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The U.S. and Japan: Containing a Rising China?
Get PDFThis research involved investigating the impact that the coherence between international relations (IR) theories and national strategies and policy practice through effective implementation (independent variables) have on China’s perceived vulnerabilities (CPV; dependent variable) using the Cold War, the United States, and Japan case studies. The research focused on how the coherence between these variables could shape CPV and strategic calculations, particularly concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea. Additionally, the research involved analyzing how the modern strategies of conventional deterrence (i.e., the strategy of denial and integrated deterrence) influence CPV. This study was guided by the hypothesis that the degree of coherence between national IR theories and national strategies, effective policy practice through proper implementation, and the combined use of the strategy of denial and integrated deterrence are the main indicators that likely influence China’s behavior in the Indo-Pacific region. A qualitative, inductive, multiple case study design was utilized by examining the U.S.’ decision-making across the Cold War to provide context for the modern competition, and the United States and Japan’s top-level strategies (i.e., National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy) and their corresponding IR theories across different epochs. The first case study spanned the Cold War, and the second two studies spanned the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations for the United States, and the corresponding periods in Japan (20122017, 20172021, and projected 20212025), to account for the variability of the DV across space and time. Comparative analysis techniques revealed causal inferences and patterns that validated the hypotheses. Through a case analysis, this research emphasizes the critical role of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in enhancing regional security. It highlights the necessity of advancing military capabilities, deepening allied integration, and adopting a denial strategy that effectively addresses CPV and the A2/AD strategy to reinforce regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region
Teachers\u27 Lived Experiences of Work Intensification in a New Jersey High School
Get PDFThe purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore high school teachers’ lived experiences with work intensification in northern New Jersey. The theory that guided this study was Apple’s teacher work intensification thesis as it helps to explain the organizational conditions that lead to increases in teacher workloads, as well as teachers’ responses to work intensification. The central research question for this study involved exploring the lived experiences of 10 public high school teachers in New Jersey managing perceived feelings of time poverty due to work intensification. Sub-questions were used to explore teachers’ value of time during their workday, as well as how they mediated between job demands and their perceptions of their work. Data was collected through interviews, reflective journals, and a qualitative survey. Member-checking was done to verify data transcription accuracy. Data was thematically analyzed, and open coding was used to identify common words or phrases used by the participants. The data was then categorized, and themes were generated to make meaning of the data in relation to research questions. Further analysis included memoing, in vivo coding, and horizontalization. Results of the data analysis led to the identification of four themes: organizational pressures, unsustainable working habits, chronic stressors, and workplace relationships’ influence on work quality. The findings in this study support prior research which describes how changes in the amount and complexity of teachers’ work can exacerbate their feelings of time poverty and lead to negative job outcomes
The Use of Geographical Information Systems in the Eastern United States Emergency Management Organizations, From a Public Administration Perspective
Get PDFThis phenomenological study explored the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology in federal, state, and local government emergency management organizations. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research focused on understanding local governments\u27 perceptions of GIS access. The study theorizes that GIS is underutilized by local government emergency management due to cost, perceived limited benefits, data security concerns, and lack of experience. The central question is: How do public administration professionals perceive the value and benefits of GIS in emergency management? The study involved interviews, focus groups, and writing prompts with emergency management officials from the eastern U.S. The collected data were analyzed using Moustakas\u27s modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method to identify themes related to the underuse of GIS. The findings supported the TAM framework, emphasizing the significance of perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) on the use and adaptation of GIS by federal, state, and local emergency management organizations. The results highlight the need for improved policy, funding, and education on GIS technology, specifically in emergency management. Findings also revealed that while federal and state organizations have robust GIS resources, local governments often lack the necessary policies, training, and understanding to use or request GIS support effectively
Identifying Effective Counseling Strategies for Working with Women who Endorse a Strong Black Woman Schema: Exploring the Perspectives of African American Clinicians
Get PDFAfrican American women underutilize mental health services despite experiencing high rates of psychological distress. Existing literature has not fully explored how the Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema influences this behavior. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how the lived experiences of African American women positively influenced or impeded their help-seeking behaviors to address mental health problems through the lens of African American women mental health clinicians via Zoom Video Communications. This study addressed the gap in research on how cultural norms, systemic barriers, and therapeutic strategies shape access to care for this population.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 licensed African American female clinicians. Data were analyzed using Glaser and Strauss’s Constant Comparative Method and phenomenological reduction. Four major themes emerged: the influence of cultural expectations of strength, the impact of systemic mistrust and medical dismissal, the role of faith and family in shaping support systems, and the importance of culturally responsive therapeutic strategies. Findings suggested that the SBW schema, along with racial and gender-based discrimination, contributed to delayed or avoided mental health care. Clinicians emphasized the need for culturally competent, identity-affirming interventions. These results have implications for mental health practitioners, training programs, and policymakers seeking to reduce disparities and improve therapeutic engagement among African American women
Burnout Among Adjunct Faculty: A Quantitative Study
Get PDFAdjunct faculty, who are employed on a contractual, as-needed basis, comprise nearly 70% of the higher education workforce in the United States. Despite their essential role, they often face challenges that may impact their well-being and organizational commitment. This quantitative, non-experimental study examined the relationships between workload, course format, compensation, institutional support, and burnout among adjunct faculty. Data was collected from 85 adjunct faculty members across the United States using an online survey. Guided by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Theory and Social Exchange Theory (SET), multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore the predictive effects of workload, compensation, and institutional support on burnout. Additionally, an independent samples t-test was conducted to compare burnout levels between online and residential adjunct faculty. None of the analyses yielded statistically significant results. However, the findings offer valuable insights that can inform institutional leaders and policymakers in developing strategies to better support adjunct faculty in higher education
The Lived Experiences of Young Adult Children of Veterans Attachment in Responses to Unique Lifestyle Challenges
Get PDFThe purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe young adult children of veterans’ experiences with frequent relocations. Military-connected youth experience unique stressors that their civilian peers do not encounter and may experience frequent disruptions in attachment relationships. The theories guiding this study are John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s attachment theory, Norman Garmezy’s resiliency theory, and Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping. These theories provide the structural framework for understanding the meaning of attachment, factors that promote resiliency, and structures for coping with stress. Individual interviews were conducted with each of the 10 selected participants that meet the outlined criteria. Data collected from the interviews will be transcribed and analyzed to identify and group into common themes
Systemizing Church Hospitality: Converting Attendees to Committed Members
Get PDFThe American church continues to lack a theoretical framework to guide newcomers through the process of becoming members. The problem is that First Mt. Carmel MBC lacks an onboarding system to guide visitors and guests through the process from attendees to members. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to design, teach, and implement a 12-week onboarding system to integrate visitors into the congregation. To connect visitors to the congregation in the process of becoming a new creation in Christ, strategic steps are predetermined to assimilate them into the congregation. This problem was addressed by developing and implementing eight-weeks of training ministry leaders on hospitality, followed by a four-week training program for new members. The strategy aims to retain visitors and convert them into active, committed members. Qualitative questionnaires were conducted before and after the intervention for comparison, and interviews with new member participants. Six ministry leaders and ten new members participated in the study. The workshop training and small-group materials provided in these workshops should be helpful in other local church contexts, and some practical ideas that could be implemented. Through this study findings, churches may be able to organize and train greeting and welcoming ministries that will benefit their congregations. A church may also benefit by incorporating teaching and training programs on hospitality to promote a sense of belonging and welcome. The research process offered valuable insights into the nature of the problem presented, indicating a successful intervention in promoting a hospitality culture at FMCMBC
Exploring the Differences of Gender on Physician Burnout and Perceptions of Work Environment
Get PDFPhysician burnout is a growing public health crisis, threatening care quality, patient safety, and workforce sustainability. Research suggests gender may influence burnout levels and perceptions of the work environment. This quantitative, cross-sectional study examined gender differences in physician burnout and workplace perceptions among U.S. physicians that impact burnout. A total of 170 licensed physicians completed an online survey using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS (MP)) and the Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS). MANOVA results indicated a significant multivariate effect of gender on burnout. Follow-up ANOVA testing revealed that gender was significantly related to emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. A separate MANOVA examining physician work environment perceptions also demonstrated a significant gender effect, with follow-up ANOVAs identifying significant differences in perceptions of workload and community. Female physicians reported higher emotional exhaustion, lower personal accomplishment, greater workloads, and less community support than their male counterparts. These findings highlight the need for targeted organizational strategies, such as improving workplace culture, managing workloads, and enhancing resilience training to address gender-related disparities in physician burnout
The Procrastinating Perfectionist: Examining Task Self-Efficacy & Procrastination Types on Life Task Performance
Get PDFPerfectionism is a personality trait that can manifest either adaptively or maladaptively, typically developing during childhood and adolescence. Less research has examined perfectionistic adjustment issues in adulthood compared to childhood and adolescence. Research indicates that adult perfectionists tend to procrastinate on tasks related to academia and job settings. However, little is known about passive and active procrastination types among adult perfectionists when completing life tasks. Since self-efficacy can produce motivation, adult perfectionists may be more or less likely to procrastinate based on how they perceive their capabilities. This study examined how perfectionism types (maladaptive, adaptive, non-perfectionist) impacted life task performance based on task self-efficacy and procrastination types (passive or active). One hundred seventy participants were recruited via purposeful sampling. Participants completed the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R), the Task Self-Efficacy Scale, the Active Procrastination Scale (APS), and the Perceived Life Task Performance Scale. One-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the data. These findings showed that adult adaptive perfectionists had higher life task performance than maladaptive and non-perfectionists. They also showed that passive and active procrastination were not associated with these differences in life task performance between perfectionism types. Moreover, task self-efficacy did not predict life task performance for adult perfectionists. These outcomes can enhance psychological theories and outpatient psychotherapy by providing knowledge for psychotherapists to treat perfectionists as they navigate adult life adjustments effectively
Electro Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (eTMS) Effects on Pharmacoresistent Sleep Disorders Using a Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG)
Get PDFThe following quantitative correlational study investigated the effects of eTMS on individuals with pharmacoresistant sleep disorders using a qEEG. This research measures the dimensions of anxiety, depression and quality of life (QoL) as it relates to untreated secondary diagnosis. Additionally, this research examines the activity level of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in relation to eTMS treatments. It was found that correlation with anxiety (rs = -.466, p \u3c .001), depression (rs = -0.556, p \u3c 0.001), quality of life (rs = -.436, p \u3c .001), and sleep disturbances (rs = -0.452, p \u3c 0.001), have a statistically significant negative correlation with dlPFC activity level. Finally, it was found that eTMS does have a statistically significant relationship with sleep disturbances as well as anxiety, depression and general quality of life (U (195) = 4647, p = .971). This is important to the field of neuroscience as it provided a more precise form of individualized neuromodulation through the use of a uncommon type of transcranial magnetic stimulation