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Walden University

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

2021

Articles 1 - 30 of 568

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Collaborative Governance In Public Education Through Democratic Management Of Polarities, Michele Greene Jan 2021

Collaborative Governance In Public Education Through Democratic Management Of Polarities, Michele Greene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a democratic society the use of inter- and intraorganizational collaboration as a pragmatic approach to addressing social issues germane to sustaining that democracy is a challenge, especially in the realm of public education reform. The Common Core State Standards Initiative, an attempt at collaboration to reform public schools initially adopted by more than three fourths of U.S. states, created an ongoing response that included proponents and opposers. The opposition in Pennsylvania led to the State reneging on its original commitment to the Common Core State Standards created by the initiative. Research revealed a gap regarding the ability of the …

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Reentry Services For Individuals Wrongfully Convicted And Exonerated, Karlene Patsy Blackman Jan 2021

Reentry Services For Individuals Wrongfully Convicted And Exonerated, Karlene Patsy Blackman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite research summarizing the causes of wrongful convictions, there are limited works on factors influencing exonerees’ reintegration into society. Although reentry services are provided to ex-offenders, the problem is that reentry services are not provided to individuals who are wrongfully convicted and exonerated. This study used state harm as a theoretical foundation. The general qualitative study determined if support or reentry services, if any, would have enhanced or increased the chances of a successful transition into society for individuals wrongfully convicted and exonerated. Specifically, it was an investigation of how a lack of reentry services associated with life, employment, shelter, …

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Teachers’ Perceptions Of Junior Secondary Education And Student Academic Performance In Central Ethiopia, Mulugeta Haile Jan 2021

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Junior Secondary Education And Student Academic Performance In Central Ethiopia, Mulugeta Haile

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite Ethiopia’s rapid economic growth and its attempts at different educational models, there is a significant problem with junior secondary school education and student academic performance. The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of junior secondary school education in central Ethiopia and what innovative academic approaches are necessary to increase student academic performance. The study used self-determination theory as its foundation. The main research question was focused on junior secondary school education, current policies, and students’ academic performance. A nonprobability purposive sampling method was used to select 10 teachers from two schools. The study used semi structured …

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Exploring Police Legitimacy Through Procedurally Just Policing Practices In Agencies Using Screen-In And Screen-Out Procedures, David William Justice Jan 2021

Exploring Police Legitimacy Through Procedurally Just Policing Practices In Agencies Using Screen-In And Screen-Out Procedures, David William Justice

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recently there have been widely publicized reports of distrust and a lack of perceived legitimacy in communities across the United States for the police agencies that serve them. Scholars have explored perceptions of police legitimacy and the role of procedural justice in police-community interactions; however, there is a dearth of information concerning the policies of law enforcement agencies using psychological assessments to screen-in or screen-out applicants and the manner in which those agencies serve the community. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore the manner in which one police agency using psychological assessments to screen applicants in and …

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention For Prevention Of Anxiety And Mood Disorders In Public Safety Personnel, Jacquelyne Yan Wong Jan 2021

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention For Prevention Of Anxiety And Mood Disorders In Public Safety Personnel, Jacquelyne Yan Wong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to repeated exposure to highly stressful work environments, public safety personnel (PSP) are at risk for developing symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders. The present study employed a quantitative, randomized-controlled trial (RCT) design to examine the impact of a novel cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) psychoeducational intervention on symptom levels of anxiety and depression. Participants were recruited from police, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency communications personnel. A total of 60 participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention arm or the waitlist comparison arm. General linear mixed models were used to examine the difference in symptom outcomes for those who participated in …

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Expectations And Outcomes Of Choosing Reiki For Rheumatoid Arthritis, Theresa Jimenez Jan 2021

Expectations And Outcomes Of Choosing Reiki For Rheumatoid Arthritis, Theresa Jimenez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little was known about the use of Reiki as an alternative medical treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) symptoms and/or side effects. The current study addressed how sufferers of RA made their decision to use Reiki, their experiences using Reiki to treat their symptoms, and changes in their symptoms or side effects from RA. Two sets of in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 participants. The first interview addressed how decisions to use Reiki were made and the second interview addressed participants’ experiences with Reiki to treat their symptoms and side effects. Psychological attribution theory and the covariation attribution model were used …

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Effects Of Video Self-Modeling On Prosocial Behaviors Among Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis Of Single-Case Research, Nisveta Velic Jan 2021

Effects Of Video Self-Modeling On Prosocial Behaviors Among Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis Of Single-Case Research, Nisveta Velic

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children has significantly increased since it was first identified in the 1930s. This increase has been attributed to the changes in the reporting practices within the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. To address this increase, many treatments have emerged, including video self-modeling (VSM). VSM has demonstrated efficacy as an intervention in treating a variety of ASD symptoms, ranging from communication deficits to maladaptive behaviors. VSM uses edited video clips that allow a child to watch him or herself successfully performing the targeted skill. To classify VSM as evidence-based …

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Perceptions Of Black Immigrant Workers Regarding Workplace Diversity In Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Lalekan Bolutife Oluwadele Jan 2021

Perceptions Of Black Immigrant Workers Regarding Workplace Diversity In Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Lalekan Bolutife Oluwadele

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Globalization has resulted in permeable boundaries resulting in a highly mobile labor force. Canada's multicultural environment and its Federal Skilled Worker's Policy, renamed the Express Entry Program, attract many immigrants seeking employment opportunities comparable to their qualifications and work experience. Instead of equality and advancement, black immigrants are often underpaid and face few opportunities for advancement. Research has indicated that strong diversity policies and management are promising solutions to these issues. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perception of skilled Black immigrants' workplace experiences and diversity strategies to mitigate discriminatory practices. Johnson's polarity management, as adapted in Benet's polarity …

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Impact Of Teleworking During Covid-19 Of Stress And Job Satisfaction For College Students, Dona G. Foreman Jan 2021

Impact Of Teleworking During Covid-19 Of Stress And Job Satisfaction For College Students, Dona G. Foreman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The widespread outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) engulfed the United States and other countries across the world. This pandemic imposed restrictions which demanded a large majority of the population to telework, to close schools, and to close child-care facilities. One of the primary benefits of teleworking was the autonomy. However, the pandemic has now created an environment where the boundary of work and home are difficult to define. College students working from home during the pandemic are now faced with the responsibility of monitoring the virtual learning of their school-age children. his study was developed from the theoretical base of …

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A Quantitative Approach To Police And Mental Health Training, Cassandra Kay Dibeler (Bowland) Jan 2021

A Quantitative Approach To Police And Mental Health Training, Cassandra Kay Dibeler (Bowland)

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The effectiveness of mental health training for police officers and the officers’ subsequent interactions with individuals with mental illness has been well researched. There is a lack in documentation on any differences in the hours of mental health training officers receive and their perceptions of individuals with mental illness. There is also a lack in research looking at any differences between officers who volunteered for mental health training and those who did not. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore any differences between police officers who volunteered and those who did not for informal, formal, and crisis intervention …

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Relationship Between Employee Perception Of Work Experience, Employee Perception Of Supervisors, And Intent To Leave, Kathryn F. Denning Jan 2021

Relationship Between Employee Perception Of Work Experience, Employee Perception Of Supervisors, And Intent To Leave, Kathryn F. Denning

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover can be costly; estimates for recruiting and training new hires are between 90% and 200% of the employee's annual salary. Understanding employee intent to leave is critical for managers to reduce turnover rates. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor model, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between federal government agency employees' perception of their work experience, employee perception of supervisors, and employee intent to leave. Secondary data from 359,120 completed surveys from the 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) were analyzed. The results of the binary logistic regression were significant, X2 (359,120) = 17609.539, …

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Young Adults’ Community Trust And Participation In A Community Service Center In Indonesia, Adhytiawarman Gautama Putra Jan 2021

Young Adults’ Community Trust And Participation In A Community Service Center In Indonesia, Adhytiawarman Gautama Putra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the field of national security, Indonesia has community service centers known as the community police communication forum, or FKPM, an informal institution formed by community members to assist the police in implementing community policing (CP). FKPM can be found in various regions of Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to obtain the opinions of young adult members about FKPM regarding their trust and participation in FKPM activities. Fifteen active FKPM members participated in telephone interviews. The results showed that the young adults in this study believed in FKPM but lacked information about FKPM programs and activities in their …

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Barriers In Implementing A Unified Collaborative Policy To Combat Female Sex Trafficking In Edo-State,Nigeria., Grace Chikaodili Uzochukwu Jan 2021

Barriers In Implementing A Unified Collaborative Policy To Combat Female Sex Trafficking In Edo-State,Nigeria., Grace Chikaodili Uzochukwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHuman trafficking has been a historical and global concern as well as a global crime against humanity that violates individual rights, freedom, and privileges. Human trafficking has become a growing phenomenon in Edo State, Nigeria, while the existing policy to combat it has proved ineffective. There was a gap in understanding strategies for the unification of the policies at the level of Edo State, Nigeria, and the level of the United Nations (UN) to ensure better outcomes in the fight against human trafficking. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore perceived barriers to implementing collaborative policy unification …

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Juvenile Justice And The Criminalization Of Mentally Ill Individuals, Michael Collins Jan 2021

Juvenile Justice And The Criminalization Of Mentally Ill Individuals, Michael Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juvenile justice systems in the United States are using incarceration as a solution to the problem of youths with mental health disorders who commit violent crimes. Juvenile justice systems across the United States have a revolving door effect that arrests, adjudicates, and incarcerates youth offenders but fail to address the factors that contribute to recidivism. The purpose of the qualitative case study was to identify which treatment procedures were most appropriate for juvenile offenders who committed violent offenses in an effort to reduce recidivism for this offender population. For this study, an ecological psychology theory was used as a lens …

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Exploring Culturally Competent Mental Health Outreach To Black Churches, Michele Marie Fry Jan 2021

Exploring Culturally Competent Mental Health Outreach To Black Churches, Michele Marie Fry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black individuals and communities have held distrust toward mental health services and experience barriers in seeking services. Although the church is a significant support system in the Black community, it can also pose a barrier to congregation members seeking mental health services, as the Black church community has often stigmatized those seeking mental health services as weak. Ways to reach the Black community with trauma-informed, culturally competent, and spiritually sensitive mental health services through establishing connections with Black churches and church leaders were explored in this study. Previous research indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic increased depression and anxiety in the …

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Reluctance To Seek Mental Health Treatment Among African Americans Living In Generational Poverty, Myisha Boulware Jan 2021

Reluctance To Seek Mental Health Treatment Among African Americans Living In Generational Poverty, Myisha Boulware

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans are 20% more likely to experience mental health issues but are the least likely group to seek professional mental health treatment. In addition, African Americans are more likely to experience severe mental health conditions than other races due to a greater risk of homelessness and being exposed to violence. This research study used a phenomenological qualitative methodology to explore the attitudes and lived experiences of 10 African Americans living in generational poverty in inner-city Chicago. The participants provide detailed accounts of their lived experiences with generational poverty, mental health, and the attitudes their family lineage had shared with …

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An Examination Of The Absence Of A Comprehensive Smokefree Law In Georgia On College And University Campuses, Nakki Price Jan 2021

An Examination Of The Absence Of A Comprehensive Smokefree Law In Georgia On College And University Campuses, Nakki Price

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractCigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of death and disability in the United States. Although there are policies that govern the use of tobacco products, there are jurisdictions that do not employ these policies. Comprehensive smokefree laws govern private-sector entities and prohibit smoking in public places, specifically restaurants, bars, and workplaces. While states have the authority to implement these laws, some include exceptions that limit the intention of the law. Colleges and universities are specific communities for learning and serve as housing for students and an employer for the greater community. There is a gap in the literature …

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A Narrative Policy Framework And Feminist Critical Policy Analysis Of The Welfare Reform Acts, And The Higher Education Of Single Welfare Mothers, Evelyn Jean Mangin Jan 2021

A Narrative Policy Framework And Feminist Critical Policy Analysis Of The Welfare Reform Acts, And The Higher Education Of Single Welfare Mothers, Evelyn Jean Mangin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractScholars approached poverty through welfare reform by focusing on reductions in caseloads, timing out of benefits, and who was and not deserving of a four-year college degree. There is limited research regarding the power of narratives during the policy process and their influences on the language in welfare public laws. This qualitative study addressed the gap in the literature and policy analysis research by comparing and analyzing the welfare narratives and language used by policymakers and political actors from four presidential administrations: Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump, between 1996-2018. This study employed the narrative policy framework (NPF), a theory …

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Nonprofit Organizations’ Program Evaluation Of Education Toward Prevention Of Teens Using Electronic Cigarettes And Vaping, Paulette Scott Jan 2021

Nonprofit Organizations’ Program Evaluation Of Education Toward Prevention Of Teens Using Electronic Cigarettes And Vaping, Paulette Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe pervasiveness of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping among teenagers has led to a need for effective interventions to address this problem. One type of intervention that nonprofit organizations (NPOs) such as the American Lung Association (ALA) have adopted is the use of educational programs. For instance, ALA introduced an educational program referred to as Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco, and Health (INDEPTH), which acts as an alternative to suspension and citation of teens engaged in e-cigarette smoking or vaping. Despite such interventions, the use of e-cigarettes persists, suggesting the need to determine the perceived effectiveness of such programs. This …

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African American Men’S Negative Personal Experiences With And Trust In Police, Cachet Dominique Burks Jan 2021

African American Men’S Negative Personal Experiences With And Trust In Police, Cachet Dominique Burks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American men’s negative experiences with the police have impacted their trust of police. Many African American men have experienced psychological trauma, more specifically posttraumatic stress disorder, due to their encounters with police. As a result of these negative personal experiences, their reporting of crimes has decreased significantly, and gun-related violence is going unreported. There is limited literature on this topic. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis was to explore the negative personal experiences that some African American men have with police officers and their experiences of trust of law enforcement. Personal construct theory, which is a theory that …

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Strategies Worker-Owned Cooperatives Use To Remain Profitable During Economic Downturns, Termaine Davis Jan 2021

Strategies Worker-Owned Cooperatives Use To Remain Profitable During Economic Downturns, Termaine Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

New managers of worker-owned cooperatives who fail to adapt to changing conditions can threaten the organization’s viability. Some new managers of worker-owned cooperatives may lack the strategies they need to maintain consistent employment levels during economic downturns. Grounded in the expected utility theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies used by managers of worker-owned cooperatives to maintain consistent employment levels during sustained periods of low revenue. Participants comprised seven managers of worker-owned cooperatives with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the Midwest of the United States managing cooperatives during sustained periods of …

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College Readiness Of Freshman Students From Inner-City Schools, Shanitra Jones Barnes Jan 2021

College Readiness Of Freshman Students From Inner-City Schools, Shanitra Jones Barnes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A problem that exists in higher education is that many students are not college and career ready. Many students enter college without being academically prepared to succeed. The purpose of this study was to explore the academic college readiness barriers and supports of freshmen college students from a Midwestern inner-city college. The conceptual framework of this study was Bourdieu’s social capital theory. The research questions address what college freshmen who graduated from inner-city public high schools perceive to be the barriers and necessary supports to reaching their academic goals. The basic interpretive research design was used to investigate the problem …

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Why African American Men Diagnosed With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Continue To Smoke, Vashonda Laniece Allen Jan 2021

Why African American Men Diagnosed With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Continue To Smoke, Vashonda Laniece Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this research was to explore why some African American men diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continue smoking following their diagnosis. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) guided the development of this research. The research questions were developed to understand the attitudes, behavioral intentions, subjective norms, social norms, perceived power, and perceived behavioral control that influence their continuing or quitting smoking based on the TPB model. The study’s research method was qualitative. A pilot study, using the same criteria as the main study, confirmed the reliability of the interview guide. Participants were informed about the study …

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Impact Of Counselor Gender On Burnout After Controlling For Counselor Years Of Experience, Lara De Bono Jan 2021

Impact Of Counselor Gender On Burnout After Controlling For Counselor Years Of Experience, Lara De Bono

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout is an individual reaction to high levels of emotional demands in different social fields, such as counseling. Counselors who experience constant stress are more vulnerable to professional impairment, such as burnout. Understanding factors that impact burnout can aid in developing interventions to support and educate counselors. Grounded in the gender role theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the impact of counselor gender on three measures of burnout (depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment) after controlling for counselor’s years of experience. Secondary data records (N = 123) were collected from a national survey of Thai …

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Multiple Case Analysis Exploration Of Prenatal Substance Exposure On Juvenile Adjudicative Competence, Danielle Leigh Williams Jan 2021

Multiple Case Analysis Exploration Of Prenatal Substance Exposure On Juvenile Adjudicative Competence, Danielle Leigh Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research into the neurological and cognitive factors influencing juveniles’ adjudicative competence psycholegal abilities is needed to ensure their due process rights and help inform qualified forensic mental health examiners offering their opinions on adjudicative competence in courts. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of prenatal substance exposure on neurological factors related to juveniles’ abilities to understand the charges against them and participate in legal proceedings. Jean Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory was the theoretical framework for this study. Concrete operational and formal operational stages of cognitive development were addressed to help frame juveniles’ factual and rational understanding …

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Public Perceptions Of Nigeria Police Monetary Bribery In Awka, Nigeria, Benjamin Chukwuka Nnadozie Jan 2021

Public Perceptions Of Nigeria Police Monetary Bribery In Awka, Nigeria, Benjamin Chukwuka Nnadozie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe Nigerian police are often perceived by the Nigerian public as a very corrupt institution due to reports in the media and direct experiences of police brutality, extortion, injustice, and especially monetary bribery. The refusal to pay monetary bribes to the police has led to loss of lives and a lack of trust in the police. The purpose of this study was to investigate public perceptions of police monetary bribery in Awka in Anambra State, Nigeria. The conceptual framework was Novak et al.’s dynamic social impact theory. The research questions focused on understanding how the public perceived police monetary bribery …

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Helping In The Home: Counselors’ Experiences Providing Clients With In-Home Services, Melissa Jane Franzen Jan 2021

Helping In The Home: Counselors’ Experiences Providing Clients With In-Home Services, Melissa Jane Franzen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Counseling is an essential service that helps individuals work through struggles and live their best lives. Such service now includes providing counseling in clients’ homes. Counselors may require specific training or education to prepare for counseling in a home environment. This need for training and education is due to a lack of knowledge of the lived experiences of counselors providing services in the home. Transcendental phenomenology was used to guide a qualitative exploration into the lived experiences of counselors providing services in clients’ homes. Participants were 7 professional counselors, 5 female and 2 male, having met minimum state licensure requirements …

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A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Familial Contact For Releasees On The Route To Desisting From Crime, Whitney N. Johnson Jan 2021

A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Familial Contact For Releasees On The Route To Desisting From Crime, Whitney N. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High levels of imprisonment in the United States have surpassed historical records, with the United States having the highest per capita incarceration levels in the world. Criminal desistance research has been conducted to create reentry programs and to reduce recidivism. To contribute to previous studies and promote social change and future research opportunities, this study was designed to explore familial contact during incarceration and how it helps releasees desist from crime. Familial contact, as a component of desistance, relates to social relationships, decision making, positive behaviors, and self-concept; as such, it may be critical to successful reintegration into society. Social …

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An Analysis Of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Adoption For Household Cooking In Nigeria, Saheed Olanrewaju Lasisi Jan 2021

An Analysis Of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Adoption For Household Cooking In Nigeria, Saheed Olanrewaju Lasisi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Nigerian government established a domestic liquefied petroleum gas penetration program (DLPGPP) to support Nigerian households that still use traditional fuels, which are inefficient and hazardous for users while polluting and degrading the environment. Little is known about the relationships that exist among liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) accessibility, LPG affordability, and LPG adoption to guide DLPGPP implementation. Narrowing this gap was the purpose of this study using the general framework of consumer theory. The study's research questions addressed the effects of LPG affordability and LPG accessibility on LPG adoption for cooking in Nigeria’s households. A cross-sectional, correlational survey was employed …

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Impact Of Single Motherhood On Child Nutrition And Health In Kgatleng District, Botswana, Mulume Seya Franklin Mwamba Jan 2021

Impact Of Single Motherhood On Child Nutrition And Health In Kgatleng District, Botswana, Mulume Seya Franklin Mwamba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMalnutrition affects sub-Saharan African countries with increased stunting among under-5 children. The short-and long-term effects of this stunting include the potential for slow growth in early life, impaired health, and educational and economic disadvantages in adolescent and adult years. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to analyze the relationship between single-mother families and the occurrence of malnutrition (stunting) among under-5 children in the Kgatleng district of Botswana. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model was applied to investigate factors that lead to stunting among these children. Primary data were collected from 196 mothers and their children who visited selected clinics in Kgatleng. …

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