The purpose of this mixed methods dissertation study is to determine an operational definition for a new construct: a spiritually competent orientation (SCO). The SCO construct has emerged in recent literature but has only been defined theoretically. An exploration of the literature from which it emerged implies the possibility of improving the…

Obesity is leading cause of death worldwide. Childhood obesity has jumped to 22.4% in 2020 from 19.3% in 2019. One-third of children are overweight and obese, with an approximately 66% chance of becoming an obese adult. The costs of obesity are to overall health: financial, physical, social, and emotional. Obesity affects students at school, a…

This dissertation project highlights the rising rates of and effects of child anxiety. This was done through a literature review of relevant topics. Child anxiety treatment is explored and best practices highlighted. By using a top-to-bottom approach to the literature, a program/resource was developed that is intended for use by school…

This study aimed to examine the initial pre-service teacher outcomes for a newly developed mental health training (i.e., "Training In Mental health for Educators -- Pre-service Teachers" [TIME-PT]). For the development of the TIME-PT, an expert panel and a focus group with pre-service teachers were conducted to inform of any changes and…

Well-being on the college campus has been a top identified area of priority for college presidents over the past decade, further heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Okanagan Charter was created in 2015 as a framework for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges to embed health and well-being into all aspects of campus life and operations…

The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of community college students' perceptions and experiences regarding mental health counseling services on a community college campus. The conceptual framework used for this study was Hettler's (1976) Six Dimensions of Wellness model, which demonstrates the interconnectedness of all six…

Stress and mental health difficulties are common burdens on college students. Although a small minority of these students receive psychological services, counseling centers have been overrun by demand. Thus, self-help interventions may offer a promising alternative to traditional college counseling services. The current study examined the…

Youth mental health concerns, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, are a global public health concern. These concerns inevitably manifest in school settings, where K-12 youth are spending significant portions of their time. While schools, districts, and state and federal policies are working to expand mental health support in school settings, school…

Juvenile delinquency has been a great issue in the United States and there have been a multitude of efforts to reduce these offenses along with reducing recidivism rates. A 2015 report from Council of State Government Justice Center reported that there is a 76% probability that juvenile offenders will reoffend within three years and an 84%…

The community college is a robust environment with a dynamic student population. Each student brings a unique network of relationships and connections as they enter and endure academics at the community college. The community college often provides various support services to help students succeed at the community college. However, for many…

Undocumented college students face a broad range of legal, political, financial, cultural/social, and psychological/emotional barriers and challenges to persisting and succeeding in their college journey. The purpose of this action research study was to train faculty and staff at Long Beach City College (LBCC) on the undocumented college…

Objective: Collegiate-athletes are vulnerable to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, yet very little is known about what variables might predict the use of on-campus mental health services among them. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of Andersen's Behavioral Model (ABM) in predicting the use of…

In education, therapy dogs are used in a variety of manners, such as, but not limited to, reading assistance programs, stress reduction visits, or welcome ambassadors after community trauma. This study was designed to explore multiple perspectives about the reasons for and interactions with therapy dogs in educational settings. The research…

A public school district in southeast South Carolina implemented a new arts-based initiative due to the surge in demand for mental health services for students following the pandemic. With more students in the research site requiring intensive mental health support during the 2021-2022 academic year, compared to the 2016-2017 school year, the…

The mental health needs of college students continue to increase, causing more students than ever to seek treatment for their mental health problems on college campuses. These common mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, result in the rising demand for mental health services and present numerous challenges for higher…