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Relationship Between Familism And Sexual Attitudes Among College Students, Joseph Rampersad Jan 2017

Relationship Between Familism And Sexual Attitudes Among College Students, Joseph Rampersad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, college students face an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault, and unwanted pregnancy due to experimental sexual behavior compared to individuals who do not attend college. Based on the theoretical framework of familism, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sexual attitudes and familism among college students. Data were collected from nontraditional adult students who attend an online institution of higher education. The Familism Scale and the Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale were used to measure the variables of familism and attitudes about sex. Findings from multiple linear regression analyses indicated …


Small To Medium Enterprise Succession Planning: Millennial Employee Development, Mark Tarmann Jr. Jan 2017

Small To Medium Enterprise Succession Planning: Millennial Employee Development, Mark Tarmann Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Increased mobility and a growing presence in the workforce by millennial employees are pushing sustainability to the forefront of concerns for business leaders. Especially for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with limited human capital resources and no formal succession plans. Thus, increasing the need for insight on millennial employee development to mitigate voluntary turnover. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore successful millennial employee developmental strategies employed by 3 SMEs leaders in southern New Jersey. These SMEs leaders were the ideal population with millennial employees with 3 or more years of employment and not solely family-run organizations. …


Influence Of Dual Process Decision-Making Theory In Patients Diagnosed With Cancer, Bonnie D. Quinonez Jan 2017

Influence Of Dual Process Decision-Making Theory In Patients Diagnosed With Cancer, Bonnie D. Quinonez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Each year millions of people face the medical decision-making cycle that comes with a diagnosis of cancer. For patients and their families, this can be a rollercoaster of confusion and fear. Researchers have indicated that the complexity of the decision-making process is underrepresented in the current approach of informed decision-making. The purpose of this study was to add to scientifically-validated research expanding the identification of factors that influence decision-making for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Fuzzy trace theory (FTT) is the dual process memory theory used as the framework for this study. Qualitative data were collected using semistructured interviews with 10 …


Motivations Influencing Home Support Engagements In Jamaican High Schools, Kasan Tameka Troupe Jan 2017

Motivations Influencing Home Support Engagements In Jamaican High Schools, Kasan Tameka Troupe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have emphasized the importance of parental involvement in ensuring the educational success of children. Despite the recognized value, some stakeholders continue to struggle to leverage and sustain this partnership, which may encumber students' success. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the factors influencing parental involvement in Jamaican high schools. This qualitative case study sought to unearth the motivational factors influencing parental involvement within a climate of educational accountability in Jamaican high schools. Grounded in Epstein's school-family-community partnership model, this study unearthed some of the differences and similarities of parental involvement within high schools that …


Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of Practices And Professional Development For Differentiating Mathematics Instruction, Sandra Mujagic Varajic Jan 2017

Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of Practices And Professional Development For Differentiating Mathematics Instruction, Sandra Mujagic Varajic

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers and administrators in a Title I elementary school in a southeastern state are concerned that there has been a trend over the past 3 years of declining standardized assessment scores in mathematics for students in Grades 3, 4, and 5. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore teachers' perceptions of practices, and professional development (PD) for differentiating mathematics instruction. This study was grounded in the conceptual framework of Vygotsky's zone of proximal development and Tomlinson's differentiated instruction (DI). Purposeful sampling was used to select 8 teachers and 1 mathematics coach, who worked with students in Grades …


Enhancing Existing Disaster Recovery Plans Using Backup Performance Indicators, Gwen White Jan 2017

Enhancing Existing Disaster Recovery Plans Using Backup Performance Indicators, Gwen White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Companies that perform data backup lose valuable data because they lack reliable data backup or restoration methods. The purpose of this study was to examine the need for a Six Sigma data backup performance indicator tool that clarifies the current state of a data backup method using an intuitive numerical scale. The theoretical framework for the study included backup theory, disaster recovery theory, and Six Sigma theory. The independent variables were implementation of data backup, data backup quality, and data backup confidence. The dependent variable was the need for a data backup performance indicator. An adapted survey instrument that measured …


Relationship Between Caregivers' Quality Of Life And Childhood Tuberculosis In Nigeria, Haruna Ismaila Adamu Jan 2017

Relationship Between Caregivers' Quality Of Life And Childhood Tuberculosis In Nigeria, Haruna Ismaila Adamu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Nigeria, childhood tuberculosis (TB), a debilitating and deadly disease, is highly prevalent and case reporting is poor due to weak health systems. Globally, children account for at least 10 percent of the TB burden, yet they remain neglected in TB prevention and control efforts. Research studies integrating family and community-centered strategies have been recommended by stakeholders to address the paucity of current local prevention and management strategies for childhood TB. This observational cross-sectional study explored the relationship between caregivers' quality of life (QOL), gender, and socioeconomic status (SES) and the incidence of TB in children aged 0-14 years. Using …


Homelessness In Calgary From The Perspectives Of Those Experiencing Homelessness, Edith N. Ahajumobi Jan 2017

Homelessness In Calgary From The Perspectives Of Those Experiencing Homelessness, Edith N. Ahajumobi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since the 1990s, homelessness has increased in Canada. The existing strategies of the government and public health service providers to manage the situation have had limited success. Researchers have noted the lack of including those experiencing homelessness to better understand and find a solution to homelessness. The purpose of this phenomenological study, driven by the social cognitive theory, was to understand homelessness from the perspectives of people who do not have homes. Data were collected from open-ended interviews with a purposeful sample of 15 individuals who are homeless. Summarizing and analyzing the interviews, several themes emerged after interview data were …


Divorcing Couples' Experience With Child Custody Mediation And Litigation, Jessica Leonard Anderson Jan 2017

Divorcing Couples' Experience With Child Custody Mediation And Litigation, Jessica Leonard Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Couples who divorce are likely to experience increased levels of psychological distress, decreased levels of happiness, and increased levels of depression. To reduce these negative effects, litigators use mediation to resolve disagreements including child custody disputes. The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare divorcing parents' depression and satisfaction with the process after the use of mediation or litigation. Wexler's theory of therapeutic jurisprudence provided the theoretical framework. Data was collected from 170 participants who were recruited using convenience sampling through Facebook. Participants voluntarily completed a survey which included a researcher developed questionnaire, the Acrimony Scale, the Nonacceptance of …


Perceived Parental Barriers To Preventive Dental Care Programs For Children, Kim Attanasi Jan 2017

Perceived Parental Barriers To Preventive Dental Care Programs For Children, Kim Attanasi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dental caries is the most prevalent childhood illness and disproportionately affects children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Dental organizations are collaborating within communities to decrease oral health disparities among children by offering free preventive oral health events. These programs face the problem of low enrollment due to lack of informed parental consent. Also, gaps in the literature indicated the need to examine oral health perceptions and dental-care-seeking practices of culturally diverse low-income parents regarding preventive care for their children. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the reasons why parents are not allowing their children to participate in …


Impact Of Nursing Certification On Patient Perception, Satisfaction, And Outcomes, Rodney Baccus Jan 2017

Impact Of Nursing Certification On Patient Perception, Satisfaction, And Outcomes, Rodney Baccus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Increased responsibilities for patient care within the nursing profession leads one to examine the correlation between nursing care and patient satisfaction. Current evidence indicates that higher levels of nursing education are associated with better patient outcomes. The literature further demonstrates that increased expertise and certification within a nursing specialty leads to increased nursing empowerment, improved intrinsic value and better collaborative relationships. However, the relationship between certification status and patient satisfaction remain unclear. This systematic review sought to understand the relationship between nursing certification and patient satisfaction. Guided by Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory this project examined the peer-reviewed literature using …


African American Graduates' Experiences Of Managing College Debt, Christal Blalock Jan 2017

African American Graduates' Experiences Of Managing College Debt, Christal Blalock

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Higher education is a means to improve professional status and economic mobility; however, mounting college debt has become a hindrance to college graduates, primarily African Americans. A disproportionate number of these graduates incur significant debt while attending college. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of African American college graduates who were managing debt incurred to pay for their education. Human capital theory and critical race theory provided the conceptual framework. Two research questions motivated this study: How do African American college graduates living in the state of Georgia manage their college debt? What …


Non Medical Prescription Drug Use In Rural Communities And Social Work, Izetta Mounice Briggs-Bolling Jan 2017

Non Medical Prescription Drug Use In Rural Communities And Social Work, Izetta Mounice Briggs-Bolling

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the roles and responsibilities of social workers providing services to nonmedical prescription drug users (NMPDU). Researchers have indicated NMPDU disproportionately affects people living in rural communities. The overarching research question sought to explore the concerns of social workers when providing services to patients coping with NMPDU in the rural community of Ulster County, New York. The intention was to examine systemic challenges facing rural social workers when attempting to decrease morbidity risks and increase the health of Ulster County residents. A total of 7 social workers participated in 3 focus groups to explore their ideas for defining, …


Health Care Leaders' Strategies To Improve Nurse Retention, Steve Brooks Jan 2017

Health Care Leaders' Strategies To Improve Nurse Retention, Steve Brooks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Registered nurse (RN) turnover is a significant threat to organizational performance and profitability. Nurse turnover impacts business practices by disrupting staffing and patient care. The inability of health care leaders to retain RNs in their organizations results in problems such as increased personnel costs and productivity loss. Grounded by Burns's transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies health care leaders used to improve RN retention. Health care leaders from Brooklyn, New York who implemented RN retention strategies in their organization comprised the population for the study. Data were collected through face-to-face semistructured interviews …


How Self-Awareness, Motivation, And Empathy Are Embedded And Modeled In Community College Preservice Early Educator Online Courses, Tracey Bennett Carter Jan 2017

How Self-Awareness, Motivation, And Empathy Are Embedded And Modeled In Community College Preservice Early Educator Online Courses, Tracey Bennett Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have determined that early childhood (EC) educators need to have personal and social skills and competencies to address the emotional demands of the EC profession. Research is lacking regarding how preservice programs help prepare students emotionally for the EC profession and on whether online courses are a suitable environment for future EC teachers to learn these skills. The purpose of this study was to explore if and how personal and social emotional intelligence (EI) competencies were being embedded and modeled in community college preservice EC educator online courses. This qualitative multiple case study design was employed using a conceptual …


Resources Available To Managers To Manage Employees Through Mergers, Jacqueline Ann Bursey Jan 2017

Resources Available To Managers To Manage Employees Through Mergers, Jacqueline Ann Bursey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The failure rate of mergers is high, with the greatest effects being felt by the employees. Company mergers result in managers burdened with extra responsibilities that often result in poor people integration management of employees. A gap in literature exists regarding people integration resources available to managers during mergers. The purpose of this phenomenological, descriptive study was to explore resources managers perceive to have available to assist with managing employees through a merger. Greenleaf's servant leadership and Herzberg's 2 factor theories were used as the study's conceptual foundation. The research questions explored managers' perceptions of the range of resources available …


Puerto Rican Women Living With Hiv And Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence, Sharon Danesa Cuba-Rodriguez Jan 2017

Puerto Rican Women Living With Hiv And Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence, Sharon Danesa Cuba-Rodriguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Puerto Rican women experience increased risk of bio-psychosocial challenges due to their ethnicity. This phenomenological study examined Puerto Rican HIV-positive women's perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV), which consists of physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological abuse. Although HIV-positive status and IPV have been a focus of previous research, specific research examining the phenomenological experiences of HIV-positive Puerto Rican women who experienced IPV has not been studied. The basis of the study was feminist intersectionality theory, which supported the process used to explore and understand the essence of the participants' experiences. Feminist intersectionality theory examines intersecting social systems including gender, ethnicity, …


Association Between Pediatrician Screening Practices And Age At The Time Of Autism Diagnosis Among Latino Children, Irma S. Diaz Jan 2017

Association Between Pediatrician Screening Practices And Age At The Time Of Autism Diagnosis Among Latino Children, Irma S. Diaz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that affects all ethnic groups and is twice as frequent among boys than girls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with ASD. Despite guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and clinical evidence that suggests that ASD can be diagnosed as early as 24 months of age, most diagnoses occur at age 4 or even later, resulting in fewer opportunities for children to receive early ASD treatment and help them reach the best outcome possible. There is limited information about the appropriate …


Staffing Model To Improve Patient Outcomes In An Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, Ann Marie Evans Jan 2017

Staffing Model To Improve Patient Outcomes In An Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, Ann Marie Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The goal of the acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) is to rehabilitate patients and discharge them back into the community at their optimal level of functioning. The IRF patient is more acutely ill today than in the past, and due to a change in condition may be discharged back into the acute care hospital before achieving maximal level of function. An IRF was identified as discharging 14% of patients back into acute care, which indicated the IRF was not meeting its treatment goals. A chart review revealed a possible link between the nurse's role in patient care and the patient's …


Collaborative Strategies Used To Reduce Billing Administrative Cost, Stella Fayomi-Olaleye Jan 2017

Collaborative Strategies Used To Reduce Billing Administrative Cost, Stella Fayomi-Olaleye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Billing inefficiencies represent 80% of wasteful healthcare administrative costs that are projected to reach $45 billion by 2018. Potentially, a reduced billing administrative cost is estimated to yield an annual savings of $60 billion that could fund other societal needs such as jobs, wage increases, and education. Through the conceptual framework of iceberg change management model, this single case study explored collaborative strategies 3 healthcare billing managers in Dallas, Texas successfully used to reduce billing administrative costs. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and the review of company documents. Using Yin's procedure of examining, comparing, categorizing, and coding data, the …


Classroom Approaches And Japanese College Students' Intercultural Competence, Joan Elizabeth Gilbert Jan 2017

Classroom Approaches And Japanese College Students' Intercultural Competence, Joan Elizabeth Gilbert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Preparing college students to be contributing members of local and global societies requires educators to analyze the capabilities and needs of their students and to adjust instructional content and practice. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was twofold: (a) to explore how classroom approaches designed to facilitate students' questioning of assumptions and beliefs regarding different cultural beliefs, social structures, and practices might influence Japanese college students' self-reported development of intercultural competence, and (b) to investigate whether or not the students developed their potential for intercultural competence. Mezirow's transformative learning theory informed this study. Archival qualitative data were from 137 Japanese …


Alcohol Use Disorder And Withdrawal Syndrome In Correctional Facilities: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline To Prevent Alcohol-Related Adverse Events, Wanda Wilma González-Méndez Jan 2017

Alcohol Use Disorder And Withdrawal Syndrome In Correctional Facilities: An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline To Prevent Alcohol-Related Adverse Events, Wanda Wilma González-Méndez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, one in every 100 adults is confined to a correctional facility. Approximately 60% of inmates have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). When compared to the general population, inmates are twice as likely to have AUD. As they are unable to readily access alcohol, inmates entering a correctional facility with AUD are at high risk for the lethal alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). AWS is preventable and yet correctional nurses process new inmates without an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) to assess for AUD, the prerequisite for AWS. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based …


Emergency Managers' Perceptions Of All-Hazards Pandemic Planning Effectiveness In North Texas, Timothy Goss Jan 2017

Emergency Managers' Perceptions Of All-Hazards Pandemic Planning Effectiveness In North Texas, Timothy Goss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

All-hazards pandemic planning is the foundation of current emergency management planning doctrine, yet there is limited information and limited studies related to its effectiveness in mitigating pandemics. The North Texas emergency management community handles incidents of West Nile Virus, H1N1 influenza, and a recent Ebola incident. Despite efforts to mitigate these threats, reported cases and deaths are still occurring from both influenza and West Nile virus. The purpose of this case study was to assess the risk perceptions of emergency planners in a small emergency operation center in North Texas using the cultural theory of risk perception as the theoretical …


E-Leadership And Leader-Member Exchange Strategies For Increasing Nonprofit Virtual Team Productivity, Nichole Guerra Jan 2017

E-Leadership And Leader-Member Exchange Strategies For Increasing Nonprofit Virtual Team Productivity, Nichole Guerra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nonprofit leaders often place new employees with little experience in challenging virtual team settings, where they are expected to meet increased service demands. Productivity failures reported in the 2015 State of the Nonprofit Sector survey revealed that 76% of U.S. nonprofit agencies experienced increased demand for services in 2014, while 52% were unable to meet those demands. Based on the e-leadership and leader-member exchange (LMX) theories, the purpose of this descriptive, single case study was to identify the leadership strategies used by nonprofit midlevel supervisors to increase productivity of virtual teams containing new employees in Colorado. A purposeful sampling method …


Effective Competitive Strategies Of U.S. In Vitro Device Manufacturers, Sofia M. Beglari Jan 2017

Effective Competitive Strategies Of U.S. In Vitro Device Manufacturers, Sofia M. Beglari

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medical manufacturing leaders struggle to maintain their competitive position due to inefficient business strategies. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that in vitro diagnostics (IVD) medical manufacturing's leaders have used to gain and maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Porter's competitive advantage theory was used to understand how IVD medical business leaders maintain their competitive edge. Data were gathered through interviews with a purposive sample of 3 IVD medical device leaders from companies in California, Connecticut, and New York who had run IVD medical businesses for at least 10 years and who attended …


The Influence Of Attachment Styles On Employee Engagement, Ian Briggs Jan 2017

The Influence Of Attachment Styles On Employee Engagement, Ian Briggs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the influence of adult attachment styles on the engagement of employees in an attempt to address increasing losses in U.S. work productivity. Researchers have documented that organizations able to maintain better manager-employee relationships demonstrated positive employee engagement and improved productivity. However, a distinct gap in the literature remains as to how organizational leaders can stimulate healthier manager-employee relationships. Adult attachment theory was used as the foundation to explore how employees' relationships with their immediate manager affect their work engagement. To address this question, a purposeful sample of 16 full time mid …


Middle School Teachers' Perceptions Of Long-Term English Language Learners, Rachel.Butiko O. Butiko Jan 2017

Middle School Teachers' Perceptions Of Long-Term English Language Learners, Rachel.Butiko O. Butiko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Increasing numbers of English-language learners (ELLs) with limited literacy skills in middle schools have resulted in a high percentage of long-term English-language learners (LTELLs). The problem of LTELLs, ELLs who have attended school in the United States for more than 6 years and have not met the state ESL exit criteria, is addressed in this study. Cummins' concept of second language acquisition and Vygotsky's zone of proximal development theoretical frameworks were used in this qualitative case study to explore the perceptions of 6 Title I middle school teachers. The purpose of this study was to explore middle school teachers' perceptions …


Strategies To Improve Millennial Employee Engagement In The Luxury Resort Industry, Kei-Lin Cerf Jan 2017

Strategies To Improve Millennial Employee Engagement In The Luxury Resort Industry, Kei-Lin Cerf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Millennials are estimated to compose half of the workforce by 2020. Many hospitality researchers have studied Millennial employee engagement, but less is known about how to apply strategies that are authentically engaging for Millennials. The purpose of this study was to explore Millennial employee engagement strategies. The research questions for this study were used to examine the engagement strategies of luxury resort leaders and how Millennial employees perceived engagement. A single case study design was used to gather interview, questionnaire, and company document data from employees of a luxury resort in Hawai`i. Kahn's employee engagement theory served as the basis …


Expatriate Students' Perceptions Of Attendance And Persistence At A Private Malaysian Institution, Jin Deng Jan 2017

Expatriate Students' Perceptions Of Attendance And Persistence At A Private Malaysian Institution, Jin Deng

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although Malaysia primarily relies on expatriates to develop its economy, a private Malaysian institution had not examined the retention of expatriate students who might contribute toward the country's future economy. The problem that prompted this study was the institution showed low graduation rates for expatriate students and had not assessed the perceptions of key factors that impacted their attendance and persistence. The purpose of this study was to provide insights about expatriate students' perceptions of key factors about attendance and persistence at the institution. Tinto's longitudinal model of dropping out and the conceptual model guided this study. With a guiding …


Impact Of Emergency Department Patient Flow Model And Triage Level On Patient Wait Times, Joann Lynn Featherstone Jan 2017

Impact Of Emergency Department Patient Flow Model And Triage Level On Patient Wait Times, Joann Lynn Featherstone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some hospital emergency departments (EDs) are negatively affected by extended patient wait times, resulting in reduced hospital profitability. Therefore, it is critical hospital leaders understand factors impacting ED average patient wait times. Grounded in the business process improvement theoretical framework, the purpose of this causal comparative study was to examine the impact of an ED rapid evaluation unit (REU) patient flow model and emergency severity index (ESI) on average weekly patient wait times. Data collection comprised a census of 26 archival data records pre and postimplementation of an ED REU patient flow model from a hospital ED in Upstate New …