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Understanding the Willingness of Christian Ethnic Minority Student-Athletes To Seek On-Campus Mental Health Services: A Mixed Methods Approach
Get PDFRomans 12:1 tells Christians that their unique physical abilities are gifts from God that should be used to honor Him (New International Version Bible, 1978/2011). Christian racial/ethnic minority student-athletes (CMSAs) often navigate complex intersections of spirituality, identity, and stigma in relation to mental health. Despite growing research in biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) models, CMSAs remain underrepresented in mental health literature. This mixed-methods study explored the willingness of CMSAs to seek on-campus mental health services at a public university in the Southwestern United States. Data was collected through a web-based survey (N = 20) and semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants (N = 3), analyzed using thematic analysis within a phenomenological framework. Research questions focused on lived experiences with mental health services, including perceptions of support, service availability, mental health history, preferred settings, informal care, performance-related needs, and the role of faith. Findings support the relevance of The Optimum Performance Program in Sports (TOPPS), a culturally responsive model that reduces stigma and promotes engagement. Institutions may benefit from adopting similar frameworks that integrate athletic identity, spirituality, and voluntary access to care
John 14:2‒3: Perichoresis in the Farewell Discourse
Get PDFIn the final week prior to the crucifixion, Jesus and his core group of disciples assembled in an upper room in Jerusalem, where he delivered to them his Farewell Discourse, during which he revealed that he would soon be departing from them. As a result, the disciples were severely distressed. To comfort them, Jesus assured them he would soon return to them. While saying so, he spoke of his “Father’s house,” which has “many rooms,” and stated he was returning “to the Father” in order “to prepare a place for” them (John 14:2‒3, 12 ESV 2016). Minutes later, he affirmed that his disciples “abide” in him, and he in them (John 15:1‒11 ESV 2016).
Historically, Christian scholars have taken the “Father’s house” to be heaven and its “many rooms” to be physical dwellings there. Each disciple and by extension all believers, thus have a separate “place” prepared for and awaiting them in heaven. At the same time, “to abide” has been taken to mean “to remain” loyal and obedient to Jesus. These interpretations, which were originally applied to a merit-based soteriological construct, are now held in tension between realized and inaugurated eschatology, as Jesus’s promise to return to his disciples is said to be a reference to his Second Advent. The disciples, however, for their part, would have considered the “Father’s house” to be a reference to the temple in Jerusalem.
Inasmuch as the disciples misunderstood what Jesus said, scholars have misinterpreted his words. When Jesus spoke of his “Father’s house” and its “many rooms,” he was referring to himself and his disciples, and when he spoke of the “place” he was going to “prepare” for them, he was referring to their salvific state of being in a perichoretic relationship with him and with the Father, in whom they would ever “abide,” or live, via the “indwelling” of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’s promised return is no longer pending, for it already occurred when he appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, and when the Holy Spirit indwelt them after his ascension
Predicting School Culture from Teacher Experience and Funding: A Predictive Correlational Study
Get PDFThe purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study is to understand how accurately the perception of school climate can be predicted from a linear combination of special education teachers’ years of teaching experience and supplemental state and federal funding allocated to teachers in the special education setting. The participants were drawn from a convenience sample of public school special education teachers located in a large school district in a southern state of the United States during the 2024-2025 school year. The setting for this research is a collection of campuses representing the work environments of the participants sampled. The My Class Inventory questionnaire serves as the study’s instrument and was distributed to the special education teachers within the selected school district. Results from the multiple linear regression analysis indicated a significantly significant relationship between supplemental funding and teacher perception of school climate, while years of teaching experience show no significant predictive value. These findings suggest even modest financial investments can positively influence teacher perception of school climate, and future research should examine varied geographic settings, incorporate multiple data sources, explore additional predictors of satisfaction, analyze funding models, and include qualitative insights from teachers to better understand the lived impact of resource allocation. Findings from the study could help benefit the future of education by disclosing how state and federal funding is leveraged and serve as a guide for special education administrators for future effective decision making to improve teacher retention and campus culture. The results, conclusions, and recommendations for further use are included
The Impact of Stress Reduction Programs in Reducing Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant Military Spouses with Disabilities
Get PDFPregnant military spouses with disabilities have high levels of anxiety and depression, as these individuals are more exposed to stress due to various health risks and worries during deployments. Health care experiences of pregnant military spouses who are disabled are explored through interviews and surveys to determine if appropriate services reduce anxiety and depression and help with stress. The study encompasses qualitative design, interviewing with eight participants from the Clarksville, Tennessee area, known for its many military families near Fort Campbell. The study targets evidence-based therapies through theoretical frameworks of attachment, social support and stress and coping theory such as mindfulness, CBT, and groups of peers through NVivo coding. According to thematic analysis, based on the biopsychosocial model, the programs helped the spouses, mainly when their visits were frequent and culturally suited. Reports of problems getting the care needed, such as lack of appointments, childcare concerns long wait times were present. Some participants noticed improvements in their ability to cope with emotions and handle stress after participating in the program. These results suggest that there should be more targeted mental health support and ways to reduce stress in military medical units. The findings suggested that military spouses who have disabilities gain a lot from counseling, community engagement and strategies that relieve distress relevant to deployments. Recommendation for further research is to enhance mental health treatment, promote community integration, increase awareness and availability of programs and improve EFMP policy to work toward improving equity and health among military family members
Superintendent Stress and Mental Health: The Case of African American Female Superintendents in the United States
Get PDFThis study investigated the challenges faced by African American female K–12 school superintendents in the United States, with a particular focus on work-related stress and mental health. The unique challenges encountered by African American women in leadership positions include work stressors, racial and societal barriers, and gender discrimination. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain a deeper understanding of the work-related stress and mental health experiences of African American female superintendents in K–12 schools. The study was a means to elicit new information from the experiences of African American women regarding experiences of gendered racism and its various manifestations in the workplace. Addressing these issues is essential for promoting equity and ensuring all individuals can achieve their full potential. Twelve themes emerged from the data to answer the research questions: (a) Black women, hidden burdens; (b) the price of leadership; (c) Afrocentric and unapologetic; (d) when leadership tried to break you; (e) the toll of racialized leadership stress; (f) navigating resistance to equity leadership; (g) community and faith; (h) positive outlook and wellness; (i) community-driven equity advocacy; (j) diversity, equity, and inclusion pushback and isolation; (k) community support; and (l) sustaining leadership through self-care and reflection. The findings contribute to the fields of education and leadership by providing insights into establishing more equitable and just workplaces for all individuals. By identifying the challenges African American female superintendents face, the study suggested recommendations for creating supportive work environments that enable them to thrive. It is necessary to acknowledge and address systemic issues in the workplace, particularly those that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Administrators could use this study’s findings to foster a more inclusive and diverse educational system that empowers all individuals to reach their full potential
Historiography of the Medieval Tournament: How the Study of Jousting Reflects Medieval Studies
Get PDFIn the modern age, sports are more than just athletes on a field in front of screaming fans; instead, they are dynamic showcases of strategic prowess, cultural expression, and societal values. Long before stadiums and sports arenas became the centers of competition and entertainment, medieval tournaments enthralled audiences with their unique blend of martial skill and pageantry. From the electrifying clash of a joust to the elaborate courtly dances, the history of the tournament weaves a vivid tapestry of medieval life. This merging of chivalry and combat creates an enduring spectacle that has captivated historians and enthusiasts for centuries. The study of jousting and tournaments is a young one, blossoming as writers explore the sporting nature of the joust along with class structure and gender politics. By examining how historiographical interpretations have evolved, this paper seeks to uncover the nuanced and multifaceted history of jousting, revealing its significance within the broader context of medieval and modern thought. The historiography of medieval tournaments began with contemporary illustrations and chronicles, evolved through the romanticization of the Renaissance era, experienced a revival of romantic fantasies in the 19th century, underwent scientific scrutiny in the early 20th century, faced ideological critiques in the late 20th century using Marxist and anti-Marxist lenses, and now, in contemporary studies, is examined for its multifaceted impact on medieval society, honing in on specific issues such as social hierarchy, cultural rituals, and the economic implications of these events
Nutrition Anthropology in Global Malnutrition in Children under Five
Get PDFFood is essential to growth and development for people and nations. Too little or too much food can lead to undernutrition or overweight, both forms of malnutrition. While there have been improvements in undernutrition, overweight is increasing, causing the double burden of malnutrition globally, which is especially true in low-income and middle-income countries. Understanding nutrition anthropology\u27s economic, environmental, and socio-cultural factors is critical to combat malnutrition\u27s burden in different populations. Shaping policies and investments in malnutrition need to be strategic to have a measurable impact on malnutrition improvements. This study identified nutrition anthropology factors using six economic, environmental, and socio-cultural indicators: GDP, government expenditure on education, literacy rate, fertility rate, rural population, and urban population, in 193 countries to analyze relationships with wasting, stunting, and overweight. Publicly accessible data was used for correlational research, analyzing the relationships among different variables through BCa bootstrap linear regression, quantile regression, and Spearman’s correlation statistical tests. The analysis included 155 countries, since 38 countries did not report any malnutrition statistic; plus, data was stratified by country income level and regional classification based on World Bank standards. When BCa bootstrap linear regression showed significant results, then quantile regression and Spearman’s correlations were conducted to increase the robustness of the study results. The results determined statistically significant results for wasting and stunting, but not overweight. Literacy rate is a predictor of wasting and fertility rate is a predictor of stunting across all 155 countries. Lower-middle income countries also indicated literacy rate as a predictor of wasting but no other country classifications. Urban population was also shown to be a predictor of stunting across all countries and Sub-Saharan African countries. Literacy rate was a predictor of stunting in the 25th quantile regression. The research concluded additional global evidence supporting undernutrition, wasting and stunting, in 155 countries, where impacts in education may improve literacy rates or fertility rates that essentially will improve malnutrition
Single-Working Parents’ Psychological Autonomy and Psychological Well-Being and the Mediating Role of Work-Life Balance
Get PDFSingle-working parents (SWPs) shoulder dual roles and responsibilities, often resulting in strained psychological autonomy (PA), psychological well-being (PWB), and work-life balance (WLB) across their work and nonwork domains. These overlapping responsibilities create challenges in sustaining a quality of life over time. The specific problem this study addressed is that many SWPs in leadership positions do not manage their emotional center well, and the relationships among their PA, PWB, and WLB remain unknown. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine whether WLB mediates the relationship between PA and PWB in adult SWPs. Research questions were developed to explore the relationships and mediating factor. Data were collected via online social media platforms and consisted of a convenience sample of 72 single, divorced, or widowed parents. Findings revealed a non-significant relationship between PA and WLB, but a significant positive correlation between PA and PWB. However, the mediation analysis showed that WLB did not significantly mediate the relationship between PA and PWB. These results suggest that while PA contributes directly to PWB among SWPs, WLB does not necessarily explain this relationship. Implications of this study indicate that organizations and practitioners should prioritize strategies that enhance SWPs\u27 autonomy to support their mental health and work-life integration, while recognizing that WLB may not fully buffer the psychological effects of autonomy on well-being. Further research is needed to explore alternative pathways and contextual factors that influence these dynamics
Telepsychiatry in the Management of Chronic Mental Illness: A Quantitative Study
Get PDFThe use of emergency departments for chronic mental illness is a growing problem and contributes to overcrowding. Preventing psychiatric patients from using an ED for their chronic mental illness is a key part of reducing this problem. Telepsychiatry allows patients to access psychiatric care from wherever it is convenient to them with shorter wait times for appointments. This study compared emergency department use between in-person and telepsychiatry utilizers to determine if one group had fewer occurrences than the other. Through an anonymous online survey, data was collected and analyzed using quantitative analysis techniques. This study concluded that patients using telepsychiatry were significant less likely to seek treatment at an ED for non-emergent symptoms related to their chronic mental illness. The findings of this study will be used to contribute to the growth of the telepsychiatry treatment model, subsequently increasing the availability of mental health services and improving the mental wellness of the public
A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Exploring Experiences of Secondary Teachers With Content- Only Training Instructing English Language Learners
Get PDFThe purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the initial experiences of secondary content teachers from diverse backgrounds during their first five years in high schools with a substantial number of English Language Learners (above 50%) in north Georgia. The theory guiding this study is Schlossberg\u27s transition theory as it helps to understand the psychological and emotional adaptations teachers undergo while instructing ELLs, highlighting changes in their self- perceptions, circumstances, and support networks. The central research question is: What challenges and strategies do secondary education teachers without ESOL training describe in their experiences teaching various subjects to classrooms with a significant number of ELLs during their first five years in northwest Georgia? This study utilizes a transcendental phenomenological research design, involving a sample of first to fifth-year secondary teachers. Data were collected through interviews, letter-writing, and focus groups to explore their transitional journey, focusing on personal, interpersonal, and professional facets. Data analysis involved identifying the common themes, culturally responsive teaching, policy and practice, as well as support systems which all impacted the experiences shared by these secondary teachers who instruct ELLs without specialized ESOL training. The results revealed recurring complex instructional hurdles, gaps in systematic support, and an urgency for culturally responsive instruction giving evidence to the realities rooted in the participants’ narratives. These findings emphasize the need for a policy overhaul of teacher preparation programs to empower content area teachers with effective strategies and skills to navigate ELL instruction