Humor As A Predictor Of Life Satisfaction And Burnout Among Firefighters, Kayla Marie Kovach

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Notwithstanding knowledge of the high stress levels experienced by firefighters, little is known about their coping strategies as compared with the general population. To address this gap, the differences in humor styles between firefighters and nonfirefighters in the prediction of life satisfaction and burnout were assessed. The study was grounded in the PERMA theory of well-being and the job demands-resources theory. A cross-sectional, correlational survey research design was used to assess if there are differences between firefighters and nonfirefighters in the types of humor (i.e., self-enhancing, affiliative, aggressive, and self-defeating) used and in the prediction of burnout and life satisfaction …

Parents’ Sustained Recovery From Substance Use During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Amanda Antis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents in recovery from substance abuse rely on social support and programs to maintain their sobriety consistently. However, specific programs crucial for their social and mental well-being, such as most 12-step groups and recovery centers, were shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some research on the impact of substance abuse during the pandemic, little attention has been given to sustained recovery. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore how parents maintained recovery from substance use amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Schlossberg’s transition process model served as the theoretical framework for this study. Semistructured interviews with nine …

Hospice Clinical Social Workers’ Perceptions On Reducing Burnout Through Empowerment And Self-Care Practices, Chasity Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout is common among hospice clinical social workers due to the emotionally demanding nature of the profession and heavy caseloads. This study explored how hospice clinical social workers perceive the role of empowerment and self-care practices in reducing burnout. The qualitative design used semi-structured interviews with ten hospice clinical social workers. Thematic analysis identified five categories: indicators of burnout, team-based/relational support, systemic and workload pressures, organizational culture, and values and professional identity. The themes that emerged from the five categories were emotional, physical, and professional; interdisciplinary support and supervisory support; workload and organizational demands; organizational challenges and policy limitations; workplace …

Enhancing Antitrafficking Initiatives Through An Interagency Collaboration Framework, Robert Louis Baxter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The challenges individual agencies face in addressing the complex issue of human trafficking and how interagency collaboration can strengthen survivor-centered support are largely unknown. Organizations often lack formal alliances that combine expertise and resources to deliver more comprehensive care. The absence of such partnerships represents a missed opportunity to provide the essential services necessary for survivors’ recovery, empowerment, and social reintegration. The purpose of the study was to use interagency collaboration to address the question: How can education, law enforcement, public health, and community-based organizations assess the barriers and benefits of interagency collaboration to create a more seamless support network …

Attitudes Of African American Police Officers Towards Violent Police Encounters In An Urban Environment, Larry Ernest Jackson Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem for this study is why confrontations between urban police and citizens are becoming increasingly violent. The purpose of this study was to examine the continued rise of violent police encounters between urban police and urban citizens. To provide a proper perspective on this phenomenon, the core research question was how African American officers born and raised in urban environments who have since become police officers in those same settings feel about the violence between these two groups. The theoretical framework used to understand the relationship between the two groups was the social learning theory. As part of …

Staff Education On The Timeliness Of Administration Of Insulin For The Hospitalized Diabetic Patient, Precious C. Abidoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this DNP project was the necessity for a nursing staff education program (SEP) focused on the prompt administration of insulin and order management as well as the evaluation of the hospital policy regarding diabetes mellitus in nonpregnant adult patients concerning hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia. Timely administration of insulin in the hospital is essential to maintain blood glucose levels within a permissible range, which greatly reduces the chances of encountering complications related to diabetes. The project questions were: Will there be an alteration in the nursing team members’ understanding of the promptness of insulin administration and the associated policy from …

Staff Education On Understanding Nurse Burnout, Kathlyn Tracy Mcglynn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education program on nurse burnout, which remains a pressing issue in healthcare. Burnout is marked by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal achievement. Addressing burnout within the nursing profession is important because burnout leads to job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, and turnover. The project was guided by two practice-focused questions: Will there be a change in knowledge from pre- to posttest after participating in an educational program on nurse burnout? Will the objectives of the educational program be met relative to the curriculum presented? Therefore, the purpose of …

Effective Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies For Catalyzing Employees’ Satisfaction In The Retail Industry To Reduce Turnover, Alberto Madureira Poxes Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract A lack of effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies among corporate leaders can contribute negatively to their efforts to catalyze employees' satisfaction to reduce turnover. Corporate leaders can help their organization by adopting CSR strategies to increase employees' satisfaction to reduce turnover. Based on the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore effective CSR strategies retail leaders use to catalyze employees' satisfaction to reduce turnover.Based on the functional areas of leadership, the participants selected for this studywere eight first- and second-level managers in the sports retail industry in the Midwest United States who …

Experiences Of Baccalaureate Prepared Nurses On Their Transition To Novice Faculty Members, Theresa Jade Lombardo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The shortage of qualified nursing faculty in Canada threatens the ability to educate sufficient numbers of nurses to meet healthcare demands. Despite this, limited research explores how baccalaureate-prepared nurses experience the transition into nursing faculty roles. The purpose of this qualitative study, guided by Schoening’s nurse educator transition model, was to explore the experiences of baccalaureate prepared nurses on the transition to novice nurse faculty members teaching in 2-year diploma prepared nursing programs in Northwestern Ontario. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with baccalaureate-prepared novice nursing faculty members, analyzed, and transcribed using Zoom. Data were coded and analyzed using Saldana’s first …

The Impact Of Covid-19 Related Virtual Learning On Parents Raising Children With Learning Disabilities, Ty'sheka Ne'cole Lambert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in education as schools abruptly closed and students transitioned to virtual learning. This shift placed significant strain on parents, especially those raising children with learning disabilities who required consistent accommodations and support. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore parents’ perceptions of how COVID-19–related virtual learning affected their children’s academic performance, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the study examined how family, school, and community systems shaped these experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 parents of children with learning disabilities. Using Braun and Clarke’s (2013) six-step …

Antecedents Of U.S. Information Technology Professionals’ Intent To Quit At The Beginning Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kristin C. Scott, Jiun-Shiu Chen, Mitchell Adrian, Son Mai

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

This study focuses on turnover intention (ITQ) of U.S. information technology workers during the spring of 2020 and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we evaluate a number of turnover intention antecedents not previously studied together, including job alternatives, global job embeddedness, job satisfaction, compensation satisfaction, role overload, and work–life balance. We use three first-order factors of work interference with personal life, personal life interference with work, and work—personal life enhancement. We analyzed data using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling. Results suggest no direct effects from pay satisfaction or role overload on ITQ and …

Reducing Missed Appointments In Mental Health Outpatient Care Using Sms Reminders, James Avoseh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Missed appointments remain a serious problem in mental health outpatient clinics. They break the flow of treatment, waste staff time, and worsen outcomes for patients. In this setting, the practice problem is the lack of an evidence-based system for reminding patients about their visits. This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project focused on developing and evaluating a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for automated text message (SMS) appointment reminders. The guiding question asked: Can a CPG using SMS reminders help reduce missed appointments in a mental health outpatient setting? A thorough review of CINAHL and PubMed found strong support for this …

Implementation Strategies For Microservice Architecture In The Banking Sector, Gururaj Achar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Information technology (IT) leaders in regulated banking face significant risks related to system complexity and cybersecurity when implementing large-scale systems. Although microservice architecture (MSA) offers enhanced scalability and agility, IT leaders lack specific strategic guidance for its effective adoption within highly regulated banking environments. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, the purpose of this qualitative, pragmatic study was to explore effective MSA adoption strategies for IT architects and managers transitioning legacy systems to support risk and compliance management. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with seven banking IT leaders and were analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: adoption drivers …

Interpersonal Violence Within Same-Sex Relationships: Survivors’ Perspectives Of Counselor Competency, Cheryl Ann D' La Rotta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Survivors of same-sex intimate partner violence (IPV) face negative mental health consequences. A lack of research exists on how social support, emotional and coping regulation, and counselors’ behaviors, knowledge, and skills affect the help-seeking behaviors and therapeutic outcomes of survivors of same-sex IPV. Addressing the gap is important because recent studies report an increase in same-sex IPV but low levels of help-seeking behaviors in response. If unaddressed, IPV can affect the well-being and safety of those partnered individuals. The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of same-sex IPV survivors who received therapeutic counseling. The …

Staff Education Workshop Focusing On Enhancing Nurse Knowledge And Adherence To The Time (Tissue, Infection/Inflammation, Moisture, Edge) Framework To Improve The Quality Of Wound Assessment And Care, Ijeoma G. Onyejiji

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff educational project focused on implementing training on the tissue, infection/inflammation, moisture, edge (TIME) framework to address gaps in nurses’ knowledge and improve adherence to the TIME framework during wound assessment. Current evidence shows inconsistent use of standardized wound assessment among nurses, which can lead to inappropriate treatment, delayed wound healing, increased infection risk, and higher healthcare utilization. This project’s question sought to assess whether implementing a staff education workshop focusing on the TIME framework would enhance nurse knowledge and adherence to the TIME framework. Six nurses participated in the training. Pre/post questionnaires were used to evaluate knowledge before …

Food Insecurity, Educational Attainment, And Type 2 Diabetes In African Americans In Rural Southern Us, Dana Elaine Lowe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Rural African Americans experience a higher prevalence of Type 2 diabetes compared to their White counterparts, yet little research has explored the roles of food insecurity and educational attainment in this disparity. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine whether food insecurity and educational attainment were associated with the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among African Americans aged 18 to 65 years in rural Southern United States, using the World Health Organization’s social determinants of health framework. Data from the 2019-2022 IPUMS National Health Interview Survey (N=793) were analyzed both descriptively and using multiple logistic regression …

Child Poverty: Understanding The Emotional Labor Of Social Work Professionals, Aamir Terry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child Poverty: Understanding the Emotional Labor of Social Work Professionals by Aamir Terry MSW, Walden University 2019 BS, Central State University 2008 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Social Work Walden University November 2025

Of Rollercoasters And Resilience: The Role Of Ceos’ Biases And Heuristics For Large Firms’ Technological Innovation, Cristina O. Vlas, Radu E. Vlas

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

How do CEOs’ personality biases and motivational heuristics influence innovation in large firms? Because large-firm innovation is more common and less risky, overlooked factors—such as narcissism, self-monitoring, and promotion or prevention foci—become pivotal. Drawing on these traits, we found that narcissistic CEOs differ from self-monitoring CEOs in driving innovation. Moreover, the effect of self-monitoring CEOs depends on whether their regulatory focus is oriented toward promotion or prevention. However, this interplay between personality and motivation does not apply to narcissistic CEOs, suggesting that certain characteristics remain relatively fixed. These findings advance the understanding of how CEO traits shape large-firm innovation and …

The Experiences Of African Americans Seeking Health Care Services, Sandy Latreice Sullivan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care experiences are shaped by life events and cultural background, making engagement with providers individualized. African Americans have historically reported distrust of health professionals due to targeted mistreatment. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of middle-aged African American adults receiving care from non-African American health care providers. Rosenstock’s health belief model was the framework for the study. Nine participants were recruited from social media using purposeful sampling. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews held on Zoom. Saldana’s four-step qualitative data analysis process was utilized to analyze the data. The results of the data …

The Experience Of Modern Day Marriages For Women Who Identify As Strong Black Women, Arielle Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema has been explored during the past two decades; however, limited research has been conducted on the phenomenological experiences of Black women who identify with the characteristics of the SBW schema and their impact on Black and African American marriages. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of married African American women in modern day marriages who endorse the characteristics of the superwoman schema. This qualitative study was an interpretative phenomenological analysis and focused on the lived experiences of this population. Individual interviews of 12 married African American women who identified …

Integrating Successful Advanced Technology Adoption Strategies In Organizational Human Resource Management, Darnetta P. Franklin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human resource (HR) leaders in medium- to large-sized organizations across the Northeast United States continue to experience challenges when adopting advanced HR technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, blockchain, and cloud-based systems. HR leaders are concerned about employee resistance to change, limited training resources, and financial constraints, which hinder employee engagement and operational efficiency. Grounded in diffusion of innovations theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies HR leaders implement to successfully integrate advanced HR technologies while maintaining workforce engagement and performance. The participants included six HR leaders from diverse industries with successful experience in …

Reduce Readmission Among Patients Within 60 Days Of Discharge In A Behavioral Health Unit, Iretioluwa Emmanuella Adeniran-Adetoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project focused on a staff education initiative to reduce 60-day readmission rates in a behavioral health unit within a hospital. The project was staff focused, emphasizing the provision of training to the nursing staff to effectively design the discharge planning of patients by actively involving them in the discharge plans. The purpose was to provide nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to strengthen discharge planning and directly influence patient outcomes. Addressing the practice problem was an urgent need because patients in the behavioral health unit were at increased risk of readmission. The main factors …

The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of German Volunteers Aged 55 Or Older In Development Service In Tanzania, Barbara Wohanka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As global aging trends and longer life expectancy encourage many seniors to seek meaningful engagement through volunteering, this research examined how such activities influence their perceptions and experiences. While much of the existing literature on volunteering in later life has concentrated on individuals involved in local community service, little research has addressed what motivates seniors to volunteer abroad. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions and lived experiences of German volunteers aged 55 or older in development service in Tanzania and the influence of these experiences on their lives. The theoretical framework examined the guiding approaches …

Exploring Psychological Empowerment Among Hiv Support Groups, Harit Agroia, Leyla Mousli, Rock Braithwaite, Silvia Boron, Rene Padilla

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Support groups can provide members with space to discuss life issues, foster a sense of community, and promote connections with others. For people living with HIV, support groups can improve knowledge and awareness of tools and resources for HIV management, reduce stigma, improve social competence, and overall health. Studies that have connected empowerment and support group structures in populations with HIV have found promising results; however, a dearth of research demonstrates how applying theoretical frameworks can improve understanding of factors that increase empowerment among support group participants. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to apply the Psychological Empowerment Theory …

Staff Education To Improve Clinical Staff Knowledge Of The Social Determinants Of Health In A Public Health Setting, Alba Gisel Ayala

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a critical knowledge gap among clinical staff regarding the application of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) within a local health department. Although SDOH screening tools and the statewide NCCARE 360 referral system were in place, inconsistent use hindered integration into patient care and limited efforts to advance health equity. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model and the ADDIE instructional framework, an educational intervention was developed and implemented to enhance staff knowledge, confidence, and integration of SDOH principles into workflow. Thirty-five clinical staff members participated in pre- and post-intervention assessments. Data …

Special Education Teachers' Experience Implementing Constant Time Delays On Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder To Improve Employment Stability, Ayodele Salihu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often encounter challenges in securing and maintaining employment. With appropriate support, they can gradually develop the functional and social skills necessary to perform job tasks independently, fostering long-term employment and greater autonomy. Achieving independence depends on both the cognitive abilities of individuals with ASD and the instructional strategies educators employ to engage them effectively in the learning process. Constant time delay (CTD) is an evidence-based practice that has demonstrated significant benefits for individuals with ASD in skill acquisition and task mastery. This qualitative study explored the experiences of special education (SPED) teachers in implementing …

Secondary Teachers’ Instructional Strategies And Challenges In Teaching English Language Learners In Mississippi, Megan Cara Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mainstream high school teachers in a district in the state of Mississippi have struggled to consistently implement research-based strategies that address the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs). Guided by Echevarría et al.’s sheltered instruction observation protocol (SIOP), the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the instructional practices implemented by mainstream high school teachers at a Title I high school in a Mississippi district that are aligned with research-based practices and the challenges they reported in improving ELL student achievement in mainstream classrooms. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with nine teachers from a Title I high …

Educating Staff On Hourly Rounding Toward Fall Prevention In A Long-Term Care Facility, Princess Aminata Kanu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The identified problem at the project site facility was rising incidences of patient falls, which was attributed to insufficient staff knowledge of evidence-based strategies for preventing falls, including purposeful hourly rounding (PHR). Research has demonstrated that PHR effectively reduces the risk of falls among patients by allowing clinicians to proactively address patient needs. The purpose of this staff education project was to enhance healthcare providers’ knowledge of PHR and its role in fall prevention. The practice-focused question that guided this project was: For staff in a long-term care facility, will training on hourly rounding increase knowledge toward the goal of …

Beyond The Headlines: Exploring The Mental Health Impacts Of Police Brutality On Social Media In Black Americans, Kai'annica Walters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies show Black Americans face high police brutality, leading to mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of Black Americans who have been exposed to police brutality on social media and how it impacts their racial identity and emotional well-being. This study employed critical race theory as both a theoretical lens and a conceptual framework to examine how race and systemic inequalities shape legal systems and societal narratives. I used IPA to explore how people interpret their experiences and the meanings they assign. This study …

Global Citizenship Education In Ghana: An Evaluation Of The Junior High School Social Studies Curriculum, Benjamin Takyi, Anthony Bordoh Dr., Isaac Eshun Prof., Frederick Owusu

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The aim of global citizenship education (GCE) is to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to address global challenges. Despite its significance, GCE is often insufficiently integrated into curricula, particularly in the Global South. The purpose of the study was to examine the alignment of the junior high school standards-based social studies curriculum with GCE principles. Using a qualitative case study design and content analysis, the study explores cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral aspects of global citizenship embedded in the curriculum. The findings indicate a strong alignment between social studies learning outcomes and GCE principles, with content incorporating …