Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Psychotherapy And Changes In Adult Attachment: A Systematic Review, Meghan Kussman

Theses and Dissertations

Attachment insecurity is a transdiagnostic vulnerability factor linked to a wide range of emotional and relational difficulties. Although early attachment patterns tend to be relatively stable, research indicates that attachment orientations can change over time, particularly in response to significant relational or therapeutic experiences. This systematic review examined 39 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024 to determine whether engagement in psychotherapy is associated with changes in adult attachment security. Eligible studies assessed attachment both pre- and post-treatment using validated self-report measures (e.g., Experiences in Close Relationships Scale; ECR) or interview-based measures (e.g., Adult Attachment Interview; AAI), and reported statistically …

Evidence-Based Treatments With Chileans, Caleb James Sheldrup

Theses and Dissertations

A dearth of research exists regarding evidence-based interventions for Chileans as well as research on barriers to mental health care services. In particular, there is a lack of research on adapting evidence-based practices in the Chilean context. This review examined the existing literature and succinctly discussed the existing interventions and adaptations. This review posed the following questions: (a) Which existing mental health interventions have evidence of effectiveness with Chilean populations? (a1) What are the core features of effective interventions for Chileans? (b) Which cultural adaptations are most effective at modifying mental health treatments for Chileans? (c) What adaptations are being …

Organizational Culture Formation In Early-Stage, Mission-Driven Ventures, Janezee Bond

Theses and Dissertations

This research seeks to understand how organization culture is formed in early-stage nonprofit, mission-driven, and purpose driven organizations. Growth stage was determined by looking at Flamholtz and Randl’s “Growing Pains” stages of organizational growth and Cameron & Quinn’s Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) was utilized to identify the current organizational culture type. The research focused on the insights and experiences of founders of early-stage companies (defined as having been founded in the past 15 years). The research revealed that founders are integral in culture creation through their roles and especially through role modeling in the early stages. Additionally, one significant …

The Social Construction Of Homelessness: A Qualitative Examination Of International Efforts To Address Homelessness, Chanel Swoope

Theses and Dissertations

Homelessness is a multi-layered worldwide issue, shaped by cultural, economic, and political factors. This qualitative case study compared two international non-profit organizations, Hope Haven in Paraguay and Safe Shelter Foundation in Finland, in their approaches to reducing homelessness. The research explores how institutional systems and sociocultural norms shape intervention by utilizing two theoretical frameworks, structural functionalism and social constructionism. The study included semi-structured interviews with twelve participants employed by the organizations, seven from Paraguay and five from Finland, and a review of archival program data. The interview and archival data were triangulated with deductive and inductive data analysis.

Findings revealed …

Rehabilitation And Community-Based Interventions That May Aid In Reducing Loneliness Among Individuals With Moderate-To-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review, Tristan Meier

Theses and Dissertations

Self-reported loneliness is commonly reported among those with a history of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury; yet, research into interventions appropriate for the post-acute phase that may help reduce the feeling of social disconnection in this vulnerable population remains limited. This study employed a systematic review and narrative synthesis format to provide an overview of current literature on interventions and programs that report or comment on the reduction of self-reported loneliness and related proxy variables for those affected by moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Database searches were conducted using PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, SCOPUS, and PubMed. A total of 18 research articles …

Taking It To The Streets: A Comparative Case Study Of Urban Street Medicine Programs For The Unhoused Population, Dolly Dimple Harris

Theses and Dissertations

“Taking it to the Streets” originated from the 1960s social and political activism (Doohan & Mishori, 2019). The term reflects the 1990s movement when a Philadelphia physician decided that caring for the unhoused population was necessary and started street medicine. Street medicine is an alternative medical approach to formal healthcare intended to address unhoused individuals in their lived environment. In the street medicine model, healthcare providers offer medical support for the unhoused in alleyways, parks, under bridges, and encampments. The purpose of this comparative case study was to examine two street medicine programs’ administrative processes and how they provide healthcare …

Employee Perception Of Manager Listening Behaviors And The Impacts On The Supervisor-Subordinate Relationship, Esther Song

Theses and Dissertations

Strong communications skills are one of the most coveted capabilities in the workplace today. Within two-way communication, listening is often overlooked as a critical skill. While there have been many theories and skill-based training around listening, it is difficult to find a consistent, global definition to listening. This lack of definition makes is challenging to assess what “good” listening skill entails. Moreover, this lack of definition creates a gap in understanding effective measures for listening in the workplace, particularly in assessing the supervisor/subordinate relationship. This study focused on understanding listening in the workplace. In particular, this study looked at employee …

Training And Resource Manual: Integrating And Exploring Language And Cultural Competencies For Trainees And Supervisors, Patricia Rayas-Tabares

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the scholarly literature and extracted important themes regarding the training and development of bilingual psychology trainees. The first theme was the language challenges bilingual trainees face due to their proficiency in Spanish when delivering services to Latinx limited English-speaking or monolingual Spanish-speaking clients when the trainee has received little or no training in Spanish. The second theme was bilingual supervision. When the trainee was matched with a supervisor who was not from the same culture or proficient in Spanish, many challenges occurred for the trainee and the supervisor. The final theme was about the trainee’s experience. Bilingual …

Leveling The Playing Field: A Phenomenological Study Advocating For Diversity In Nba And Wnba Sports Organization Leadership, Alejandra Jimenez

Theses and Dissertations

Through phenomenological research, a global leadership and change initiative is outlined for US-based sports organizations. The sports organizations are the National Basketball Association (NBA) and their extended female league, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Both organizations recruit international players, attract global fans, and enhance current diversity policies to promote underrepresented women and people of color in leadership. The NBA and WNBA public human resources and diversity policies provide underrepresented leadership rates and efforts for questionnaire data sets and qualitative interviews. Nationally, these major sports organizations should further develop policies and practices to increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) …

What Makes Work Meaningful? A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring The Relationship Between Meaningfulness And Engagement Among Young Higher Education Professionals, Melody S. Murakami

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study explored how young professionals in higher education experienced meaningful work and the relationship between meaningfulness and work engagement. Using the Job Characteristics Model (JCM), the study examined how skill variety, task identity, and task significance contributed to experienced meaningfulness and engagement. Thirteen full-time employees (ages 25-35) at U.S. four-year higher education institutions completed a survey and participated in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative findings revealed a strong correlation between overall meaningfulness and engagement. Qualitative data affirmed the findings and the JCM, while also surfacing deeper insights on the different ways the job characteristics and individual factors were perceived and …

Latina Physician Assistants In Clinical Leadership Roles: Motivations, Challenges, And Insights, Ana Ruiz-Peña

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the rapidly growing Latino population in the United States, only a few of them are physicians, physician assistants (PAs), or nurses. This limited representation becomes smaller with Latina PAs in clinical leadership roles, leading to a health disparity that could negatively impact the health care of the Latino community. To gain a deeper understanding of this issue, the researcher conducted a phenomenological qualitative study examining the lived experiences of Latina PAs in clinical leadership roles, focusing on their motivations, challenges, and strategies for overcoming these barriers. The study was theoretically grounded in theories related to culture, gender, and socioeconomic …

Millennial Leadership Practices: How Are They Choosing To Lead Using The Lens Of Their Managerial Style, Claudia Helen Hesky Archibald

Theses and Dissertations

Despite millennials comprising over one-third of the current workforce, empirical research regarding their leadership practices remains limited. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating: (1) the preferred leadership practices of millennial leaders, and (2) whether millennial characteristics indicate a preference for specific leadership styles. Data were collected from 48 millennial leaders in the United States through online surveys, supplemented by 16 virtual interviews. The analysis revealed that millennial leadership practices, consistent with servant leadership principles, emphasized empowerment and delegation, relationship and community building, and trust cultivation.

'No Girl-On Girl Crime': A Qualitative Interview Study Of How Older Women In The Police Force Experience Competition, Social Support, And Discrimination, Bridget Graham

Theses and Dissertations

Law enforcement remains a male-dominated field in which women continually have to prove they belong. As women achieve recognition and move into high-ranking roles in law enforcement, they encounter unique forms of discrimination and social support opportunities that are shaped by their years of experience. To better understand the unique lived experiences of aging women in the context of the police force, this thesis conducted qualitative interviews with women in their fifties who have achieved success as police officers. Semi-structured interviews with six aging adult women within law enforcement were conducted. The interviews included questions related to the evolution of …

Strategic Military Readiness: Navigating Knowledge Management In The United States Army, Blaine Andra White

Theses and Dissertations

This was a qualitative phenomenological study of knowledge management (KM) in the U.S. Army. The study explored the KM phenomenon by interviewing retired highly experienced field-grade Army commissioned and non-commissioned officers (NCOs), with varying backgrounds in combat, combat support, and combat service support branches. The research sought to address the problem of a discernable gap in the understanding among Army leaders regarding the effective utilization of KM staff for their units to employ the KM process effectively. This study's two central research questions (RQ) were RQ1: What targeted strategies can be developed for Army leaders and their subordinate units to …

Black Adolescents' Mental Health And Identity Formation: The Role Of Discrimination And Racial Socialization - A Systematic Review, Tsahai Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic review examines the impact of racial discrimination on mental health and racial identity development among Black adolescents, focusing on anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and identity formation, as well as the protective role of racial socialization. Analysis of 19 qualitative and quantitative studies revealed that Black adolescents frequently experience discrimination across various settings, including schools, public spaces, and online platforms, with significant effects on mental health and self-concept. Gendered patterns were evident, with females more likely to internalize stress as anxiety and depression, while males showed externalizing behaviors such as aggression. Racial socialization, especially cultural pride messages, emerged as a …

A Systematic Review Of The Outcomes And Efficacy Of Complementary And Alternative Non-Pharmacological Interventions In Youth With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Kelly M. Kohler

Theses and Dissertations

A number of behavioral and pharmacological treatments have been widely accepted as evidenced-based approaches to treating symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. While pharmacological approaches are safe and effective at managing symptoms, a large subset of caregivers do not have access to medication, refuse it, or find it ineffective, necessitating the need for non-pharmacological treatments. Such behavioral interventions are also generally effective approaches to symptom management and reducing the functional impairment of ADHD and may even demonstrate better parent satisfaction than medication alone. However, these interventions are often difficult to access and burdensome to implement, especially …

The Cognitive And Positive Aspects Of Language Brokering Among Latinx Individuals: An Integrative Systematic Review, Jacqueline Juarez

Theses and Dissertations

English has been the prominent language spoken in the United States; however, with the rise of the Spanish language, it is imperative to address how Spanish speakers navigate spaces. Research has found mixed findings about the outcomes of serving as a language broker. This integrative systematic review aimed to identify and analyze literature on Latinx language brokers regarding cognitive strategies and abilities and the positive processes and perceptions that contribute to enhancing mental health. This review also sought to focus on factors that may contribute to resiliency over time for Latinx language brokers. A total of 31 studies were included …

Effective Onboarding For C-Suites, Ming Hwee Low

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research explored what constituted effective onboarding for C-suite leaders, particularly CEOs and their direct reports, to support their rapid integration and effectiveness within organizations. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 10 C-suite leaders across multiple sectors, the study aimed to contribute to the fields of organizational development and leadership development by identifying key onboarding practices that facilitate a new leader’s success. The research employed a grounded theory approach, coding and analyzing quotes from participants to derive central themes. Findings indicated that effective onboarding at the C-suite level extended beyond the initial weeks of orientation. Participants emphasized the need for …

The Inner Emotional Landscape Of Nascent Od Entrepreneurs: A Qualitative Study Of Women Founders, Jordan Alexandra Davies

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the inner emotional landscape of nascent female entrepreneurs in the field of Organization Development (OD), illuminating the paradoxes they encounter as they build values-based businesses in a field that socializes deep personal alignment. Through semi-structured interviews with 10 founders of boutique OD firms, the research surfaced tensions between authenticity and performance, empowerment and dependency, coherence, and emotional dissonance. The findings suggest that becoming an OD entrepreneur involves working through paradox, not erasing it. In doing so, the study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of emotional labor, legitimacy, and the quiet cost of performing congruence in a …

Identifying The Best Practices Of Wilderness-Immersion Programs To Support Veterans’ Transition From The Military To College, Catkin Kilcher Burton

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified best practices for designing and implementing wilderness-immersion programs to support student veterans transitioning from military service to college. It used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. Phase 1 of the study involved a Delphi approach wherein an expert panel of program facilitators, university staff, mental health providers, and student veterans rated and refined an initial set of best practices drawn from literature. Veterans Affairs directors provided feedback in a focus group format to refine the framework. This study contributes practical, evidence-based guidelines to enhance the academic, social, and emotional success of student veterans through wilderness-immersion interventions. Findings from …

Impacts Of Artificial Intelligence On The Human Workforce, Dwayne A. Henry

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how artificial intelligence (AI) implementation was experienced by employees across organizations with varying levels of AI maturity. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with fifteen professionals across twelve organizations, including technology firms, government agencies, and healthcare providers, the research examined perceptions of AI's impact on daily work, role evolution, organizational culture, and employee learning. Thematic analysis revealed seven major themes: trust and transparency in AI, productivity and job security, training and learning support, organizational culture, customer-centric use of AI, ethical and environmental concerns, and evolving roles. While participants recognized AI’s potential to enhance efficiency and innovation, they also …

Symptom Presentations And Effective Mental Health Interventions For Those Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review, Abraham Sloves

Theses and Dissertations

Homelessness is a present and concerning issue without a clear solution due partly to barriers in public policy, as well as challenges in homelessness research. Research seems to indicate that barriers to effective research on homelessness include inconsistent and incomplete data on homelessness prevalence, a lack of consistency in defining homelessness, and lack of generalizable research (Hossain et al., 2020). This is especially true when it comes to the intersection between homelessness and mental illness. While research has been done on interventions for unhoused individuals (Morton et al., 2020; Ponka et al., 2020), studies often fail to address the complex …

Analysis Of Dual Roles: Work-Life Balance Experiences Of Female Professors And Mothers In California, Lu Liang

Theses and Dissertations

The study aims to discover and understand the work-life balance experience of mothers who are also professors working in higher education institutions in California. The research reveals the unique challenges, needs, and motivations to manage work and family responsibilities. The literature review indicates that mother professors encounter conflicts of roles and responsibilities from academic work and domestic duties. Moreover, mother professors experience persistent gender disparity and systemic barriers as an underrepresented group in academia, hindering their personal and professional advancements. This qualitative study utilizes quantitative ethnography (QE), an incorporated research methodology to examine mother professors’ work-life balance experience. Additionally, the …

Ai For The Common Good: Exploring Global Nonprofit Framing Of Artificial Intelligence, Kathleen Teresa Scott

Theses and Dissertations

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes nearly every sector, global nonprofits face a distinct challenge: embracing innovation without compromising their core missions. This study investigated how three leading nonprofit organizations--the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Brookings Institution, and the Center for Creative Leadership--publicly framed their AI implementation approaches between 2018 and 2025. These organizations span the fields of humanitarian aid, policy research, and leadership development, offering a cross-sector perspective on how mission-driven institutions navigate technological transformation.Using a mixed-methods document analysis, this research examined both internal implementation narratives and outward-facing thought leadership. Findings revealed that while all three organizations …

Cultural Matching And Treatment Utilization And Outcomes In Asian Americans: A Systematic Review, Ryan Lim

Theses and Dissertations

Research regarding cultural matching in clinician and client dyads as a means of improving care for underserved populations has become less prevalent over the past two decades. This review sought to examine and synthesize the existing literature on the relationship between three forms of cultural matching (i.e., racial matching, ethnic matching, and language matching) and mental health treatment utilization and outcomes for Asian Americans. Following an extensive database search process, we identified a total of 10 peer-reviewed studies as relevant to the review's topic. Overall, results from the studies suggest that ethnic and language matching were associated with an increased …

Belief Systems Amongst Black Women: A Qualitative Study Of Social Supports And Factors That Facilitate Pathways To Leadership Positions Within Professional Sport, Rachel Lofton

Theses and Dissertations

Despite notable advancements made by Black women in both athletic and professional settings, their representation in leadership roles within the sports industry remains disproportionately low. The underrepresentation of Black women in leadership positions within professional sport organizations underscores the need for research to identify the social supports and factors facilitating their career progression. This study addresses the gap in the literature through qualitative interviews with twelve Black women who hold director-level positions or higher in professional sports teams or leagues. Grounded theory was employed to gather, examine, and interpret the data from the interviews. Critical race theory, standpoint theory, intersectionality, …

The Use Of Humor In Mental Healthcare: A Systematic Review, Blake Song

Theses and Dissertations

Humor has been observed, practiced, and documented as an essential feature of society for thousands of years. However, there is still no formalized or widely referenced clinical guidance on how to effectively and appropriately utilize humor in mental healthcare despite ample research over the last 70 years noting the many potential benefits. This lack of guidance may, at least in part, be due to unresolved concerns pertaining to the use of humor in counseling and healthcare settings. For instance, humor is believed by some to be potentially distracting or undermining to the counseling process if used inappropriately. This continued absence …

How Does Organization Growth Affect The Organization’S Culture, Megan Howe

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand how organization growth affects the organization’s culture. Culture was generally defined as the behavioral norms and ways of working at an organization. Following interviews with 28 people in an organization that had been growing and was expecting to grow further, the results of the study suggested that organization growth did not have a noticeable impact on culture. Instead, the data suggest that the longer a person is a part of a culture, the more opportunity there is to see evolution or how things like growth, the passing of time, generational differences, and …

Self-Compassion And Leadership Effectiveness At Work, Janette Muñoz

Theses and Dissertations

Leaders are currently facing unprecedented times in the workforce, with rapid technological advancements, complexity with geopolitical implications and economic fluctuations, and employee disengagement. Through these changes, leaders are expected to make business decisions, guide their teams, and deliver business results. To navigate these complexities, the role of business leaders is evolving, making self-compassion and associated practices potentially important for leaders. Complexity and the speed of change may lead to an increase in challenges and mistakes experienced at work, actual or perceived, which may lead to decreased internal capacity, higher stress and potentially burnout. This study explores the relationship between self-compassion …

An Exploration Of Compassion Fatigue In Organization Development Practitioners, Ciara Henschke

Theses and Dissertations

Compassion fatigue is well-documented in helping professions but remains underexplored in the field of organization development (OD). This qualitative study examines the contributing factors, manifestations, and mitigation strategies of compassion fatigue among OD practitioners. Findings from interviews with experienced practitioners reveal that leadership dysfunction, large-scale change, role-based emotional labor, and personal vulnerability contribute to fatigue. Manifestations span emotional, cognitive, physical, and relational domains, sometimes spilling into practitioners’ personal lives and diminishing professional effectiveness. Common coping strategies include physical regulation, boundary-setting, peer support, and reframing — similar to those in other helping fields, yet uniquely adapted in the absence of formal …