Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Law Enforcement Perceptions Of An Integrated Co-Responder Model: A Qualitative Case Study At The Jefferson County Sheriff’S Office, Austin D. Schwent

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Law enforcement personnel often serve as first responders to behavioral health crises, yet limited research has examined agency-based co-responder models staffed by embedded mental health professionals. This descriptive, non-evaluative, site-specific generic qualitative case study examined commissioned personnel’s descriptions of the benefits and challenges of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response and Mitigation Unit (CRMU) and perceived operational differences from external partnership models. The anonymous PowerDMS questionnaire served as the primary participant-derived source and produced 91 routing-item responses and 528 nonblank narrative response units; three organizational artifacts supplied procedural, historical, and structural evidence concerning the bounded case. The researcher manually …

Cisgender Women With Autism And Their Experiences In Psychotherapy: A Phenomenological Study, Lillian Katherine Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has underrepresented cisgender women with autism, and there are limited and inadequate resources and services. Cisgender women with autism experience unique challenges which connect to mental health challenges. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of cisgender women with level one autism; specifically, their experiences related to camouflaging, reasons for seeking psychotherapy, and the therapeutic relationship with their mental health care provider. Participant criteria included being a cisgender woman diagnosed with level one autism, who camouflage, and attended psychotherapy as an adult. Procedures included an online screening survey and semi-structured interviews. I used …

Beyond Cultural Competence: Measuring And Developing Cultural Intelligence In Christian Organizations, Ronald Phillip Lugo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cultural intelligence has emerged as a critical competency for cross-cultural ministry (Livermore, 2009). However, most churches and Christian organizations lack formal training to develop this capacity (Otaigbe, 2016). Tran (2009) notes that culture can be viewed as values, norms, institutions, and/or artifacts, all of which are difficult to define and understand. Churches today are increasingly intentionally designed to be multicultural (Berquist, 2018). Christian organizations face a challenge in communicating with individuals from diverse cultures. How do churches and Christian organizations prepare to reach and disciple effectively? This study addressed this strategic need by developing a cultural intelligence training specifically for …

Equipping Church Leaders As Mediators: Implementing And Evaluating Conflict Mediation Training In A Multicultural Church, Komie T. Bumpers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The social, political, ideological, and racial divides that lead to conflict and shape today's culture are the same issues that plague American evangelical churches. While faith traditions can bring people together, cultural issues can divide them. Despite the centrality of conflict in congregational life, many theological seminaries do not provide comprehensive conflict mediation training as a core component of pastoral and leadership formation, resulting in a deficit in preparedness. The purpose of this research was to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive conflict mediation training program for multicultural church leaders that equips them to effectively navigate ongoing interpersonal, doctrinal, political, …

The Correlational And Predictive Effect Of Evangelical Adolescent Church Volunteering And Mental Health Flourishing, Todd Reiff Lesher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adolescence is a time of significant development, often characterized by pubertal changes, identity exploration, and shifts in interpersonal relationships from parents to peers, all of which are necessary for the transition from childhood to adulthood. In addition to these aspects of adolescent development, personal and contextual changes can contribute to internalizing vulnerabilities throughout adolescence that can jeopardize their mental health. The focus of this study concentrates on religious volunteering, to better understand how variables related to volunteering contribute to adolescent mental health. The purpose of this study is to understand how Evangelical church volunteering impacts mental health flourishing in adolescents. …

Decoding Officer Wellness: A Qualitative Descriptive Study Of The Decision-Making Processes In Law Enforcement Administrations And Government Partnerships, Erik Lee Peffer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe how law enforcement administrators in Orange County, California, in collaboration with the governments they serve, make decisions regarding the development, implementation, and evaluation of officer wellness programs. Lewin's Change Theory guided the study and framed the movement from unfreezing to changing to refreezing. Ten administrators participated in semi-structured interviews. Each administrator had at least five years of experience and held decision-making authority over officer wellness initiatives. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Screening and demographic questionnaires, field notes, and member checking were also used to support …

Minority Domestic Violence Victims And The Criminal Justice System, Jasmine Nicle Shelton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study used a qualitative approach to develop an understanding of lived experiences of minority domestic violence victims. The six open-ended questions were designed for the participants to describe their experiences when interacting with law enforcement, the court system, and victim support services. African American and Hispanic participants between the ages of 18 and 55 were recruited from domestic abuse treatment or support facilities and social media outreach. Potential participants completed an eligibility screening to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. Interviews were conducted with 13 African American and Hispanic participants until data saturation was reached, indicating that …

A Phenomenological Study: Life During The Pandemic As An Adolescent In Hidalgo County, Texas, And Life Today, Melissa Guevara-Pérez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of adolescents during a critical part of social, emotional, and identity development. Although previous research has noted the immediate effects of the pandemic on adolescents, limited research has examined the long-term impact on individuals who experienced the pandemic during adolescence and are now transitioning into adulthood. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Hispanic young adults who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic as adolescents and to understand how those experiences influenced their social and personal development as they transitioned into adulthood. Participants included 10 Hispanic young adults who …

Paying The Success Tax: A Phenomenological Study Of Black Women Navigating Workplace Microaggressions, Santisha Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of professional Black women as they relate to microaggressions experienced in professional spaces. Professional, for this study, refers to Black women in professional positions that require a degree, advanced degree, professional licensure, and those with current/past military service in the enlisted rank of E-7 and above or commissioned officers in the rank of O3 and above. The theory that guided this study was the phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST), which emphasizes how people develop, considering the unique intersectionality of multiple social identities (Spencer et al., 1997). …

Funding And Quality In Metropolitan Vs. Non-Metropolitan Head Start Programs, Kelly Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative survey study examined how Head Start program location and perceived funding levels were associated with perceived classroom quality and perceived teacher-child interactions. The study addressed three research questions: how funding distribution between metropolitan and non-metropolitan programs related to perceived classroom quality; how perceived funding levels related to teacher-child interactions; and whether perceived funding, classroom quality, and teacher-child interactions were significantly related across program settings. Head Start programs support children from low-income families through federal, local, and community resources. Because resources may vary by location, this study compared perceived funding, classroom quality, and teacher-child interactions across metropolitan and non-metropolitan …

A Qualitative Content Analysis Of The Personal Branding Practices Of Forbes 30 Under 30 Honorees, Hannah Naylor Regitz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study examines the personal branding practices of 10 honorees from the Forbes 2025 North American 30 Under 30 list. Through a thematic content analysis of Instagram, the honorees’ posts, captions, and the conversation climate of their comments from October 2025 were analyzed to determine patterns and similarities in their personal branding practices. Grounded in cultivation theory, this study explored how repeated exposure to curated content of these high-achieving young professionals shapes their personal brand perception. Additionally, it explored their interaction with commenters and the types of comments they engaged with. The analysis revealed seven themes that were present …

The Experiences Of African American Married Couples In Blended Families: A Descriptive Case Study, Tia Jones Medine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to describe the perceived influence of emotional regulation and marriage quality regarding custody conflicts for 13 married African American husbands and wives navigating co-parenting dynamics. The theory guiding this study was Family Systems Theory by Dr. Murray Bowen, which explains how external relational stress and internal emotional boundaries directly impact marital stability and family systems. Data collection methods comprised separate semi-structured interviews, three reflective journal prompts, and a focus group. Data analysis was conducted using Reflexive Thematic Analysis to identify primary codes and recurring themes. The findings revealed that participants experienced …

Examining Emotion Regulation And The Link Between Childhood Adversity And Secondary Trauma In First Responders, Maci Lenora Harmon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

First responders are routinely exposed to traumatic events in the course of their professional duties, placing them at increased risk for secondary traumatic stress (STS). However, psychological responses to occupational trauma exposure vary considerably across individuals. Developmental research suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may contribute to long-term alterations in emotional functioning and stress responsivity, potentially increasing vulnerability to later trauma-related symptoms. Emotion regulation (ER) has been identified as a transdiagnostic process associated with trauma-related stress. Furthermore, ER may function as a pathway linking early adversity to occupational stress outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional correlational mediation study was …

Examining How The Frequency Of Artificial Intelligence Use In The Workplace Relates To Employee Self-Efficacy And Job Satisfaction, Dalton R. Vail

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence is a prominent topic in society. Its adoption in the healthcare sector has occurred rapidly. Nonetheless, much existing research focuses on clinical healthcare professionals, thereby overlooking those in non-clinical roles. Non-clinical roles make up a small portion of the healthcare industry, but they account for a large share of burnout in the field. This quantitative study aimed to explore the relationships among artificial intelligence, job satisfaction, and self-efficacy. It posited that these variables are interconnected concerning artificial intelligence in a non-clinical context. Furthermore, the study sought to determine whether job satisfaction and self-efficacy are influenced by how often …

Examining The Barriers Of Youth Homelessness And Its Impact On The Utilization Of Mental Health Care Services, Layla A. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper examines the barriers of youth homelessness and its impact on the utilization of mental health services for this demographic. Youth experiencing homelessness encounter many barriers including but not limited to mental health concerns, social obstacles, and street victimization. Understanding how homelessness impacts the access and utilization of mental health services among youth experiencing homelessness is important. Overall, the literature discusses significant findings, gaps in research, and suggestions for future research. Increased knowledge of how homeless youth access mental health care services and the barriers will help to increase awareness to help decrease barriers. The purpose of this quantitative …

The Impact Of Active Killer Defense Training Preparations And The Church, Michael Edward Howell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounded theory (GT) study was to develop and understand the training and prevention tactics used in defending the church against active killer violence. Exploring the Routine Activity Theory (RAT) developed by Cohen and Felson (1979) in relation to active killer violence aimed to contribute significantly to building a more robust understanding of related problems associated with active killer violence in the world today in terms of a motivated offender, suitable target, and a lack of a capable guardian. The central phenomenon of this GT study focused on the understanding of the lethal threat from active killer …

Unlocking Flow: Revealing The Blueprint For Peak Experiences Among Surgeons, Maximilian H. Pollack

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Flow supports optimal performance and well-being, yet surgical research has treated it as a static, intrapersonal state, leaving its interpersonal and organizational conditions poorly understood. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to explore how surgeons experience flow in the operating room and to identify the conditions and strategies participants described as supporting flow access. Guided by Csikszentmihalyi’s (1990) flow theory, McQueen et al.’s (2025) multifaceted framework, and self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), purposive and snowball sampling recruited 20 surgeons across nine specialties (12–49 years, M = 33.95) for semi-structured interviews. Analysis followed Englander and Morley’s (2023) five-step …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Gun Violence On Psychological Functioning And Perceived Psychosocial Supports In St. Louis’S Marginalized And Underserved Communities, Desirae Mecole Martinez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies gun violence as a leading public health concern in the United States. Marginalized and underserved communities are disproportionately impacted by poverty and crime, including firearm violence. Gun violence exposure has been linked to complex trauma, anxiety, substance use disorders, and depression. St. Louis, Missouri, has one of the highest rates of gun violence and mortality in the nation; however, research lacks an understanding of the psychological toll. Limited phenomenological research has examined how adults residing in marginalized and underserved communities experience gun violence exposure psychologically and perceive psychosocial supports. This study …

Adult Children Of Alcoholics: How Growing Up With An Alcoholic Influences Parenting Practices And The Parent-Child Dynamic, Taylor Sayre Bart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand how the influence of growing up with an alcoholic parent influenced one’s parenting practices and the parent-child dynamic. This study explored the lived experiences of adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) as it related to their alcoholic parents’ parenting practices and styles. This study also explored how the participants’ childhood experience affected their relationship with their children and subsequently influenced their own parenting practices and styles. Bowlby’s attachment theory and Bowen’s family systems theory guided this study. Attachment theory was used as it is a key factor in building relationships between …

The Human Side Of Healing: A Qualitative Study Of The Holistic Benefits When Integrating Dog Training Into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Recovery, Michelle J. Nordstrom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Introduction: Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly prevalent among Servicemembers and veterans. Many of those with PTSD also struggle with moral injury and co-occurring health complications. This combination results in poor outcomes with current evidence-based practices. However, a series of recent studies examined the efficacy of a service dog training program (SDTP) which demonstrated improvements in symptoms.

Methods: A privatized archival dataset of redacted transcripts was used. The interviews were collected during a broader mixed methods study and maintained for a phenomenological, thematic analysis. There were 119 transcripts from 84 of the original 117 participants who engaged …

Building A Defense Economy: World War Ii, Federal Investment, And Georgia’S Economic Transformation, 1940-1965, William Heath Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines how World War II transformed Georgia’s economy from a predominately rural, agricultural economy into a more diversified economy increasingly tied to federal investment, military activity, industrial production, transportation, and commerce. It argues that wartime mobilization accelerated this transformation by directing federal funds into military installations, defense industries, infrastructure, and public services while drawing workers into expanding centers of employment. Using federal records, census data, military publications, corporate reports, newspapers, and oral histories, the study examines Fort Benning, Robins Field, Camp Toccoa, Bell Aircraft, the Brunswick Shipyards, Delta Air Lines, and The Coca-Cola Company. These cases show how …

Politicians’ Attitudes And The Federal Bargain: A Quantitative Examination Of Sudan, Nigeria, And Ethiopia, Ammar Mohammed Mahmoud Mohammed

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines how commitments to federal political culture influence the stability and viability of federal systems in Sudan, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, focusing on the politicians’ attitudes toward federal principles. Although federalism is often promoted as a remedy for ethnic conflict and instability, outcomes in Africa remain inconsistent, showing that institutional design alone cannot explain the fragility of federations. Guided by William Riker’s bargaining theory and Daniel Elazar’s framework of political culture, this dissertation investigates how politicians’ orientations, shaped by regional ties, political leanings, perceptions of federalism’s effectiveness, and advocacy for autonomy, affect their commitment to federalism. A quantitative correlational …

Pandemic-Driven Mediatization Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Jamaica, Gervon Garcia Marsh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica experienced a radical shift in its relationship with information and communication technology (ICT) due to the COVID-19 mandatory lockdowns imposed by the Government of Jamaica. Prior to the pandemic, ICT use was less pronounced in the life and ministry of the Church, suggesting limited susceptibility to mediatization. This shift accelerated the mediatization of the Church, leading to a heavy reliance on ICT that has become entrenched in its life and ministry post-pandemic. This qualitative exploratory case study examined how pandemic-driven mediatization shaped the collective agency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica through ICT, …

Exploring Potential Psychological, Behavioral, And Physiological Predictors Of Human Flourishing In Division 1 Athletes: Toward A More Comprehensive Mental Health Screening, Derek Aaron Wheeler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has created numerous task forces and guidelines to address the rise in mental health challenges faced by student-athletes. However, these efforts have largely focused on identifying psychopathology rather than promoting flourishing. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive utility of self-report and objective measures of human flourishing among NCAA Division I student-athletes at initial screening (i.e., preparticipation exam). This retrospective, cross-sectional, correlational study analyzed archival data from 92 student-athletes from 13 different sports. Measures included the Secure Flourishing Index (SFI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ), and Power …

How Veterans With Ptsd Experience Symptom Improvement From Social Support, Patti "Lori" Beisner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social support is a concept that is simple to grasp, yet subjective in nature and difficult to describe. Current research abounds reporting the positive impact of social support upon veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies describe the phenomenon of social support for combat veterans, which they attribute to PTSD symptom improvement. The purpose of this study was to address this gap in research by exploring the lived experiences of veterans who have improved symptoms that they attribute to support they have received. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight combat veterans who self-reported PTSD symptom improvement due to …

A Multiple Case Study: Servant Leadership And Ethical Practices In Ethically Complex Organizational Environments, Gregory Antoine Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how organizational leaders applied servant leadership to inform ethical practices within ethically complex organizational environments. Guided by a constructivist paradigm and Greenleaf’s servant leadership theory, the study examined leaders’ experiences navigating ethical challenges while balancing organizational demands with ethical responsibility. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with organizational participants and document analysis across three organizational cases. Methodological triangulation, member checking, reflexive journaling, and an audit trail enhanced the credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability of the findings. Analysis revealed six interconnected themes: servant leadership, ethical leadership, organizational culture, leader development, …

A Self-Efficacy Study Of Sibshop Programs On Family Systems: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Milisa R. Fowler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to investigate how sibling support workshops SIBSHOPs influence families, with special attention to self-efficacy of participating families. SIBSHOPs were developed to support siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by providing a platform to exchange and share their thoughts, learn new things, and develop coping strategies. This study examines the experiences of participants and their families in SIBSHOPs to understand how the workshops affect family dynamics, sibling relationships, and individual self-efficacy. Through interviews and thematic analysis, the study examines the perceived effectiveness of SIBSHOPs in enhancing participants’ self-efficacy within the context …

A Qualitative Case Study Of Law Enforcement Supervisors’ Perspectives On Agency Efforts To Identify And Prevent Extremism Among Active-Duty Officers, Enoch D. Irvine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The presence of political extremism among active-duty law enforcement represents a very real threat to the safety of citizens and the integrity of the policing profession. The purpose of this study was to have law enforcement supervisors describe what their agencies are doing to identify and prevent political extremism among active-duty officers in Utah. Law enforcement supervisors from three specifically chosen case-study agencies were invited to participate via a combination of semi-structured in-person interviews and an online survey. The findings of this study demonstrate the challenges law enforcement supervisors face in addressing extremism among officers while thoroughly highlighting the lack …

Burnout And Job Performance Among Working Mothers: The Moderating Roles Of Servant Leadership And Perceived Organizational Support, Claudia Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Working mothers frequently navigate competing work and family demands that increase vulnerability to burnout and may affect job performance. Despite these challenges, working mothers remain underrepresented in organizational research examining burnout and performance outcomes. Limited studies have explored how perceived organizational support (POS) and servant leadership influence the burnout-performance relationship across the individual dimensions of burnout. This quantitative correlational study examined the relationships between burnout and job performance among working mothers in the United States and tested whether POS and servant leadership moderated these relationships individually and jointly. The sample included 86 full-time working mothers recruited through convenience and snowball …

The Correlation Of Information-Seeking Traits With Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence Output To Ill-Defined Problems, Joel Bouchard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a new class of technological tool whose innovation exists in its ability to engage in reciprocal, socially fluent, undetermined response generation. How individuals come to trust such responses, especially as it regards classes of problems previously unavailable to programmed computational responses, is a question of importance. Prior research has addressed motivational dispositions towards epistemic decision-making, but work examining the relationship between these traits and perceptions of AI output in epistemically ambiguous circumstances is limited. The current study aimed to address this gap by exploring how trait curiosity and need for cognitive closure (NFCC) relate …