The purpose of this phenomenological narrative study was to explore the BIPOC graduate student experience and factors impacting mental health and well-being. The researcher interviewed 10 BIPOC graduate students to explore how the graduate student experience affects their mental health and overall well-being. Additionally, the study explored…

The mental health of college students continues to decline, leading to increased suicide rates among young adults. College campuses provide mental health resources; however, many college students do not effectively utilize the resources. This quantitative research study allowed for a deeper understanding of why college students are not using…

This dissertation investigated the lived experiences of non-binary counselors who face microaggressions within the counseling field. While existing research has explored microaggressions based on sexual orientation within counselor education programs, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding non-binary counselors specifically. This…

The principal purpose of the study was to understand the lived experiences of educators who taught during the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential effects of teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic on teachers' mental health, well-being and risk of attrition. Considering that the pandemic is just a few years old, research on the implications for…

There has been a particular emphasis on the ways that an individual's concept of self and their own perceived academic competence is influenced by their socio and external environment (Bandura, 1999; Baumeister, 1999). However, existing research has provided little to no focus on how these internalized beliefs of self, and perceived academic…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how community college student-athletes who reside in the central California area describe how mindfulness training has influenced their psychological well-being. The conceptual framework comprised mindfulness-acceptance and commitment (MAC) to provide the theoretical foundation. MAC…

Notwithstanding significant privilege and benefits, research suggests that collegiate student-athletes experience higher rates of mental exhaustion, depression, anxiety, and risk-taking behaviors compared to non-athletic peers. Student-athletes have been found to compartmentalize and manage academic and athletic responsibilities by engaging in a…

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the entire U.S. education system, with many educators experiencing high levels of stress and burnout as they navigate the increased challenges. This study focused on the burnout experienced by heads of microschools, which are small, community-based schools that typically serve fewer than…

As Wingate University has grown, it has also experienced challenges with declining student retention and graduation rates. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about abrupt changes in the higher education landscape, including effecting students' mental wellbeing. This quantitative study examines the relationship between student engagement at…

The problem addressed in this study was that social and emotional strategies are not provided at the school level, which affects teachers' mental well-being, causing them to feel occupational burnout. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators have been compelled to adapt to new teaching modalities, contributing to heightened stress…

This study assessed the impact of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) on the mood profile, anxiety, mental well-being, and stress of university students. Stress has always been a widespread issue for university students, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the problem. The need for stress alleviation therapies to be further investigated within…

This study investigated the impact of participation in middle school garden programs on student well-being through a mixed-methods evaluation. Set against a backdrop of escalating mental health crises among K-12 students in the United States, characterized by heightened levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, this study evaluated whether school…

The goal of the study was to understand factors contributing to life satisfaction of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from the perspective of positive psychology. The challenges of parenting a child with ASD have been documented extensively, with these parents experiencing higher levels of stress, depression, and lower…

The high attrition rate of novice K-12 teachers has been a longstanding issue of concern for districts and school administrators. The purpose of this action research was to study contributing factors of social-emotional resilience in educator well-being, and how transformational conversations could support Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) leaders…

Education has grown in complexity. Educational stakeholders are perpetually caught within the debate of what constitutes best practices. However, "the delicate fabric of the civilization into which successive generations are woven has unraveled, . . ." (Bloom, 1988, p. 57). Bereft of much of the traditional social and emotional family…