Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Spirituality And Social Support On Posttraumatic Growth In Bipoc Communities Following The August 2016 Flooding Event In Baton Rouge, La, Danielle Lorena Lee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community of Baton Rouge, Louisiana experienced life-changing events after the August 2016 flooding event in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Even after experiencing a traumatic event, survivors may display signs of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Previous researchers looked at the impact of social support and religious/spiritual beliefs on PTG, but results have historically been obtained from married, White, and Christian individuals. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the influence of religious/spiritual beliefs and social support on PTG. Data were collected from BIPOC participants who reside in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana through …

The Experience Of Social Support In Doctoral Dissertation Student Mothers, Melissa Anne Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women who are actively parenting and employed professionally comprise a significant number of the overall global doctorate population attempting to complete their dissertation. A Ph.D. in psychology requires years of commitment of which many women will never complete. The final dissertation phase of the degree process is infamous for being viewed by students as potentially isolative. There is a need to better understand how doctoral student mothers completing their dissertation in a Ph.D. psychology program experience social support. The research questions explored doctoral student mothers’ social support experiences as they completed their dissertation. Tinto’s social integration theory guided the overall …

The Lived Experiences Of Homelessness Of Former Foster Youth Navigating Their Way Into Adulthood, Debra B. Hampton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractYouth exiting the U.S. foster care system can experience a complicated process as well as lack of support and resources to help in their transition. Also, despite federal policies in place, these youth can face socioeconomic challenges that lead to homelessness. The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of homelessness of adults who age out of the foster care system without continued support when they turn 18. Social capital theory provided a theoretical foundation for the study. Participants were 10 individuals 18 years of age and over who exited out of foster care …

Relationship Between Social Support And Childhood Trauma On Resilience, Carol Krieger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

People who have not overcome childhood trauma and who have developed mental illnesses have difficulties dealing with life challenges. The purpose of this quantitative study used a correlational design to test any relationship between childhood trauma experience levels and resilience against life challenges in adulthood. The theoretical framework used for this study was Barnes’ social support theory. Data were collected from 104 participants over a 7-week period. Participants voluntarily answered the ACE questionnaire, 2-way support scale, and resilience scale. Key results indicate that people with mental illness who receive social support are positive impacted by that support. Receiving adequate levels …

Comparative Analysis Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Support Group Type On Quality Of Life, Mary Louise Giles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

When individuals are diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), they tend to go through emotional, psychological, and physical anguish that requires support. Studies have shown that a support group can provide SLE patients with an outlet in which they can share firsthand feelings and experiences and receive emotional support but it is not known if how the individual with SLE accesses online or face to face support makes a difference. The purpose of this study, guided by the Chronic Care Model, was to determine if there were differences in quality of life (QoL) for persons with SLE participating in an …

Factors Affecting The Successful Completion Of Online Graduate Programs Among Single Mothers, Kimberly Ann Palermo-Kielb

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An advanced degree is a step toward career aspirations, access to affordable healthcare, and financial goals. For single mothers, a population most vulnerable for living on the brink of poverty, an advanced degree can be a means toward ending intergenerational poverty. Single mother students face serious barriers to advance their education which impede their ability to pursue and complete their degrees. The purpose of the present study was to explore graduate student single mothers’ experiences attending an online education program. The conceptual frameworks guiding the study are Pintrich’s motivational self-regulated learning model for achievement and Duckworth’s model on the psychology …

Secondary Traumatic Stress In The Mortuary Industry: Prevalence And Mitigation, Robert Borselli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For those working in the mortuary industry, exposure to traumatically deceased remains may predispose them to developing subjective Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship among the independent variables of hardiness and perceived social support, and the dependent variable of subjective STS in mortuary workers. The theoretical foundations on which this research was based are the theories of stress and illness, secondary traumatic stress, hardiness, and social support. The primary research question governing this research was whether social support and hardiness had any correlation to the levels of subjective STS in this …

Online Social Support And Biopsychosocial Implications For Bariatric Patients, Jamie Kathryn Schofell-Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity has grown to epidemic proportions in the United States with approximately 40% of women and 30% of men having a body mass index greater than 35. Bariatric surgery is an effective form of weight loss. However, weight regain is a problem, with 50% of persons undergoing bariatric surgery experiencing a weight regain of 5% within 2 years of surgery and only 40% maintaining a loss of 30% or more long-term. Potential biological, psychological, and social issues can negatively impact the long-term success of weight management for many bariatric surgery patients. Research is significantly limited within this area and it …

Social Support And Hiv Among Young Transwomen Of Color, Cynthia Joycelle Tucker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV is an emerging epidemic among young transgender women of color (YTWC). Researchers have documented the challenges and issues that YTWC encounter, including discrimination, isolation, and violence. However, little is known about whether social support can impact these challenges as an avenue to improve HIV preventive behaviors and HIV status. Using secondary data from the Life Skills HIV study, this research assessed how social support affects HIV preventive behaviors among 298 YTWC residing in Chicago. The study was grounded in the modified social-ecological model and Spearman’s rank correlation and logistic regression analyses was used to determine whether there was an …

Stress, Social Support, And Mindfulness In Parents Of Children With Neurodevelopmental Deficits: A Quantitative Analysis, Branden D. Syrotchen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parenting children with neurodevelopmental deficits (NDDs) is very stressful, more so than the parenting of typically developing children. There is considerable research on the topic of chronic stress experienced by caregivers; however, less is understood of parental stress experienced when raising children with NDDs. The purpose of this study was to examine how parental traits and habits, in the forms of mindfulness and social support levels, affect this cohort's general stress levels. The study was guided by Self-Determination Theory, which explored how parental acts could be classified along a continuum of being intrinsically or extrinsically derived. A convenience sample of …

Importance Of Perceived Social Support For Black Mothers Of Preterm Babies, Anita Lynn Brentley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social support represents a network that provides for family, relatives, and friends and is an important predictor of future health and well-being. A knowledge gap exists in the literature regarding a need for social support for Black mothers of preterm babies. This qualitative study explored the perception of social support for Black mothers of preterm babies in Southwest Ohio. The phenomenological method of inquiry was used to gain an in-depth understanding of social support Black mothers receive after preterm birth. The social ecological theory provided a framework for understanding how individual, interpersonal, community, organizations, and policy affect a Black mother's …

Relationship Between Spirituality And Perceived Social Support With Success In Alcoholics Anonymous, Mala Sita Hosmane

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Failure in treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) leads to continued addiction, but practitioners need to learn which factors predict better outcomes in AA to make better referrals. Here, the predictive relationship between spirituality and perceived social support with success in AA was examined based on Frankl's theory on meaning in life. A quantitative, correlational design was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant predictive relationship between spirituality, as measured by the Assessment of Spirituality and Religious Sentiments, and perceived social support, as measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, with success in AA, as measured by …

The Relationship Between Social Support And Resilience Among School Nurses, Kathryn Vargo Hsu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research exploring the relationship between social supports and resilience among hospital-based nurses and teachers has offered little to illuminate how school nurses identify and access social support and the impact it may have on their ability to manage ongoing daily stressors or develop resilience. The social networks and social support model suggest that access to social support may underscore the development of effective coping. This study explored the relationship between social supports as measured by a self-report questionnaire, and resilience as measured by the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). It was hypothesized that a positive correlation would exist between use of …

Experiences And Challenges Of Social Workers Providing Services To Elderly Veterans, Maritza Rivera-Moret

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The social work practice problem of this doctoral action research project was the unmet mental health needs of veterans 65 and older in Puerto Rico. This action research project explored the experiences and challenges of social workers when they offer mental health services to veterans 65 and older. This study was framed using social support theory, integrating the 3 core elements of tangible support, emotional support, and informational support. The data collection technique included a semistructured interview protocol used in a focus group setting. Purposive sampling was used to identify 9 participants who were licensed social workers in Puerto Rico. …

Perceptions Of Well-Being And Coping Mechanisms From Caregivers Of Individuals With Autism, Barbara Simmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Caregivers of individuals with autism often report increased levels of stress and a lack of social support to help them cope with various stressors as they provide care. Without coping mechanisms or social support, as individuals with autism present various behavioral and emotional challenges, caregivers can experience a decline in well-being. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the processes that caregivers of individuals between the ages of 9-18 diagnosed with autism use to cope with stress and social support in Southeast Georgia. Grounded theory was used to describe the perceived thoughts caregivers have about stress and …

Stress, Anxiety, And Depression: Role Of Campus Connectedness, Social Support, And Coping Among Nepalese Nursing Students, Priscilla Samson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (SAD) can adversely influence physical health, psychological well-being, and academic and clinical performance of nursing students. Numerous studies have identified the factors associated with SAD; however, a paucity of empirical research addresses the relationship of SAD with campus connectedness (CC), perceived social support (PSS), and coping. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study, guided by Lazarus and Folkman's theory of stress, coping, and adaptation, was to determine the prevalence of SAD and examine its relationship with CC, PSS, and coping among undergraduate nursing students of Nepal. Survey research was conducted using depression anxiety …

Gender, Social Support, And Resiliency In Suicidal Ideation Among U.S. Army Soldiers, John Franklin Ambrose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicidal behaviors have continued to increase in the United States (U.S.) Army population since the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Suicide rates are higher in men compared to women; yet, the rate of suicidal ideation is higher in women than men. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between suicidal ideation and protective factors, if social support and resiliency are different for men and women within the U.S. Army population, and if gender acts as a moderating variable between suicidal ideation and protective factors. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior was …

Social Support, Psychological Distress, And Behavioral Outcomes Among Palliative Care Caregivers, Monique Lashone Aguirre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social support and acute care facility providers need information about how to help improve the practices and knowledge of caregivers related to the stages of palliative care. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there was a significant association between social support and psychological distress and behavioral outcomes among palliative care caregivers, and to determine to what extent social support buffered psychological distress and behavioral outcomes. The quality-of-life model guided the study. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional research design with secondary data analyses. The sample included 320 adult family caregivers who were part of a telephone survey …

Social Support And Psychotherapy For Asian And Pacific Islanders With Hiv/Aids, Venus Vacharakitja

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV/AIDS rates among Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) have increased steadily in recent years. The Health Resources and Services Administration reported in 2011 that people living with HIV/AIDS experience psychiatric disorders at a rate 4 to 8 times higher than the general population, with as many as 60% experiencing depression. Studies show that short-term psychotherapy reduces depression and anxiety in people with HIV/AIDS, and studies have indicated that patients have better health outcomes when they receive psychotherapy in conjunction with medical treatment. It is not known how social support relates to psychotherapy attendance or health outcomes as measured by CD4 …

Parenting And Discipline Correlations With Social Supports For Single, African American Mothers, Veronica D. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Assistance to young, single, African American mothers requires adaptation to their environmental stressors along with reliance on social support. Further information is necessary for developing and supporting an appropriate model for delivery of that assistance. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine potential correlations between general social support and parenting skills and disciplinary practices amongst low-income, African American single mothers. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory model supported this study to further develop an accurate perspective of African American families to inform more effective approaches to parenting. The participants for this correlational research design study were 78 mothers who had …

Use Of Facebook As A Social Support System To Maintain An Individual's Resource Pool, Michelle Fontaine

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stress affects individuals' physiology, mood, behavior, and cognitive abilities. Social support has been found effective in buffering stress. The social networking site Facebook allows individuals to connect to others to share stories, pictures, and general life events and, in so doing, offers a means of social support that bridges geographical distances for friends and family. There is limited research, however, on whether using Facebook buffers against stress. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the use of Facebook for social support using the conservation of resources theoretical model of stress management. Fifty-seven Facebook users over the age of …

Diabetes Self Care Behaviors And Social Support Among African Americans In San Francisco, Liseli Inonge Mulala

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are significant public health issues that affect people of all races; Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects African Americans with higher diagnosis, morbidity, and mortality than it affects Caucasians, and Type 1 has been increasing in incidence. Diabetes self-care activities (DSCAs) and social support have been shown to help in managing both types, which can reduce morbidity and mortality. African Americans with diabetes in San Francisco have higher rates of complications, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits secondary to diabetes. This study assessed whether a relationship exists between emotional support, practical support, affirmational support, informational …

The Relationship Between Stress, Coping Strategies, And Social Support Among Single Mothers, Nikitra Yvette Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have neglected to focus on understanding the relationships between stress, coping, and social support among single mothers versus mothers who are not single. Knowledge regarding how single mothers' lives are affected by stress, social support, and coping is important, and such information can help readers better understand how effectively single mothers raise children compared with mothers who are not single. A convenience sample of 173 mothers completed this study. Participants in this study consisted of mothers who were (a) raising at least one child ages 18 and under who lives in the home and (b) who were between the …

The Relationship Between Suicide Ideation And Adult Support Among African American Adolescent Lesbians, Latonya Jill Watters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The suicide rate among African-American youths has significantly increased in recent years. Studies have indicated that racism, sexism, and homophobia put African-American adolescent lesbians (AAALs) at high risk for suicide. Earlier studies recognized the importance of adult support for adults, but the relationship between the AAAL suicide rate and the level of adult support has never been formally studied. Based on social support theory, this survey study examined the relationship between adult social support and attitudes toward homosexuality (as the independent variables) and suicidality and hopelessness (as the dependent variables) in a convenience sample of 200 self-identified 13-to-19-year-old AAALs. Data …

Attachment, Acculturative Stress, Social Supports, Separation, And Marital Distress In Mexican And Central American Adult Immigrants Separated From Primary Caregivers As Children, Isaac Carreon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latinas/os are reported to be the fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States, with a large percentage being newly arrived immigrants. Previous research has found that many migrate in phases, with the father leaving the family behind or both parents migrating and leaving children in the care of family members. Separations from parental figures have been found to lead to psychosocial, psychological, and educational problems. Additional challenges of immigrants include acculturative stress, lack of social support, attachment problems, poverty, discrimination, unemployment, and marital distress. The purpose of this study was to inquire if immigrant variables (attachment, acculturative stress, and …

Effects Of Social Support On Cardiac Recurrence Among African Americans, Yolanda Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among African Americans. Despite advances in treatment modalities, based on better understanding of the disease's pathology and access to health care, African Americans continue to die from heart disease at rates significantly higher than other races. The available literature on cardiovascular disease among African Americans does not adequately explore how social support affects heart health in this group. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of social support on cardiac recurrence among African American adults. Cohen's ISEL support system variables: tangible, appraisal, belonging, and self-esteem; and five demographic variables: …

Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Illness Perceptions Among Individuals With Fibromyalgia, Susan D. Fay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Illness Perceptions among Individuals with Fibromyalgia

by

Susan D. Fay

MS, Drexel University, 1994

BS, Metropolitan State University of Denver, 1983

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Psychology

Walden University

February 2015

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse and neglect, are a significant social health problem. Exposure to ACEs can place a child at a high risk for developing different diseases or illnesses in adulthood, including fibromyalgia. The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to ACEs, moderated by perceived social support and/or …

Managing Workplace Stress For Increased Performance In An Irish Higher Education Institution, Tommy J. Foy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace stress costs -£3.7 billion per annum in the United Kingdom and in excess of $300 billion per annum in the United States. However, little research exists on the relationships between perceptions of social support, work-life conflict, job performance, and workplace stress. The purpose of this correlational study was to provide educational leaders with the information they need to examine the existence, strength, and direction of relationships between perceptions of social support, work-life conflict, job performance, and workplace stress in an Irish higher education institution. The theoretical framework for this study consisted of a combination of reward imbalance theory, expectancy …

Reasons For Living And Self-Reported Suicidal Behavior Among A Sample Of U.S. Army Personnel, Deborah Elaine Willis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicidal Behavior in the U.S. Army is a problem that persists despite significant efforts to promote help-seeking behaviors and the investment of millions of dollars to develop resilience-building interventions. Evidence-based literature supports the use of reasons for living as a protective factor against suicidal behavior in clinical and nonclinical samples, yet it has rarely been studied in an active duty (AD) Army population. This study examined the relationship between self-reported reasons for living and self-reported suicidal behavior, to determine if high levels of reasons for living correlated with low risk of suicidal behavior, over and above demographics, depression, stressful life …

Effect Of Social Support And Hiv-Related Stigma On Depression In Hiv/Aids Patients, Chinedu Anthony Umeadi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV has remained a public health problem in Nigeria. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the effect of social support and HIV-related stigma on depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and to examine the moderating effect of sociodemographic factors, Quality of Life (QOL), and time since HIV diagnosis on this relationship. This study was based on the social cognitive theory. Data were collected from 98 PLWHA attending the antiretroviral clinic of Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Nigeria. Regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the variables. Some 24.5% of the study participants were depressed. Significant …