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Volunteer Leaders of Young Adult Ministries in Protestant Churches in the Midwest, USA
No full textDeveloping and retaining young adult ministry volunteers helps engage young adults and foster church growth. An article in Lifeway Research states that “Two-thirds (66%) of those who attended church regularly in high school dropped out for at least a year as a young adult” (Earls, 2019). Understanding the views and experiences of church ministry volunteers of this age group is essential as these young men and women are integral to reaching, discipling, and retaining them in the church. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of volunteer leaders of young adult ministries in Midwest Protestant churches, mainly in Nebraska and Illinois, which have existed for at least two years. For this study, young adult ministry was defined as Christian discipleship efforts geared toward young men and women aged 18 to 35. The theory that guided this qualitative research is hermeneutic phenomenology. The theory asserts that individuals are unique in their life experiences (Moustakas, 1994). The findings highlight the interwoven dimensions of spiritual calling, relational engagement, leadership formation, and organizational support. The study concludes that effective young adult ministry depends on volunteer leaders who are well-trained, spiritually grounded, and relationally supported
Small Courageous Minds
No full textThis thesis examines the barriers, agreements, and disagreements between mental health and Christianity, specifically as it relates to helping Christian children with anxiety. The following investigation explores how God defines and reacts to anxiety in the Bible and how anxiety is explained through scientific research. By explaining both scientific and biblical views of anxiety, the Christian community can grasp a better understanding of how to help children with anxiety. The research also builds a foundational investigation on how anxiety affects children and possible solutions for relieving anxiety in children. Educating children at a young age about mental health and offering them resources to improve their mental health can possibly help alleviate or reduce a child’s anxieties. Education on mental health on anxiety has also been shown to help with other related mental health conditions. If Christian families, schools, and churches are educated about childhood anxiety, reducing the stigma around mental health practices, then they can possibly reduce the likelihood of mental disorders in children continuing into adulthood (“Childhood Stress and Anxiety”). Here’s a list of questions that I seek to answer throughout this study:
1. Do Children Struggle with their Mental Health?
2. Is Anxiety Normal?
3. When Does Anxiety Become a Disorder?
4. What Are the Types of Anxiety Disorders?
5. What Happens When There’s a Lack of Counselors in Christian Schools?
6. What are Some Treatments for Children with Anxiety Disorders?
7. What Are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Distortions?
8. What Are the Ways to Lower Anxiety in Children?
9. What can be Done When Children Aren’t Receptive to Therapy?
10. How are the Brain and Body Connected?
11. Is There a Stigma Against Mental Health Disorders in Christianity?
12. How Should Christians View Anxiety?
13. Did Paul Imply Anxiety is a Sin?
14. Can God Be Trusted?
15. What is the Interpretation of Anxiety from the Sermon on the Mount?
16. Can Christian Counseling Have a Missional Approach?
This research also investigates the most effective visual solutions that may help with mental health education. Graphic medicine has been used repeatedly in the mental health industry to explain experiences and ideas to people struggling with a mental health disorder; it is often in the form of a comic book-style memoir. Specific wording and language on mental health communication materials have also influenced people to act on their mental health. Indirect phrasing with hopeful language has been shown in some cases to create positive responses in mental health posters. In one study, posters have been found to be the most memorable form of communication
Variances in Power Output of Female Athletes During the Menstrual Phases
No full textThe purpose of this research was to examine if there are any variances in a female athlete’s ability to produce power, that could be correlated with the menstrual cycle phases. The study observed three elite female athletes throughout 13 weeks, collecting relative propulsive power and relative braking power data from their vertical jump performances which occurred multiple times a week. At the end of the 13 weeks, participating athletes were asked to download their personal Oura Ring data. The Oura data points included in this study were used to identify and measure several physiological factors such as menstrual cycle day, menstrual cycle phase, sleep score, total sleep time, restful sleep, sleep efficiency, readiness score, and heart rate variability (HRV). The vertical jump testing was recorded using Hawkin Dynamics force plates, which automatically saved each user’s vertical jump attempts throughout the 13-week period. The results of the vertical jumps suggest that there may be a small decline in propulsive power and braking power for a female athlete in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, however, there were no significant differences between the phases. Additionally, the Oura data, however not significant, showed a drop in overall readiness score, as well as HRV specifically in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, even when sleep time, sleep efficiency, and sleep restfulness remained similar in score across the phases. In conclusion, a trend can be seen between vertical jump power, as well as an athlete’s ability to recover, when comparing the menstrual phases
The Impact of Awareness of Campus Health Services on Utilization of Medical Care Among Residential Students at Liberty University
No full textCollege students represent the most prominent group of individuals when considering their lifestyles throughout aging. Therefore, this age group serves as a good opportunity for health education that could build positive health behaviors for life. Existing literature have said that the 18-25 year olds tend to have fewer resources and be often uninsured and have the highest rates of preventable diseases.2 Objective: The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of awareness and its subsequent effect on utilization of available health resources on campus among the student population of Liberty University. Additionally, the purpose of the research through the guidance of Health Belief framework intended to evaluate the determinants that control health-seeking behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study design was employed guided by Health Belief Model constructs. The survey was designed to analyze awareness levels and utilization barriers followed by a qualitative component to add contextual insights to the quantitative analysis. SAS version 9.4 was used for data analysis, awareness, barriers, utilization variables were measured by chi square, spearman correlations and ordinal logistic regression. Results: Response from 151 participants was received, among them 68% of the respondents had high levels of awareness of the services like prescription services (OR = 10.33, 95% CI 3.01–35.44) and vaccination services (OR = 5.10, 95% CI:2.29–11.32). Perceived barriers like “I don’t trust campus providers” (OR= 0.25, p = 0.0149), “I don’t think they can help me” (OR = 0.14, 95% CI:0.056–0.337, p \u3c 0.001), and “preferred off campus providers” (Q9_2) (OR= 0.25, 95% CI: 0.056-0.337, P\u3c0.001) impacted utilization. Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study draws on scientific research and informs relevant leadership bodies and public health policies to strategize action plans to address and improve service efficiency
What Are the Effects of Statewide Body-Worn Camera Policy Standardization on Recording Rates and Officer Behavior?
No full textThis quasi-experimental research tests the hypothesis whether statewide body-worn camera (BWC) policy standardization produces different results than locally autonomous policies in body-worn camera policies in terms of camera activation, use of force, civilian complaints, and officer perceptions of accountability and procedural justice. Drawing on policy diffusion and organizational justice theories, the study analyzed data from 200 officers across two states using t-tests, regression models, and difference-in-differences analysis. Findings showed that there were no statistically significant changes in the rates of activation, force incidents, or the number of complaints regardless of the type of policy used, meaning that statewide standardization had little power to change behaviors. Nonetheless, officers who perceived a standardized policy found far greater procedural justice perceptions (p =.001, d = 0.50) indicating that standard BWC regulations increase perceived fairness in the absence of any observable change in behavior. The regression results indicated that accountability perceptions were more predictable by the activation rates than policy type, with implementation fidelity as a better predictor of accountability as compared to policy form. These findings indicate that the BWC standardization at the statewide level leads to more normative and attitudinal gains than actual behavioral change, which makes it important to consider that the actualization of policy into practice requires more firm training, supervisory enforcement, and cultural alignment
The Relationship Between the Health Science Reasoning Test and Successful Completion of an Associate Degree Nursing Program: A Retrospective Predictive Study
No full textThe purpose of this study was to retrospectively identify whether the addition of an entrance exam such as the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) to the current admission criteria of an associate degree nursing (ADN) education program would aid in selecting students with the highest chance of successfully completing the program and entering the workforce. A nonexperimental, retrospective, quantitative, predictive correlational study design was used. A retrospective convenience sample of 320 first-year nursing students in an ADN education program was obtained. The G* power analysis showed a minimum sample size of 107 students was needed. Statistical analysis involved a multiple regression, independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a Chi-Square test for association. The results of the ANOVA demonstrated that the ranking points and Grade Point Average (GPA) statistically predicted the overall HSRT scores (p = .003). The independent t-test results showed a statistically significant difference in the mean HSRT overall score between completion/noncompletion of the ADN program (p = \u3c.001). The Chi-Square test demonstrated a statistically significant association between the completion/noncompletion and the qualitative description of the overall HSRT scores (p = .009). The study results would add value to the current admission criteria of the ADN program to assist in selecting students with the highest probability of successfully completing the program. Further research should include a larger population of first semester nursing students in multiple ADN programs to allow for generalization to a larger nursing student population
Burnout, Perceived Organizational Support, and Spirituality: In MSD Special Educators
No full textThis quantitative correlational research study explored whether burnout (BO) is correlated with perceived organizational support (POS) in special education teachers (SETs) working with moderate to severe disabilities (MSDs) students during distress, and whether spirituality moderates the correlation. SETs working with MSD students face a heightened risk of BO, yet there is little literature exploring how organizational or spiritual resources help. Exploring these factors is necessary to strengthen SETs’ well-being. Guided by the Organizational Support Theory, theoretical frameworks on BO, Maslow\u27s Theory on Spirituality and Hierarchy of Needs, the Cognitive Appraisal Approach, and biblical truths, this study explored how internal and external resources influence well-being in SETs. A total of eighty-eight participants completed the MBI-ES, SPOS-8, and SWBS through Qualtrics. Using SPSS, Pearson’s r, and multiple regression, the results indicated no significant correlation between BO and POS, and spirituality did not moderate the correlation. However, independently, spirituality predicted lower Depersonalization and higher Personal Accomplishment. These findings indicate that although organizational factors may not directly predict BO, personal factors, such as spirituality, may serve as a protective resource for mitigating BO in SETs. From a Christian Worldview, this study underscores the importance of nurturing internal beliefs and external support, promoting spiritual and psychological well-being in SETs
Autistic Mothers and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): An Intersectional Analysis of Vulnerability and Systemic Barriers
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how autistic mothers raising children with autism describe the support they received and the barriers they faced when leaving an IPV environment. The guiding theory for this study was Ecological Systems Theory, which was utilized to explore vulnerability to exploitation through aggressive abuse histories, normalization of violence, and the inability to see red flags in potential relationship partners. Intersectionality was utilized to examine how the interplay of abuse, autistic traits, race, socioeconomic states, and gender created a complex and challenging situation for autistic mothers affected by intimate partner violence. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted to garner a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of autistic mothers raising children with autism, the vulnerabilities they faced, and the barriers they encountered when leaving an intimate partner violence (IPV) situation. This study identified five major themes related to the lived experiences of participants: (1) understanding and overcoming abuse (2) support systems and community assistance (3) impact of leaving on children (4) decision to leave and its challenges and (5) barriers faced by children when leaving. Recommendations are to enhance prevention strategies with school-based psychoeducation programs, enhance community support services, and develop training programs that educate professionals about autism and IPV (therapists, police, and legal professionals). No other study has focused on autistic mothers raising children with autism and their experiences with IPV, at the time of this writing. This study is a foundational step in meeting the unique needs of autistic mothers, exceeding the support offered by community systems
The Integration of Multicultural Music and Defining Successful Integration of Multicultural Music in Three Predominantly White Churches in Baltimore, Maryland: A Case Study
No full textIt is important to acknowledge the words in Scripture honoring people of all ethnic groups as cities and therefore churches become more diverse. Baltimore, Maryland is a diverse city, with numerous ethnic communities including those of Italian, Greek, African American, African, Hispanic, and Jewish descent; many churches, however, remain predominantly White. Music is an essential element in worship, and some churches are limited to the ethnic hymns of their congregational hymnals, thus ignoring the wide body of multicultural music that is available. There are numerous challenges when integrating multicultural music, especially if the congregation is not ethnically diverse. At first impression, many may not see the need since the music is not representative of the congregation, therefore the status quo abides. It is important to see Christ through the eyes of all and truly understand God through the lens of those who are culturally different. The integration of multicultural music in worship could contribute to an acceptance and a means to honor diverse cultures. This case study presents qualitative data collected from three predominantly White churches in Baltimore, Maryland, examining the barriers associated with integrating multicultural music within these congregations and exploring how each defines successful multicultural music integration. The researcher gathered data through interviews and focus groups with pastors, music directors, and congregants from the three designated churches. The data was then analyzed to gather information related to the research questions