Effects of Cannabis Use Among Veterans

Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the mental health problems that impact many veterans across the nation. The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has been growing among the veteran population. The problem to be addressed in this study is cannabis use among veterans who report symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. The purpose of the quantitative correlation study is to explore the strength of association between severity of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder with frequency of use of cannabis among the veteran population. The theoretical framework for this study was the biopsychosocial model. The study utilized a correlation design to identify the strength of the correlation between cannabis use and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. The target population would be veterans who served during conflicts of the War in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-2011 and Operation New Dawn in instruments would be previously validated questionnaire, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) with Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5) and Criterion A, as well as the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R). Data was collected using the two instruments from 41 veterans, of which 29 of the responses were usable. The descriptive statistics suggest that participants in this study seemed to have elevated levels of cannabis use and larger numbers of PTSD symptoms than in the general population. The findings of the Pearson correlation analysis, Kolmogorov-Smimov test, and Shapiro-Wilk test, all failed to reject the null hypothesis. The results of the data analyses indicated there was a non-significant weak, positive relationship between cannabis use and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms

Re-Righting History: A Phenomenological Study Addressing Teaching an Amended Version of American History

The problem that this phenomenological research addressed was the lack of interpretative research centered on educators' lived experiences of being required to navigate state-mandated curricular expectations related to slavery and its historical legacy (Dallman, 2024). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine how educators interpret their professional accountability, ethical responsibilities, and instructional decision-making within the context of the legally imposed curricular mandates (Moffa, 2022). My research topic highlighted the lived experiences of educators regarding the implemented mandates surrounding changing the narrative of American history as it relates to enslaved individuals and the subsequent mistreatment of their descendants. Particularly, the bans and restrictions that are being placed on teaching American history. Eight participants were purposively selected for this research. For the research, participants were given a questionnaire and also took part in an interview. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed in conjunction with NVivo software to analyze the data. Themes indicated that educators were only vaguely familiar with the bans and legislation; they all expressed their personal feelings and concerns for students. Other themes pertained to curriculum content factors, the impact of the changed narrative, and the training and professional development required to implement it. This study’s findings demonstrated that, despite educators' disagreement with legal mandates, many feel they are not as familiar with their state’s regulations as they would like to be. Recommendations and contributions for practice for future research include examining the long-term impact of amended curricula on student knowledge, social attitudes, and civic engagement of American history

Topological Sorting of Glioblastoma Patient Genes Based on Mutation Variations Using Quantum and Classical Computing Systems

Glioblastoma multiforme is a highly aggressive brain cancer characterized by complex muta-tion patterns that challenge traditional computational analysis. Identifying critical genetic driv-ers and their hierarchical relationships is difficult due to the high dimensionality and interde-pendencies within genomic data, limiting advances in precision oncology. The purpose of this study was to design and evaluate a hybrid quantum–classical deep learning framework for topological sorting of glioblastoma patient genes based on mutation variations. The study used publicly available somatic mutation data obtained from the cBioPortal for Can-cer Genomics, which provides open-access cancer genomic datasets derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas. These datasets are de-identified and distributed under open-access data sharing policies that permit use for academic research. The methodology followed a structured data sci-ence pipeline including preprocessing, feature engineering, and interaction modeling using mu-tation co-occurrence relationships. A Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization model with a cardinality constraint was developed and solved using exact enumeration, a genetic algorithm, and a quantum approximate optimization algorithm. Results showed that the optimized gene subsets differed from prevalence-based selections, indi-cating interaction-based optimization. The genetic algorithm consistently achieved optimal so-lutions, while the quantum approach produced competitive but variable results. The findings demonstrate that hybrid optimization provides a scalable approach for genomic data analysis

Breaking the Cycle: The Role of Post-Release Supports in Reducing Reoffending

The treatment and rehabilitation of individuals who perpetrate violence remains a critical and complex area of practice within counselling and related helping professions. While public and professional attention often centers on victims and survivors—as it rightly should—there is a growing recognition that effective violence prevention also requires meaningful intervention with those who commit such acts. This Capstone Research Project explores current approaches to working with perpetrators of violence, with a focus on therapeutic frameworks, intervention models, and the practical challenges faced by counsellors in clinical settings. The goal of this inquiry is to assess the effectiveness of existing strategies, identify gaps in current practice, and consider how counselling interventions can be improved to support long-term behavioral change, reduce recidivism, and enhance community safety. Through this exploration, this Capstone Research Project aims to contribute to more ethical, evidence-informed, and accountable practices in the treatment of violent offenders

Teaching After the Pandemic: A Qualitative Exploration of K–12 Teachers’ Experiences with Students’ Social-Emotional Learning Loss

The COVID-19 pandemic altered students' learning globally and affected their social-emotional skills. The problem addressed in this study was the growing challenge that teachers in the K-12 classrooms were experiencing in response to students’ loss of social-emotional learning (SEL) skills due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Secondary Traumatic Stress and the Lived Experiences of Secondary Victims

The problem addressed in this study was the negative impact of secondary traumatic stress on interpersonal relationships and the lack of perceived support for victims of STS post-trauma. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of STS victims, the perceived effects of secondary traumatic stress on relationships, and the victims’ perceptions of available support. Bowen’s family systems theory was used as the framework to examine how traumatic stress impacts the entire family unit. The study was guided by 3 research questions: 1. What are the lived experiences of those suffering from STS after learning of a primary victim’s trauma? 2. How do those who suffer from STS experience changes in interpersonal relationships? and 3. How do those suffering from STS feel about specific barriers to seeking the appropriate support post-trauma? Ten participants who experienced STS symptoms, had a close family member that was a primary victim of trauma, had no primary trauma in the last five years and no experience in the mental healthcare field were recruited using purposeful sampling. Those qualifying participation in semi-structured, open ended interviews, giving the researcher the opportunity to get the best possible understanding of their lived experiences. Utilizing Moustaka’s transcendental analysis approach, results revealed 7 codes that were grouped into 8 themes supporting current research on STS and relationships. Findings showed the majority of participants experienced a deterioration in their personal relationships as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, participants reported a lack of perceived support post-trauma. This study implies the important role perception plays in the lives and family relationships of the SVs post-trauma. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations for practice include promoting support for secondary victims in addition to the primary victims. Additionally, support sessions should also focus on the entire family unit in addition to the PV. Future research should narrow the scope on the SVs relationships outside the family unit as well as focus on the differences gender or sexual orientation play in changes in relationships post-trauma

Qualitative Data Analysis: Process, Strategies, and Application to Dissertation Research

This open access resource was conceptualized and created as part of a graduate research companion designed to meet the needs of students who are pursuing Masters (thesis) or Doctoral (dissertation) research. This resource is the second in a series on qualitative research designs and methods and will serve to supplement the open access article I developed and published in July 2025: Critical Qualitative Research: Underlying Philosophy, Foundational Principles, and Real-World Application to Dissertation Research. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/3941. As the author of these resources, I envision this second student research companion to be part of an ongoing series of resources that will assist students and faculty researchers. My goal in creating this resource is to share my knowledge and insights regarding qualitative data analysis, and specifically how relevant strategies and techniques may be successfully incorporated in a qualitative dissertation. The comprehensive resource was compiled to be instrumental in shedding light on all aspects of qualitative data analysis, providing both theoretical background and practical “pointers”; thereby raising the general level of research competence and paving the way for graduate-level researchers in understanding the qualitative options available to design and conduct feasible and rigorous studies that will meet programmatic requirements and expectations. This research companion has multidisciplinary relevance and will be invaluable to a wide audience in the social sciences, whatever their level of knowledge and experience. The information provided herein will be of assistance to students who are enrolled in qualitative research courses or who may be intending to or currently conducting a qualitative research study. For those who have already adopted a qualitative path this resource provides additional rich information serving to augment or enhance current understanding. Moreover, the material contained herein will also hopefully be of use and value to seasoned researchers or instructors who are seeking additional knowledge and expertise regarding qualitative data analysis. In all materials that I develop I am committed to equity and inclusion thereby making OER resources accessible for all students. As the author of this resource, I have ensured that ethical considerations are meaningfully interwoven throughout, and that all the material contained herein was thoughtfully developed and presented so as to be inclusive and accessible with the goal of being readily adopted and embraced by all learners. I certainly hope you find this new resource useful, insightful, thought-provoking, and applicable to your studies! I wish you much success and fulfillment as you pursue your educational journey

The Role of Social Connectivity for South Asian Women Survivors of Sexual Trauma

For many South Asian women, recovery from sexual violence is shaped not only by trauma-related impacts but also by cultural, relational, and systemic barriers, including collectivistic values, honour-based expectations, shame, and limited access to culturally appropriate services. Despite this complexity, much of the existing trauma literature is grounded in individualistic, western perspectives that overlook the social context of healing from sexual violence for South Asian women. This review explored how social connectivity hinders and supports recovery among South Asian women survivors of sexual violence, and how this knowledge can inform culturally responsive interventions.The thematic integrative literature review synthesized the results of qualitative studies (which included phenomenological studies and interview studies) and quantitative studies (which included population and cross-sectional survey studies) and mixed-methods studies and systematic/narrative reviews and conceptual studies and grey literature. Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems model guided the organization and interpretation of data to capture the influence of social connections across multiple ecological levels. Findings indicated that social connectivity plays a central role in sexual trauma recovery; with family, peer, community, and institutional relationships acting as sources of either support or stigma, silence, and exclusion. Culturally relevant relational support was associated with increased service utilization and improved psychological outcomes, whereas engagement with culturally incongruent systems often hindered healing. Overall, the findings highlighted the need for clinicians to integrate relational, cultural, and ecological considerations into trauma-informed practice

Fostering Resilience Through Narrative Therapy and Acts of Social Justice

This capstone looks directly at narrative therapy and acts of social justice and how their formidable power can help foster resilience. Through emphasizing how these interventions open a pathway towards making a difference, the significant role interconnectedness plays in society is reinforced, affecting an individual's resilience. Influenced by an upbringing built on the values of social justice, and inspired by a history of facing challenges that arise and finding a way to see these difficult moments as opportunities for personal growth, a case for the importance of societal resilience is developed. The final chapter offers recommendations in the form of a Metissage which is a form of presenting research in a decolonised way, through exploring individual stories as well as research aims. Through the creation of a spoken word poem the possibility of what the research does versus simply what the research means is promoted

Systemic Change for Effective Discipline Reform

This capstone examines school disciplinary actions, the harms of punitive discipline, alternative approaches to disciplinary practices, and how to create meaningful and equitable reform. The alternative approaches explored are Restorative Practices, School-Wide Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports, and trauma-informed practices. Many studies have found that traditional disciplinary methods are disproportionately applied to marginalized groups, ineffective at improving academic outcomes, and unsuccessful at supporting meaningful behavioural change. This capstone addresses the following question: If punitive discipline is harmful, disproportionately applied, and ineffective in producing meaningful behavioural change, what alternative approaches can schools adopt, and what conditions are necessary to ensure that these approaches are implemented equitably? This capstone recommends three levels of change (system, school, and classroom) to facilitate equitable practices in schools