Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Examining Belief In Prayer, Frequency Of Prayer, Prayer Types, And Level Of Stress In A Sample Of African American Adults, Katina C. Pittman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African Americans face many stressors in their daily lives, including financial difficulties, crime and safety issues, perceived racism or discrimination, and physical health issues. Many African Americans use prayer to cope with stress. This study explored African American adults' belief in the efficacy of prayer, frequency of prayer, prayer types (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, and reception), and their association with stress levels. The theoretical frameworks used for this study were Pargament’s theory of religious coping, cognitive stress theory, and Vroom’s expectancy theory. This quantitative study used a cross-sectional survey design intending to provide counselors with information regarding prayer as a …

Which Came First, The Money Or The Sex? Cross-Lagged, Indirect Associations Between Financial Management Behaviors And Sexual Satisfaction, Matthew Todd Saxey

Theses and Dissertations

Scholars have established cross-sectional connections between how married couples navigate their finances and their sexual relationship. For example, financial management behaviors have been shown to predict sexual satisfaction among newlywed couples. However, we know very little about the direction of the association between financial management behaviors and sexual satisfaction. Understanding which might predict the other, or if there might be a bidirectional association between the two, could provide direction on where to intervene to help newlywed couples with financial and/or sexual obstacles in their marriage. With three waves of dyadic data (N = 1,208 U.S. newlywed couples), I used structural …

Phenomenological Study On Use Of Sports And Exercise For Veterans With Ptsd, Hope Angelina Torres

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological research was intended to explore the effectiveness of sports and exercise to decrease or manage D-PTSD symptoms in veterans. The study was framed around four research questions: How do veterans describe the impact sports and exercise have on their D- PTSD?, When there are PTSD symptoms being experienced prior to engaging in a sport or exercise, how does the veteran feel after the sport or exercise is completed?, What do veterans describe as the primary catalyst that draws them to engage in combative sports?, What is the holistic connectedness with sports and exercise for veterans with D- PTSD …

American Policy Discourses On China: Two Centuries Of National Imagination And Constructed Reality, Yan Chang Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the 2022 U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS), the United States government has declared that the world is at an inflection point in which there are tremendous challenges that the American people face with regard to their collective continuing security and prosperity. One of those challenges that the Biden administration has identified is the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which, according to the NSS, “harbors the intention and increasingly, the capacity to reshape the international order in favor of one that tilts the global field to its benefit.” As the administration believes, The PRC threatens the U.S.-led …

Drug Evaluation And Classification Program: An Evaluation And Validation Study In The State Of Florida, Micah Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Over the past several decades, the fatality rates in traffic crashes related to drug-impaired driving have increased significantly. Specialized law enforcement officers are currently being deployed to help reduce the number of drug-related traffic crash fatalities and identify drugged impaired drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) developed the drug evaluation and classification program (DECP) to certify law enforcement officers as drug recognition experts (DREs). An evaluation and validation study was conducted on the DECP in Florida. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the DECP in Florida to …

Marital Satisfaction And Attachment Style: The Mediating Role Of Emotional Intelligence And Religious Commitment, Denise Dos Santos Moitinho

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Most couples enter marriage hoping to experience happiness and satisfaction. This study acknowledges that spouses bring their worldviews, personalities, behaviors, and emotions to the marriage relationship, and for this reason, this study investigates the connection between marital satisfaction and attachment style as mediated by emotional intelligence and religious commitment in a sample of heterosexual married Christian individuals living in the United States. This quantitative, non-experimental, survey-based research analyzes data collected through Amazon Mechanical Turk from 530 married individuals to understand the relationship between variables affecting marital satisfaction. Results from Pearson’s correlation analyses show a significant relationship between attachment style subscales …

Who Cares? Suicide And Christian Pastoral Intervention, Debra Kay Averitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The fallen world we live in presents challenges that often seem too much to bear. How we view those challenges depends not only on our worldview but also on our interpretation of it. These same beliefs help determine if, when, and to whom we go for help. Beliefs and worldviews also drive those who provide help, making the decision of who to see that much more important. This study addresses the dispute between pastoral and secular counseling—Who is better prepared to treat individuals presenting with severe distress? In essence, this quantitative survey is a letter to the churches asking pastors …

The Relationship Between Young Adult Attachment And Loneliness Factors With Their Childhood Social Media Usage Patterns, Kenneth Walter Mark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media use has become an integral and often ignored part of children’s lives because it is rationalized not to be detrimental to their future development. However, childhood social media use was associated with insecure attachment styles and possible loneliness issues emerging in young adulthood. Past research examined social media use and secular attachment in the present only, without examining spiritual attachment or loneliness levels. This is the first research study to explore longitudinally the relationship between past childhood social media use and current young adult (aged 18-24) secular attachment, spiritual attachment, and loneliness levels. The population (N = 149) …

Teacher Retention Crisis After Natural Disaster Trauma And A Global Pandemic, Kimberly Marie Jarrard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Natural disasters affect the communities of over one million students and educators in the United States every year; however, school-based preparedness and prevention programs are nearly non-existent across disaster-prone areas. School-based trauma intervention programs are somewhat present in schools; however, it is more expensive and at a cost, and most public school systems do not have funds readily available to spend. However, the price is more significant on the adolescents' and educators' mental health and communities affected when they are only treated reactively rather than proactively. There are many studies on the results and after-effects of trauma on the mental …

The Correlates Of Right-Wing Extremism, Michael Damian Tucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research into the correlates of right-wing extremism has been focused on the group level, mainly ignoring the individual right-wing extremist behaviors, characteristics, and traits. Although group milieu strongly affects the ideology of individuals, personal decisions making often comes from a combination of unique experiences, cognitive abilities and biases, and differences in individual traits. This biographical study aimed to examine the life course events of twenty-five individual right-wing extremists identifying common biological and circumstantial correlates among and between the subjects. By analyzing the different correlates, this study created a matrix that identifies the correlates for significance. The results of the analysis …

Sports Podcast Consumption: A Qualitative Media Content Analysis, Eric Philip Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The objective of this research is to identify the elements of a podcast production that foster and facilitate audience gratifications. The Uses and Gratifications Theory posits that consumers of media seek out desired content to fulfill their needs or gratifications. This qualitative media content analysis researches gratifications derived from sports podcast consumption by analyzing fifteen podcasts in three different categories: high-ranking, medium-ranking, and low-ranking. Through the qualitative content analysis of over 54 hours of podcast content, the emergence of four structural content elements that seem to foster and facilitate audience gratifications were identified. The implications of the findings of this …

African American Male Pastors’ Perceptions Of Managing Racism As Black Men And Spiritual Leaders, Priscilla Lenora Miles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this psychological phenomenological study was to give African American pastors a platform to express their perceptions of racism as Black men and spiritual leaders. The appropriate relationships can endure unforeseen trauma with Erickson's (2013) recognition of the dependability and reliability of the scriptures, as well as Bowlby's (1969/1982) concept of pastors' attachments fostering trust. The research questions were as follows: How would African American pastors describe the challenges they face when addressing the issue of racism with their congregations? What strategies would African American pastors encourage to congregates when addressing racism? How would African American pastors describe …

Utilizing Resilience And Persistence Strategies To Reduce African American Doctoral Attrition, Dudley Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the attrition rate of African American doctoral students and how to improve their retention and graduation using resilience and persistence. Across all disciplines, 40–60% of students who began doctoral programs did not persist to graduation (Falconer & Djokic, 2019; Mirick & Wladkowski, 2020). A semi-structured interview format was used to collect the data from 27 African American participants, 20 females and 7 males, who had already obtained their doctoral degrees. The study sought to explain the phenomenon of African American doctoral students who persevered to finish their degree, in spite …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Law Enforcement Protocols In Middle Appalachian States, Timothy W. Roberts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the operational procedures of law enforcement organizations across the United States. The COVID-19 virus has forced police administrators to rethink strategies and procedures dealing with law enforcement’s multiple functions and roles in society. The pandemic is causing unprecedented challenges for law enforcement administrators to balance the organization’s priorities and the safety of officers under their command. The police functions are adapting to include personal protection to prevent the spread of the virus among the law enforcement community. This multiple case qualitative study aimed to show the immediate operational changes in law enforcement since the start …

Consensual Qualitative Research Of Compassion And Self-Compassion Definitions: A General Public Perspective, Júlia Halamová, Andrea Petrovajová, Tomáš Žilinský

The Qualitative Report

Even though compassion for others and for the self are important indicators of mental and physical health and well-being, scientists vary greatly in defining them. Therefore, we examined how the public defines compassion for others and self and explore what are the similarities or differences between researchers´ definitions and public´s definitions of compassions as well as between compassion and self-compassion themselves. 305 members of public defined compassion and self-compassion using their own words, of which we randomly selected 35 for the analysis. The definitions have been analysed using the modified Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR-M) method. The research team composed of …

Defining Traffic Scenarios For The Visually Impaired, Judith Jakob, Kordula Kugele, József Tick

The Qualitative Report

For the development of a transfer concept of camera-based object detections from Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to the assistance of the visually impaired, we define relevant traffic scenarios and vision use cases by means of problem-centered interviews with four experts and ten members of the target group. We identify the six traffic scenarios: general orientation, navigating to an address, crossing a road, obstacle avoidance, boarding a bus, and at the train station clustered into the three categories: Orientation, Pedestrian, and Public Transport. Based on the data, we describe each traffic scenario and derive a summarizing table adapted from software engineering …

Stress, Sleep, And Exercise Habits Among Extension Employees During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jenna Anding, Miquela Smith, Scott Cummings

Journal of Extension

We compared perceived stress among 804 Extension employees during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic and again six months later. Work expectations, sleep and exercise habits were assessed. More than 46% of those responding believe work expectations are “much” or “moderately more” since the pandemic began. Nearly 60% report moderate levels of stress and 54% were sleeping less. Of those who were physically active (n=677) before the pandemic, 39% were exercising less. Because stress, sleep, and physical activity affect health, supervisors should recognize the impact the pandemic has on employees, and encourage the use of available resources to promote …

The Economic Opportunity Mapping (Eom) Tool, Craig W. Carpenter, Anders Van Sandt, Rebekka Dudensing, Scott Loveridge, Linda S. Niehm

Journal of Extension

Extension professionals increasingly understand data as integral to economic development planning and related efforts. However, regional economic data is often inaccurate, expensive, and unengaging for stakeholders. The Economic Opportunity Mapping Tool provides industry-specific free online interactive maps to engage stakeholders in the process of economic development planning, while also helping connect the determinants of business location with real local data on industry establishments.

An Exploration Of Service Needs And Preferences Of Dementia Caregivers In Kentucky, Heehyul Moon, Sunshine Rote, Allison Kacmar, Amy Kostelic, Bari Lewis

Journal of Extension

As Americans live longer, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will increase. Caregivers are critical to the care and life quality of people with dementia. Yet, dementia caregivers are at increased risk for health issues, social isolation, and financial challenges. To help educators with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service work with their local Alzheimer’s Association and the University of Louisville to better support dementia families, we explored caregiver needs and service utilization using an online survey. Our findings highlighted the need for counseling/support, care management skills, resource education, self-care strategies, and legal services. Extension Service Educators …

New Jersey 4-H Junior Explorers Virtual Short-Term Exploratory Program (Step), Matthew Newman, Alayne Torretta

Journal of Extension

During the worldwide pandemic, youth were isolated from each other. In response, New Jersey 4-H, a part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, created the Junior Explorers, a virtual exchange program bringing together 4-H members with youth from other countries. This program provides youth ages 10-13 with access to international exchange opportunities that would otherwise be sparse for this age group. This program has demonstrated that Extension professionals can successfully adapt exchanges to a virtual platform. With youth the world over learning virtually, Extension professionals have a unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with international partners to enhance existing programs.

Model Of Community, Local, And Regional Food Systems Extension Programming, Kim L. Niewolny, Eric Bendfeldt, Joyce Latimer, Lorien Macauley

Journal of Extension

Community, local, and regional food systems (CLRFS) programming reflects important issues and priorities that intersect with Extension and the sustainability of our food system. CLRFS programming in Extension, however, is still developing slowly while food movements grow nationally. This article describes a CLRFS model and complementary process for conducting listening sessions with Extension professionals and community leaders to develop and enhance CLRFS programming to address critical food system needs. A recommendation for Cooperative Extension is that such a tool may aid CLRFS program potential as an integrated “food, farm, and health” approach for community-level application.

Using Student Roles During Group Supervision To Assess Counselor Dispositions, Anna M. Johnson, Joan Lawrence

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The purpose of this article is to present the use of student roles during group supervision in an online master's program to assess counselor dispositions and CACREP Standards. Counselor dispositions are considered an aspect of counselor competence and will be explored through a model of dispositional values and the application of student roles in group supervision. The possibility of future qualitative and quantitative studies regarding student roles in group supervision will provide a wealth of information for consideration in group supervision.

Counseling Students’ Cognitive Complexity In A Group Dynamics Course: A Thematic Analysis, John Davison, Joel F. Diambra, Marianne Woodside, William Daniel Shirley, Rebecca Gaylor

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor education researchers maintain that cognitive complexity is an important ability for counselors-in-training (CIT) and professional counselors providing individual and group counseling (Duys & Hedstom, 2000; Granello, 2010; Welfare & Borders, 2010 Wilkinson, 2011). Cognitive complexity, simply defined as it relates to counseling, represents how CIT or professional counselors assemble multiple facets of a client’s situation for use in counseling (Granello, 2010). Research has linked the ability to construct a more or less complete picture from a client’s present circumstances to counseling effectiveness (Welfare & Borders, 2010). According to Bernard and Goodyear (2019) and Granello and Underfer-Babalis (2004), cognitive complexity …

Supervision In Nature: Integrating The Natural World In Supervision, Kimberly L. A. Walker, Jacqueline M. Swank

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counseling supervision is a crucial component to the development of a counselor. Supervisors may integrate a variety of supervision techniques within the supervision process to facilitate the growth of the supervisee. This manuscript focuses on the integration of nature within the supervision process. We discuss the benefits of nature for humans, present nature-based supervision activities within the eight domains of professional functioning within the Integrated Developmental Model (IDM) of supervisee development, and discuss considerations for integrating nature within the supervision process.

Evaluation Of A Three-Hour Cross Disciplinary Internship Site Supervisor Training Session, Leigh Ann Tipton Fisler, Emily Jo Hernandez, Elina Saeki, Deborah Ribera, Roxanna N. Pebdani

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Given the importance of supervision in the counseling fields for facilitating trainee growth, the frequency, type, and delivery of supervision varies widely and can be limited or nonexistent (Pearson, 2004). Thus, a supervisor in any counseling profession must have strong supervisory skills that match the needs of the trainee, even if their professional skills and background differ (Davies et al., 2004). This study examined the effectiveness of a professional development training for school counseling, rehabilitation counseling and school psychology site supervisors. Results demonstrated significant improvements in participant confidence in Managing Supervision as well as general improvements in self-reported self-efficacy. Future …

Gatekeeping And Psychological Safety: Qualitative Analysis Of Early-Career Counselor Educators, John J. S. Harrichand, Patricia L. Kimball, Krista E. Kirk, Lucy C. Phillips, Mike S. Takacs

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Using transcendental phenomenology, researchers investigated the gatekeeping experiences of 17 early-career counselor educators working in CACREP programs. Guided by the research question: How do early-career counselor education faculty members perceive their role as a gatekeeper and balance this role, while creating a supportive learning environment for their graduate students? Three primary themes emerged: gatekeeping is challenging, psychological safety is created through intentionality, and gatekeeping and psychological safety interact

Addressing Anti-Fat Bias: A Crash Course For Counselors And Counselors-In-Training, Stella B. Kerl-Mcclain, Cort M. Dorn-Medeiros, Kelsey Mcmurray

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

People with larger body sizes are often the target of harmful stereotypes such as being lazy, unattractive, and unintelligent. Such stereotypes are part of an extensive system of oppression often intersecting with racism, classism, and ableism. When counselors and counselors-in-training are unaware of their own biases related to body size, larger bodied clients are at risk for further harm within the very place they are seeking support. This article provides professional counselors and counselors-in-training with the historical knowledge needed to examine their own biases and prejudices around body size and fatness to become better counselors and advocates for all clients. …

Occupational Experiences Of Associate And Full Professors Of Counselor Education, Gregory Hatchett, Kathleen Fuegen, Dana Ripley

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The purpose of this study was to investigate the worktime distributions, occupational satisfaction, and scholarly productivity of associate and full professors of counselor education (N = 230). Worktime distributions varied based on academic rank and the presence of a doctoral degree program in the academic unit. Occupational satisfaction was lower among associate professors, faculty caring for dependent children, and faculty with greater mismatch between typical and preferred worktime distributions. Among associate professors, occupational satisfaction was also associated with having a mentor. Years of experience, teaching load, and a doctoral program in the academic unit predicted scholarly productivity, whereas academic …

Using An Experiential Group To Promote Engagement In A Career Counseling Course, Chad Luke, Zach Budesa, Joel Diambra

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Abstract

Career development and graduate counseling courses provide an opportunity to engage counselors-in-training in their own career development in order to evoke a parallel experience in their future clients. One approach to engaging students in these courses is through experiential education. The authors describe a pilot project using an experiential group technique embedded in a graduate-level career development and counseling course. The first author implemented a six-session group experience using peer facilitators to explore students’ own career-related attitudes and behaviors and then transfer that experience to work with future clients. The inclusion of an experiential group in a career development …

Unwilling Gamblers And Loaded Dice: Considering Recession And Crisis As A Natural Effect Of Financial Capitalism, Darlene N. Moorman

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

Under financial capitalism, ordinary people are increasingly becoming 'unwilling gamblers' of a risky and unstable system. This paper explores the social and institutional change behind the neoliberal movement and considers how the politics and policies of neoliberalism have contributed to a certain environment of financial instability. Looking at the changing nature of the economy, the rapid expansion of the financial sector, and the persisting issue of moral hazard underlying risky and speculative behaviors among other items, reveals a financial system in which recessions and crises can be considered a natural, although not inevitable, effect.