Digital Commons Network^™

Christian, English-Speaking-Hispanic, Individuals’ Experiences With Marital Internet Infidelity Of Their Partners: A Phenomenological Study, Ivan Herran

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the lived experience of Christian, English-speaking Hispanic individuals who have experienced internet-based emotional infidelity. The increasing use of digital communication has contributed to new forms of relational challenges within marriages, particularly in a faith-based context. Data was collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and a focus group, with participants purposively recruited via personal outreach and referrals. The analysis focused on understanding how individuals perceived, interpreted, and coped with emotional infidelity within their relationships. Findings revealed that participants experienced emotional distress, disruptions in trust, and challenges in communication, while also relying on personal, relational, and faith-based coping strategies. …

A Phenomenological Study On Pastoral Leadership In Post-Covid In-Person Worship Attendance Growth Within Southern Baptist Congregational Polity, David Christian Justice

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research is to examine and reveal the perceived experiences of pastoral leadership in post-COVID in-person worship attendance growth among North Carolina Southern Baptist Churches (NCSBCs) operating within the framework of congregational polity. The theory guiding this study is that pastoral leadership is vital for post-COVID in-person worship growth in Southern Baptist Churches (Bryan, 2024; Hudson, 2018). Hudson’s (2018) competency model for church revitalization identifies pastoral leadership as “one of the most consistent predictors of a church’s ability to grow after a period of plateau or decline” (p. 3). The unique leadership structure of Southern …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Counselors Completing Wellness Checks For Their Black Clients, Shanique Slowley-Azeez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black counselors who have contacted the police for wellness checks on their Black clients. This study explored how factors such as intergenerational trauma, systemic oppression, and race shaped the perceptions and experiences of these counselors who sought wellness checks from law enforcement for Black clients. This research was guided by intergenerational trauma theory (1966) and social constructivist theory (1978). Social constructivist theory allowed the researcher to understand how individuals describe and assign meaning to events, thus shaping their knowledge and lived experiences. The researcher employed semi-structured interviews …

Student Misbehavior And The Lived Experiences Of School Administrators And Teachers: Legal Challenges And Policy Implementation In A Georgia School District: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Mary C. Cox

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of school administrators and teachers in managing student misbehavior along with the legal challenges and policy implications in a Georgia school district. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, as it provided a framework for examining how school administrators and teachers’ self-efficacy influences their perception, interpretation, and response to student misbehavior in the classroom. This theoretical lens was integral to exploring the dynamic interaction between personal beliefs, environmental factors, and behavioral outcomes. The central research question for this study was: What are the lived experiences …

Parents As First Teachers Living In Their Home Environment: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Dana Lynne Horne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of parents as their child’s first teachers and how these experiences influence their child’s early educational development for Head Start parents at a school in Virginia. The central phenomenon of the study was generally defined as the multidimensional lived experiences of parents of children ages 0 to 6, living in unstable or substandard housing, and navigating the roles of caregiver, teacher, and advocate within complex social-cultural ecological environments. The theory guiding this study is Bronfenbrenner’s (1974) sociocultural environmental framework. This study focused on understanding Head Start Program parents’ …

Psychological Contract And Perma Well-Being, Ryan T. Roddey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The PERMA model, a five-factor framework- positive emotion (P), engagement (E), relationship (R), meaning and purpose (M), and accomplishment (A)- was developed to assess the building blocks of well-being (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). In the workplace setting, organizations perceive how positive organizational psychology shapes employee well-being through exchange relationships (Donaldson et al., 2022). Previous research confirms the effect of the psychological contract on well-being when the contract is violated in the workplace. Yet, limited studies examine the association between overall well-being and employee exchange agreements, such as the psychological contract. This study explored the differences between relational and transactional psychological …

Determining Effective Community Policing Programs Within Law Enforcement Agencies, Paul L. Alexander

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to identify effective community policing programs in law enforcement and among political leaders by designing a structural equation model that incorporates specific variables to address the issue. It employed a proposed conceptual model to illustrate the analysis process and a structural equation conceptual model (SECM) to perform the analysis using specific variables. The reason this research was necessary was to determine whether it is possible to overcome the lack of a universally accepted definition of community policing. The data collection methods in this study included interviews, document reviews, surveys, and analyses of federal …

Structural Corruption And Political Development In Arizona: Growth, Governance, And Accountability, 1912-1980, Kaitlin D'Amico

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation argues that corruption in twentieth-century Arizona flourished because the regulatory structures created during the Progressive era contained foundational vulnerabilities that were exposed and exploited by Sunbelt-era economic growth. While scholars have tended to treat Arizona’s corruption scandals as episodic, this study demonstrates that they were the predictable outcome of institutional weaknesses embedded at statehood. Covering Arizona’s political structures and identity from statehood in 1912 through the post-Bolles reform era ending in 1980, the dissertation focuses on institutional development while using Don Bolles’s investigations and 1976 assassination as a focal point. This study draws primarily on contemporary newspaper reporting, …

Early Educational Benefits In Criminal Justice Learning And Practice: Efficacy Of High School-Level Criminal Justice Programs, Richard Brewer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The value of educational progress and placing optimally educated agents into the criminal justice career field has been carefully examined throughout the history of justice, and the procurement of skills and knowledge applicable to field operations is aligned with several core Peelian tenets. The safe assumption is that every police action is observed or documented, and efforts must be made to build bridges to amend the law enforcement misconducts of yesteryear. One methodology to reduce the number of undesired incidents, expand occupational growth, and obtain optimal confidence levels among personnel in the volatile policing arena is implementing earlier learning development …

Examining The Relationship Of Telehealth Use Between Zoom Fatigue And Psychological Well-Being, And The Moderating Role Of Social Support Seeking And Work-Life Boundaries Among Remote Therapists, Angelia M. Worley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health therapists rapidly transitioned to telehealth services. In addition, therapists experienced a significant increase in client demand, leading to larger caseloads and longer waitlists. In the post-pandemic context, many therapists have continued to deliver services via telehealth, either fully remote or in a hybrid format. However, there is limited research on the relationship between telehealth intensity and therapist wellness. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between telehealth intensity (duration, frequency, and burstiness) and wellness outcomes, specifically, synchronous telehealth fatigue (STF; therapist-related Zoom fatigue) and psychological well-being (PWB). Furthermore, this study …

The Effect Of A Mass Casualty Incident Adult Hyper-Realistic Simulation On Nurse Confidence Levels And Satisfaction Of Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Melodie Ann Nutter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to examine registered nurses (RNs) satisfaction and confidence levels after experiencing hyper-realistic simulations using a mass casualty incident (MCI) simulation method. With the world seeing a rise in MCI events, nurses often become one of the first professional medical providers to interact with the affected individuals. To fill this gap in education, the introduction of intensive hyper-realistic simulation training plays a vital role and provides an advanced perspective on the ever-increasing MCIs in today’s healthcare environment. This quasi-experimental study, using the Wilcoxon rank test and paired, assessed the satisfaction and confidence levels …

Training & Support Impacts To Leader Mental Health: A Multiple Case Study, Casey R. Childers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This expansive body of work displays a composite overview of the problem considered, research process employed, and conclusive findings centered on mental health in leadership within the healthcare setting. From the research background, literature review, planning phase, execution tasks, data analysis, and conclusive findings, the research comprehensively signifies a complex contribution to the current body of knowledge. Throughout this study each of the specific research phases are carefully outlined to fully identify the problem surrounding insufficient support systems and the subsequent impact on team engagement, retention, and overall performance. The study leverages a flexible design to approach the problem statement …

Evaluating Inner-Tainment With A Ghetto Perspective For Positive Thought Adjustment In Ghetto Communities, Shontae L. Graham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Environmental challenges and disadvantages impact cognitive scripts and develop persistent frustration. Frustration is both mental and physical and can be negative or positive. It evokes emotion, which is prompted by memory and its associated level of importance. The integration of emotion, memory, and imagination can set the stage and create an act to transition negative frustration and align past experiences with new perspectives. This study used a qualitative Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis approach to investigate the use of self-scripted enactment as a self-help technique for positive thought adjustment. The technique is called Inner-tainment and was used to determine if there were …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Emotional Intelligence And Perception Of Hazing Severity Or Harm Among College Men Involved In Collegiate Sports And Men's Fraternities, Kyle S. Mccoil

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to examine the relationship between extracurricular involvement (student-athlete, fraternity member, both, or neither), emotional intelligence, and perceptions of hazing severity or harm among college men attending a small private liberal arts college. This study is important because there is a need for more effective and innovative forms of hazing prevention; therefore, this study fills a gap in the literature by examining the relationship between emotional intelligence and perceptions of hazing severity or harm for men based on their involvement in organizations that are more likely to engage in hazing behaviors. The sample …

Turning The Ear Into An Eye: Using Descriptive Language To Connect With The Creative Imago Dei In Preaching, Jonathan Phillip Hamm

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

What factors influence an audience's imagination, enabling them to visualize a preacher’s words? The claim being addressed is that when descriptive language is used in preaching—such as stories, analogies, and metaphors—it connects with the representational commission to have dominion over creation that is given through the imago Dei of the sermon recipient, drawing images in their minds and allowing listeners to see what the preacher says. The research begins with an exegetical study of the concept of the imago Dei found in scripture, establishing a theological foundation through passages such as Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1-3, and 9:6, Psalm 8:4-6, Romans 8:29, …

Smartphone Addiction And Issues Associated With It, Clifford C F Massie Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The focus of this research is the possible addiction to smartphones and the effects on mental, physical, and social health. Smartphones are one of the most commonly used devices in the world today with billions of people in the world having them. People of all ages have formed a connection to and dependence on these devices and use them multiple times daily. People obsess over these devices daily by checking them or just touching their pocket to ensure they are still there. This could be considered a form of addiction. This study aimed to look at the connection to these …

Narrative Tension And Theological Memory As Pedagogy In Three Select Samuel–Kings–Chronicles Parallels: A Textual–Literary–Theological Analysis, Mike Prah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the function of narrative tension in selected passages of Samuel–Kings and Chronicles and argues that such tension operates as theological pedagogy rather than as narrative difficulty or compositional residue. While modern scholarship often explains divergences between these historiographic corpora through redactional development or ideological reshaping, this study investigates how preserved tensions function within the narrative itself. Focusing on three representative case studies—the Ark sanctity narrative (2 Sam 6:1–19; 1 Chron 13–15), the census–altar episode (2 Sam 24; 1 Chron 21), and the succession complex (1 Kings 1–2; 1 Chron 28–29)—the dissertation demonstrates that narrative tension is intentionally …

“He Sat Down:” The Session Of Christ And Faithful Perseverance In Hebrews, Jonathan Myers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

One of the most prominent themes in the book of Hebrews is the session of Christ – the belief that God’s Son, after successfully completing His earthly mission, was awarded the highest position of honor at the right hand of the Father. As the Davidic Son, He rules and reigns over all creation as its rightful heir, fulfilling texts such as Psalms 2, 8, and 110, as well as 2 Samuel 7. As high priest, He has atoned for sins and is presently interceding for believers. Thus, the session of Christ is no ethereal or esoteric doctrine, but a reality …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: The Experiences Of Faculty In Educational Settings Operating On A Four-Day Workweek, Jennifer Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the personal experiences of educational faculty working in K-12 schools, colleges, and vocational organizations operating on a four-day school workweek. The theory guiding this study was Seligman’s positive psychology theory (PPT), stating there are five life aspects impacting well-being. The research is grounded in the theoretical framework of PPT as it strived to understand the shared personal experiences of the participants and how their perceptions surrounding the five aspect areas influence their lives. Seligman’s theory of PPT provided the framework to answer the central research question: what are the experiences …

Teacher Leadership Inventory Among The Nine Seventh-Day Adventist Unions Of The North American Division: A Quantitative Causal-Comparative Study, Adam C. Littell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if there was a difference in sharing expertise, sharing leadership, and/or supra-practitioner behaviors among the teachers of the nine Seventh-day Adventist Unions of the North American Division. This study is important because it meets an important gap in teacher leadership understanding, both within the broad context of education and specifically within the Seventh-day Adventist educational system. The sample was composed of 264 Seventh-day Adventist full-time teachers from across the North American Division (with the exception of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Canada due to privacy laws prohibiting participation) who did …

Distraction Or Tool? Exploring The Relationship Between Social Media And Practice Habits Of Collegiate Music Students With Adhd, Marianne Nicole Mills

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the relationship between social media use and the practice habits of collegiate music students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While social media platforms inspire collaboration, creativity, and educational resources, they also introduce potential distractions and barriers to initiating practice sessions, especially for students with executive functioning challenges. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework, five applied music students at a small, private college in Florida participated in semi-structured interviews and kept reflective practice journals for six weeks. Findings indicated that social media served as a dual-purpose influence, supporting learning and community while also increasing procrastination, …

Voices From The Field: A Phenomenology Exploring Elementary Teachers’ Experiences Of The Impact Of Policy On Teaching Reading, Donna T. White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental-phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of reading teachers who implement policy-driven reading practices in elementary schools within urban school districts in Maryland. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy. The policies governing how teachers teach reading in Maryland's elementary schools informed this study. The Central Research Question was, " How do elementary teachers’ lived experiences of implementing reading policy in the classroom affect reading instruction? A transcendental-phenomenological research design was combined with purposive sampling and involved responses from 10 participants from urban school districts in Maryland. Transcript coding was used …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Music Teacher Efficacy In Elementary Grade-Level Music Inclusive Classrooms Based On Special Education Training, Stanley N. Harris Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study aimed to determine whether there is a significant difference in overall teacher self-efficacy scores between rural and urban elementary schools and between music educators with and without formal special education training. This study is important because teacher efficacy directly impacts teachers’ engagement in learning with students with special needs. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature on teacher efficacy by examining differences between music teachers with formal special education training and those without such training who teach in inclusive classrooms. The sample included 146 music educators from rural and urban elementary schools who teach students with …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Public High School Female Principals: A Phenomenological Study On Their Career Paths, Yuxin Carcamo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of public high school (PHS) female principals across 12 PHSs in southern California. The lived experiences were generally defined as educational leadership career paths. The theory guiding this study was social cognitive theory. This theory guided the study by providing a framework to explore how intrapersonal, workplace, and job factors influence PHS female principals’ career paths. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of PHS female principals on their leadership career paths? Data were collected through interviews, focus group interviews, and observations of 12 …

An Investigation Into Bridging The Rural Stem Gap With Multimedia Learning Principles: A Phenomenological Study, Joseph W. Halko

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of STEM teachers at rural secondary schools concerning the use of multimedia learning tools to support cognitive processes during instruction. Meyer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML) provides the theoretical framework for this study, ensuring that multimedia learning modalities, such as e-learning platforms and educational technology, are grounded in sound cognitive theory. The central question is, “What are the lived experiences of rural secondary STEM teachers concerning the use of multimedia learning tools to support cognitive processes during instruction?” To support this investigation, a phenomenological methodology based …

The Efficacy Of Youth Leaders' Outreach Approach Impacting Gen Z: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Hannah Hattie Mcbean

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of youth leaders’ outreach strategies for engaging Generation Z (Gen Z) in attending church, as well as the lived experiences of Gen Z as recipients of these outreach strategies. The study investigated the factors that impact youth leaders’ decisions to employ specific strategies to sustain church attendance among Gen Z and how Gen Z perceived the efficacy of these strategies. A phenomenological approach allowed for a comprehensive examination of participants' subjective experiences in real-world settings. The research utilized purposive sampling to recruit youth leaders and Gen Z participants from nondenominational churches in …

From Belongingness Deficits To Self-Harm: Examining Internalized Shame, Self-Esteem, And The Moderating Roles Of Resilience, Social Support, And Religious Coping, Yulissa Bochey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Belongingness is a fundamental human need, and its absence can contribute to profound emotional and behavioral consequences. When individuals experience prolonged social exclusion, they often internalize rejection, resulting in shame, diminished self-worth, and, in some cases, self-harming behaviors. Despite a growing body of research on social exclusion and emotional distress, there is little known regarding how internalized shame, self-harm, and religious coping relate with belongingness deficits. This study investigated the relationship between belongingness deficits and internalized shame, with particular attention to the moderating roles of resilience, perceived social support, and religious coping, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem. …

Second Maccabees As A Thematic Bridge To Early Christian Thought, Elizabeth D. Woods

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research on Second Maccabees has increased over the past century, especially since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Much of this scholarship has been confined to discussion of historical, literary, or thematic topics within the confines of the work or in relation to the Old Testament. Little scholarship, comparably, exists regarding the themes of Second Maccabees in relationship to early Christian beliefs expressed in the New Testament.

This body of research seeks to address this gap by tracing the evolution of major themes from Second Maccabees through the first century CE and examining the presence of those themes within …

A Qualitative Exploration Of How Advocates Construct And Communicate The Journey Of Male Trafficking Survivors - From Recruitment To Freedom, Donnielle Wilson Kirkland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study examined how advocates communicate the experiences of male survivors of human trafficking. Grounded in narrative paradigm, this investigation explored how advocates frame and share survivor stories across the stages of recruitment, retention, and liberation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 advocates who work in the advocacy space, such as nonprofit organizations, survivor support services, advocacy groups, or general trafficking advocates. The results of the study provided insight into recruitment, retention, and liberation. Revealing trafficking with boys and men often begins with unmet needs and searching for a place of belonging. While retention is sustained due to shame, …

The Predictive Relationship Between Teachers’ Knowledge Of Developmental Dyslexia And Literacy Self-Efficacy Among General Education Teachers: A Predictive Correlational Study, Robyn Nicole Mcclellan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, predictive correlational study explored the relationship between teachers' knowledge of dyslexia and their literacy self-efficacy instruction in the general education classroom. The study is important because when a teacher is not confident in teaching literacy to this special-needs population, they are less likely to provide appropriate and effective interventions and accommodations. The sample of this study consisted of 111 public school general education teachers from multiple school districts across multiple states. A convenience sample of 111 participants was given two scales: Knowledge and Beliefs About Developmental Dyslexia (KBDDS) and the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy for Literacy Instruction (TSELIS). …