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2025

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Forgiveness, Spousal Infidelity, And Sex Addiction: Christian Wives’ Lived Experiences, Angela Roake Livingston Aug 2025

Forgiveness, Spousal Infidelity, And Sex Addiction: Christian Wives’ Lived Experiences, Angela Roake Livingston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how betrayed Christian wives described their understanding of and motivation to forgive their husbands’ infidelity due to sex addiction in the United States. The theory which guided this study was Albert Bandura’s Self- Efficacy, as it examines one’s ability to use personal judgment in executing courses of action to contend with challenges. For this reason, the Self-Efficacy theory was best suited for understanding Christian wives’ lived experiences of forgiveness after experiencing sexual betrayal in marriage. Data was collected via virtual, open-ended, semi-structured interviews via Zoom following a thirty-two-question script addressing the …


A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of The Role Of Spiritual Mindfulness Practices In Coping With Divorce Loss In Christian Women, Gale Louise Nicolai Aug 2025

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of The Role Of Spiritual Mindfulness Practices In Coping With Divorce Loss In Christian Women, Gale Louise Nicolai

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aims to understand the role of spiritual mindfulness practices in counseling individuals who have experienced divorce. The theory guiding this study is the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, which recognizes the interconnectivity and mutual influence of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. This data will be descriptive, using open-ended interview questions. Data analysis will be thematic. The study participants are women who self-identify as Christian at 1-10 years post-divorce. The independent variable is spiritual mindfulness practices. The dependent variables are women who self-identify as Christian at 1-10 years post-divorce.


The Christian Church’S Inclusion Of Children With Autism Who Experience Parental Incarceration: A Phenomenological Examination Of Christian Ministry Leaders’ Experiences, Julia Frances Vasquez Aug 2025

The Christian Church’S Inclusion Of Children With Autism Who Experience Parental Incarceration: A Phenomenological Examination Of Christian Ministry Leaders’ Experiences, Julia Frances Vasquez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The United States has the highest incarceration rate worldwide. Parental incarceration increases children’s susceptibility to adverse childhood experiences and often results in the transmission of criminal behavior. Research on children of incarcerated parents and separate findings on the experiences of children with autism reveal that these children endure bitter societal stigma, even within the church. Stigma toward disability erects barriers to much-needed spiritual support. There is a gap in the literature concerning Christian outreach and spiritual community support for children with autism who experience parental incarceration. Understanding effective ministry support for these dually marginalized children and the barriers preventing access …


Where Is God In Times Of Order And Disorder: A Practical Approach To Life Events With God, Chinedu Festus Onuigbo Aug 2025

Where Is God In Times Of Order And Disorder: A Practical Approach To Life Events With God, Chinedu Festus Onuigbo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to uncover what six next-generation females in Colorado, USA, encompassing high school through post-college, have experienced as they answer the question, "Where is God in times of order and disorder." Next generation refers to persons currently 25 years and younger. Pew Research (2019) reports, next-generation demographic during the transition from adolescence to adulthood may undergo one or more of the following: fall away from faith, question the existence of God, depression, and identity crisis. This researcher using phenomenology explored his Study Concept, a practical approach to experiencing life events with God using threefold biblical …


Does Spirituality Mediate Or Moderate The Adverse Effects Of Occupational Stressors On Mental Health In Law Enforcement Officers?, Erika D. Keplinger Aug 2025

Does Spirituality Mediate Or Moderate The Adverse Effects Of Occupational Stressors On Mental Health In Law Enforcement Officers?, Erika D. Keplinger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Law enforcement officers are often exposed to occupational stressors that can negatively affect their mental health and job performance. Spirituality has been thoroughly researched as a restorative method to improve physical and psychological health concerns. There has also been an increase in studies on workplace spirituality. The existing research on workplace spirituality suggests that incorporating spirituality into the workplace increases employee well-being and decreases stress and burnout. Unfortunately, research on police culture often neglects spirituality. There is little research to show how spirituality could mediate or moderate the adverse effects of mental health on law enforcement officers. This quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, …


The Leader And Employee: A Public Administration Study On Legitimacy In Small To Medium-Sized Municipal Governments, Dustin Bovee Aug 2025

The Leader And Employee: A Public Administration Study On Legitimacy In Small To Medium-Sized Municipal Governments, Dustin Bovee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this empirical study was to investigate how municipal government administrative leaders’ effectiveness, value creation, innovation, ethical behavior, fairness, contributions, role alignment with duty expectations, trust, and support influence their employees’ perceptions of leader legitimacy. The target population consisted of public service employees working in two county governments and four city governments in Western Colorado. The theory guiding this study is the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory, which offers a nuanced framework for examining factors influencing employees’ perceptions of legitimacy for their leaders. The study explored the factors that influence employees’ perception of leader legitimacy within municipal government departments. …


The Role Of Persuasive Rhetoric In The Dynamic Transformation Of A Mediatized Social Drama: A Thematic Analysis Of The 2023 Maui Wildfire, Chinua Joi Ivey Aug 2025

The Role Of Persuasive Rhetoric In The Dynamic Transformation Of A Mediatized Social Drama: A Thematic Analysis Of The 2023 Maui Wildfire, Chinua Joi Ivey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

On August 8, 2023, one of the deadliest wildfires in American history occurred in Maui County, Hawaii. The wildfires’ unprecedented impact on the town of Lahaina caused a tremendous loss of life, cultural artifacts, and property. Many suffered unimaginable conditions to survive the rapidly spreading flames, and thousands were displaced. While this tragedy evolved through the journalistic lens of the news media, reports showcased the dynamic phases of social drama punctuated by persuasive rhetoric. Mediatized hope appeals were leveraged to influence a change in the audience's attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors, revealing divergent goals for future expectations. How can mediatized …


Perceptions Of Divine Intervention In Suffering Impact On Meaningful Work Mediated By Posttraumatic Growth, Thomas E. Weil Jr. Aug 2025

Perceptions Of Divine Intervention In Suffering Impact On Meaningful Work Mediated By Posttraumatic Growth, Thomas E. Weil Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout is a costly phenomenon, and creating a comprehensive model of wellness to increase resiliency to burnout is a complex task worth the endeavor (Eckleberry-Hunt et al., 2009). The negative correlation between self-care and burnout is well-known (Shanafelt et al., 2020). Models such as the psychological capital model (Youssef‐Morgan & Luthans, 2015) have provided insight into the relationship. Several findings since the inception of the psychological capital model indicate that other phenomena are involved in increasing resistance to counselor burnout. The positive relationship between meaningful work and counselor burnout resistance is well documented through peer-reviewed literature. Mental health professionals experience …


The Moral Identity Of School Shooters As Perceived By Impacted Community Members: A Qualitative Study, Danielle Caprice Rand Aug 2025

The Moral Identity Of School Shooters As Perceived By Impacted Community Members: A Qualitative Study, Danielle Caprice Rand

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study investigated the moral identity of school shooters as perceived by impacted community members. The existing literature lacks agreement on the root cause of school shootings and has been unable to provide a unified identification of school shooters. Discussed throughout school shooter research was the lack of a moral identity in school shooters. Further, research on moral identity has not covered one specialized group of individuals: school shooters. Moral identity, the mien of an individual’s moral thoughts and behaviors, was researched as a potential predictor of school shootings. This study employed a case study research design and used …


Post-War Traumatic Events Of Previously Incarcerated And Homeless Veterans: A Phenomenological Study Of Their Experiences Pauline Anne Leblanc Liberty University A Dissertation Presented In Partial Fulfillment Requirements For The Degree Of Doctor Of Education School Of Behavioral Sciences, Pauline Anne Leblanc Aug 2025

Post-War Traumatic Events Of Previously Incarcerated And Homeless Veterans: A Phenomenological Study Of Their Experiences Pauline Anne Leblanc Liberty University A Dissertation Presented In Partial Fulfillment Requirements For The Degree Of Doctor Of Education School Of Behavioral Sciences, Pauline Anne Leblanc

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The importance of this phenomenological study explains why veterans' homelessness and incarceration remain a significant problem in American Society. The purpose of the study was to describe the experiences of homeless/incarcerated veterans. The study also examined the lack of needed healthcare services for veteran prisoners and ex-offenders. Incarcerated and homeless veterans are at risk for various adverse outcomes after their release, such as a range of physical, mental, and other psychosocial problems, including moral injury. The study employed a descriptive phenomenological design, utilizing various data collection methods, including a demographic questionnaire and one-on-one interviews, which were audiotaped. Selected and interviewed, …


A Journeys End: A Phenomenological Approach To End-Term Buyer-Supplier Relationship Performance Management, James M. Capps Aug 2025

A Journeys End: A Phenomenological Approach To End-Term Buyer-Supplier Relationship Performance Management, James M. Capps

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The incumbent research study examines the lived work experiences of buyer-side buyer-supplier relationship managers as they seek to optimize supplier performance while navigating the end-term buyer-supplier relationship. While contemporary literature has explored several topics on supplier performance management and end-term, buyer supplier relationships separately, no research has explored detailing the experiences of supplier relationship managers within this phenomenon. Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological design with hermeneutical analysis, the incumbent study utilizes multi-stage random sampling techniques to recruit sample participants (N=7) in various industries. Research participants were interviewed on their lived experiences navigating end-term buyer-supplier relationships and how they optimized supplier performance …


The Relations Between Online Communication, Social Capital, And Well-Being In Chinese Preadolescents, Xiaotong Li Aug 2025

The Relations Between Online Communication, Social Capital, And Well-Being In Chinese Preadolescents, Xiaotong Li

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

In the digital era, preadolescents (aged 9–12 years) increasingly use social media platforms for communication and social interactions. However, research on whether online communication contributes positively or negatively to preadolescents’ well-being is inconclusive. Moreover, the underlying mechanism linking preadolescents’ online communication and well-being remains unclear. Hence, the research objectives are twofold. First, based on the concepts of social enhancement perspectives and self-determination theory, this study investigates the bidirectional relations and potential mechanisms between preadolescents’ online communication factors (including frequency, online self-disclosure, online perceived responsiveness) with four targets (family members, real-life friends, online friends, and online strangers) and well-being (including subjective …


Parental Internet Mediation: A Phenomenological Study, Jossie Marino-Vega Aug 2025

Parental Internet Mediation: A Phenomenological Study, Jossie Marino-Vega

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parental Internet mediation, which is the strategies parents use to control and supervise online content for children, has been transformed into a critical role due to the mixed outcomes of digital use. Baumrind's parental styles and Bandura's Social frameworks guide this study for its connection with parental mediation and children's learning. This qualitative research aimed to explore and describe how parents mediate and use the Internet concerning kids' development. Eleven mothers were interviewed with at least one student enrolled in kindergarten through 5th grade at an elementary school in Killeen, Texas. The data was analyzed using Moustakas's (1994) modification of …


A Phenomenological Qualitative Study: The Lived Experiences Of Women Diagnosed With Substance Use Disorders And The Stigma Associated With Their Disorder, Emily E. Fitzgerald Aug 2025

A Phenomenological Qualitative Study: The Lived Experiences Of Women Diagnosed With Substance Use Disorders And The Stigma Associated With Their Disorder, Emily E. Fitzgerald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of women with the stigma of being diagnosed with substance use disorders within the Northeastern United States. Women diagnosed with substance use disorders who experience significant barriers to recovery were defined as a vulnerable population that experiences significant adversities and hardships navigating stigma and the wellness process. Substance use disorders have been a rising public health issue that affect millions of Americans across the United States, and societal and self-perceived stigma have continued to mitigate recovery efforts and individuals’ access to treatment and healthcare. This study focused …


The Problem Of Stigma: Equipping The Christian Church By Exploring An Integrated Response, Charles Mcgannon Aug 2025

The Problem Of Stigma: Equipping The Christian Church By Exploring An Integrated Response, Charles Mcgannon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has shown stigma to be a significant barrier to help-seeking and effective functioning in every domain of human life. Current research has shown that attempts to enact a solution to this problem have largely failed and, in some cases, have made the problem worse. With an integrated approach incorporating the biblical perspective and supportive scientific insights, effective solutions were explored while helping to connect the Christian and scientific communities toward common goals of removing barriers for help-seekers and reducing stigma and its effects on human lives. For the current qualitative study, 10 leaders within the Christian Church were interviewed …


Motivation To Hunt: A Qualitative Semiotic Analysis Of Moral Conflict Theory And Social Judgment Theory Of Influential Women Hunters On Instagram, Brittany Alexandra Hosmer Longoria Aug 2025

Motivation To Hunt: A Qualitative Semiotic Analysis Of Moral Conflict Theory And Social Judgment Theory Of Influential Women Hunters On Instagram, Brittany Alexandra Hosmer Longoria

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative research investigates the motivations of women hunters on Instagram through semiotic analysis grounded in moral conflict theory and social judgment theory. Hunting is primarily male-dominated, but the emergence of women hunters on social media challenges stereotypes and shines new light on the dynamics between gender roles, ethics, and public perceptions of the values of nature. The study examines visual symbolism, focusing on how women hunters navigate moral conflicts and social judgment in an increasingly polarizing digital landscape. Through semiotic analysis and personal interviews, the research identifies themes including motivations to hunt, which often respond to or preempt criticism …


Divine Grace In Human Flourishing Amid Suffering, Sutjipto Utomo Aug 2025

Divine Grace In Human Flourishing Amid Suffering, Sutjipto Utomo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Human flourishing is as potent as it is intricate. There is a need in the Christian context for a model of human flourishing among other available models. This current qualitative study seeks to gather insights into human flourishing amid suffering among Methodist clergy in Indonesia. The phenomenological approach delved into the essence of encountering the grace of the Lord and flourishing amid the adversities in their ministry. The purposeful sampling was carried out, and fifteen clergy participated in the semi-structured interviews. Their responses helped with gaining insights into the themes of God’s grace, suffering, and human flourishing amid suffering. The …


How Personality Type Can Inform Strategic Discipleship, Jonathan Andrew Cline Ii Aug 2025

How Personality Type Can Inform Strategic Discipleship, Jonathan Andrew Cline Ii

Masters Theses

Despite many Americans growing up in the church, there is a wide disparity gap in how many of those Christians are heading down a path of greater intimacy with God. Rather than this gap being a result of lackluster desire for something more, research shows that the disconnect stems from a lack of understanding in how to connect with God beyond the theories and philosophies individuals have acquired in church. Churches and discipleship programs, therefore, should consider developing strategies for spiritual development informed by the range of personality types based on Jung’s psychological types. Each person has a God-given way …


Investigating The Practice Of A Somatic, Mindful Christian Prayer And Breathing Practice On Public Speaking Anxiety, Robyn L. Middleton Aug 2025

Investigating The Practice Of A Somatic, Mindful Christian Prayer And Breathing Practice On Public Speaking Anxiety, Robyn L. Middleton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of a mindful Christian prayer practice (The Jesus Prayer) combined with slow diaphragmatic breathing on communication anxiety. Participants (N = 80) included university students and members of the general public aged 18-60 who experience public speaking anxiety. Measurements included self-reported speech anxiety and heart rate variability (assessed via the WellHero app). Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that the mindful prayer practice had no significant effect on participants' self-reported speech anxiety or RMSSD heart rate variability. A statistical trend of lower Baevsky’s Stress Index (another variable WellHero provided) was observed in the intervention group. This …


Lived Experiences Of Parents And Guardians Of Children And Adolescents With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome And Disruptive Behavior Disorders In West Virginia, Christine A. Barnett Aug 2025

Lived Experiences Of Parents And Guardians Of Children And Adolescents With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome And Disruptive Behavior Disorders In West Virginia, Christine A. Barnett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of parents and guardians of children and adolescents with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) in West Virginia. Guided by social constructivism, the study highlighted the significance of collaborative learning in understanding the connection between NAS and DBD. Using a transcendental approach, the research sought to provide insight and comprehension into participants’ experiences and perspectives. Participants were recruited through purposeful sampling, including convenience and criterion methods. Eight parents and guardians participated in one-on-one interviews. Data was analyzed using the Moustakas approach and Saldana’s in vivo coding method. Four themes emerged: …


Missionary Kids And Ptsd And Spirituality, Sabreena S. Massey Aug 2025

Missionary Kids And Ptsd And Spirituality, Sabreena S. Massey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In recent years, studies have documented the importance of spirituality in assuaging psychological distress. Numerous studies have investigated the connection between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and spirituality and its positive outcomes among diverse populations. A diverse population that is insufficiently addressed in the literature is missionary kids (MKs). Further, studies investigating the relationship between spiritual struggles and PTSD among MKs remain under-researched. Moreover, while studies document the existence of mental health disorders among MKs, a formal investigation examining PTSD symptomology among MKs had yet to be conducted. For this study, participants were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling, and 81 …


Is The Misdiagnosis Of Adhd And The Use Of Ritalin Related To Delinquent Behaviors And Problems With Social Anxiety Disorder In Young Boys?, Michael A. Cooper Aug 2025

Is The Misdiagnosis Of Adhd And The Use Of Ritalin Related To Delinquent Behaviors And Problems With Social Anxiety Disorder In Young Boys?, Michael A. Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses are increasing at a rapid rate. Young boys are known to be very energetic, inattentive, and lack the attention needed to function well in school or other venues, and based on these attributes, they often have a higher rate of diagnosis of ADHD than girls. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, comparative study was to assess the validity of retrospectively examining ADHD misdiagnosis and associated Ritalin use. Specifically, how proposed childhood misdiagnosis of ADHD was related to delinquent behaviors and social anxiety in adolescence and adulthood was examined. Results showed over half of the participants (n …


Do Males Use Ai Tools Differently Than Female Students When Conducting Social Science Research?, Marsha A. Donaldson Aug 2025

Do Males Use Ai Tools Differently Than Female Students When Conducting Social Science Research?, Marsha A. Donaldson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, applied, relational study aimed to explore how male graduate students used AI tools differently from female graduate students when conducting social science research. The sample for the study was collected using the Prolific application. The inclusion criteria were that participants had to be adults aged 18 years or older, English-speaking, graduated between 2020 and 2024, social science majors, and had utilized AI tools in their research. The study’s total sample consisted of 210 participants, which were disaggregated into 50% female and 50% male participants. T-test, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between multiple …


The Impact Of Adhd On Social Media Use: Navigating The Internet While Struggling With Environmental And Psychological Factors, Marcelle E. James Aug 2025

The Impact Of Adhd On Social Media Use: Navigating The Internet While Struggling With Environmental And Psychological Factors, Marcelle E. James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of 18 to 35-year-old adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their perceptions of the psychological and environmental challenges they face while navigating the internet, specifically social media. The theoretical foundation of the study was Barkley’s Executive Functional Theory. The four research questions examined the experiences of the participants and their unique challenges in life from a psychological and environmental perspective. Purposive sampling was utilized, and semi-structed interviews were conducted. The qualitative phenomenology perspective allowed participants to express their opinions without restrictions. The data was collected and analyzed using …


Critical Volunteer Stewardship: A New Model Of Volunteer Management For Churches, Kelly Lynne Reed Shaw Aug 2025

Critical Volunteer Stewardship: A New Model Of Volunteer Management For Churches, Kelly Lynne Reed Shaw

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In an effort to advance the kingdom without breaking the bank, today’s churches rely heavily upon volunteers to staff and operate a multitude of ministries. With biblical beginnings reaching well into the Old Testament, volunteerism and the call to serve remain an essential part of being Christian. Drawn from a unique blend of emergency management and human resource tactics, Critical Volunteer Stewardship (CVS) is a proposed model of volunteer administration that quickly identifies, assigns, and retains volunteer capital while building authentic interpersonal relationships. This researcher has implemented her CVS model at Captivate Community Church to mitigate the organization’s current inability …


Leaving The Cockpit: Understanding The Military-To-Civilian Transition Experience Of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Aviation Veterans, Robert D. Harris Aug 2025

Leaving The Cockpit: Understanding The Military-To-Civilian Transition Experience Of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Aviation Veterans, Robert D. Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the military-to-civilian (MTC) transition experiences of U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) veterans through a hermeneutic phenomenological approach supported by reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). ARSOA aviators operate in a demanding environment that requires advanced technical proficiency, exceptional cognitive agility, and the capacity to shift between complex tasks rapidly. They possess elite-level skills in target acquisition, decision making under pressure, and processing high volumes of information, capabilities that extend well beyond those typically expected of conventional military pilots. Thirteen former ARSOA aviators, crew chiefs, and flight medics who had separated within the past five years participated in semi-structured …


The Effect Of Body-Worn Cameras On Police Credibility In The Courtroom, Robert A. Lindblom Aug 2025

The Effect Of Body-Worn Cameras On Police Credibility In The Courtroom, Robert A. Lindblom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The use of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) by criminal justice practitioners in America has increased dramatically during the past decade. However, many assumptions were made during this process about the effectiveness of BWCs without adequate research or evidence to back up the claims. Deploying new technology under such circumstances often produces unexpected outcomes. One of these unanticipated results may be the increased dependence of judges and juries upon video evidence. Increasingly, adjudicators may hesitate to accept an officer’s testimony at face value. Prosecutors may even be reluctant to pursue cases at all when video is unavailable to bolster the officer’s statement. …


Empowering The Next Generation Of Female Leaders In Restoration Church Rhode Island, Elizabeth Faroul Arah Aug 2025

Empowering The Next Generation Of Female Leaders In Restoration Church Rhode Island, Elizabeth Faroul Arah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this praxis-in-dissertation was to enhance the leadership skills of current Christian female members within the Fervent Women’s ministry at Restoration Church (REZ Church) in Rhode Island. The plan was to enable them to engage and connect with young and new females who would be interested in joining the ministry. By using the situational leadership model as a tool to support the selected female participants from one stage to the next, the ministry Director gained valuable insights into their own leadership effectiveness and how they were able to best support each female through the process. The results of …


An Evaluative Study On The Relationship Between Caregiver Stress Of Adult Caregivers For Aging Parents With Chronic Medical Conditions And Life Satisfaction Moderated By Self-Compassion, Cristal Byrd Aug 2025

An Evaluative Study On The Relationship Between Caregiver Stress Of Adult Caregivers For Aging Parents With Chronic Medical Conditions And Life Satisfaction Moderated By Self-Compassion, Cristal Byrd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As of 2015, in the United States alone, approximately 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid (informal) care to an adult age fifty or older in the past twelve months Forty-two percent of these individuals are caring for a parent including 31% for a mother, and 11% for a father (Jones, 2015). Frequently, the impending challenges correlated with the aging process are discovered in concordance with each other; to which obligation or onus for caregiving of this demographic falls on the shoulders of their adult children. According to recent studies, approximately 1 in 3 adult children in the United States provide …


Integrated Growth: Developing A Sustainable Continuum Of Whole-Person Discipleship For Cultivating Healthy Leaders, Joyce A. Smith Aug 2025

Integrated Growth: Developing A Sustainable Continuum Of Whole-Person Discipleship For Cultivating Healthy Leaders, Joyce A. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leadership, particularly within ministry contexts, involves complex responsibilities that often lead to chronic stress, burnout, and diminished well-being. These challenges underscore the need for a holistic, sustainable framework that supports leaders in every dimension of life. This Dissertation in Praxis explored a biblically grounded, multidimensional wellness initiative designed to foster integrated health among ministry leaders at The Harvest Church, a nondenominational congregation in North Houston, Texas. Framed by biblical principles of stewardship, wholeness, and relational unity, this study implemented and assessed a structured wellness program addressing four critical domains of a leader’s well-being: emotional resilience, financial stability, physical/nutritional health, and …