formation Through Total Worship, Wendy Méndez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Spiritual formation transforms a believer’s relationship with Christ. For ministry leaders, especially volunteers, this process may be enhanced through worship practices. Understanding worship as a holistic lifestyle—beyond just musical or liturgical expression—had a profound influence on participants’ personal and spiritual development in this study. Despite the abundance of literature on worship and spiritual formation, a gap existed in understanding how total worship influenced the spiritual lives of volunteer leaders, particularly in culturally diverse communities. This study addressed the lack of research on the role of total worship in the spiritual formation of volunteer leaders in predominantly Hispanic, English-speaking, non-denominational, charismatic …

The Exploration Of Parental Involvement On Student Academic Achievement From The Perspective Of The Educator: A Phenomenological Study, Kwame Vladamir Hennagan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of educators regarding parental involvement in a rural South Carolina school district. Guided by Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory and Epstein's Parental Involvement Theory frameworks, the study examined how teachers perceive, promote, and experience parental engagement, and what barriers influence effective collaboration between school and home. The Central Research Question answered in the study is: What are the lived experiences of educators with students with low parental involvement at a local school district in South Carolina? The methodology of this manuscript begins with the phenomenological research design.The sample size included …

Exploring The Duality Of Intelligence Quotient And Emotional Intelligence In Leadership, Michael J. Shepherd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership effectiveness is a critical factor in organizational success, yet there is no clear consensus on what specific qualities and behaviors constitute effective leadership. Despite the litany of research studies on intelligence quotient and emotional intelligence, there has been limited, if any, research specifically focused on understanding the processes used by organizations to determine how these two characteristics work in conjunction with one another to create effective leadership. The following research study and literature review included exploring the fundamentals of the issue, and the methods and procedures used by organizations to determine leadership effectiveness or select new leaders. Understanding the …

Human Resources Changed In The Automotive Manufacturing Company During The Covid-19 Pandemic Era, Jessica Letese Karim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant upheaval across global industries, particularly impacting the automotive sector. I investigated the evolution of human resources (HR) practices within an automotive manufacturing firm located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the pandemic. I delved into crucial shifts in workforce management, such as the swift transition to remote work, heightened emphasis on employee health and safety, and the adaptation of hiring, recruitment, and training methods. The analysis underscores how HR department employees and leaders transformed to maintain business continuity while prioritizing employee welfare and operational effectiveness. Using a semistructured interview method, I gathered insights from 17 volunteer …

Evaluating Strategies For Reducing Rates Of Adult Obesity In The United States Through Childhood Education And Exercise, Ameer M. Abdelkrim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obesity is a growing national public health crisis, impacting millions of adults and children in the U.S. Untreated obesity causes or aggravates diseases across multiple body systems. The societal impacts of obesity include an avoidable strain on the national healthcare system, with obesity and its comorbid conditions raising healthcare costs. Proactive policy and practices, with strict oversight, are essential for achieving a reduction in obesity rates. One proactive strategy that may be effective is early-age intervention, including enhanced physical activity and nutrition education for U.S. children. This study evaluates adolescent-intervention strategies for reducing rates of adult obesity. The employed methods …

Reform, Resistance, And Reluctant Change: The Southern Hookworm Epidemic In Progressive Era Georgia, 1909-1915, Hannah Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the early twentieth century, the campaign against hookworm disease in the American South became one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in United States history. Led by the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of Hookworm Disease (1909–1915), reformers sought to diagnose, treat, and ultimately eliminate a parasitic infection believed to contribute to widespread poverty, poor health, and low educational attainment in the rural South. This dissertation examines the hookworm eradication campaign in Georgia to explore how national public health reform intersected with local culture, education, race relations, and regional identity. Drawing on Georgia newspapers, Rockefeller Sanitary Commission …

Interpreting Public School Administrators' Experience Of The Transformational Leadership Style During An Educator Shortage: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Jennifer Rose Sweet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to interpret public school administrators' experiences with transformational leadership during an educator shortage. The research employed a hermeneutical-phenomenological approach, utilizing van Manen’s methodological data analysis procedures to capture the essence of the lived experiences of school administrators. Bass’s transformational leadership theory provided the framework for this study. Previous research has examined multiple factors related to leadership's connection to an educator shortage. This study aimed to explore administrators' lived experiences with the transformational leadership style and its impact on a teacher shortage in public schools. Using purposeful, convenience, and snowball sampling, school administrators were selected …

Training The Church To Support Sufferers Of Mental Illness Through Comfort Clinics, Jonathan D. Blankenship

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem at Laurel Baptist Church (LBC) is the lack of trained members who are equipped to support those suffering from mental illness. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to create Comfort Clinics, a structured program to train members to support sufferers of mental illness. Normative-sized churches are often uninformed on the topic of mental illness. Subsequently, in those environments, stigmas are nurtured, sufferers feel unseen, and church members lack the necessary training to provide the comfort and support that mental sufferers need. Building on the ecclesiastical call to “comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 …

A Phenomenological Study Of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Combat Deployed Women Combat Veterans, Caren Valencia Chen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to delineate factors that impact women combat veterans with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) after deployment and completion of military service. The theory guiding this was Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory. The conceptual framework guiding the study was Crenshaw's intersectionality theory. C-PTSD is often diagnosed with service members throughout their time in the military, and after their time in the military is complete. The central research question, “What are the lived experiences of women combat veterans diagnosed with C-PTSD?” was addressed through interviews with focus groups. The sub-questions to analyze direct correlation issues …

The Influence Of Diorama Learning Media On Science Learning Outcomes For Class Iii Elementary Schools, Sunya Tiara Putri, Dya Ayu Agustina Putri

Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism

Education plays a crucial role in shaping intellectually capable and well-prepared generations, which necessitates the use of effective and engaging learning media at the elementary school level. This study aims to examine the influence of diorama-based learning media on science learning outcomes of third-grade elementary school students, particularly on the topic of butterfly metamorphosis. A quantitative approach employing a quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group was used. The sample consisted of Grade III students selected purposively, involving an experimental group taught using diorama media and a control group receiving conventional instruction. Learning outcomes were measured using a 20-item achievement …

Masalah Lingkungan Hidup Dan Dampak Sosialnya, Prof. Dr. Soerjono Soekanto, S.H., M.A.

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Structures, Strategies, And Skills For Effective Math Intervention, Sean Dean, Patty Witkowsky, Jessica Contreras, Michelle Kephart

Journal of Academic Underperformance

Many factors influence students’ readiness for college math, and some students enter college unprepared for the demands of their math courses. Effective placement strategies and robust support systems are essential for student success and degree completion. This qualitative narrative case study explores the experiences of college students working with a Math Learning Strategies Specialist (MLSS) and the specific strategies taught by the MLSS. Through one-on-one interviews, three key themes emerged: learning structures, strategies, and interpersonal skills. The MLSS contributed to participants' experiences by providing structured yet flexible support, tailored learning strategies, and a positive interpersonal environment. These combined elements enabled …

Redesigning Online Graduate Orientation To Foster Academic Resilience And Prevent Underperformance, Stella Michael-Makri, David E. Rodriguez

Journal of Academic Underperformance

Graduate students in fully online programs often begin their academic journey without adequate preparation for the emotional, structural, and cultural challenges of graduate-level work. For students who are first-generation, racially marginalized, international, or returning to education after time away, this lack of scaffolding can lead to early disengagement, underperformance, or attrition. Orientation, often treated as a checklist of logistical tasks, represents a missed opportunity for meaningful academic intervention. This manuscript proposes a five-module conceptual model for online graduate orientation designed to proactively support online graduate students in the domains of emotional regulation and academic identity, time management and executive functioning, …

Predictors Of Prejudice Towards People With Tattoos, Jordan Smith, Helen C. Harton

Research in the Capitol

Thirty-two percent of Americans have at least one tattoo (Schaeffer, K., 2023), up from 16% about twenty years earlier (Harris Poll, 2003). Despite this growing popularity, tattooed individuals are still viewed more negatively than those without tattoos. People with tattoos are perceived as being less inhibited, less competent, having worse character, less sociable, and more sexually promiscuous (Broussard & Harton, 2018). Tattoos are also one of the few physical characteristics that can be legally discriminated against in workplaces. Fewer than 30% of employers in beauty, hospitality, and office sectors are willing to hire someone with a tattoo. (Zestcott et al., …

Effects Of Race And Tattoo Status On Criminality Judgements, Madelyn Wells, Gabriella Haddad, Helen C. Harton

Research in the Capitol

310 Prolific participants viewed eight AI-generated images of men who appeared to be Asian, Hispanic, Black, or White who were "suspects in an ongoing investigation." Participants viewed one of the two targets for each ethnic group, one with an arm tattoo and one without. Participants rated each target on characteristics such as intelligence, competency, and trustworthiness, and rated how likely they think it is that the target is the perpetrator. AI men without a tattoo were rated higher on positive characteristics, for all four races. Hispanics were rated the lowest, with or without a tattoo.

The Role Of Parent Involvement In Enhancing Pediatric Speech And Language Therapy, Katie Lynch, Kenneth Bleile

Research in the Capitol

As speech-language pathologists we provide speech and language therapy for children in a variety of settings. It is crucial to include the client’s family in therapy because family involvement has been shown to promote generalization of skills learned in therapy to a child’s typical environment. Despite this, there are a variety of barriers that exist for families as they try to support their child’s speech and language goals. A literature review will be conducted in an effort to understand how speech-language pathologists can gain an understanding of these barriers and work to understand how vital family involvement is in pediatric …

Investigating The Effect Of Spray Parameters On Adhesion Strength Between Aluminum Coatings And Polymeric Substrate, Ghufran Matrood, Niveen Abdulkader, Nahedh Ali

Engineering and Technology Journal

Metallization involves applying a thin metal layer onto a substrate, typically through techniques such as thermal spraying. This process improves conductivity, durability, and aesthetic appeal, making it valuable in applications such as electronics, solar panels, and decorative coatings. In this study, flame thermal spray technique are used to metalize high-density polyethylene with an aluminum layer. Taguchi and ANOVA are used to investigate the effect of various parameters on the adhesion strength between aluminum layers deposited on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) substrates. DOE utilization has facilitated the identification of the effects of the flame thermal spraying parameters, such as the distance between …

Design And Manufacturing Of Custom 3d Printed Bone Implants, Zaineb Neamah, Luma Al-Kindi, Ghassan Al-Kindi

Engineering and Technology Journal

In medical surgery, a customized implant is often required to meet surgical requirements, especially in cases with complicated or traumatic deformities. The emerging techniques of additive manufacturing, e.g., 3D printing, may help provide a quick response to such needs, provided that a valid approach capturing required implant shape data is generated and processed to better suit 3D printing. Different materials, including biocompatible polymer and metal, may suit medical-surgical applications. In this paper, an investigation is conducted to assess 3D printing technology use as part of a full system, from capturing implant shape data to producing the customized implant. The investigation …

Effect Of The Stochastic Weibull Parameters On The Reliability Of The Dialysis Machine, Sofiene Fenina, Souheyl Jendoubi, Faker Bouchoucha

Engineering and Technology Journal

Dialysis machines operate in an uncertain environment with several sources of disturbances; therefore, it is necessary to take account of the uncertainties during all their life phases. This paper presents a study of the random reliability of the dialysis machine in a stochastic environment through the two-parameter for Weibull distribution. The shape and scale parameters were estimated through analytical and graphical methods based on the failure history of the devices. The formulation of the analytical methods and their exploitation using numerical simulations was one of the objectives of this work. The uncertainties in the stochastic environment of the machines are …

Impact Of Acute Flight Training Stress On Cardiovascular Health, Toni Butler, Noah Robbins, Sophia Vaden, Bryan Hinton

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Student pilots face a unique set of stressors that are a part of their flight training. These acute stressors can have immediate and long-term impacts on their physiological and psychological well-being. Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure vascular endothelial function (a marker of cardiovascular health), this investigation will help us understand how the stressors involved in acute flight training affects the cardiovascular health of student pilots. We will test the hypothesis that acute flight training stress obtained from a single bout of flight training reduces cardiovascular function as shown by a reduced post-occlusive reactive hyperemic (PORH) response. Cardiovascular health will …

Ecotourist And Picnic Area Assessment Using Ahp Analytical Tools In Sulaimani– Tourism Region, Iraq, Awa Ahmad, Ako Hama, Imzahim Alwan

Engineering and Technology Journal

Renovation of the naturally existing area for ecotourist and investments that attracting site-visitors, picnickers and tourists for Iraq, Kurdistan Region, Sulaimani need to promote a reliable decision-making technique so as to raise the level of the tourist-based economy. In this study, the most available public well known and recognized tourist and picnic area by the people and associated governmental directories were studied and assessed for their tourism reliability and capacity. The study area of this research covered tourist area and they were forty-three (43) locations and all the related data collected, analyzed and categorized as main and sub-main criterions. The …

Analyzing Drivers’ Speed Behavior On Various Roads In Baghdad City, Aaisha Jasim, Rasha Al-Rubaee

Engineering and Technology Journal

This study investigates the driver behavior of a certain number of drivers using a questionnaire method. The questionnaire contains a part of drivers' demographics, including age, gender, and the type of transportation most used by the drivers. It was divided into three parts. Each part deals with a specific type of road in Baghdad City: multi-lane, two-lane, and local. The questions were about the number of times they drove the vehicle on each type of road, the speed at which they drove the vehicle and did not cause accidents, the distance traveled during the last week on each type of …

Identifying Risk Factors Influencing Traffic Accidents For Baghdad Expressways, Hasan Joni, Mustafa Jasim

Engineering and Technology Journal

In this paper, the SPSS program (version 25) and Binary Logistic Regression Model were used to implement and identify the risk factors that affect traffic accidents on Baghdad highways. Due to the increase in the number of traffic accidents that led to injuries and deaths in Iraq during the past years and the lack of specialized studies in traffic accidents, especially on highways, this required the preparation of a study to know the causes of accidents and to explore the factors that have a relative impact on (the severity of the accident). Four highways in the capital, Baghdad, were chosen …