Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Emdr Future Template Study, Helen Jimenez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapeutic modality designed to reduce the emotional impact of distressing experiences using bilateral stimulation (Shapiro, 1999). Social anxiety remains a widespread mental health concern with social and personal consequences (Asakura et al., 2023). This study examined whether three EMDR Future Template sessions could reduce mild to moderate social anxiety. Seventeen adults, ages 18 to 65, who either self-reported or were clinically diagnosed with social anxiety completed three weekly telehealth sessions lasting 20 to 30 minutes each. In each session, the seventeen participants focused on anticipated future social scenarios and visualized adaptive responses …

Journalists' Perspectives On Social Media In The Fourth Estate And Its Impact On Public Trust In Politics, Ronnie Louis Collins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social/New media outlets like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube have fundamentally altered the landscape of news delivery in the United States (U.S.), and across the globe. This qualitative study explored the impact of social media on public trust in politics, as told by experienced Fourth Estate practitioners. Thirty-one journalists from 24 different states, with ages ranging from 24 to 70 were interviewed for this study. Over a quarter of the journalists who participated in this research had more than 15 years of journalism experience. Five common themes were developed during this study: (1) Fake news and misinformation have varying negative …

Police Officer Recruitment And Retention: How Can The Problem Be Solved, Paul R. Eagleston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This grounded theory study aimed to understand the issues with police officer recruitment and retention for police administrators nationwide. The theory guiding this study was the grounded theory approach by Glaser and Strauss (1967) as it relates to the reasons for the loss of interest in law enforcement, including an increase in officers resigning before retiring. Data collection will explore if the police administrator being interviewed has experienced increased difficulties in recruiting potential candidates to fill vacancies and an increase in police officers in their department resigning before retirement. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with law enforcement administrators. Recruitment …

Family Poison: A Phenomenological Study Of The Role Of Toxic Parental Influence On Romantic Relationships, Kimberly Eichelberger-Searcy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study sought to describe the lived experiences of adult survivors of toxic parents across the United States. The assumption was that toxic parental influence impacts romantic relationships. The following research questions framed this study: “How do adult survivors of toxic parents describe their experiences growing up with a toxic parent in the United States? How do adult survivors describe the effects of growing up with a toxic parent?” and “How do adult survivors of toxic parents describe the impact of their childhood experiences on their intimate/romantic relationships?”. The two theoretical frameworks guiding this study were Bowlby’s attachment theory, …

Impacts Of Early Childhood Trauma On Later Emotional, Behavioral, Educational, And Social Abilities, Stacey Merrill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Early childhood trauma has a long-lasting impact on individuals’ social interactions, mental health, academic skills, behaviors, and parenting skills for the future generations. Understanding how early interpersonal developmental trauma impacts an individual during adolescence can help providers and caregivers know how to help them become successful students and later adults. Helping individuals early in their development can prevent the cycle of abuse from continuing. Trauma informed care can help bridge the gap between those with and without known traumas. This study consisted of an interpretive phenomenological qualitative design using semi-structured interviews to understand the impact of early trauma on adolescence …

The Procrastinating Perfectionist: Examining Task Self-Efficacy & Procrastination Types On Life Task Performance, Michelle Lynn Capozzi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Perfectionism is a personality trait that can manifest either adaptively or maladaptively, typically developing during childhood and adolescence. Less research has examined perfectionistic adjustment issues in adulthood compared to childhood and adolescence. Research indicates that adult perfectionists tend to procrastinate on tasks related to academia and job settings. However, little is known about passive and active procrastination types among adult perfectionists when completing life tasks. Since self-efficacy can produce motivation, adult perfectionists may be more or less likely to procrastinate based on how they perceive their capabilities. This study examined how perfectionism types (maladaptive, adaptive, non-perfectionist) impacted life task performance …

The Role Of Divine Forgiveness On Depressive Experiences Through Self-Forgiveness And Self-Condemnation On Hispanic/Latino American Population: Serial Mediation Analyses, Betsaida Giotto

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the role of divine forgiveness on depressive experiences by self-forgiveness and self-condemnation in a sample of Hispanic/Latinos. Since research indicates a positive association between divine forgiveness, self-forgiveness, and well-being, this study’s importance includes gaining knowledge to increase well-being and exploring virtue ethics and theological perspectives. This research addressed a significant gap in the literature by interaction of divine forgiveness, self-forgiveness, self-condemnation, and depressive symptoms on the Hispanic/Latino population of believers. The research questions are whether the direct and indirect effects of divine forgiveness on depressive experiences will be serially mediated first by self-forgiveness and by self-condemnation. …

University Clinicians’ Experiences Of Supporting Student-Athletes In Seeking Support For Mental Health Needs, Megan Laurel Collins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover and understand the experiences of clinicians at Division I universities supporting university student-athletes. The theory that guided this study was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as it relates to the various systems in which people are connected and impacted knowingly or unknowingly. The data was collected from the participants who have experienced the phenomenon via virtual semi-structured interviews. Data analysis strategies were a textural description of the clinicians’ experiences, a structural description of clinicians’ experiences, and a combination of the textural and structural descriptions to convey the overall essence of the experience …

The Nation’S Cold Becomes The Black Community’S Flu: A Phenomenological Study Of Vicarious Traumatization Amongst Black Clergy Affected By Community Violence, Robyn C. Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Clergy are often the frontline community workers when it comes to mental health crises and trauma, especially those working within the Black communities. Black clergy frequently serve in environments with high community violence exposure and are usually subject to vicarious traumatization due to repetitive exposure to trauma narratives during their ministry work. However, studies on vicarious trauma have been geared more towards clinical mental health workers, while studies on clergy have focused more on professional burnout. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the experience of vicarious traumatization of Black clergy who serve congregations that are exposed to …

Sustaining The Future Of The Local Church By Equipping Ministry Leaders Through A Development Program, James Wesley Harrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis addressed the pressing need for intentional leadership development within local churches, focusing on preparing the head, heart, and hands of aspiring ministry leaders to fulfill the calling God has placed on them. The rationale for this praxis project stemmed from the observed shortage of trained ministry leaders in many local churches. The project emphasized that many churches fail to implement deliberate efforts to equip ministry leaders to fulfill the church's mission. The Legacy Leadership Ministry Training program served as a viable solution to this problem. The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a comprehensive training …

The Mediating And Moderating Effects Of Job Satisfaction, Burnout, And Compassion Fatigue, Through The Lens Of The Cfrm, Jasmine N. Radcliff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the relationship between job satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout. The theoretical framework of the compassion fatigue resilience model was also used to analyze the variables of self-care, social support, compassion satisfaction, and detachment. This quantitative study used a self-reporting survey design to examine the rate at which job satisfaction mediates the relationship between compassion fatigue and burnout; as well as; the rate at which the following variables of self-care, social support, compassion satisfaction, and detachment, moderate the relationship between compassion fatigue and burnout. The anonymous survey results were analyzed using moderation and mediation analyses. The findings for …

Pastoral Resilience Of The Igbo Clergy In The United States, Anthony Eboh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research provided a description of the pastoral resilience of the Igbo clergy in the United States. It began with an exploration of pastoral stresses and coping strategies employed in mitigating the impacts associated with the exercise of their priestly ministries in the States. The study was theoretically grounded in the framework of Job Resources (JD-R), which integrated positive psychology to guide the research process. The JD-R framework is a model for work that shows how stress in ministry happens when the demands on clergy are greater than the resources they have, including positive psychology, to handle those demands. The …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Sub-Sahara African Catholic Priests On Their Transition Through The Covid-19 Global Pandemic In The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Cornelius Kelechi Anyanwu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) has disrupted significant aspects of societal life worldwide, forcing individuals, communities, health organizations, educational institutions, consumer industries, and governments all over the world into unprecedented challenges. Likewise, religious organizations like the Catholic Church were not spared. African Catholic priests in the United States provide pastoral ministries in US dioceses and parishes, fulfilling the roles of shepherding their congregations and offering spiritual, moral, social, and emotional support in times of great adversity, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore how sub-Saharan African Catholic priests …

Social Media, Religion, And Anxiety: Comparison Of Age Groups, Kaye Eileen Redeker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media has become an integral part of daily life for all age groups. The current research is mixed, showing both positive and negative effects from social media on mental health. This study aimed to examine how the duration of social media use compared with anxiety levels, and if religiosity had any effect on social media use and anxiety. It also wanted to determine if there was a correlation between religiosity and social media use, and how social media use and religiosity predicted anxiety. This study filled a gap in research by extending previous studies beyond adolescents and by including …

Living The Text: A Phenomenological And Metacognitive Analysis Of Nehemiah 9 As The Embodiment Of Scripture In The Processing Of Stored Trauma, Dimitrije Stanojevic

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study defends the thesis that Nehemiah 9:5–37 is a sermon with psychotherapeutic qualities, aimed at processing unaddressed and cross-generationally stored trauma. It does so through two modes of interpretation: מְפֹרָשׁ “informing” andשֹׂום שֶׂכֶל “forming.” The sermon is delivered on the Day of Atonement, in the aftermath of a communal Scripture reading in Jerusalem, sometime after the return from the Babylonian Exile. Phenomenological and metacognitive frameworks inform the analysis of the passage as transformative and identity-shaping, grounded in repentance and self-reflection.

This textually rich passage weaves together quotations, allusions, echoes, reinterpretations, and summaries—likely the result of multiple editorial hands. Yet, …

The Lived Experiences Of Neurodivergent Students In A Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program: A Qualitative Study, Tracy Lynn Meyer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As postsecondary institutions strive to become more inclusive for students with disabilities, increasing numbers of neurodivergent students are enrolling in higher education. However, retention rates for neurodivergent students remain significantly lower compared to their neurotypical peers. This disparity presents challenges for institutions where there is a lack of awareness of and understanding how to effectively support the needs of neurodivergent students, particularly in clinical mental health counseling programs. This qualitative study analyzed the experiences of neurodivergent students diagnosed with autism, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, or related conditions in a clinical mental health counseling program. Through a Semistructured interview, the study …

A Qualitative Study On Investigating The Power Of Scripture To Conquer Depression By The Bible's Psychological Power Among Christians, Joana Okudzeto Biekro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study investigated Evangelical Christians’ experiences using the Bible as a means of treating their depression in Orange County, CA. Depression is a painful mental illness that affects people all over the world. The rationale of the study is to add knowledge to Christians and thought leaders who seek a cure to the struggle of depression from a Biblical perspective. The research process is presented in the study of depression among Christians. Guided by these three questions, “How do evangelical Christians describe their experiences using the Bible as a means of treating their depression?”, “How do participants describe their …

African American Pastors' Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence Among Church Members, Nickeshia Evans-Gordon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perspectives of African-American pastors’ experiences with (IPV) among their congregation members. This study applied the religious coping theory (RCT) to the experiences of African American pastors with IPV among church members. This helped the study provide valuable insights into how pastors utilize religious beliefs, practices, and support systems in addressing and supporting individuals affected by IPV. African-American pastors may encourage individuals experiencing IPV to seek solace, strength, and guidance through their religious faith. Understanding how pastors utilize religious coping strategies has contributed to fostering safer environments and more effective support …

“To Speak With A Representative, Please Press 3”: A Quantitative Analysis Of The Effects Of Artificial Intelligence On Patient Satisfaction In A Modern Healthcare Contact Center, Dennis Alexander Wulfeck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the advancement of telecommunication and digital technologies over the past few decades, there has been a concomitant fundamental shift in the contact center industry and the role it plays. What was once an internally focused center with a goal of cost-reduction in providing a necessary service has now evolved to become a proactive frontline for anticipating customer needs, promoting quality customer service, as well as playing a larger role in corporate decision-making (Gans et al., 2002). In order to fulfill these complex customer interactions, modern day contact centers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence and large language models to …

Honor, Courage, And Commitment: Institutional Betrayal And Military Identity In Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Amanda Reine Bedford-Rank

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience elevated suicide risk and face unique treatment barriers; however, few studies have examined the role of military-specific constructs in shaping these barriers. This quantitative-correlational study investigated the relationship between institutional betrayal, self-stigma, military identity, and help-seeking attitudes among a sample of U.S. military veterans with PTSD (N = 142). This study also applied semi-qualitative questions to explore military-related trauma themes, PTSD literacy, neuroplasticity, PTSD perceptions, and military acknowledgment. Statistical analysis using SPSS revealed significant positive correlations between institutional betrayal and self-stigma, and a negative relationship with help-seeking attitudes. Notably, the Department …

Connection Matters: Exploring The Effects Of Attachment On Human Flourishing Within Ncaa Division 1 College Athletes, Zachary T. A. Clinton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the continued growth and development of college athletics has also come increased awareness and concerns around the surging rates of mental health challenges and issues facing today’s student-athletes. This study was conducted to better understand some of the factors, specifically relationships, that might affect the overall well-being and human flourishing of NCAA Division 1 student-athletes. Rooted in the flourishing and attachment theories, this study investigated relationship interactions between parental attachment (X) and human flourishing (Y) through best friend attachment (M1), God-attachment (M2), and coach-athlete attachment (M3) conditioned at the level of playing time satisfaction (W). Following the distribution of …

The Role Of Moral Distress On Burnout And Spiritual Well-Being Among Clinical Healthcare Professionals, Stephanie R. Russell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Clinical healthcare professionals often encounter situations in the workplace that create moral distress, influence spiritual well-being, and lead to the development of burnout. Much of the current research focuses on healthcare employees’ experiences with burnout and morality at work during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically among Asian and Middle Eastern populations. Gaps that exist in the current research include an examination of moral distress among clinical healthcare professionals in the United States in the post-COVID-19 era and an examination of the relationships between moral distress, burnout, and spiritual well-being. The current study aims to fill the gaps in the research by …

Examining The Impact Of Leader-Member Exchanges On Creativity And Innovation In Information Technology Projects: A Pathway To Competitive Advantage, Janarthanan Senthurpandi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Using a qualitative single case study, I explored the influence of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) quality on creativity and innovation in IT projects within Federal Government IT divisions in the Northeastern United States. I examined leadership challenges in gaining employee support for IT modernization, and how trust, communication, digital competency, and organizational culture shaped engagement. Guided by social exchange theory and self-determination theory, I used data triangulation through semistructured interviews, observations, and surveys with 16 participants. The results of thematic analysis revealed 5 key themes: (a) trust and transparency in leadership, (b) leadership competency, (c) resistance to change and organizational barriers, …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study To Explore The Lived Experiences Of Licensed Mental Health Professionals Who Have Had A Rupture In The Therapeutic Relationship, Joan Kathleen Monahan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The therapeutic relationship is an essential component in overarching treatment outcomes. This relationship involves the experience of interpersonal exchanges and elements of emotional expressions for a client and licensed mental health professional throughout the counseling process. The licensed mental health professional role requires a strong clinical skill set and ethical standards of practice. Safety and trust are two essential requirements within this professional role. Best practice standards foster an experience and atmosphere of development and a strong foundation for the relationship. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative research study captures overarching descriptions to understand the lived experiences of licensed mental health professionals …

Investigating Law Enforcement Retirement Resilience Through Narrative Inquiry: A Social Constructivism Analysis Of An Activist Artwork Anthology, Lisa Ann Burton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the transition from a traumatic career in law enforcement to resilient retirement. The investigation examines an African American Chicago police officer who served as a detective, bomb squad respondent, and hostage negotiator. Data collection and analysis are conducted according to Connelly and Clandinin narrative inquiry procedures (1990). Investigation was made regarding the familial, educational, professional, and personal experiences of Doctor Detective Melvin Hargrett. Data collection completed through guided interview transcripts was supported by photographs of his social justice artwork. The subject’s trauma processing is evidenced in his activist artwork themes since retirement. …

Comparing The Association Between Eastern Vs. Western Cultures And Secure Father-Son Attachments, Thomas David Ngugi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research sought to examine the particular elements of Eastern and Western cultures that either promote or hinder the development of secure father-son relationships through research and Biblical context, and suggest approaches to mitigate the factors that impede it. Participants (n=12) were at least 18 years of age, identified as fathers, had a son currently attending high school, and had a predominant cultural background from either the Eastern or Western regions. A purposive and snowball sampling method, face-to-face interactions, social media platforms, and other digital communication were employed to specifically target the needed participants in this phenomenological qualitative cross-sectional study. …

Impoverished People: A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Organizational Culture And Corruption On Class Poverty, Jean Rony Duclosel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Researchers have established that corruption adversely affects economic growth and development and deters resources from the most vulnerable. When viewed through the lens of public administration, corruption can create financial burdens and hinder the delivery of essential services, such as criminal justice, healthcare, education, and social programs. However, the dynamic effects of organizational culture and corruption on class poverty are still unknown. This phenomenological study fills this gap. The researcher employed a case study methodology to achieve this goal, using a semi-structured interview format, a focus group, and a document analysis of an administrative court. The population for the interview …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Challenges Unique To Black Male Teachers Working In Title I Low-Income Schools In South Carolina, Tamika Levitt Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Our entire educational process begins with K-12 as the teachers tasked with providing knowledge and guidance aid students to succeed academically and personally. Teaching in low-income, underserved communities often requires teachers to assume roles and responsibilities in addition to teaching to tend to the basic needs of students. There is a dearth of literature on counseling teachers, and even less on teachers working in this environment and specific populations. The responsibility of depicting positive male representation for students in high-poverty schools and communities can pose unique challenges for Black male teachers. Understanding the lived experiences of Black male teachers has …

A Phenomenological Study: The Effects Of Mental Toughness On Female Athletes And Return To Competition Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries, Heidi R. Field

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL) are the most common severe season ending or career ending injury (Petushek et al. 2019). One ACL injury costs the individual and healthcare system $38,000 which includes surgery and rehabilitative costs (Petushek et al., 2019). However, this amount does not account for the psychological effect of ACL injuries on the athletes. For all athletes, a major determinant in the decision to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery is the goal of returning to sport, but only 50% of athletes return to sport following ACL surgical intervention (Ardern et al., 2011). As females are up to three times …

Seeing Resilience Through Experience: Teachers' Resilience Experiences Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Yashica Dudley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological was to describe the post-COVID-19 resilience experiences of 6th to 12th grade schoolteachers at Hope County Public School (HCPS). The theory that guided this study is the differing pathways to resiliency theory, as it was used to describe teachers’ resilience experiences regarding the outlook on work, self-efficacy, and coping responses. The central research question was, “What are the post-COVID-19 resilience experiences of 6th to 12th grade schoolteachers at the HCPS in the classroom?” Participants included 10-15 6th to 12th grade schoolteachers who taught before, during, and post the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected through …