Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Descriptive, Comparative Study Of Preexisting Leadership Qualities And Leadership Effectiveness Of Theologically Conservative United States Army Battalion-Level Chaplains, Aaron Jonathan Fabian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This immediate demand for spiritual and professional leadership can be overwhelming for a new battalion-level chaplain (Blackaby 2001; Howell 2003). They perform or provide religious service for Soldiers who have volunteered to serve their country. By going through the same military training in conjunction with their religious education and experience, chaplains are able to integrate with Soldiers where traditional clergy cannot. There is additional pressure to perform because chaplains, as commissioned officers, are evaluated immediately through an annual Officer Evaluation Report (OER hereafter, DA Form 67-9). With no time to acquire new skills, battalion-level chaplains are forced to rely on …

A Trauma-Informed Study Of Combat-Related Loss: Sibling Descriptions Of Traumatic Grief And Bereavement Support, Ashleigh Carlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how individuals in the United States describe their grief and the bereavement support they have received after experiencing the traumatic loss of a military sibling(s) due to hostile action while engaged in combat operations. Cohen and Wills' social support model, which demonstrates how social connections buffer the effects of stress and loss, guided this study to explain how the role of bereavement support, or lack thereof, influenced how surviving military siblings process their grief. The study sought to elicit in-depth responses that provided rich insights and descriptions. Data collection involved …

The Intersectionality Of Latino/A Students With Disabilities In A Cacrep Counseling Program, Odalis Romero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Diverse individuals are entering CACREP counseling programs, even so with multiple identities within their culture. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the living experiences of Latino/a students with disabilities in a CACREP accredited counseling program. The participants had to be Latino/a with a disability who had attended or were attending a CACREP accredited program. Participants took part in an individual interview or a focus group, virtually via Zoom which was transcribed and analyzed ensuring trustworthiness. Moustaka (1992) data analysis was used to formulate themes based on the experiences of the participants. The four themes that arose …

The Impact Of Rural Recovery Residences On Individuals' Recovery, Brandon Robert Peter Mielke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examined the experiences of individuals currently residing in rural recovery residences, with particular attention paid to perceived helpful factors and challenges regarding living in the residence as well as comparing residents’ experiences to individuals’ experiences in urban recovery residences as delineated by previous studies, as there is little current research examining rural recovery residences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 men who resided in rural recovery residences at the time of the study’s completion. Three research questions guided the interviews and the subsequent comparative analysis: How do individuals living in rural recovery residences describe their lived experiences …

Public Employees' Resistance To Organizational Change, Malte Grohmann

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Resistance to organizational change among public employees is a significant challenge for public sector organizations, as it directly impacts their effectiveness. This researcher explored the inability of public leaders to manage such resistance effectively, aiming to deepen understanding of its root causes, the role of leadership during change, and how leaders can influence employees’ responses. Using a flexible, multiple case study design, the research examined two educational organizations undergoing similar changes in distinct contexts. The researcher employed a conceptual framework based on existing literature, incorporating key ideas, including specific factors that contribute to resistance, effects of resistance to the success …

The Role Of Spirituality In Resilience Among Male And Female Education Staff And Role Differences, Cindi R. Bowling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Working in the field of education can be challenging, even more so seems the challenge following a worldwide pandemic. Resilience is needed in any career, but education is one in which it is needed on a continuous basis. Spirituality may increase resilience in life. The idea that Jesus died and rose from the grave for a fallen world and through the Holy Spirit there is power to overcome is one that can help people press through hard times in life. This correlational study examined the relationship between spirituality and resilience in educational staff post-pandemic. To do this, The Daily Spiritual …

Relationship Between Mental Health Education And Nurse Preparedness, Deborah C. O'Dell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study was to see if there was a relationship between the type of Mental Health education undergraduate nurses received or the number of Mental Health clinical days they experienced and how prepared they were to care for Mental Health Consumers (MHCs) when they first were employed. This information had never before been studied, so had the potential to change nursing curriculum and provide better care for MHCs. An anonymous survey using the Behavioral Health Care Competency’s questions was used and an invitation to participate was placed on various nursing discussion forums and social media sites. Participants (n = …

Relationship Between Motives For Social Media Use And Depressive Symptoms Among Young Adults, Ashley N. Santiago-Fernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In today's world, where technology is advancing at an exponential rate, social media has become an indispensable part of the lives of young people. Research on the relationship between social media use and mental health has yielded mixed results, with some studies emphasizing its benefits while others highlight its negative impacts. To delve deeper into this phenomenon, this quantitative correlational study aimed to conduct a comprehensive study of the relationship between social media use and mental health, specifically depressive symptoms, among young adults. To contribute to the theoretical framework, the study consisted of an online survey (N=182) that assessed motives …

A Study Of Special Districts: Research Of Financial Indicators As Predictors Of Fiscal Distress, Scott Keith Harrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since 1946, Special Purpose Districts (SPDs) have become the most prevalent form of government in the United States. Unfortunately, they fail more often than General Purpose (GP) governments. This study researches the predictability of the Florida State Auditor’s financial condition indicators for SPD financial health and the influence of intergovernmental transfers (IGT) on government financial health. The significance of this research lies in confirming whether a national SPD fiscal distress predictive model can be generalized to a single state. Additionally, the study researched the influence of intergovernmental transfers (IGT) on financial health. The quantitative research design used the Cox regression …

Exploring Trauma And African American Male Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Paige Shaunta Denigi Simon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to examine the experiences of heterosexual African American men from Georgia who are victims of IPV. This study aims to identify barriers that hinder survivors from reporting their trauma and seeking mental health services and resources. The theoretical framework utilized for this research study is Intersectional Theory. Using Intersectionality as a theoretical lens for this research study allows for a greater understanding of the multiple components and experiences that shape the identity of the African American man. This qualitative phenomenological study answered the following central research questions: “In what ways do African American male victims …

The Church’S Response Post Grey Divorce: A Phenomenological Study Of Evangelical Men Experiencing Grey Divorce And The Implications For Faith And Post-Divorce Adjustment, Randall Rush

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 1990 one out of every ten divorces involved an individual over the age of fifty. By 2010, that number had climbed to one out of every four divorces. As of 2019, one in three people getting divorced in the United States was aged fifty or older. Termed by researchers as “grey divorce,” this phenomenon is expected to grow as demographic shifts reveal an increasing older adult population with longer life expectancies. These later-life divorces have psychosocial and economic negative consequences on the individual. Divorcing later-life men and women share a number of these negative consequences, but there is gender-based …

Transitions Of Faith: Navigating Pastoral Changes In Small African American Churches, Joshua O. Dixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of African American pastors aged 65 and older as they navigate leadership transitions within small churches in Florida. These churches, characterized by the absence of formal succession planning support from a parent organization, serve as critical pillars in their communities. Guided by Bridges' Transition Theory, this research investigated the emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of pastoral transitions, focusing on the stages of 'Ending, Losing, and Letting Go,' 'Neutral Zone,' and 'New Beginning' (Bridges, 1980). Data collection methods included a pre-qualifying survey, individual interviews, and focus group discussions, analyzed through thematic analysis supported by …

Attachment Barriers To A Relationship With God; A Phenomenological Study Of Women With The Lived Experience Of Adolescent Sexual Assault, Celeste M. Caballero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Among victims of sexual assault, it is significantly common for maladaptive attachment behaviors to manifest from this type of trauma which can transcend not just human relationships but their relationship with God as well. The problem is that sexual assault brutally attacks the core of a woman’s worth and value creating barriers that drastically affect her ability to develop healthy attachment with others which subsequently affects her ability to form and develop a positive relationship with God. The resulting attachment behaviors of sexual assault victims are important to study to be able to understand the root components of this trauma …

The Use Of Intellectual Humility As A Framework For Elementary School Teachers In The Development Of Positive Parent-Teacher Relationships, Ralinda Aspey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although the educational and psychological communities have identified the importance of the parent-teacher relationship to the academic success and social benefit of students, difficulties continue to persist in identifying specific strategies for building positive relationships between parents and teachers. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of seven elementary school teachers in public schools to examine whether intellectual humility manifested in their reported ability to develop positive relationships with parents. A semi-structured interview with participants revealed seven overarching themes evident in their experiences with parents which align with the construct of intellectual humility. These themes include Proactive Communication, Openness to …

From Volunteer To Member Of The Church Body: How Meaningfulness, Self-Regulation, And Fairness Relate To Giving Of Time And Treasure, Billy J. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Churches rely almost exclusively on volunteers and committed members to fulfill their mission. With decreasing engagement and financial support among churchgoers, there is a need to understand what motivates volunteers to give their time and resources. This nonexperimental quantitative correlational study examined the relationships between church volunteers’ self-regulation, perceptions of meaningfulness, and fairness, with their reported level of internalization of the local church’s mission, evidenced by their giving behaviors. Utilizing data collected from 86 church volunteers on self-report measures, all validated from previous research and adapted to church context, correlational analyses showed no significant relationship between giving of time and …

Women Leaders In Healthcare: Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction, And Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Kuan-Yin T. Timothee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative correlational study was to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and job satisfaction among women in nonclinical leadership roles within the U.S. healthcare sector. As healthcare organizations adapt to technological, social, and economic transformations, they must increase their focus on cultivating EI and promoting OCB, especially in leadership roles (Bowling & Sessa, 2021; Herr et al., 2022; Marstand et al., 2021). Additionally, research has shown that EI facilitates business development and diminishes obstacles to organizational sustenance. Although prior research has established a link between EI and OCB, there is …

Documenting The Effects Of Laboratory Sorting In Zooarchaeology: Lessons Learned From The Cixwicn Project, Kristine M. Bovy, Virginia L. Butler, Michael A. Etnier, Sarah K. Campbell

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Zooarchaeologists routinely analyze assemblages that were initially sorted into major animal type (birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates) by students or lab technicians with varied backgrounds in zooarchaeology. Sorting errors are probably made in this initial phase, which can affect taxonomic representation and understanding of human–animal relationships. Recent study of the immense faunal assemblage (over 1 million NSP [Number of Specimens]) from Čḯxwicən (45CA523), a 2,700-year-old Lower Elwha Klallam village located on the coast of Washington (USA), allows us to systematically analyze trends in sorting errors. For example, 22.6% of the bird bones included in our sample were initially missorted into other …

Comparing Mentored Research Experiences For Undergraduates Across Institutional Contexts, Jazzmine K. Waugh, Sanya M. Surya, Mackenzie Gray, Thomas E. Keller

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Mentored undergraduate research experiences (UREs) can play a critical role in developing science identity and skills, especially for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. This study investigates science identity and responsibility for scientific roles among scholars in a program aiming to diversify the biomedical workforce. Scholars were placed in UREs at either their home institution (a minority-serving institution [MSI]) or at a research-intensive medical institution with a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). Methods: We analyze data from surveys administered annually to the scholars. We first compare changes in science identity for scholars placed at the MSI and the CTSA …

Overt Representation And Subtle Clues A Study Of Queer Book Descriptions In English, Croatian, And Serbian, Rachael Phillips

Book Publishing Final Research Papers

Most commonly, a book description is the first contact one has with the contents of a book. It is the elevator pitch on the back of the book or the Amazon page that tries to sell you your next read among literally millions of competitors. In book publishing terms, a book description is a piece of metadata that follows the book throughout its marketing life. It is usually a one to three paragraph description of the book, including the setting, main characters, and some (spoiler-free) plot summary, but also usually includes themes and tone, comparative titles, and potentially author background …

Understanding The Need For Gender Inclusiveness: A Case Study In Kolkata, India, Nilasree Dutta

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research focuses on examining the status of women in the selected Wards of Kolkata, India: Ward 59, 64, 65, 66, and 69. Three indicators are used to evaluate the status of women: education, nutrition, and religion. Data for this study was collected with the help of a Kolkata-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) named Ek Tara. A complete questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questions was followed to conduct the survey. 353 households were interviewed to obtain the data. Several statistical analyses have been conducted using STATA software to address research hypotheses. To assess the nutritional status of women, hand grip strength …

From Self To Society: How Threat Type And Message Mode Affect Environmental Intentions Among Young Audiences, Lucas Vogt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the influence of threat type (personal vs. societal) and message mode (narrative vs. utilitarian) on young adults’ environmental intentions. Using the extended parallel process model (EPPM), this study argued for expanding the theory to include threat type (societal vs. personal) to clarify how threat is understood. A 2 x 2 factorial design was utilized to test the effects of threat type and message mode on environmental behavioral intentions. A sample of 266 university students participated in an online survey. Based on prior research, this study hypothesized that personal threats would yield the highest levels of environmental behavioral …

Trust And Success: Franchisee Perspective On Relational Trust With The Franchisor And Impact On Unit Growth, Giovannie M. Hoff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The problem addressed in this study was that it is unknown how franchisees perceive trust and its influence on unit growth and contractual control within the franchisor and franchisee relationship. The purpose of this case study was to explore the franchisee’s perspective of trust within the franchisor and franchisee relationship and its impact on growth and contractual control. A qualitative case study approach was used, with data collected from 13 participants from one franchise organization in the United States through semistructured interviews and questionnaire. Data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically, with triangulation and member-checking ensuring credibility. Two key …

The Effects Of Loving-Kindness Meditation (Lkm) On Relationship Satisfaction In Couple Therapy, Ruimeng Gao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the integration of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) into couple therapy sessions and its impact on relationship satisfaction. Meditation, historically rooted in religious practices, has increasingly been adopted in Western therapeutic contexts due to its demonstrated benefits for mental health and interpersonal well-being. Although mindfulness-based interventions have gained popularity in psychotherapy, research specifically examining the use of LKM in couple therapy remains limited. This study investigates whether incorporating LKM into therapy sessions enhances relationship satisfaction compared to standard therapy alone. Couples were randomly assigned to either a control group, which received standard therapy, or an experimental group, which practiced …

A Family Matter: An Analysis Of Adult Children’S Conflict Communication, Abby Boyd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship of parental conflict styles, family type, stress levels, and parent-child closeness on adult children’s conflict communication. Using Rahim’s conflict management framework and family communication patterns (FCP) theory, this research examined how family dynamics shape conflict behaviors of adult children, specifically within two parent and divorced/separated families. The survey gathered approximately 315 family experiences covering six family types. Separated/divorced and two-parent family types had sufficient numbers to further analyze the differences between these two types.

The findings indicated a significant positive relationship between parental and adult children’s conflict styles, as well as notable differences in conflict …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Senior Leaders’ Experiences And Perceptions In Addressing Workplace Sexual Harassment In The U.S. Federal Government: A Systems Perspective, Karen Jane Dean

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual harassment (SH) is a prevalent, costly, and often unreported problem in the U.S. Federal Government. Despite decades of research from multiple perspectives and recommendations to address SH, the problem persists and remains complex. While some researchers and U.S. Government agencies have called upon leaders to commit to eliminating workplace SH, others have suggested using an integrated conflict management system (ICMS) to manage the complexity, nuances, and conflicts. Even though there is a call for leadership to address SH, there is limited documentation in the literature about leaders’ experiences and perceptions in addressing the problem. Therefore, this qualitative study was …

Bridging The Digital Skills Gap: Positive Leadership In The Aerospace Industry 4.0, James Richard Robinson Ii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores how employees and leaders in a major aerospace manufacturing organization experience digital transformation in the context of Industry 4.0. As emerging technologies reshape manufacturing processes, organizations face a growing digital skills gap, particularly across a multigenerational workforce. This research focuses on how generational differences influence digital adaptation and how leadership approaches either support or hinder that process. Guided by the diffusion of innovations theory, the study involved semistructured interviews with 15 participants from four generational cohorts, representing IT, engineering, manufacturing, and operations roles. Findings reveal that trust, leadership style, and tailored training significantly shape how individuals …

Navigating Perspectives: A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Communication Experiences Between North American–Trained International School Leaders And Expatriate Staff, Maggie Marie Cashdollar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive phenomenological study explored the communication approaches and experiences between leaders and expatriate staff in English-medium international schools. The researcher aimed to understand how leadership communication, feedback, and cultural awareness impact professional relationships and organizational effectiveness in diverse educational settings. Semistructured online interviews were conducted with seven current or former international school leaders and teachers to capture their lived experiences. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes: (a) communication approaches, (b) the role of feedback in the workplace, and (c) cultural awareness in communication. Five subthemes emerged: (a) expectations, (b) inclusion, (c) being present, (d) growth mindset, and (e) positivity. …

The Montana Travel Industry - 2024 Summary, Melissa Weddell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

2024 summary infographic of the Montana travel and recreation industry.

Harnessing Data To Shape Montana's Tourism Narrative – 2024 Montana Governor's Conference, Melissa Weddell, Kara Grau, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

No abstract provided.

Hope After Grief And Loss: A Needs Assessment Of Peer-Led, Non-Denominational Bereavement Support Services At Laurel’S Grief Center, Julia A. Lange

Public Administration Master’s Projects

This needs assessment examines the grief support services provided by Laurel’s Grief Center (LGC), a nonprofit organization in Buffalo, New York, and identifies opportunities to expand tailored services for grieving adults in Western New York. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, this study collected data through semi-structured interviews with LGC board members and surveys with clients and peer volunteers. Key findings highlight the importance of peer-led, non-denominational grief support and creative approaches, such as art therapy, while identifying barriers, such as stigma, limited awareness, and fragmented regional services.

Based on these findings, this study recommends expanding healing arts programs, enhancing outreach …