Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Job Satisfaction Among Staff In Private Child Care Agencies, Carmin Marie Johnson

Online Theses and Dissertations

Leadership styles and behaviors can impact employees' job performance and satisfaction. Murari and Mukherjee (2021), highlight that “building trust, clear vision, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation, self-awareness, transparency, individualized consideration, wisdom and knowledge, and congruent values” (p. 3612); are the faces of transformational leadership. Positive or negative behaviors can significantly affect job performance and total job satisfaction. The behavior of leadership has a significant impact on the success of employees and organizations. Leadership behavior affects many organizations, such as schools, community organizations, governmental organizations, and private agencies. Creswell (2012) describes correlational design as a form of research that uses data analysis …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Marital Satisfaction And Marital Resilience In Christian Couples, Melvinlyn Lovell Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the impact of the coronavirus, better known as COVID-19, on marital satisfaction and resilience in Christian marriages. Marital satisfaction and resilience are critical components of a successful marriage. Numerous studies have focused on marital satisfaction and resiliency (Carr & Kellas, 2018). However, little research focuses specifically on Christian married couples’ marital satisfaction and resilience during extraordinary conditions such as the recent pandemic, COVID-19. Even without a pandemic, marriages encounter internal and external stressors that can strengthen or destroy marriage. The primary goal of this quasi-experimental study using the interactionism theory was to (a) examine the impact of …

Religiosity And Dating Relationships: How Individual And Dyadic Religiosity Influence The Dating Relationship Quality Among Indonesian Dating Couples, Hans Ega Saputra

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study is a replication of the previous study conducted by Aragoni et al. (2021) to follow up on the future direction of the study by replicating the study within a new population of Indonesia. Research on how religiosity influences marital quality has been widely addressed, but little research has been conducted on the population of dating couples. Collectivism and religiosity are strongly embedded within the culture of Indonesia, which influence how Indonesian people view interpersonal relationships. Thus, the present study is critical because it addresses how much religiosity influences dating relationship quality among Indonesian dating couples. Religiosity as an …

Reflections On The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, Alina Gamboa Combs

Journal of Critical Global Issues

The 1998 Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement (B/GFA), is considered a milestone for brokering peace and moving forward past the period known as the “Troubles” that plagued Northern Ireland for three decades (1961-1994). An overwhelming majority: 71 percent of the electorate in Northern Ireland (81 percent voter turnout) voted yes to the question, “Do you support the Agreement reached in the Multi-Party Talks?” giving the B/GFA and the subsequent legally binding British-Irish Agreement (BIA) strong public support. Since its signing, the B/GFA has been implemented in part. A key component, forming a Northern Ireland Assembly and …

Exploring The Pathogen Profiles Of Ancient Feces, Drew Capone, David Holcomb, Amanda Lai, Karl Reinhard, Joe Brown

Karl Reinhard Publications

Analysis of ancient desiccated feces – termed paleofeces or coprolites – can unlock insights into the lives of ancient people. We collected desiccated feces from caves in the Rio Zape Valley in Mexico (725-920 CE). First, we extracted DNA with methods previously optimized for paleofeces. Then, we applied highly sensitive modern molecular tools (i.e., PCR pre-amplification followed by multi-parallel qPCR) to assess the presence of 30 enteric pathogens. We detected ≥1 pathogen associated gene in each of the ten samples and a mean of 3.9 pathogens per sample. The targets detected included Blastocystis spp. (n=7), atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (n=7), …

Associations Between Deficit Accumulation Frailty And Baseline Markers Of Lifestyle In The Us Pointer Trial, Mark A Espeland, Yitbarek N Demesie, Kayloni Olson, Samuel N Lockhart, Sarah E Tomaszewski Farias, Maryjo L Cleveland, Christy C Tangney, Lucia Crivelli, Heather M Snyder, Michele K York, Laura D Baker, Rachel A Whitmer, Rena R Wing, Katelyn R Garcia, Kathryn E Callahan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Multidomain lifestyle interventions may have the potential to slow biological aging as captured by deficit accumulation frailty indices. We describe the distribution and composition of the 49-component frailty index developed by the U.S. POINTER clinical trial team of investigators and assess its cross-sectional associations with sociodemographic factors and markers chosen to be representative of behaviors targeted by the trial's multidomain interventions.

METHODS: We draw baseline data from the 2 111 volunteers enrolled in U.S. POINTER who were ages 60-79 years and at increased risk for cognitive decline. Frailty components were grouped into 9 domains. Associations that frailty index scores …

Critical (G)Race Theory: A Biblical Response To The Growing Secular Social Justice Movement, Tyler A. Keaton

Masters Theses

Critical Race Theory is a worldview that has taken the social justice world by storm in recent years and has even begun to present itself within the teachings of much of the Church. Oftentimes, secular social justice looks to scripture due to the commands for justice found therein to justify their goal of racial justice and equity. However, while the causes of secular social justice movements and CRT are noble, the ideologies and methods they employ are unbiblical and immoral in many instances. CRT itself is a worldview that promotes further injustices that are just as immoral, if not more …

A Comparative Study Of Leadership Styles Of U.S. Olympic Swimming Head Coaches, Stephanie Barnes

Masters Theses

The role of leadership is paramount in successful sport coaching. The current study explored the realm of coaching in swimming to gain a deeper understanding of the unique and diverse leadership styles of U.S. Olympic Head Swimming Coaches. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological research design using a case study approach with two specific cases. Purposeful sampling was utilized to investigate two former U.S. Olympic Head Swimming Coaches with a combined 80 years of elite professional swim coach experience. Through semi-structured interviews and detailed questions, meaningful insight was gained into coaching practices, athlete interactions, and self-perceived effectiveness. Data analysis utilizing …

Srikandi And Indonesia’S E-Government Policy: System Reliability And The Crucial Role Of Political Commitment, Tubagus Zaki Zakaria, Nandang Alamsah Deliarnoor, Dedi Sukarno

Jurnal Wacana Politik

This study examines the implementation of the SRIKANDI e-government policy in Indonesia, focusing on six critical elements: information exchange, information security, citizen engagement, human resources, inter-agency services, and policy-related decision-making. Employing a qualitative research methodology, NVIVO software was used to conduct thorough data coding and content analysis. Data were collected through literature reviews, non-participant observations, in-depth interviews, and analysis of official government documents, ensuring robust triangulation and comprehensive understanding. The findings reveal significant challenges in information security, particularly with system vulnerabilities that pose risks to data integrity. The level of citizen engagement remains low, with existing regulations limiting public participation …

A Netnographic Study Of Social Media As A Communication Support For Families Caring For Neurodiverse Adults, Heather Marie Argo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Computer-mediated communication research has found that communities, especially those sharing a common cause or interest, connect through various techniques, including social media support groups. However, there is limited research surrounding the online communication perceptions of parents raising neurodiverse adults. The purpose of the qualitative case study was to deeply understand the online communication behaviors of parents raising neurodiverse adults. Specifically, the research analyzed the Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) organization’s asynchronous communication within their Facebook support group page and online artifacts, including a website and newsletters. The study applied deductive sense-making verbing and inductive coding to identify how …

Investigating The Perceived Efficacy Of Support Groups As A Secondary-Organization Stress Intervention Measure For Hospice Nurses, Sade A. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigated the perceived efficacy of support groups as a secondary organizational intervention measure for hospice nurses. Workplace stress is a common issue in hospice care that impacts workers negatively. It results in declining mental, physical, and social wellness. While research indicates significant benefits of support groups, they are not commonly applied in hospice care. Support groups have been widely used in mental health for years to share information and experiences and discuss problems. This dissertation interviewed eight participants using a qualitative case study approach. The participants were recruited from an online hospice nurse group on Facebook. The information …

Workplace Conflict: Its Nature, Peculiarities, And Prevention, Ayo Ogunmolasuyi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace conflict can arise from negative attitudes, lazy coworkers, and stress. In most cases, conflict can be instigated by managers, supervisors, colleagues, or the employer's inability to meet specific demands or provide necessary resources. The aftermath of workplace conflict can be detrimental, destructive, and expensive when it escalates. Conflict can be a significant source of stress at work. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of participants in regard to the nature of conflict, motivational tools, and strategies for conflict prevention. This study was directed by theoretical frameworks, including post-positivism, dual concern theory, social cognitive …

Understanding The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mental Health Of Children And Parents During The Pandemic, Whitney S. Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic presented parents with stressors that affected their well-being and their life satisfaction. The pandemic caused parents to struggle with balancing their families’ needs and maintaining their happiness. Prior to the pandemic, children and adolescents had a routine that accommodated their daily functioning and provided them with social contact. The pandemic added stress with parents working odd hours at work, having to adjust to their child’s school schedules, and not being able to contribute to their support system. In addition to these daily stressors, parents had to consider the precautions surrounding COVID-19 and the worries attached to the …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Military Veterans' Lived Experiences With The Cultural Transition Process: Navigating From The Military Culture To Civilian Life, Claudia Flores

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the process of cultural reintegration of service members from the military culture to the civilian culture, and to critically examine the implementation of existing Department of Defense (DoD) military transition policies designed to facilitate this reintegration. Policy implementation theory, pioneered by Jeffrey Pressman and Aaron Wildavsky, served as a framework to evaluate the efficacy of the DoD’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in supporting cultural reintegration. The study also drew upon the military transition theory, pioneered by Carl Castro and Sara Kintzle, which highlights the acculturation challenges faced by veterans, due …

The Relationship Between Solidarity And Job Satisfaction, Burnout, Work Stress, And Turnover Intention, Marcella R. Ronyak

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationship between supervisor-subordinate solidarity and subordinates’ level of job satisfaction among Indian Health Services (IHS) employees. Research has indicated that supervisor solidarity influenced job satisfaction, which allowed job satisfaction to serve as a mediator variable to negatively induce burnout and work stress and positively impact turnover intention. This study examined these variables using the Interpersonal Solidarity Scale © (Wheeless, 1976), Job Satisfaction Survey © (Spector, 1985), Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981), Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen & Williamson, 1988), and Turnover Intention (adapted Wei-Yuan et al., 2023). Correlations were used to analyze relationships between …

How Military And Civilian Leaders At Forscom Develop Transformational And Sensegiving Skills To Motivate Brigade Combat Teams To Support The Army's Training Objectives, Lonnie Earnest Humphrey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to determine whether military and civilian leaders at the United States Army Force Command (FORSCOM) have transformational and sensegiving skills to influence Brigade Combat Teams to support the Army's Mission Essential Training Task (MET-T) and Warfighting Function (WFF) training objectives. The theory that guided this study is Maslow hierarchy of needs. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is widely used in public organizations as a framework to assess employees’ needs. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory suggested that subordinates are only motivated to support an organization's strategic goals once their psychological and physical needs are satisfied. …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Former Adult Drug Users’ Sobriety Journey After Graduating From A Faith-Based/Spiritual Drug And Alcohol Recovery Program, Laurine Voltaire

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of former adult drug users and their sobriety journeys after graduating from a variety of faith-based or spiritual drug and alcohol recovery programs. The research included a systematic review and narrative synthesis of existing literature on faith-based and spiritual recovery programs to address the gap concerning the lived experiences of former users and an evaluation of the strategies and techniques vital for facilitating recovery. The guiding theoretical framework CHIME-D delineated the essential definitive characteristics such as connectedness, hope, identity, meaning of life, empowerment, and overcoming difficulties that …

Pentecostal Christian’S Influence On Marital Satisfaction And Longevity, Rebecca Burgess

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study aimed to explore the influence of Pentecostalism on marital satisfaction and longevity within the context of individuals who identify as Pentecostal Christians. By employing PENTECOSTALISM AND MARITAL SATISFACTION 3 phenomenology, the study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences, perspectives, and beliefs of participants regarding the impact of Pentecostalism on their marriages. The research involves in-depth interviews with married individuals adhering to Pentecostal beliefs, examining their experiences and interpretations of how Pentecostal teachings and practices influence their marital satisfaction and relationship longevity. This study included a sample size of 10 participants, consisting of 5 married …

Direction Of Prayer And Marital Satisfaction, Jeffrey Deyel Brothers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this correlational study was to assess the relationship between the constructs of prayer and marriage. Specifically, this study sought to answer the question of whether or not the direction of prayer, inward, outward, and upward was significantly correlated with marital satisfaction. Two hundred and one participants who were married, at least eighteen years of age, and who identified as Christian participated in the study. They completed a demographic questionnaire, the Prayer Thought Scale (PTS), and the ENRICH Couple Satisfaction Scale (CSS) online. Results indicated that there was no significant correlation between direction of prayer and marital satisfaction. …

A Qualitative Study Of Dialogic Communication Of The American Aviation Sector On Facebook Users, Marian E. Tadrous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem is that few recent studies have examined dialogic communication on social media platforms, especially Facebook. The purpose of this qualitative research is to explore the dialogic communication principles of the American aviation sector. The rationale for this research is that 99% of American aviation institutions have a Facebook platform to communicate with the public. These institutions must listen to the public's needs regarding the principles of dialogical communication. Examining aviation institutions' use of dialogical principles is a lens into the strengths and weaknesses of aviation institutions' messages on Facebook. Recent studies have shown a lack of research addressing …

The Masculine Perspective Of The Stigmatization Of Childlessness In Marriage In YorùBáLand: An Ile-Ife Phenomenological Study, Godwin Segun-George Olugbami

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe men's experiences with the stigmatization of childlessness in the context of marriage in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The experience of childlessness as a universal phenomenon has been predominantly studied from the female perspective, and men are primarily neglected. The heteronormative ideal of women as 'mother/nurturer' is supported by only collecting women's fertility data in contrast to relatively suboptimal statistics in men's studies. This dissertation explores the view of ten African men set in the Yorùbá culture suffering from childlessness and its attendant stigmatization, mainly as a result of infertility. It provides in-depth interviews …

Analyzing Organizational Commitment And Organizational Citizenship Behavior In Telecommuting Work Environments, Joshua L. Hays

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic forced employees and organizations into telecommuting roles which created undesirable consequences for the employee (distractions, overworking, isolation, etc.) and the organization (emotional disengagement, turnover, control, lack of collaboration, etc.). The research design for this study was a quasi-experimental correlational design to analyze the relationship between organizational commitment and telecommuting environments. The data obtained from the participants was collected by using Google Forms survey design. Upon receiving the required (n = 100) completed surveys, the data was then inputted into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 for analysis. The participants of this study were from …

Investigating The Correlation Between Racially Based Trauma And The Imposter Phenomenon In High-Achieving Black Women, Tarra Lynn Winfield Ray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the imposter phenomenon, racially based trauma, and how the two correlate among high-achieving Black women. High achieving for this writing refers to Black women who attend college or graduate school, those in professional positions that require a degree, advanced degree, or professional licensure (i.e., corporate executives, medical doctors, attorneys, mental health clinicians, etc.), and entrepreneurs. Many current studies have focused on the unique and complex experiences that high-achieving Black women face while working to achieve goals and gain success. Many of these women have experienced racially based trauma, and many endorse the simultaneous experiencing of the imposter …

A Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program To Promote Mental Health On A College Campus, Maggie Beshears

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores the effectiveness of the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) model in training college employees to recognize and respond to students at risk of suicide. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether QPR training increases participants’ knowledge of suicide warning signs, enhances their confidence in initiating intervention conversations, and improves their ability to refer students to appropriate mental health resources. This quantitative experimental research combines pre- and post-training assessments with qualitative feedback to measure changes in participants’ understanding and perceived preparedness. Results indicated a significant increase in employees’ confidence and knowledge following the training. The implications of …

Citizen Complaints Against Police And Police Education Level: A Quantitative Analysis, Robert S. Swenszkowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Complaints against police officers result from citizens expressing dissatisfaction with police officers’ conduct, which is perceived as unjust. Citizen dissatisfaction with police services or the imposition of authority can lead to the belief that such authority is illegitimate and unjust, which can decrease levels of confidence and cooperation from citizens. Questions have long existed about the need for individuals to have some level of higher education to be employed as police officers. Yet, a consistent standardization for the minimum educational requirements for police officers in the United States has not been embraced. Research and theory suggest that higher education yields …

Exploring The Influence Of Police Officers Lived Experiences On Implementing Community Oriented Policing Of Marginalized Populations, Herman "Tracy" Williams Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The oppositional relationship between the police and communities characterized as marginalized populations aptly describes an adversarial dynamic that hinders the effective implementation of guardian-focused, community-oriented policing. Fears of crime, claims of police bias, dehumanization, and perceptions of social disorder frequently breed socioeconomic decline in these communities. These conditions often contribute to citizens of marginalized communities viewing police officers as traditional policing warriors versus the roles of police as guardians who assist and protect the public. The problem is that the lack of cooperation and mutual distrust in interactions between the police and communities leads to external friction and internal organizational …

Care Providers Caring For Military Members Struggling With Grief, Clara Altagracia García

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research aims to address the lack of grief support services for service members (SMs) and veterans, which affects them and the wider community. The mission is to uncover the needs of SMs and veterans and devise effective strategies to support them. The literature review will provide the foundation for the need for research and create a reasonable solution for a healthier grieving process for SMs. This research aims to determine how complicated grief goes undetected and how counseling can help SMs and veterans. The thesis project will impact the grief counseling process of others in this field and bring …

Parenting Strategies For Adult Abuse Victims, Sarah Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological proposal is to describe adults with past childhood trauma’s parenting experiences in Missouri. Growing up in an abusive household, I saw how not to parent my children once I was older. Not everyone thinks this way. Children who grow up in an abusive household do not always develop resiliency. Due to these effects, the following proposal will look at how these adults are impacted when it comes to their parenting styles. Parenting is difficult, to begin with, let alone working through your issues. Generational abuse is a common occurrence. The main research question that will …

Caring For Ukrainian Healthcare Professionals In Wartime: Moral Injury And Psycho-Spiritual Intervention, Rodger L. Stenger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study examined the prevalence of Moral Injury (MI) among Ukrainian healthcare professionals (UHCPs) and their willingness to engage in evidence-based, psycho-spiritual interventions targeting MI that has resulted from the Russian invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic. MI is a psychological construct resulting from actions that violate an individual’s moral code and can overlap with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. While MI has been extensively researched in the military, it has gained attention in healthcare settings. Utilizing the Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professional (MISS-HP), this study quantitatively identified a moderate prevalence of MI among doctors and nurses in Ukraine. …

What Hath Jerusalem To Do With Chile: Towards An Evangelical Understanding Of The Enneagram And Its Usage For Spiritual Development, Wesley E. Scholtz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently, it is estimated that the personality testing market is worth approximately $2 billion. The Church has expressed interest in understanding personality types through various testing methods. The Enneagram offers a possibly ancient method to help people understand who they are in a spiritual capacity, which can be an aid in connecting more closely with God. This dissertation addressed the research gap that exists within the current literature which is the lack of data concerning whether adults who are professional, ordained ministers are aware of, use, and may be skeptical of the Enneagram. The research method in this dissertation was …