Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Operationalization Of Emotional Connectedness In The U.S. Military, Demetrius N. Booth Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the dynamic and challenging environment of military operations, the successful completion of missions often hinges on strategic insight, technical skills, and interpersonal relationships among service members. Despite its significance, emotional connectedness (EC) is often an overlooked dimension of military leadership. The existing literature on connectedness shows that leaders who prioritize fostering an environment marked by shared leadership, organizational citizenship behavior, work commitment, perceptions of justice, and perceptions of support gain influence and help establish a climate of trust and innovation. This research assists military leaders in defining EC within a military context and developing a practitioner-centered theoretical framework that …

Examining The Relationship Of Neuroticism And The Three Dimensions Of Religious/Spiritual Doubt Through The Mediating Role Of Intolerance Of Uncertainty, Michael E. Mullins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research on religious/spiritual (r/s) struggles, such as doubt, has increased over the past two decades and is important because of links between these struggles and negative holistic outcomes. The problem is there are Christian adults with r/s doubts that lead to negative outcomes, and there is a lack of research that examines how the personality trait factor of neuroticism and the dispositional factor of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) affect r/s doubt. The aim of this study was to examine the possible mediating influence of IU upon neuroticism and r/s doubt (including the three dimensions of r/s doubt: factual, emotional, and …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Adult Nutrition; A Correlational Study, Tabitha Ostrout

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a wealth of knowledge surrounding adverse childhood experiences and their immediate consequences. In recent years, researchers have expanded the scope of studies to explore the long-term impact of these negative early childhood events. One focus of interest is examining the connection between adverse childhood experiences and adult nutrition. To further contribute to the body of knowledge, a quantitative research study was conducted to determine if there is a correlation between the two variables. Data was collected from 106 participants to analyze the impact that adverse childhood experiences may have on later adult nutrition, as well as to investigate …

Parental Experiences Of Work And Family Conflict While Parenting A Child With Cancer, Marshall Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The occurrence of work-family conflict is one that many parents with children experience, however, working parents whose child has received a diagnosis of cancer face additional unique and seemingly insurmountable challenges in family and work expectations. The work and family conflict (WAFC) scale, caregiver distress scale (CDS), and financial toxicity (COST) instruments were completed via self-report by 156 participants. All 156 participants were organized into a crisis (n=15), chronic (n=90), terminal (n=49), or “other” (n=2) group based on the time since their child’s diagnosis, time-to-treatment, or type of diagnosis given. The participants in the “other” group were excluded as they …

The Relationship Of Physical Literacy, Motivation, Cognitive Function, And Academic Performance Among Elementary School Children, Meagan A. Hartman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Physical literacy could promote the development of confidence and motivation to engage in physical activity, reducing chronic health issues within the United States. This study examined physical literacy and its relationship with motivation, cognitive function, and academic performance among fourth and fifth graders. Participants completed the Physical Literacy Assessment for Youth – basic (PLAYbasic), Motives for Physical Activity Measure (MPAM) and Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM), which measured physical literacy, motivation to engage in physical activity, and cognitive function, respectively. Academic scores from the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) were collected to measure academic performance. Scores from these measures were …

Taking A Stand: A Phenomenological Study Of Black Christian Pastors' Experiences Of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence In The Church & Community, Karen Elaine Simmons-Clifton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe black pastors’ lived experiences of counseling and/or ministering to female victims (congregants & non-congregants) and survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Texas. These acts of violation against women occur at staggering rates worldwide, often leaving the victims and survivors with damages and issues they dare trust to share with a spiritual figure. In many communities, the Black Christian pastor is often the person these wounded women seek as their counselor, spiritual guide, and safe place, despite the pastor’s lack of education and/or training in IPV. Research indicates that these women …

Motivating Remote Working Employees, Sandesh Bilgi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how remote employees who have previously worked in-person describe their lived and perceived experience with motivation in remote working environments. Participants completed the Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Scale (WEIMS), which measures degrees of work-related motivation among employees focusing on traits that signify each worker’s intrinsically or extrinsically motivated nature. Through in-depth interviews with 30 participants, this research examined how remote workers are motivated in remote work settings, which factors increase or decrease motivation, and how leaders can influence the motivation levels of their employees. The interviews were conducted online, …

A Qualitative Study Of Nonprofit Leadership Roles In Using Funding Diversification As A Sustainable Strategy For Organizations' Survivability In California, Nelson Nduka Ayede

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand nonprofit leaders' roles in utilizing funding diversification as a sustainable strategy for organizations' survival. To survive, nonprofit organizations rely on leaders’ roles and experiences to address issues such organizations might face. The targeted population was executive leaders in nonprofit organizations. The participants were board members and senior leadership team members of nonprofit organizations in San Diego. The understudied research questions include the central research question: How do nonprofit organizations' current policies influence funding diversification as a sustainability strategy? This study utilized phenomenological design. The resource dependency theory (RDT) guided this study …

The Consequences Of Social Isolation On Early Adolescent Youth: The Rise Of Gender Identity Questioning, Rachele Hauck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The year 2020 brought forth a global pandemic that changed the way human beings went about their daily life. Coinciding at the same point in history, the number of adolescents questioning their gender identity almost doubled. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study sought to understand the journeys of seven adolescents surviving the stay-at-home mandates put in place by officials attempting to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in a rural midwestern town. These participants identify as a gender that does not align with the gender they were given at birth. Their voices are documented with subject led interviews and attention to expressionistic …

A Phenomenological Study Of Forgiveness Following Infidelity Focusing On Robert Enright's Forgiveness Model, Delondria R. Hines

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of women who chose to forgive their partner’s infidelity using Robert Enright’s Forgiveness Model. The study explores the motivations for forgiveness after infidelity, focusing on women aged 25–70 in heterosexual relationships from various racial and ethnic origins who have decided to remain with their partners. Extending Robert Enright's Forgiveness Model, this study examines the benefits of forgiveness. The study uses thematic analysis to identify common themes in the participants’ stories, enhancing understanding of their motivations for forgiveness. Semi-structured interviews served as the main method for data collection, offering a …

Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of The Constraint Of Law Enforcement Under The De-Policing Movement, Darren A. Kenyon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative and descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of law enforcement officers in relation to how the de-policing movement may have constrained their ability to proactively enforce the law and interact with the citizens they serve in Connecticut. This study employed Fritz Heider’s attribution theory as a theoretical framework. Data was collected through a series of semi-structured interviews conducted online via Zoom with 10 participants who were employed as police officers or sergeants for a municipal law enforcement agency in the State of Connecticut. These participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling …

Is There Strength In Vulnerability?: A Qualitative Review Of How Black Women Navigate Emotional Vulnerability, Cicely L. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative, phenomenological study explored how Black women navigate emotional vulnerability. Utilizing semi-structured interviews, that examine their core beliefs, experiences, and historical views on vulnerability, the research aimed to uncover the different ways in which these women experienced and managed vulnerability, particularly in light of the Strong Black Woman Schema (SBWS). The study addressed three primary research questions: How do Black women living in rural areas describe their lived experience with emotional vulnerability within their personal, social, and cultural contexts? How do Black women living in rural areas describe their lived experience with the Strong Black Woman Schema? How do …

Keeping The Faith: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Christian Educators Working In A Public Elementary School, Katharine E. Knoeppel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Spiritual growth and development are pivotal aspects of a Christian’s life journey. A Christian worldview to include consultation with scripture and prayer helps to support the morals and values necessary for such growth. American public-school systems have adopted a secular worldview which is devoid of creationism and His truth. With an increase in attrition rates and reported job-related stress among public school employees, a deeper understanding is needed to better understand current trends. This study focused on the lived experience of Christian educators working in a secular school system. Quantitative research was conducted investigating the impact of prayer, stress and …

Resilience And Extrication Stories From Female Victims Of Narcissistic Abuse And Intimate Partner Violence During The Covid-19 Pandemic Isolation Period, Kristin A. Musacchio

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

I studied the prevalence of narcissistic abuse and intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic’s isolation period. This research provides a nuanced understanding of the tactics and consequences of narcissistic abuse and intimate partner violence during a global health crisis. I uncovered ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has affected preexisting abusive behaviors while simultaneously providing new opportunities, during the isolation period, for the abusers to control and manipulate their partners. I explored resiliency and religious coping strategies to understand the psychological healing process of female victims of intimate partner violence or narcissistic abuse. A qualitative approach was utilized to …

Responding To Leadership Change: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study Of Female Pastors And Their Congregations, Sharon Britz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multi-case study was to explore the lived experiences of female senior pastors and their congregants who have embraced leadership change from male to female. Although many denominations openly accept and ordain female pastors, and the number of women in pastoral leadership roles has risen, many women in ministry still face obstacles. Guided by the theory of change, in conjunction with liberation theology, this study addressed a gap in research related to the experience of female pastors in ministerial leadership, as minimal similar studies exist, and no other studies within the Congregational Christian Church were found. …

Factors Associated With Clinician Confidence With Gender Identity Issues In Children, Elizabeth D. Hickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explored mental health clinicians’ experience and self-confidence in their ability to identify and treat children with gender dysphoria. Gender issues are highly prevalent in the United States with an estimated 1.9 million individuals (about twice the population of South Dakota) considering themselves in the LGBT community. The American Psychological Association estimated that there were currently 106,500 licensed psychologists in the United States in a 2014 census. The United States Census population clock has the number of citizens to nearly 335 million people. Meaning that for every psychologist there are 3,146 potential clients. This is an overwhelming ratio of …

The Role Of Timing Of Developmental Trauma And Impacts On Attachment In African-Caribbean American Women: A Holistic Perspective, Zinetta Renee Baker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Prior studies have shown that developmental trauma exposure in childhood negatively impacts attachment neurocircuitry, increasing risk for insecure attachments in adulthood, and deemed more prevalent among females and minorities, such as African American women. However, studies that specifically focus on ethnocultural contexts, initial developmental trauma exposure during specific developmental ages, and impacts on attachment, including attachment to God in African-Caribbean American women are limited. This study fulfilled those gaps in the literature by examining age of initial developmental trauma exposure and impacts on attachment with self and God in African-Caribbean American adult women with developmental trauma histories. Bioecological systems theory, …

Teacher Stress, Resilience, And Experience: A Correlational Study, Kelsey D. Valente

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The teaching profession is one of the most critical, yet challenging occupations. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify and articulate the importance of the study exploring the teaching occupation and stress. Specifically, the purpose of the quantitative study was to explore the relationship between self-report educator stress, self-report of resilience, and years of teaching experience. The minimum sample size, determined by a priori power analysis, was 67; however, there were 68 participants in the study. Participants included current, public school educators ages 18 and older licensed to teach in South Carolina. Data collection was completed through three self-report …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Factors That Facilitate Sexual Trauma Disclosure In Black Women In The United States, Davne' R. Mccleary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe Black women’s lived experiences with disclosure after experiencing sexual trauma in the United States. The theory that guides this study is Black feminist thought (Hill Collins, 1986), as it provides the historical and societal backdrop against which it is necessary to understand sexual violence against Black women and seeks to empower Black women to resist oppression. Utilizing semi-structured interviews, cognitive representations, and journal entries, data was collected from 13 Black women survivors of sexual trauma to answer the following research questions: How do Black women who have experienced sexual trauma …

“Mommy And Me”: A Phenomenological Study Into The Experiences Of African American Parents In Their Child’S Teletherapy Session, Cleveland E. Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of African American parents involved in their child’s teletherapy session. The study seeks to describe how these experiences occurred in the context of transitional change as these parents and children transitioned from in person therapy to telehealth due to COVID-19 or other major life circumstance. The theory guiding this study is Schlossberg’s transitional theory which highlights how change impacts the lives of people through unique individual experiences. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews that were administered to 10 participants. From these interviews four themes were created. These themes …

Multiple Platform Social Media Engagement Correlation With Perceived Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Active Church Members, Penny K. Hampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media has remained an area that each person has related to in their everyday experiences. The growth of social media has continued and expanded to include a wide range of varying platform opportunities for users. Given the variances with social media engagements, everyone differs with their resulting overall mental health characteristics. This study explored the relationship between the user engagement on multiple social media platforms and self-reported depression, stress, and anxiety. The variables included the number of social media platforms and the self-reported responses to the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS21). For this study, the participants included 117 individuals …

A Phenomenology Of The Importance Of Protection As It Relates To The Father And Daughter Relationship, Jared B. Reid

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to better understand the lived experience of a father’s relationship with his daughter(s) and how the central theme of protection impacts that relationship. Protection will be generally defined as a father’s ability to provide boundaries physically, spiritually, and emotionally around his family, created by safety and trust, in developing stability for healthy development. General research questions include but are not limited to, what necessitates a family to need protection. What is the impact on a daughter when the father does not protect her? The purpose of this phenomenological study is to investigate the …

Childhood Sexual Abuse And Posttraumatic Growth Among African American Women, Joyce B. Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore how African American women describe their lived experience of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), the resulting changes in their relationships with others, and how survivors describe experiences of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Childhood sexual abuse is a significant public health issue in the United States, with African American youth disproportionately impacted. Research has shown that racism-related stressors are related, and African Americans often draw on cultural and familial strengths. This study aims to describe factors contributing to PTG among African American women survivors of CSA. Based on the review of the …

Examination Of Supervisor Support Of Worker Mental Health: A Quantitative Survey Of Workplace Attitudes, Interventions, Values, And Support, Myra Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The aim of this study was to help understand mental health in the workplace. The research aimed to examine how supervisor attitudes (stigma) toward mental health, staff care values, and organizational mental health intervention and prevention training predicted supervisor confidence in supporting workers experiencing mental health issues and supportive behavior of worker mental health. This quantitative, relational, cross-sectional research design used regression and moderation analyses to examine and measure the variables. Quantitative data from a closed-question survey was analyzed. The G*Power analysis determined that a minimum of 77 participants were needed for the study. Target participants were supervisors 18 years …

Projecting The Roles Of The Indonesian State Revenue Authority Toward Tax Administration's Performance, Nidya Hapsari, Adhy Kusuma Putra

BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi dan Organisasi

This study analyzes the impact of the Indonesian State Revenue Authority (SRA) on tax ratio and/or tax administration performance. The upcoming establishment of SRA, which is projected to take the semi-autonomous form under the direct command of the President, is part of tax reform in Indonesia. Using interpretive analysis and comparative research methods, the study finds that the idea of merging the Directorate General of Taxes, Directorate General of Customs and Excise, and Directorate of Non-Tax State Revenue into the SRA may contribute positively to increased state revenue and tax administration performance in Indonesia, which fiscal system is characterized by …

Essays In International Macroeconomics And Sovereign Default, Joao Alejandro Hernandez Calderon

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

My dissertation consists of two essays studying sovereign default determinants in low-income countries. In chapter one, “Institutional Investment and Multilateral Debt Relief”, I study the effectiveness of well-designed debt relief programs into improving institutional quality. I focus my analysis in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, created in 1996 by the IMF and the World Bank, with the intention to assure sustainable debt levels in exchange of a multilateral debt relief. To obtain the relief, HIPC had to show a track record of institutional investments to improve institutional quality. I propose two proxies for institutional quality perceived by private …

Perceptions Of Employability With Ai Skills, Brandy Whitford, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making AI proficiency a key factor in hiring and career advancement. By late 2023, 75% of knowledge workers integrated AI into their workflows, with 92% reporting increased productivity and creativity (Kimbrough, 2024). Employers are adapting—66% prefer candidates with AI expertise, and 77% consider AI skills essential for career growth (Microsoft & LinkedIn, 2024). However, hiring biases related to AI-skilled applicants remain underexplored, particularly concerning gender disparities in employability perceptions. This study examines how AI-related skills influence perceived employability and whether these perceptions vary based on applicant gender. Specifically, it explores whether AI-skilled female applicants receive higher …

Navigating Gender And Equity In Education: Challenges, Personal Experiences, And Pathways For Change, Chloe Ballow

Honors Projects

This project examines how gender stereotypes influence the educational experiences of high school girls, focusing on the combined effects of gender, race, and socio-economic status. Using sources from feminist theory, educational research, and real-world examples, this study explores how societal expectations shape girls’ behavior in the classroom, their academic self-image, and their future goals. Special attention is given to African American girls and students from low-income backgrounds, who often face additional challenges due to both racial and gender biases.

The research draws on a mix of scholarly articles, reports from organizations like UNESCO and the OECD, and insights from a …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Incorporation Of Nature Into Multilevel Social Work Practice, Tessa Palmer

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Humans have an innate connection to nature, often referred to as biophilia. Besides providing the basic necessities for life, interacting with nature has been connected to lower rates of depression and hypertension, improved hospital outcomes, reduced stress, better cognition, and many other benefits. Conversely, increased urbanization is being linked to more chronic medical conditions than in the past due to social inequalities, lifestyle factors, and environmental degradation. People of color and lower socioeconomic status are being disconnected from nature through environmental racism that leads to higher exposure to toxins and pollutants, less access to clean drinking water, and lack of …

Contracting For Public Delivery: The Dynamics Of Relational Governance And Power Asymmetry In Public Infrastructure Project, Fazlur Rahman Hassan, Dzulfian Syaafrian, Dinda Ayu Maharani

BISNIS & BIROKRASI: Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi dan Organisasi

Government institutions often face a dilemma in providing goods and services: whether to ‘outsource’ or manage them ‘in-house’. Large-scale public services typically require complex contracts to ensure successful project completion. This study examines the dynamics of relational governance and power shifts that lead to contract failure using a mixed-method approach applied to a complex public service project in Jakarta, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. The findings indicate that a contractual win-win outcome can be achieved with strong governance rules, particularly relational governance. However, relational governance can weaken without robust contractual governance, particularly during conflicts or disputes. …