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Exploring Perceptions and Experiences of Blockchain Implementation in Auditing: A Multiple Case Study
No full textBlockchain technologies are poised to reshape financial statement audits, yet authoritative guidance remains limited. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to examine perceptions and experiences with established accounting standards regarding blockchain implementation in practice in the United States. Accounting theory and the extended technology acceptance model guided the study. Data were collected from 14 semi-structured interviews, an open-ended survey, and organizational documents from auditing firms. Reflexive thematic analysis and triangulation produced seven themes across three domains. Auditors reported limited real-world exposure, heavy reliance on legacy professional guidance, and implementation hurdles, including client education, tool limitations, and regulatory ambiguity. Participants anticipated efficiency gains from immutable, real-time ledgers, such as faster confirmations and more reliable provenance, and emphasized that transparent, codified standards are a prerequisite for mainstream adoption. Alignment with existing theoretical frameworks was uneven, often recognized conceptually but seldom operationalized, and current regulatory materials were viewed as helpful for framing risk but incomplete for method design. The study contributes practitioner-grounded evidence on blockchain’s auditability, highlighting immediate needs for targeted standards, competence development, and carefully scoped pilots on permissioned networks. These findings inform standard setters, firms, and educators seeking to integrate distributed-ledger evidence without compromising assurance quality
Belonging: A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring the Experiences of Adjunct Faculty Who Teach Remotely at Higher Education Institutions
No full textThe problem this study addressed was the lack of belonging adjunct faculty teaching remotely at higher education institutions experience, leading to job dissatisfaction, high attrition, a decrease of effectiveness in the classroom, and feelings of isolation. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how adjunct faculty who teach remotely in higher education institutions experience belonging. By listening to the perceptions of adjunct faculty, strategies for cultivating adjunct faculty belonging were formulated. A qualitative methodology guided the investigation, with Allen et al.’s belonging framework serving as the conceptual foundation. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom and online questionnaires administered through Qualtrics. Following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase process, which was supported by NVivo software, thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Three themes emerged for the first research question: (1) adjuncting is isolating, online adjuncting is even more isolating; (2) being included; and (3) relationships can only be built when two entities want to connect. Two themes emerged for the second research question: (1) recognition is the biggest motivation; and (2) feeling like you are valued. Recommendations include reducing isolation by fostering inclusion and enhancing communication; creating both formal and informal virtual opportunities to connect; intentionally inviting adjunct faculty into decision-making processes; offering faculty development that supports belonging-related competencies; implementing structured recognition programs; increasing leadership visibility; and establishing spaces where adjunct faculty feel valued and connected to the institution
Destigmatizing Women with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): An Attachment-Based and Trauma-Informed Approach
No full textBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is highly stigmatized and disproportionately impacts women (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022; De-la-Morena-Perez et al., 2023). Though there is a large body of research that indicates a link between attachment insecurity, trauma history and the development of BPD traits, there is still debate over the exact interplay between these factors (Erkoreka et al., 2022; Formella & Ugwuanyi, 2024; Miano et al., 2021; Peng et al., 2021; Schulze et al., 2022). The research highlighted throughout indicated that counselling psychologists would benefit from a deeper understanding of these factors so they can incorporate this knowledge into everyday practice when working with clients who have BPD. Thus, this literature review explores the central question: Can understanding BPD in women from an attachment-based and trauma-informed lens help to destigmatize their experiences in the therapeutic setting? To answer this, this study synthesizes current literature and provides recommendations for future research and possible clinical/therapeutic applications. Relevant sources were selected from various databases, including ProQuest, PsychLit, EPSCO, PubMed and the Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection. The writer then conducted a thematic analysis of the literature to generate significant themes and evaluated this research through methodological analysis and ethical critiques. The most notable finding from this study is that individuals with BPD experience stigma on several levels, and that further research into understanding this disorder from an attachment-based and trauma-informed lens is warranted. It is recommended that mental health professionals, educational programs and researchers consider these lenses when studying BPD in an effort to reduce stigma for those with this disorder
Parents’ Perception of Early Childhood Parental Involvement in Low-Socioeconomic Communities
No full textEarly childhood parent involvement sets the pace for academic achievement in later years of schooling and may help remedy underperformance in low-income communities. The study addressed the problem of early childhood parent involvement among parents from low-income communities, which is lacking. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of early childhood parental involvement among parents residing in low-income communities. Ecological systems theory, developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner, and Epstein’s model of parental involvement were utilized as the theoretical foundation for this study. Twenty-four parents of children in preschool through third grade from low-income neighborhoods in the United States were recruited using a combination of convenience and snowball sampling via social media postings. Semi-structured interviews served as the data source. Braun and Clarke’s inductive thematic analysis phases revealed three central themes: Parents viewed involvement as extending beyond participation in the school setting, they encountered structural and contextual barriers, which included financial hardship, time constraints, and inconsistent communication from schools, and despite obstacles, parents demonstrated resilience and employed various strategies to stay engaged in their children’s education. The findings highlighted the need for schools and community organizations to implement inclusive, culturally responsive, and flexible approaches to parent involvement that acknowledge and reflect the distinct lived realities of low-income parents. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on parent involvement by amplifying the voices of parents who are often underrepresented in research and practice, and provides educators, policymakers, and communities with valuable insights on how to better partner with families in underserved communities
Exploring Student Veterans Mental Health Stigma Coping Strategies in Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study
No full textVeterans who pursue higher education as a pathway to civilian reintegration often encounter unique challenges, particularly related to mental health stigma. This study aimed to explore the coping strategies student veterans employ in managing mental health stigma within the higher education context. Understanding stigma management strategies is crucial to supporting the well-being of student veterans and ensuring their successful academic completion. Guided by Meisenbach’s Stigma Management Communication (SMC) Theory, which categorizes communicative strategies used to manage stigma, this descriptive phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of student veterans through semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Participants reflected on their military background, academic environments, relationships with peers, faculty, and staff, as well as institutional support systems. Findings indicated that military cultural norms surrounding mental health strongly influenced participants’ approaches to stigma management. The predominant coping strategy identified was concealment and avoidance, often resulting in unmet mental health needs. These results underscore the pressing need to challenge stigma, prioritize the well-being of student veterans, and refine institutional practices and resources to better support this population. Additionally, the findings call on higher education policymakers to implement systemic changes that address veterans’ transitional challenges, particularly those linked to mental health. Future research should further investigate the range of coping strategies and their implications for both mental health outcomes and academic performance among student veterans
The Role of Language in Multilingual Counselling
No full textThis capstone is an exploration of the function of language within multilingual counselling relationships. Language serves as one of the primary modes of communication within talk therapy, rendering it an essential aspect to consider when counsellors and clients are multilingual. Furthermore, language functions within a sociocultural context and is embedded with layers of cultural nuance, while simultaneously being perceived and interpreted both externally and internally. To demonstrate how language operates differently across languages, I have chosen to contrast English and German concepts of anxiety and shame. The research questions under investigation are: Does language shape our experience and perception of emotion concepts, such as anxiety and shame? When comparing English and German concepts of anxiety and shame linguistically, what are the sociocultural impacts? How can therapists approach language in a way that supports effective communication and expression within the therapeutic relationship? In order to help facilitate deeper insight into the function(s) of language in the counselling context, I created the acronym LSTEN, which stands for L: Language, I: Intention, S: Somatic Approaches, T: Translation, E: Embodied Listening and N: Narrative.
The findings in the capstone reveal that counsellors and clients can benefit and deepen the therapeutic relationship by exploring the function(s) of language
Power and Prejudice: Exploring the Impact of Dominant Discourse on Disclosure and Treatment Seeking Among Male Victims of Adult Sexual Assault
No full textMale victims of adult sexual assault (ASA) face unique barriers to disclosure and support seeking post-assault, which pose mental health risks. Research shows these barriers are most often rooted in stigma and rape myths. Despite growing attention to ASA and increased self-reporting rates represented by male and gender diverse victims, their treatment needs remain understudied and largely absent from public discourse, particularly from an intersectional perspective. This paper explores how gendered cultural narratives and rape myths impact male victims’ disclosure, reception, and treatment-seeking. In this narrative review, relevant peer-reviewed literature on male ASA published between 1980 and 2025 was thematically analyzed. Intersectional feminist and discourse analysis frameworks were utilized to illuminate and explore the roles of power and prejudice in male and gender diverse ASA victimization, along with implications for disclosure, treatment seeking behaviours, barriers to support, and gaps in services. Four key themes emerged: the gendered construction of sexual assault, male rape myths, hegemonic masculinity, and prejudice against marginalized identities. These elements in dominant discourse significantly influenced victims’ disclosure and treatment seeking behaviour, resulting in notable consequences and gaps in services, particularly for multiply marginalized victims. Observed consequences include decreased ability to perceive themselves as victims and reduced willingness to disclose, report, or seek treatment. Many victims also experienced high rates of self-blame, discrimination, stigma, secondary victimization, harmful compensatory behaviours, suicidality, and systemic and sociocultural barriers to receiving care. Findings underscore the imperative for gender-inclusive ASA responses, improved cultural competency about the intersections of identity and ASA, and expanded research, education, and advocacy to support male and gender diverse victims of ASA
Embodied Healing for Developmental Trauma: Integrating Sensorimotor Psychotherapy into Couples Counselling
No full textThis capstone examines how developmental trauma shapes adult attachment and relationship patterns, and how somatic approaches may strengthen couples counselling. Developmental trauma emerges in childhood within attachment relationships, disrupting the brain and nervous system, socialization and attachment with others. These disruptions often persist into adulthood where they appear as insecure or disorganized attachment, emotional and neurobiological dysregulation, and relational struggles that can be difficult to resolve. Therefore, understanding developmental trauma is not only important within child populations but also among adults who continue to experience its impacts. Recent literature suggests that trauma is carried not only in memories and cognitions but also in the body, alluding to where traditional talk-based therapies may fall short. In the individual setting, somatic therapies such as Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) and Somatic Experiencing (SE) have responded to this gap by focusing on posture, movement, and bodily awareness to restore balance and support connection. By reviewing the research on trauma, attachment, and nervous system functioning, this capstone builds on the somatic work done in individual trauma therapy by offering a framework for adapting SP to couples counselling. The framework emphasizes a phased model with safety, pacing, and co-regulation as key pathways to healing. Through this integration, body-based approaches are positioned as a more comprehensive way to help couples impacted by the legacy of developmental trauma
What’s the Benefit? The Impact of Therapist Self-Disclosure on the Therapeutic Alliance With Queer Clients
No full textThis research capstone explores the role of therapist self-disclosure in shaping the therapeutic alliance with queer clients. Although more than 90% of therapists report using self-disclosure, its effectiveness remains contested, with outcomes dependent on context, culture, timing, and the client’s lived experiences. To situate this discussion, this paper reviews the history of queer pathologization in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), tracing the classification of homosexuality as a disorder in 1952 to its removal in 2013. Drawing on Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Therapy, the analysis emphasizes the importance of empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard as foundational to alliance-building. The discussion also integrates contemporary literature on minority stress and queer-affirming practice, highlighting how microaggressions, systemic inequities, and clinician bias may undermine relational safety. The capstone research investigates: How does therapist self-disclosure impact the therapeutic alliance when working with queer clients? This capstone argues that when used ethically and responsively, therapist self-disclosure can strengthen alliance, promote client trust, and support more affirming therapeutic experiences for queer populations. A proposed workshop for counsellors addresses potential ways for counsellors to engage in self-disclosure in an empowering way that doesn’t betray their own ability to connect with their clients
Exploring the Underrepresentation of Women of Color in Top Senior Enlisted Roles in the U.S. Navy: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study
No full textThe problem addressed in this study was the persistent underrepresentation of WoC, specifically African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American servicemembers, in the U.S. Navy's senior enlisted roles, which undermined the Navy's efforts to achieve full diversity and inclusion (Bridges et al., 2023b; Coleman et al., 2019). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenology study was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of WoC, specifically African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American servicemembers, in the top enlisted roles in the U.S. Navy. This qualitative study examined how race, gender, and organizational structures simultaneously affected advancement opportunities within military hierarchical systems through an intersectionality theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 retired E8 and E9 women of color (WoC) from the U.S. Navy, with data collection focused on participants' experiences navigating advancement processes, organizational culture, and leadership challenges analyzed through thematic analysis to identify patterns and meanings within participant narratives. Findings indicated participants encountered distinctive barriers from intersectional biases, including limited mentorship opportunities, exclusion from informal networks, and inconsistent evaluation criteria. Navy policies often failed to address unique challenges faced by WoC, creating disparate impacts on advancement trajectories. Participants reported cultural code-switching demands, questioning of their authority, and isolation within traditional masculine organizational environments. This research contributed evidence-based insights into structural inequities affecting WoC in senior enlisted roles and offered recommendations for policy reforms, targeted mentorship programs, and organizational culture interventions to dismantle systemic barriers. Based on this analysis and recommendation, future researchers should explore comparisons with other military branches, investigate longitudinal career progression patterns, and evaluate diversity initiative effectiveness in creating sustainable leadership pathways for WoC