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An Exploration Of The Prioritization And Application Of Self-Care For Mental Health Therapists Working Within Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Mental Health Organizations: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Lynn Leyva Apr 2026

An Exploration Of The Prioritization And Application Of Self-Care For Mental Health Therapists Working Within Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Mental Health Organizations: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Lynn Leyva

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the prioritization and application of self-care for mental health therapists working within Mississippi Gulf Coast community mental health organizations. The theory guiding this study was Milton Rokeach’s belief system theory, which examined the significant impact of beliefs, attitudes, and values on decision-making regarding clinician self-care in personal and professional realms. The central research question for this study asked how mental health therapists in community mental health organizations described their experiences of prioritizing and applying self-care during and outside of therapy practice. There were three subquestions to support the central research …


Postpartum Depression: The Role Of Education, Age, And Family Social Support, Carrie B. Messick Apr 2026

Postpartum Depression: The Role Of Education, Age, And Family Social Support, Carrie B. Messick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to understand the moderating effect of age and family social support on postsecondary education in women experiencing postpartum depression. Postpartum depression develops within 4–6 weeks following birth and can last up to 2 years. Current estimates indicate that postpartum depression affects approximately 8% to 20% of women. Multiple factors influence the development of postpartum depression, including physiological factors, cultural and social influences, psychosocial characteristics, and genetics. The literature has explored multiple risk and protective factors, such as education, age of the mother, and social support, which are protective factors for postpartum depression. The literature …


A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Men In The Dmv Area, Who Experienced Sexual Trauma Prior To 18 Years Old, Transitioning Into, Through, And Out Of Professional Counseling, Gregory Cecil Wright Apr 2026

A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Men In The Dmv Area, Who Experienced Sexual Trauma Prior To 18 Years Old, Transitioning Into, Through, And Out Of Professional Counseling, Gregory Cecil Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A transcendental phenomenological approach can be a very effective qualitative research method in exploring the “lived experiences” of Black men in the DMV area, who experienced sexual trauma prior to 18 years old, transitioning into, through, and out of professional counseling. An enormous void in literature exists concerning the exploration of Black male sexual trauma survivors, their stories, and their professional counseling experiences. This counselor education issue will be investigated in this qualitative research proposal. The research question to be explored is "What are the lived experiences of Black men, who experienced sexual trauma prior to 18 years old, transitioning …


The Lived Experiences Of Olympic Medalists As They Describe Their Sense Of Self: A Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Ana Barend Apr 2026

The Lived Experiences Of Olympic Medalists As They Describe Their Sense Of Self: A Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Ana Barend

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Olympic medalists are characterized by their commitment to performance excellence. While research has extensively examined factors that influence athletic outcomes, comparatively less attention has been paid to how elite athletes experience and make meaning of their own identities beyond sport. Despite possessing extraordinary personal resources, many struggle with identity foreclosure during transitions and mental health challenges at rates comparable to the general population. This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Olympic medalists as they perceive and describe their sense of self. Guided by van Manen's approach to human science research and informed by Self-Determination Theory, this inquiry examined …


Answering The Call: Resiliency, Gender, And Growth Following Secondary Trauma In Emergency Dispatchers, Brandi D. Colding Apr 2026

Answering The Call: Resiliency, Gender, And Growth Following Secondary Trauma In Emergency Dispatchers, Brandi D. Colding

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined secondary traumatic stress (STS), resiliency, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and gender among 911 emergency dispatchers, a population exposed to high levels of indirect trauma yet underrepresented in research. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether resiliency moderates the relationship between STS and PTG, and whether gender moderates the relationship between resiliency and STS. Data were collected from 99 U.S. emergency dispatchers using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results indicated that most participants reported elevated STS, and correlations revealed that resiliency was negatively related to STS, while STS was …


Managing Religious Values Conflicts In Counseling: A Quasi-Experimental Study Exploring The Impact Of Experience, Cognitive Flexibility, Religiosity, And The Supervisory Relationship In Cases Of Religious Trauma, Nicole M. Taylor Apr 2026

Managing Religious Values Conflicts In Counseling: A Quasi-Experimental Study Exploring The Impact Of Experience, Cognitive Flexibility, Religiosity, And The Supervisory Relationship In Cases Of Religious Trauma, Nicole M. Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study sought to understand the relationships between counselor religiosity, cognitive flexibility, supervisory relationship, and cognitive dissonance related to values-based conflicts. The sample consisted of 175 clinical mental health counselors still in their master’s program, in clinical residency, or licensed less than five years. Participants must have been enrolled in or graduated from a CACREP accredited program to foster consistency in clinical training. A series of demographic questions and four previously developed assessments provided data to analyze four research questions. Results suggested counselor religiosity had a significant, positive relationship with values-based conflicts, with cognitive flexibility emerging as a potential …


The Experience Of Coptic Orthodox Youth Concerning Morals Taught In Public Education, Peter S. Endrawis Apr 2026

The Experience Of Coptic Orthodox Youth Concerning Morals Taught In Public Education, Peter S. Endrawis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of Coptic Orthodox youth concerning moral education taught in public schools. There were four research questions this study answered: 1) How do Coptic youth describe their experience of navigating moral teachings in public schools? 2) What meaning do Coptic youth ascribe to church tradition based on their experience in public schools? 3) How do Coptic youth describe their worldview concerning faith based on their experience in public schools? 4) How do Coptic youth describe their worldview concerning spirituality based on their experience in public schools? The theory guiding this …


Trauma Meets Trauma: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experience Of Secondary Trauma As Told By Mental Health Professionals Working In The Substance Abuse Field Within The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Region, Paschaun S. Miller Apr 2026

Trauma Meets Trauma: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experience Of Secondary Trauma As Told By Mental Health Professionals Working In The Substance Abuse Field Within The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Region, Paschaun S. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe mental health substance use professionals’ experiences with secondary trauma. This study aims to answer questions about how providers perceive their perceptions of secondary trauma based on their personal experiences and client caseload while exploring these providers’ willingness to remain in the field after trauma exposure. This study specifically concentrates on the experiences of mental health professionals working in the substance abuse field within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. The primary theory guiding this study is the constructivist self-development theory, which focuses on different responses (i.e., positive vs. negative) among individuals who …


The Lived Experiences Of People With Fibromyalgia (Fms) With Histories Of Traumatic Stress, Tamille L. Northern Apr 2026

The Lived Experiences Of People With Fibromyalgia (Fms) With Histories Of Traumatic Stress, Tamille L. Northern

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of 21 study participants who had comorbid Fibromyalgia Syndrome and PTSD/CPTSD, and had experienced traumatic stress before their fibromyalgia diagnoses, hoping to increase the understanding of this central phenomenon. An ontological theoretical framework guided this research approach to explore and describe the study participants’ subjective realities while describing their perceptions of their situations. Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a chronic pain condition with characteristics like widespread debilitating musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, tenderness, muscle atrophy, chronic fatigue, rashes, sensitivities, gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome, cognitive difficulties, stigmatization, unacknowledged disability, …


Post-Separation Abused Mothers’ Experiences With The Family Court System In Tennessee: A Transcendental Study, Heather Nicole Howse Neisen Apr 2026

Post-Separation Abused Mothers’ Experiences With The Family Court System In Tennessee: A Transcendental Study, Heather Nicole Howse Neisen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of mothers of post-separation abuse who were involved in a family court system where rulings negatively impacted the safety and justice of victims. The guiding theories for this study were Attachment Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Coercive Control Theory. There were three research questions for the study, “How have mothers who have experienced PSA been adversely impacted by the rulings from the FCS in TN?,” “How do post-separation abused mothers describe the impact that the Family Court System had on their overall wellbeing?” and “How do post-separation abused …


Childhood Sexual Abuse, Cultural Secrecy, And The Management Of Social Relationships Among Single African American Mothers, Najah Briana Blassingame Apr 2026

Childhood Sexual Abuse, Cultural Secrecy, And The Management Of Social Relationships Among Single African American Mothers, Najah Briana Blassingame

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of African American female survivors’ residing in the state of South Carolina. This study explored how the cultural norms of secrecy within the AA community discouraged the open disclosure of personal or familial trauma to maintain a family’s reputation, protect the community’s image, and display family loyalty (Brazelton, 2015). The normalization of secrecy within the AA community contributes to the continuation of generational trauma which can break the family apart or mend it back together (Petion et al., 2022). The theories that guided this study were identified as the …


A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of African American Millennial Couples' Perceptions Of Dual Trauma And The Impact On Marital Satisfaction, Christopher Ray Merrell Apr 2026

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of African American Millennial Couples' Perceptions Of Dual Trauma And The Impact On Marital Satisfaction, Christopher Ray Merrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe African American millennial married couples’ experiences with unresolved trauma in the North Texas Region, Texas. The theory guiding this study is John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory. Multiple traumatic experiences and relationship fractures that inhibit marital satisfaction among African American millennials are also examined. Trauma, viewed from a generalized perspective and conceptual form, is defined as an uncontrollable and sudden event with highly adverse outcomes that may persist. Among African Americans, trauma from interpersonal distress, historical events, racial barriers, and socioeconomic stressors often hinders the pursuit of healthy marriages. This study examines millennial …


A Phenomenological Study Of Thai Adult Christians’ Experiences Of A Secure Attachment To God, Sujirat Sirichai Apr 2026

A Phenomenological Study Of Thai Adult Christians’ Experiences Of A Secure Attachment To God, Sujirat Sirichai

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe Thai adult Christians’ experiences of developing a secure attachment to God. Many Thai children experience insecure attachments with their primary caregivers and attachment trauma. This study was guided by attachment theory to examine how attachment to primary caregivers, life crises, and relational and spiritual factors influenced the development of a secure attachment to God. This research used a transcendental phenomenological approach with a snowball sample of eight Thai adult Christians who demonstrate a secure attachment to God. Data collected through semi-structured interviews were analyzed through coding. Data analysis revealed six themes …


The Shared Experiences Of Learning Forgiveness Of Oneself Using The Reach Forgiveness Model For Those With Chronic Illnesses And Disabilities, Diane Delezene Browers Apr 2026

The Shared Experiences Of Learning Forgiveness Of Oneself Using The Reach Forgiveness Model For Those With Chronic Illnesses And Disabilities, Diane Delezene Browers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to understand the shared lived experiences of disabled persons after using self-forgiveness coping skills. The theory guiding this study is Lazarus and Folkman’s stress and coping theory, which explores the ability of a person to manage stressors when the mind is overwhelmed and the ability to cope with stress falters. Furthermore, the stress and coping model of forgiveness, which was developed lessen stress by using forgiveness as a coping strategy, and critical disability theory are foundational to this study with specific relation to chronic illness, mental health, and ableism. The principal …


Counseling Satisfaction In Lgbtq Clients: The Roles Of Perceived Counselor Religiosity And Perceived Discrimination, Karen Cain Culbertson Mar 2026

Counseling Satisfaction In Lgbtq Clients: The Roles Of Perceived Counselor Religiosity And Perceived Discrimination, Karen Cain Culbertson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

LGBTQ individuals experience mental health issues more frequently than the heterosexual population (Benz et al., 2019; Hinton et al., 2024; Nakamura & Logie, 2020). It appears that they often face unique challenges when seeking mental health care (Makadon et al., 2015). These may become complex when working with Christian counselors when there are conflicting beliefs between their religious views and their counseling standards (Lane, 2021). Although previous research has identified barriers to care for the LGBTQ community and the psychological impact of non-affirming religious settings, there is little research on how these dynamics unfold specifically within a Christian counseling relationship …


Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Unfaithful Partners: Perceptions Of Forgiveness And Commitment To Rebuilding Trust After Infidelity, Ana De La Cruz Arciniega Mar 2026

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Unfaithful Partners: Perceptions Of Forgiveness And Commitment To Rebuilding Trust After Infidelity, Ana De La Cruz Arciniega

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Infidelity has significant emotional and relational consequences; however, limited research has examined the lived experiences of unfaithful partners, particularly their perceptions of forgiveness and commitment to rebuilding trust. This phenomenological study described the lived experiences of unfaithful partners and explored how they understood forgiveness and engaged in trust-rebuilding efforts following infidelity. Thirteen participants (seven males and six females), aged 30 to 65, who had engaged in emotional, physical, virtual, or paid sexual affairs were recruited through social media, private therapeutic practices, affair recovery programs, and church networks. Participants completed individual 45-minute semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Interviews were transcribed, member-checked, …


The Schizophrenia Effect: Families Facing Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders, Ginger A. Christmas Mar 2026

The Schizophrenia Effect: Families Facing Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders, Ginger A. Christmas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Schizophrenia is primarily known for its bizarre psychosis, as the brain struggles to distinguish between what is real and what is not. This qualitative study employed constructive, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the idea that families with a family member diagnosed with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (SSD) in the United States have specific needs, which may include social and spiritual support and integration into treatment. While the needs of families facing SSD have been studied in non-Western countries, the schizophrenia effect on families in the U.S. remains less understood. A purposive sample of 11 individuals, representing 15 family members with …


A Phenomenological Study Exploring How African American Adult Sons Describe Caring For A Parent With Dementia, Donald Eric German Mar 2026

A Phenomenological Study Exploring How African American Adult Sons Describe Caring For A Parent With Dementia, Donald Eric German

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the coping strategies of African American adult sons who are the primary caregivers to a parent with dementia. The participants were only African American adult sons who are the primary caregivers to an aging parent. This researcher conducted semi-structured interviews and followed a systematical data collection process during the interview process; close attention was paid to analyzing and uncovering significant themes that emerged from the participants’ experiences. The findings show that African American adult sons feel a strong sense of duty that grows from obligation into a Christ-centered commitment to honor …


The Benefits Of A Holistic Biblical Approach To Adolescent Substance Use Treatment And Prevention, Amberlin D. Salas Mar 2026

The Benefits Of A Holistic Biblical Approach To Adolescent Substance Use Treatment And Prevention, Amberlin D. Salas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adolescent addiction is increasingly problematic in the United States, including substance use and other addictive behaviors that carry a risk of continued adult addiction if not resolved effectively. Current treatment models are primarily limited to meeting the mental, emotional, and physical needs, but have gaps in treating areas such as spirituality and healthy parental relationships. From a biblical standpoint, Christian principles are relevant to all areas of need in the addicted individual, and considering a holistic biblical approach to address all areas of life could fill the gaps left by conventional addiction interventions. To understand the possible implications of a …


The Shared Experiences Of High Functioning Autistic Adults Receiving Mental Health Care In The Texas Metroplex: A Phenomenological Study, Katherine Ivey Marie Vaughan Mar 2026

The Shared Experiences Of High Functioning Autistic Adults Receiving Mental Health Care In The Texas Metroplex: A Phenomenological Study, Katherine Ivey Marie Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the study is to describe the lived experiences of high functioning autistic adults who have engaged in mental health services in mental health services in Texas. Individuals with autism often face unique challenges, such as heightened sensory intake and cognitive inflexibility, which may complicate traditional therapeutic interventions. The theories that guided the study were the biopsychosocial model, social cognitive theory, the neurodiversity paradigm, and cognitive-behavioral theory, all exploring how cognitive processes influence emotions and behaviors in neurodiverse populations. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, semi-structured interviews were done with adults with high functioning autistic adults. Analysis of the …


A Phenomenology Of Sexual Assaults On College Campuses, Karon R. Williams Mar 2026

A Phenomenology Of Sexual Assaults On College Campuses, Karon R. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The rate of sexual assaults for women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals on college campuses is reported at a higher rate compared to males and is continuing to rise at a staggering rate, causing this to become a national issue. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the subjective experience, campus culture, psychological disorders, and changes in students' religious beliefs after a sexual assault. Victims’ perceptions and campus norms reporting sexual violence and assault incidents help to explain institutional support systems, the afterlife, and long-term outcomes of victims, prevention programs, and services. The frameworks for this …


The Impact Of Covid-19 On Women Caregivers Of The Sandwich Generation, Keri L. Burns Mar 2026

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Women Caregivers Of The Sandwich Generation, Keri L. Burns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe female members of the sandwich generation’s experiences as care providers during and post-COVID-19 in Central Florida. At this research stage, female members of the sandwich generation are understood as women in midlife who occupy dual caregiving roles for dependent children and aging parents, and whose lived experiences offer insight into caregiving experiences during a global pandemic. (Steiner & Fletcher, 2017). As life expectancy has increased and financial insecurity has been a concern for all generations, the sandwich generation caregivers, specifically women, have become more focused on providing varying levels of care …


Exploring The Relationships Between Differentiation Of Self, Family Unit Functioning, And Posttraumatic Growth In Adult Female Survivors Of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, Samantha Stokesberry Mar 2026

Exploring The Relationships Between Differentiation Of Self, Family Unit Functioning, And Posttraumatic Growth In Adult Female Survivors Of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, Samantha Stokesberry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the relationships between differentiation of self (DoS), family unit functioning (FUF), and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in adult female domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) survivors in the United States. A Bowen Family Systems Theory framework was used for the theoretical foundation of this study and the research was explored from a Christian worldview. A sample of 30 adult female DMST survivors between the ages of 25-55 completed an anonymous online survey that included four measures: a demographics form, The Differentiation of Self Inventory – Revised (DSI-R), the Family Unit Functioning Questionnaire (FUF-Q), and …


The Influence Of Epistemological Beliefs, Research Self-Efficacy, And Affective States On Doctoral Students’ Research Methodological Selections, Caroline Suzanne Vaile Mar 2026

The Influence Of Epistemological Beliefs, Research Self-Efficacy, And Affective States On Doctoral Students’ Research Methodological Selections, Caroline Suzanne Vaile

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study examines the extent to which epistemological beliefs predict research methodology choice and whether this relationship is mediated by mentorship experiences or research self-efficacy and moderated by statistics anxiety. The study is grounded in Hofer and Pintrich’s Epistemological Beliefs Theory, Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory, and Kram’s Mentor Role Theory. Data were collected using self-report measures via an online survey hosted by Qualtrics. Participants included current CES doctoral students and graduates within the past five years (N=47). The study utilized binary logistic regression and PROCESS mediation and moderated mediation analyses, indicating that epistemological beliefs did not significantly influence …


Training The Church To Support Sufferers Of Mental Illness Through Comfort Clinics, Jonathan D. Blankenship Mar 2026

Training The Church To Support Sufferers Of Mental Illness Through Comfort Clinics, Jonathan D. Blankenship

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem at Laurel Baptist Church (LBC) is the lack of trained members who are equipped to support those suffering from mental illness. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to create Comfort Clinics, a structured program to train members to support sufferers of mental illness. Normative-sized churches are often uninformed on the topic of mental illness. Subsequently, in those environments, stigmas are nurtured, sufferers feel unseen, and church members lack the necessary training to provide the comfort and support that mental sufferers need. Building on the ecclesiastical call to “comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 …


Measuring Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Burnout In Paramedics, Dispatchers, And Call Takers Of Western Canada, Nahum Chi Heng Ip Feb 2026

Measuring Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Burnout In Paramedics, Dispatchers, And Call Takers Of Western Canada, Nahum Chi Heng Ip

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examines depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout in dispatchers and paramedics of Western Canada. This study is meant to bridge a research gap in mental health among emergency health workers in British Columbia, Canada. The samples were collected through two self-reporting surveys, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Maslach Burnout Index (MBI), both of which are strongly validated and widely used in similar research. Of the 948 dispatchers and paramedics who participated, 771 (81.3%) responses qualified to be included. The data was entered into the Intellectus software where a variety of tools were utilized to …


The Impact Of Communication On Generational Trauma, Claudia Abalo Feb 2026

The Impact Of Communication On Generational Trauma, Claudia Abalo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Trauma has occurred since God made man, and it has been passed down through generations. Now, even though generational trauma may not end until our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ returns (Revelations 21:4), in the meantime, the Scriptures encourage us to love one another as God loves us (John 13:34-35), to care for each other, and to share our burdens with one another (Galatians 6:2). However, there is limited research as to whether sharing our burdens such as discussing traumatic experiences within the home impacts generational trauma. Therefore, this qualitative, interpretative phenomenological study aimed to answer how the children of …


Institutional Factors Contributing To Child Sexual Abuse In Independent Baptist Churches: A Phenomenological Study, Adam Stephen Pearlstein Feb 2026

Institutional Factors Contributing To Child Sexual Abuse In Independent Baptist Churches: A Phenomenological Study, Adam Stephen Pearlstein

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe childhood sexual abuse survivor’s within Independent Baptist Churches experiences reporting and engaging with church leaders about their abuse in the United States. While there is great variety within these churches, they typically share a similar style of church leadership and accountability structures for that leadership. Tragically, child sexual abuse within these churches is far too common, as is demonstrated both by scientific research and by stories reported by journalists. This study will seek to look into both the ecclesiology of the church structures of these Independent Baptist churches and into teachings …


The Missed Education Of Mtss: A Phenomenological Study Of Cross-Cultural Counseling With African American Students, Whitney L. Towns Feb 2026

The Missed Education Of Mtss: A Phenomenological Study Of Cross-Cultural Counseling With African American Students, Whitney L. Towns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how secondary school counselors experience and implement cross-cultural counseling practices with African American students during the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process. African American students disproportionately face systemic barriers that influence their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes, and counselors are often underprepared to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed care within the constraints of MTSS. Guided by Ecological Systems Theory, Intersectionality Theory, and the Trauma-Informed Practice Framework, this transcendental phenomenological study examined how counselors understood and carried out their roles across MTSS tiers while navigating issues of trust, culture, trauma, and equity. …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Personal And Professional Experiences Of U.S. Police Leaders Who Led Their Agency Through A Line-Of-Duty Death, Elizabeth A. Cary Jan 2026

A Phenomenological Study Of The Personal And Professional Experiences Of U.S. Police Leaders Who Led Their Agency Through A Line-Of-Duty Death, Elizabeth A. Cary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the personal and professional experiences of police leaders from across the United States who led their agencies through line-of-duty deaths (LODD). The social constructivist worldview guided this study as Creswell and Poth (2025) suggest that it captures complicated and multifaceted subjective meanings of individuals. Transformational leadership theory was the lens through which this research was conducted. Police leaders are faced with personnel, political, societal, and generational challenges following the events of Ferguson, George Floyd, the COVID-19 pandemic. This is on top of the already stressful and traumatic work police officers face …