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Marital infidelity discovery has been noted in the literature for traumatic emotional, behavioral, and psychological reactions in the injured spouse, but not extensively in terms of post-infidelity stress disorder. To that end, this cross-sectional quantitative anonymous online survey study explored marital infidelity, post-infidelity stress disorder and post-infidelity marital outcomes in 202 participants using certain frameworks, such as Glass’s traumatic aftershock and Ortman’s post-infidelity stress disorder. This researcher sought to investigate whether there is a relationship between post-infidelity stress disorder that is moderated by religious/core beliefs and marital repair efforts and marital outcomes of healing, forgiveness, benevolence, revenge, avoidance, divorce/desire to divorce, or separation/desire to separate; whether infidelity discovery, duration of marital infidelity, marital repair efforts, or lack of marital repair efforts predicted post-infidelity stress disorder level using multiple linear regression; and whether there were differences in healing, forgiveness, benevolence, revenge, avoidance, divorce/desire to divorce, or separation/desire between participants with post-infidelity stress disorder and without post-infidelity stress disorder using multivariate analysis of variance: special interactions and effects. Findings showed that religious/core beliefs with marital repair efforts did not act as moderators but had other statistically significant main effects (e.g., marital repair efforts negatively predicted revenge), lack of marital repair efforts and discovery positively predicted post-infidelity stress disorder level, shorter duration negatively predicted post-infidelity stress disorder level, the post-infidelity stress disorder group had statistically significant higher levels of avoidance and revenge than the non-post-infidelity stress disorder group, and the non-post-infidelity stress disorder had higher levels of forgiveness and healing than the post-infidelity stress disorder group. Future research should examine if religious/core beliefs or marital repair efforts act as mediators between post-infidelity stress disorder and post-infidelity marital outcomes.

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of men in a substance use disorder (SUD) residential program simultaneously receiving domestic violence (DV) perpetration intervention and services that address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This study examined men’s ACEs, substance use, and DV perpetration. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model and Rudolf Moos’ modification of socioecological model provided the foundational context and theoretical framework for the study. Although there are various reasons individuals use substances, one of the underlying causes is often unattended ACEs. Individuals with SUDs are also often the perpetrators of DV within their intimate relationships. Currently, violent perpetrators are often ordered to complete batterer intervention programs, but these programs have been ineffective in reducing DV. This research study provided a voice for the men in an SUD program who have experienced ACEs and DV perpetration. Data were collected from 12 men residing in a DV perpetration intervention program using semi-structured interviews. The implications of the results from the interviews indicated that ACEs was a predictor of future drug use and domestic violence perpetration. The results of this study could be valuable for batterer intervention programs, SUD counselors, court systems, and churches.

This study will examine cadet/recruit academic performance while attending the Illinois State Police Training Academy. The focus will be primarily on the academic testing portion of the academy training. This quantitative study will evaluate whether there is a correlation between the academic achievement of the recruit before entry into the academy and academic performance while attending the academy training. This research will explore questions such as: What is the relationship between educational levels and academic performance among recruits while in the police academy? Does having a college education impact the recruit’s ability to score higher on academic testing sections within the academy? Do college graduates have an advantage over recruits who do not have a college degree in terms of educational testing while attending the primary police academy? The prospective cohort will include all recruit officers who have entered recruit training at the Illinois State Police Academy from 2018 through 2023. All participants will be 21 years or older, which is the age for hiring police recruits. All sampling information collected from the recruit’s class training records will be abstracted from an electronic database without using any personal bio identifiers. The samples will be given a corresponding number to the test score. Recruit papers will be reviewed with the assistance of I.T. staff at the academy for data to be extracted from recruit databases. Information will be analyzed and reported using SPSS software to correlate the individual trainee summary.

Hurricanes have become a normative event in the Bahamian diaspora. Over the past twenty years at least five major storms have hit The Bahamas destroying vital infrastructure such as schools, health care facilities, airports, utilities, and homes, leaving portions of several islands uninhabitable. Frontline workers, also referred to as essential workers who do the work of interacting directly to service the needs of the people most affected are often overlooked. Working extended hours, witnessing, experiencing, and hearing the stories of sufferers, coupled with one’s own loss causes psychological distress and diminished capacity to function effectively. This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to understand and describe the impact of compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress on the psychological wellbeing of essential workers working on Grand Bahama Island during Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 Pandemic. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used to select the convenience sample of seven participants who suffered moderate burnout in at least one dimension of the instrument. The theory that guided this study is based on Figley’s Compassion Stress and Fatigue Model. Data was collected via interview using semi-structured open-ended questions. A modified version of Tesch’s eight step model was used to analyze data, yielding six themes and codes. The findings support the theoretical perspective of compassion fatigue as a sociological problem rather than an individual issue. Recommendations for future research related to essential workers, education, and organizational factors related to the phenomena are made.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the role of gender stereotypes and societal expectations in creating impostor syndrome among Black female entrepreneurs. The study used Bandura’s self-efficacy theory as a foundational framework. Gender role theory was employed to examine the psychological and behavioral traits associated with different genders based on societal norms. Social role theory contributed to shaping the theoretical framework of this study. The research answered three key questions: (a) How do the lived experiences of Black female entrepreneurs affected by impostor syndrome impact their business decision-making and overall business performance? (b) To what extent do gender stereotypes and societal pressures contribute to the development of impostor feelings among Black female entrepreneurs? and (c) What coping mechanisms or strategies do Black female entrepreneurs employ to manage or eliminate impostor syndrome? Data collection involved open-ended, semistructured, online, one-on-one interviews. The study revealed that Black female entrepreneurs often face significant challenges in navigating impostor syndrome, which profoundly impacts their decision-making processes and business performance. Future research should explore the efficacy of specific coping mechanisms in mitigating impostor syndrome among Black female entrepreneurs, as well as examine the intersectionality of race, gender, and other identities in shaping experiences of impostor syndrome. Additionally, longitudinal studies are needed to assess the long-term impact of impostor syndrome on business outcomes and identify effective intervention strategies to support Black female entrepreneurs in overcoming impostor feelings and achieving success in their ventures.

Law enforcement officers’ (LEO) spouses play an important role in supporting their officers and maintaining family well-being and resilience in the face of unique challenges associated with the law enforcement career. This hermeneutic phenomenological study explores the experiences, challenges, and strategies LEO spouses utilize to navigate their roles’ demands and promote resilience within their families. This study aimed to understand better LEO spouses’ perceived roles and strategies for fostering family well-being and resilience. Specifically, it explored the challenges accompanied by the law enforcement career that LEO spouses face, the coping strategies they utilize, and the factors contributing to their resilience. This study involved conducting in-depth, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with seven LEO spouses residing in different states across the United States. Thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis, followed by a rigorous iterative process that allowed the identification of key themes related to the roles and strategies of LEO Spouses. These included the psychological impact of the job on officers and their spouses, navigating challenging shift work, lack of support, perceived roles and responsibilities, family resilience, and fostering family well-being through coping strategies. This study’s findings shed light on LEO spouses’ multiple roles and experiences and provide valuable insights into their strategies to maintain family well-being and resilience. By understanding the distinct challenges these spouses face and the strategies they use to cope with stressors, support organizations can better tailor interventions to meet the needs of law enforcement families.

In a post-George Floyd world, police agencies are under unprecedented scrutiny. There is tremendous pressure to improve performance, reduce the use of force, and expand police-community relations. In addition, police agencies struggle to maintain officer wellness. Police officers have higher levels of physical and mental illness than the general population, which results in a significantly lower age expectancy and quality of life. There is a general trend to reduce police funding, spurred by dissatisfaction with police services and general fiscal constraints. In order to combat increasing problems with diminishing resources, police administrators need solutions that can work on several problems. One such solution is stress mitigation. Law enforcement is particularly stressful, correlating with numerous adverse outcomes for the officers, their families, the police department, and the community. Addressing stress-related issues calls for intervention by a mental health professional, but due to the stigma prevalent in the profession, most officers are reluctant to seek help. While this stigma is a barrier to help-seeking behavior, a recent study demonstrated that some officers seek help despite retaining high levels of stigma. Since previous work focused on reducing stigma, there is a lack of research on factors that attenuate the stigma against seeking help without actually reducing it. If these factors can be uncovered, law enforcement populations’ help-seeking behavior will increase. This study aimed to fill this gap through an exploratory, interpretative phenomenological analysis, which consisted of an extensive, open-ended interview with law enforcement officers who have voluntarily sought help for a mental health condition.

As international schools continue to flourish, they must consider how to be inclusive and meet the needs not only of multicultural populations of students, but also the needs of students with diagnosed learning difficulties (i.e., students with special needs). Promoting teacher agency is a potentially important component in successfully implementing inclusive practices given that teachers are key actors in the implementation process. Currently, however, there is limited empirical evidence regarding the interconnectedness of teacher agency and inclusion of special needs populations in international schools. This qualitative research explores the role of school leaders in promoting teacher agency to support the inclusion of students with identified learning needs in inclusive classrooms. Through in-depth interviews with three school leaders, six primary class teachers, and six learning support specialists from three international schools in Europe, the study examines the factors influencing teacher agency and the implementation of inclusive practices. These factors include: participation in policy development, collaboration structures, professional development, self-advocacy, colleague influence, and leadership influence. The findings reveal that school leaders can enhance teacher agency by fostering trusting relationships, prioritizing interdisciplinary teams, establishing consistent collaborative structures, including learning support specialists in decision-making processes, and providing meaningful professional development opportunities. These findings emphasize the importance of proactive leadership in creating inclusive school environments and supporting educators in meeting the diverse needs of students. The study contributes to filling a gap in the literature on the relationship between leadership, teacher agency, and inclusion, and offers insights for policymakers, school leaders, and educators seeking to improve inclusive practices in schools. Future research directions are also discussed to further explore these dynamics across diverse educational contexts.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how ten student veterans persist after entering private, 4-year institutions of higher education during or following their military service. The study’s conceptual framework, drawing from Vacchi’s Model of Student Veteran Support (2011, 2013), employs a narrative approach to spotlight the varied backgrounds and identities of the student veteran population. This research uncovers significant findings through the restorying of participants’ narratives and employing multiple rounds of coding—including deductive, open, in vivo, and process coding. These findings highlight the critical role of Adaptation to Academic Life, which emphasizes the veterans’ ability to adjust to new academic environments; Navigating Support and Resources, which details how veterans utilize specific benefits and support systems for academic and personal advancement; and Personal Development and Future Orientation, which examines the complex journey of these individuals in their post-military academic pursuits. The study also offers recommendations for both practice and research. Practical suggestions include improving orientation and transition programs tailored for veterans, expanding access to veteran-specific resources, integrating early career planning and professional development, and strengthening veteran communities and peer networks. Future research should broaden the scope to examine student veterans’ experiences across different educational settings and assess the impact of institutional policies on their success, thus contributing to policy reforms that significantly improve their academic and well-being outcomes. Additionally, further investigations should consider the (in)visibility of veteran identities in academic contexts and explore intersectionality within student veteran populations.

Traumatic events, such as child sexual abuse (CSA) can negatively impact a child’s development across multiple biopsychosocial domains. Yet, many who experience CSA emerge resilient. Resilience involves multiple internal and external strengths that enhance a person’s ability to move beyond adversity and thrive. Research has pointed to the protective influence of spiritual and religious coping (R/S coping) among trauma survivors; however, there remains an absence of knowledge regarding the use of R/S coping in children. Therefore, I sought to fill the gap in the literature and capture the experiences of mental health practitioners who treat children who have experienced CSA, with the goal of understanding practitioners’ experience with resilience in their child clients, with a special emphasis on the use of R/S coping. Using qualitative phenomenological methodology, I conducted interviews with 15 mental health practitioners who work with sexually abused children. Important components of a child’s resilience included external assets such as nurturing and supportive caregivers, and community-based and supportive group activities. Internal child resilience resources included practicing problem-solving coping, leveraging interpersonal resources, emotion-regulation and meaning-making. Spiritual resilience behaviors children use included the connection between the mind and body, attunement outside of self, and engaging in compassionate behaviors. Religious coping practices included spiritual connection with God, family and others; finding support from prayer, religious music and writings, and forgiveness; and meaning-making. Children did experience some spiritual struggle as a result of dismissive or invalidating religious statements, judgement, and CSA connected to the religious community, but many were able to successfully resolve these spiritual struggles. Practitioners reported being careful to assess, explore, and integrate a child’s religious and spiritual beliefs as appropriate. Practitioners incorporated religious coping during relaxation or regulation practice, during cognitive processing of the trauma, and through creative methods with young clients. Insights from this study confirm and add to current understanding about CSA and resilience in children. Themes discovered from the exploration of R/S coping in children reveal aspects of positive and negative religious coping that can enhance or reduce resilience. Additionally, this study exposes important insights regarding practitioners’ assessment and incorporation of R/S coping in work with sexually abused children.

Hospital patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may engage in various topographies of severe behavior, with higher rates of restraint implemented than for their neurotypical counterparts. Qualitative research suggests that physician knowledge of function-based intervention is limited. Multidisciplinary behavior management teams were developed to decrease restraint across general hospital patients. In Study 1, the research team developed the Knowledge of Behavioral Function (KoBF) survey measure, using an iterative user-centered development process and administered the measure to multidisciplinary physicians and trainees. Results indicated low knowledge of behavioral function, with a mean percent correct of 66.60% on close-ended survey items and 14% correct on open-ended vignette items. Years of experience and discipline were each not significantly associated with knowledge of behavioral function. Despite low function-based knowledge, 91.10% of participants demonstrated adequate knowledge of autism and these scores were not significantly correlated. In Study 2, focus group discussions with behavioral management team members highlighted differences in team purposes, procedures, and training across hospitals. Although participants still described using restraint, they considered alternative strategies to restraint and indicated areas for future training and team improvements. Study findings may inform development of ASD-focused, function-based training to improve hospital standard of care for autistic patients. Keywords: Severe behavior, autism, behavioral function, hospital

The idea of trauma-informed practices is a broad concept that can be utilized to create a safe environment in which individuals, families, communities and organizations that have been exposed to trauma can be and feel supported. Trauma-informed practices are important due to the pervasive nature of trauma exposure (Kilpatrick et al., 2013). Traumatic experiences can impact individuals’ physical and mental health over the course of their lifespans (Avery, et al., 2021; Centers for Disease Control, 2021; Gonzalez et al., 2016; McWey, 2020; Mersky et al., 2019; Porche et al., 2016; SAMHSA, 2014a; Trauma Informed Care Implementation Resource Center, 2021; Zyromski et al., 2022). Absent appropriate interventions, affected individuals may demonstrate various trauma reactions, suffer from mental health symptoms, and exhibit difficulties in the school setting as a result of their experiences (Brandell & Ringel, 2019; Clearly et al., 2017; Dodd et al., 2023; Dorsey et al., 2017; Ellis & Tate, 2022; Gilboa-Schectman et al., 2010; Gonzalez et al., 2016; Krystal, 1978; McLaughlin et al., 2013; Perfect et al., 2017; SAMHSA, 2022; Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center, 2021; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2021; van der Kolk, 2000). Schools are in a unique position to provide support to students who have experienced traumatic events due to the number of hours spent in school each day. This study surveyed 239 Pennsylvania school social workers and obtained qualitative data from 10 school social workers via focus groups to obtain information regarding their use of trauma-informed practices and interest in professional development regarding trauma-informed practices. Despite variables in the work setting influencing their use and interest in professional development related to trauma-informed practices, participants reported that they are using this form of engagement and wanting to learn more via quality professional development sessions that are tailored to their learning needs.

This study explores the intersection of religious beliefs, perceptions of pollution, and environmental attitudes among Americans. Drawing upon Lynn White's seminal argument regarding Christian theology and its implications for environmental stewardship, this research investigates the role of biblical literalism in shaping environmental attitudes, particularly among conservative Christians. Using nationally representative survey data and logistic regression models, the study examines how the perceptions of pollution moderate the effects of views of the Bible on environmental concern. The findings reveal that while perceived pollution exposure is strongly associated with environmental attitudes, it does not moderate the association between biblical literalism and environmental concern. Additionally, the study highlights the correlation between contemporary environmental attitudes and political ideologies, suggesting a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing environmental perspectives in the United States. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on religion, pollution perception, and environmental attitudes, shedding light on the complex dynamics shaping Americans' views on environmental issues. Advisor: Philip Schwadel

Two distinct bodies of research examine means of increasing people’s health- related risk perceptions through persuasive message design. First, Construal Level Theory (CLT) posits that reducing perceived psychological distance from a health risk can increase people’s perceived relevance of the health issue. Second, models of narrative persuasion posit that narratives elicit audience engagement, which reduces counter- arguing and increases risk perceptions. So and Nabi’s (2013) Risk Convergence Model (RCM) was proposed to merge the two bodies of research: the model posits that viewers’ engagement with narratives diminishes perceived social distance from characters, resulting in a convergence of risk between characters and viewers. Character-driven engagement (e.g., identification) and plot-driven engagement (e.g., transportation) are theoretically distinct and may have separate implications for different dimensions of psychological distance (i.e., spatial distance). The current study seeks to expand the RCM, distinguishing between character-driven and plot-driven forms of narrative engagement. Manipulating transportation and identification as experimental factors, this research proposes that while (1) character-driven variables reduce social distance from characters, increasing personal risk perceptions and promoting behavior change, (2) plot- driven variables reduce spatial distance from characters, increasing societal risk perceptions and promoting policy support. Results of two PROCESS models revealed that character-driven engagement and plot-driven engagement produce distinct persuasive outcomes and that separate mechanisms drive these effects. Namely, character-driven engagement promotes individual behavior change by creating perceived spatial proximity to at-risk characters, subsequently causing viewers to internalize exemplified health risks. Conversely, plot-driven engagement drives societal health risk perceptions by promoting perceptions of spatial proximity. Additionally, plot-driven engagement, but not character- driven engagement, increases support for health-related policies. Theoretical implications and calls for future investigations are presented

The aim of this thesis is to develop a deeper understanding of online deviance as a phenomenon among juveniles, both in terms of engagement and victimization, by applying Attachment Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Self-Control Theory. Throughout the literature, Attachment Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Self-Control Theory have been attributed as key criminological theories in the explanation of juvenile deviance offline, but little research has been applied to online deviance in this way. This thesis seeks to apply the same criminological theories to the phenomenon of online deviance among juveniles and compare outcomes to both online and offline deviance among this population to inform policy of the nuances related to engagement in these types of juvenile deviance. Using a quasi-mixed-method approach through the deployment of an embedded survey design, the study takes a grounded theory approach to ask if there is a correlation between online and offline engagement in deviant behaviors, whether low self-control, attachments, or social learning influence engagement in deviant behavior online, and what motivates juveniles to increase or decrease their engagement in online deviance.The studyfinds that engagement in online deviance is significantly more common than engagement in offline deviance, and as a result, the thesis aims to inform educational policy to provide the basis for updated programming aimed at the reduction of engagement in online deviance among juveniles. The significance of this study is that it develops existing theoretical understanding of the reasons for engagement in juvenile deviance, both online and offline to allow the outcomes to inform future policy or academic ventures that seek to correct behaviors related to juvenile deviance within the K-12 system.

Emergency Physicians (EPs) work in stressful and unpredictable work environments. Due to these factors and the nature of their work scheduling (in shifts), EPs experience heightened levels of adverse work outcomes. As such, it is important for EPs to believe their shift schedule is fair, and for them to have adequate recovery time away from work. The present research examined the effects of Emergency Department leadership approving a 1-hour increase to EP shifts, equating to roughly two fewer shifts per month (8-hour shifts will become 9-hour shifts). As such, EPs should experience more time off from work per month, allowing for more recovery time. This study sought to examine the effectiveness of this system-level intervention, in addition to contextual factors outside of the shift intervention, on EP outcomes through a quasi-experimental, mixed-model design. Survey data were collected at two points in time, two months apart. The first survey assessed Work Schedule Justice perceptions and relevant outcomes prior to the shift change, and the second survey collected perceptions on the same constructs two months after the shift change occurred. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in the Spring after the second survey was closed to provide context for the quantitative results. Data on shifts EPs worked for six months were also collected. Shift data analyses concluded that the EPs did work fewer shifts overall, fewer hours overall, fewer 8-hour shifts, and more 9-hour shifts after the intervention was implemented. Survey data showed that Procedural Shift Schedule Justice was the only variable that significantly changed in a positive direction as a function of time. Thematic analyses from semi-structured interviews highlighted five themes relevant to the shift change, contextual information surrounding events occurring in tandem with the change in the ED, as well as overall EP shift preferences. EPs frequently stated that although they experienced fewer shifts per month, the shifts themselves were more stressful due to understaffing within the ED. These findings can be used to understand the multifaceted nature of implementing an organizational intervention and the importance of collecting multiple data types to understand the findings.

For many reasons, humans are less connected to nature. Research shows that people who feel more connected to nature are more likely to have pro-environmental intentions. One possible way to strengthen the human-nature connection is to involve the public in wildlife research, exposing them to local wildlife in a way that highlights science. This dissertation investigates two such projects, the 2019 Clemson Barred Owl Project and the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program, to understand the effects of interacting with local species through wildlife research. Interviews were conducted with participants and the lead researcher of the Clemson Barred Owl Project in order to gain an understanding of the effects of participation in the project and what aspects of the project made it especially successful. These studies revealed that stronger connections with local wildlife species were formed, and this connection led participants to think more about their environmental impacts, leading them to more pro-environmental behaviors and that certain aspects of the project and research led to the project’s success in facilitating positive interactions between the public and wildlife. The study investigating the effects of participation in TIC involved conducting interviews and surveys with students and teachers who are a part of TIC. Student interviews and surveys revealed some common outcomes of participation in the project, including stronger feelings of connection, greater pro-environmental intentions, increased acknowledgment of responsibility, and awe for the complexity of the environment.

This study utilizes two datasets obtained from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, a federally-sponsored initiative to monitor annual rates and characteristics of child maltreatment in the United States. Using a set of multinomial and negative binomial regressions, the paper seeks to examine service use among maltreated children with and without behavioral problems and emotional disturbance. The study also explores whether the service utilization gap widened among children with those conditions in 2021, during the pandemic, compared to 2018, pre-pandemic. Results demonstrated significant differences in the utilization of services among children with behavioral problems and emotional disturbance compared to those without. Children with behavioral problems were more likely to receive post-investigation, foster care, family preservation, mental health, and/or counseling services compared to children without the problems. Children with emotional disturbance were less likely to receive post-investigation and mental health and/or counseling services, compared to children without emotional disturbance. However, they were more likely foster care and family preservation, compared to children without emotional disturbance. The findings can inform policy makers, healthcare professionals and child welfare agencies in allocating resources effectively to meet the unique needs of children with behavioral problems and emotional disturbance.

The 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria represented a significant milestone in the nation's democratic progression, capturing the interest of observers both within the country and abroad. This study identifies the key online opinion leaders who participated in the electoral discourse, their generational affiliation, and the role of social media in facilitating youth engagement throughout the political process. Using Sprinkl, an online monitoring tool to harvest publicly available tweets containing the hashtag #NigeriaDecides2023 from February 11 to March 15, coupled with interviews, the study identified the prominent opinion leaders with significant influence, their types of messages and the motives behind youth engagement on SM during and after the elections. The results from this study yielded valuable insight into the role of opinion leaders, especially within the context of online political campaigns/communication in the strategic communications field. However, despite the high level of Twitter activity during elections, the presence of isolated conversations fails to develop meaningful connections with the younger population.

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic illness that can be profoundly isolating. T1D often fosters a sense of 'otherness' that is difficult for those without T1D to understand, due to the persistent necessity to monitor blood sugar levels, administer insulin injections, and navigate the ever-present risk of severe health complications if the T1D is mismanaged. For many young adults with T1D, the sense of isolation is magnified amidst the numerous life transitions characteristic of emerging adulthood. Establishing a community of peers with T1D can help mitigate the negative mental and physical consequences. Through semi-structured interviews, this study examines these peer relationships in a medical specialty camp (MSC) context. Study participants (N = 12), all of whom are living with T1D, serve as volunteer camp counselors at this MSC. The aim was to identify common experiences among the volunteers and understand how these experiences influence mental and physical health. Key themes constructed from the interviews included a sense of belonging, reduced diabetes-related burnout, a break from the routine challenges of daily life, and a motivational purpose to return and serve at the MSC. The study concluded that a sense of belongingness is crucial for the successful management of T1D

This research paper examines different image repair strategies and theories, and how well three different real-life examples of recent responses to crisis utilized strategies that are discussed. The literature review covers specific image repair strategies and theories, and then there is the analysis of specific cases where public figures went through a crisis and responded in an effort to clear their names. The findings summarize why each case was not successful, and why people with large followings need to know key image repair strategies that can help save one’s reputation.

Depression is a major public health concern among students in higher education. Prior work suggests that depressive symptoms increase during the transition to college. Transfer students face unique challenges during the transition to a new academic institution that may make them particularly vulnerable. There is a critical need to expand prevention efforts. Research that improves identification of students at greatest risk for developing impairing depressive symptoms, and etiological processes contributing to depressive symptoms could aid in the provision of limited prevention resources. Furthermore, longitudinal research tracking symptom trajectories during the transition to college could help inform the timing of preventive interventions for new students. We propose to conduct secondary data analysis from a prospective cohort study designed to model mental health symptoms among first-year students and incoming transfer students during their first semester at a large university. Our goal is to model the course and predictors of depression severity as captured by measures of depression-related impairment. We propose two hypotheses: (1) depression severity will follow a nonlinear trajectory with increasing severity in the early part of the semester followed by a plateau in symptom change; (2) transfer students will report higher levels of depression severity throughout the semester relative to first year students.

Due to a growing diversity of family structures, children grow up in a variety of living arrangements, especially if their parents are separated or divorced. The most common solution for these divorced families is joint custody or dual-residence arrangements, where children spend up to 50% of their time in each parent's household. The current literature on the effects of joint custody arrangements shows mixed results for children's overall adjustment and well-being, which seem to depend more on moderating factors like the child's age, exposure to interparental conflict, and parent-child relationship quality. This thesis reviews the existing literature on the advantages and disadvantages of joint custody arrangements for children and then investigates the long-term perceptions of young adults based on their childhood experiences with this living arrangement. Through semi-structured interviews, young adults reflect on their past experience and discuss their current perceptions to show how time has changed their views on joint custody arrangements. The participants generally disliked their living arrangement as children because of logistical challenges and psychological and emotional distress. However, as young adults, the participants developed a more positive view of their joint custody arrangements based on the following themes: increased understanding of the reason for divorce, greater empathy for their parents, developed responses to change, and evidence of personal growth. The results concluded that perceptions of joint custody arrangements do change over time, opening avenues for further research and application of therapeutic interventions that can potentially improve children’s experience of joint custody arrangements.

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to discover insights into how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has caused residual effects on students’ academic, social, and emotional health two years removed from the pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted education from the lockdown that the leaders in the United States mandated. This lockdown removed students from school’s traditional routines, causing them to learn new ways to participate in their education. The method guiding this study is a qualitative phenomenology to focus on the lived experiences of teachers. Using a transcendental approach, the researcher will focus on the depiction of the phenomenon by the participants. This research will provide qualitative data that has been overlooked in studies on COVID-19. Additionally, this study will add new perspectives on how COVID-19 impacted students’ education.

“Racism in the United States is part of a much older and global phenomenon” that has effects that are seen “today in hearts, minds, and institutions” (Lovelace, 2021, p. 67). Regarding the African American population, housing discrimination continues to be an obstacle to families (Burke et al., 2018), racist systems have led to collateral damage in the health of adults (Bleich et al., 2019), and African American men constitute approximately 25% of police shooting victims (Schwartz, 2020). This study seeks to examine if racism has infiltrated into the local church. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perception or experiential knowledge of racial unity between White Evangelical church leaders and their African American congregants and community members in the Chicago area. Within the context of this study, the researcher defines “racial disunity” as intentional disconnect or apathy toward unity between African American congregants or community members and the predominately White local church. The theory that guided this study was transformative leadership and its power to harness social justice engagement to address societal concerns regarding the subject matter. Through semi-structured focus groups and interviews, a small cross-section of the local church community in Chicago informed the researcher as to their perception of underline themes of racial unity within the local church and community. Additionally, the research provided transformative discussions and solution suggestions for local churches to demonstrate biblical unity within the city.

Following the completion of the study, it was found that there exists a significant relationship between perceived Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) congruence and employee outcomes, particularly organizational commitment, as elucidated through the lens of social identity theory. The investigation aimed to elucidate how employees' personal values and assessments of CSR dimensions could positively shape their attitudes and commitment to their organizations. The study, conducted with participants from various organizations recruited via the Amazon Mechanical Turk (M-Turk) platform, delved into three key CSR dimensions: Discretionary, Ethical, and Economic Responsibility. Results indicated that organizations can bolster organizational commitment by fostering a sense of alignment between CSR endeavors and employees' values. Specifically, when employees perceive harmony between their personal values and the CSR initiatives of their organization, they are more inclined to feel a heightened sense of Belongingness and commitment to the organization. The study also highlighted the mediating role of Belongingness, suggesting that the relationship between CSR and organizational commitment is significantly influenced by employees' feelings of Belongingness. These findings underscore the importance for organizations to tailor CSR initiatives in a manner that resonates with their employees' values, thereby nurturing a sense of Belongingness and fostering stronger organizational commitment. Moreover, the study underscores the need for further cross-cultural research to ascertain the generalizability of these findings across diverse cultural contexts.

The purpose of this research study was to explore and understand how active-duty and veteran long-term military married couples mitigate separation and divorce after multiple post-deployment reintegration periods. This study employed qualitative research design and hermeneutic phenomenology to discover how these couples maintained long-term marriages. The researcher explored these military married couples' internal working models and adult attachment styles. In addition, it explored how these factors shaped their beliefs, responses, and attitudes toward separation and reunion as a married military couple. As a result, the researcher identified strategies and best practices to help military couples successfully mitigate the risk of separation and divorce and build strong, resilient relationships that can withstand the unique challenges of military life. The study also gathered the military married couples’ subjective experiences through semi-structured couple interviews, and cognitive representation exercises. The recorded, semi-structured interviews were guided by an interview protocol based on the tenets of attachment theory. These interviews explored the military couples' lived experiences, focusing on how they navigated emotional connections, attachment styles, and patterns of interaction during post-deployment reintegration phases. The study employed a deductive analysis approach by analyzing data collection. This process involved identifying codes within the participants' responses and connecting them with themes derived from attachment theory. This study contributed to adult attachment theory and had practical significance in long-term couple strategies on how military married couples should consider important aspects of their marital relationship and approach post-deployment reintegration that mitigates the likelihood of separation and divorce.

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological research was to understand and describe the lived experiences of Central Florida law enforcement officers who utilized an employee assistance program (EAP) following a critical incident. Law enforcement professionals exposed to critical workplace incidents are often referred to an EAP for their mental health. The problem is that law enforcement officers severely underutilize the available services offered by an EAP, even after critical incidents when the support is urgently needed. Piaget’s work is underpinned by McCann and Pearlman’s constructivist self-development theory guiding the study. The theory asserts that individuals draw from their experiences to shape their reality, thus creating a worldview used to understand traumatic experiences associated with stigmas, apprehensions, and beliefs utilizing EAPs after critical incidents. The researcher conducted Zoom interviews with 11 participants; 13 semistructured questions were asked to gather rich data to answer the central research question and two subquestions. A critical analysis of the interviews led to the identification of five major themes: (a) EAP is not effective, (b) intervening factors influence the relationship between incidents and outcomes, (c) change in law enforcement officers’ beliefs and behaviors after the critical incident, (d) barriers associated with EAP services, and (e) potential for EAPs and other service providers.

The cultural identity and transitions of a Third Culture Kid (TCK) is often a matter of discussion and debate. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the factors that influence the identity and the cross-cultural transitions of university-level TCKs, with a specific focus on Missionary Kids (MKs). The study involved semi-structured interviews of seven undergraduate university students, over the age of 18 and currently involved in the university's Missionary Kid Scholarship program. Results revealed several key themes including identity, community, and friendship expectations that influenced the transition process. Participants generally displayed a positive transition, and the findings provide insight into ways that schools and organizations may help the cross-cultural transition of MKs.

Psychosis-spectrum disorders remain a leading cause of disability for both individuals and society, with early identification and prevention efforts representing a promising avenue of research for addressing these concerns. One potential impediment to improving early risk identification is the historical focus on indicators thought to be exclusive to the psychosis-spectrum. This focus often comes at the expense of non-specific risk factors (e.g., disrupted sleep, adverse childhood experiences) which contribute to the risk of developing psychosis as well as other mental illnesses. Research suggests the inclusion of these non-specific factors may improve our ability to identify those at risk. The present research collected data on a wide array of both specific and non-specific risk factors to develop a new, more holistic measure of psychosis-spectrum risk. A novel brief measure was developed, the Inclusive Psychosis Risk Inventory (IPRI), which compared favorably to existing psychosis-spectrum risk measures when looking at multiple fit indices as well as when predicting quality of life. The results of this study suggest the IPRI may provide a more holistic, comprehensive snapshot of psychosis-spectrum risk by including both non-specific and specific risk indicators within a single measure. Future research should seek to replicate these findings in more diverse samples and investigate the IPRI’s ability to predict clinical outcomes.

Silence and solitude as a spiritual discipline is seen across many different worldviews including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Humanism, and can be exercised alongside disciplines like prayer, meditation, and mindfulness. Each worldview has a unique purpose in why silence and solitude is practiced such as to commune with God, to prepare one’s heart for times of prayer, to avoid suffering, to experience revelations, and to find peace in an anxious world. Loneliness stems from unmet expectations of social interactions that lead to aversion in one’s current relationships and within themselves. Understanding the purpose of silence and solitude leads to the result of how, when practiced outside of its intended goal, the discipline can lead to loneliness.

Over the past decade, schools have increasingly adopted trauma-informed practices (TIP) due to research confirming the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma on children and youth. This study explored how trauma-informed training affects teachers’ experiences of meaningful work. The study is based on the theoretical frameworks of Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory (SDT) and Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, as well as Rosso et al.’s (2010) research on meaningful work. The research used a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent group posttest-only design to measure the impact of trauma-informed training on teachers’ sense of meaningful work. Additionally, this study examined the relationship between teachers’ self-efficacy and work motivation for meaningful work. The study used three instruments to survey teachers: the Teacher’s Sense of Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES), the Work Tasks and Motivation Scale for Teachers (WTMST), and the Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI).

This qualitative dissertation delves into the therapeutic potential of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) as an intervention for individuals coping with trauma and related mental health challenges. Drawing from a diverse sample of participants with varying gender identities, age groups, and D&D experience levels, this study employs a grounded theory approach to unravel the intricate interplay between D&D engagement and mental health outcomes. The study identifies several key implications, including the importance of creating inclusive therapeutic spaces, the lifespan relevance of D&D interventions, the potential for tailored interventions addressing relationship dynamics, and the accessibility of D&D as a therapeutic tool. Delimitations highlight the contextual specificity, limited generalizability, sample characteristics, subjective perceptions, therapeutic emphasis, temporal constraints, and cultural considerations inherent to this research.

This study explores the experiences of healthcare providers in addressing the unmet needs of homeless veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness in San Antonio, Texas. Data analysis revealed three overarching themes: access to resources, lack of desire for housing, and job satisfaction/discharge status. Under the access to resources theme, barriers limiting access to needed assistance for homeless Veterans and other people experiencing homelessness were identified, including limited support, agency challenges, lack of self-care, and moving forward. Theme two highlighted challenges addressing the lack of desire for housing among some homeless individuals and subthemes such as limited services, holistic approaches, community involvement, and limited service and shelter. The third theme, job satisfaction, and discharge status, highlights approaches, that assist providers in effectively serving homeless Veterans, regardless of discharge status and eligibility. Theoretical frameworks guided this transcendental phenomenological study, aiming to understand the needs of homeless populations from the provider's perspective, focusing on the unmet needs of all experiencing homelessness. Findings identify the repeated nature of unmet needs among the homeless populations and the importance of continuous support and new approaches in addressing homelessness throughout San Antonio, Texas.

The purpose of this novel quantitative comparative study was to determine if there were any variations in hazing disclosure among educational institutions based on the geographical region and educational setting of affiliated Zeta Phi Beta Sorority undergraduate chapters within the United States. The structural requirement that undergraduate chapters belong to a host institution creates a connection in which both can contribute to the persistence of hazing if not recognized and effectively addressed. This study included 353 colleges and universities across seven regions and four educational settings. The Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact Test, employing Monte Carlo approximations, revealed highly significant associations between the examined variables. Further statistical tests and observational examinations were conducted on the data, revealing detectable patterns and trends. These findings were subsequently analyzed and synthesized for the study. The findings underscored the importance of institutions providing comprehensive hazing disclosures regarding each student organization and campus group. The study highlighted the importance of host institutions providing thorough disclosures about hazing to ensure student safety, informed consent, and interventions against hazing are research-based. The findings of this study can aid in effective anti-hazing interventions and policies that effectively address hazing in Greek-letter organizations, such as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Future research can expand this study by exploring whether the identified patterns in this study are exclusive to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority or if similar hazing dynamics are present across diverse organizations and educational settings.

Acceptance of domestic and intimate partner violence is recognized as occurring in the lives of survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence when they are counseled to return to the environment where their abuse occurred. Acceptance is also recognized as occurring in the lives of perpetrators of domestic and intimate partner violence when their behavior is made known to anyone outside of their environment and the perpetrator’s behavior towards their victims is sheltered, protected, excused, or enabled. In both instances, no efforts are made to change, correct, or stop abusive behavior. Research indicates interaction with the faith community in response to episodes of domestic and intimate partner violence is one significant connection between the survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence and the perpetrators of domestic and intimate partner violence. This phenomenological study will evaluate the experiences of perpetrators seeking support from the faith community to understand the role the church or church culture may have in responding to domestic and intimate partner violence.

This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the meaning of experiencing emotional/psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) for Saudi married women in Riyadh before and after Vision 2030. Nine Saudi women who married before 2015 were selected based on the Composite Abuse Scale results. The study's central question was: How do Saudi Arabian married women who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) interpret their emotional/psychological IPV experience before and after Vision 2030? The guiding two questions were: 1) How do Saudi Arabian married women who have experienced intimate partner violence cope or react to their emotional/psychological violence? 2) How do national, social, and relational factors influence their coping mechanism or reaction to emotional/psychological violence? The theories guiding this study were feminist and social constructivism theories. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, online reflection journals, and online focus group. Data analysis utilized the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Eight themes and ten subthemes emerged, revealing their sense of powerlessness before the Vision and sense of empowerment after it. Influenced by different national, social, and relational factors, their coping mechanisms included doing nothing, seeking formal or informal support, and being more independent. The study’s findings supported social constructivism and feminism theories on IPV risk factors, attitudes, and women's reactions and highlighted Vision's positive impacts on improving supportive resources and empowering Saudi women.

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand secondary traumatic stress (STS) for foster parents who care for children who have experienced trauma. The three research questions that guided this study were: how do foster caregivers describe their experience with STS, what factors do foster parents perceive as contributors to the development of STS, and how do foster parents cope with symptoms of distress associated with STS? The theoretical framework for the study was based on the stress process theory by Pearlin (1981) which focuses on sources of stress, manifestations of stress, and coping strategies. Data was collected using the secondary traumatic stress scale (STSS) as a prescreening, a demographic questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. The number of participants was selected from the data received on the STSS. The data was analyzed by transcribing the interviews, horizontalization, and cluster of meaning. Data analysis strategies were implemented to allow themes to develop. Seven themes and 13 subthemes were developed. After a thorough review of the findings, recommendations were made for future research.

Across school districts, teachers face high stress levels, inhibiting their ability to engage effectively with and teach students. Teachers can learn and utilize effective strategies to offset the difficulties of the profession. School districts often encourage and provide stress-reduction training for teachers; a new stress-reduction technique is known as mindfulness. Mindfulness is a cognitive skill that encourages internal and external awareness of emotions, feelings, and surroundings; it presents to be a beneficial strategy for increasing well-being in many professions. The present study, conducted among K-12 teachers in East Tennessee, will investigate the relationship between teacher mindfulness and each factor of stress, burnout, and depression. Participants will complete a series of online surveys to measure these components; the correlations drawn from these data will be utilized to examine the relationships between teacher mindfulness and each measure of stress, burnout, and depression. From these findings, school districts can better understand how to serve and support teachers, benefitting both educators and students.