Digital Commons Network^™

Effective Strategies For Mitigating Skills Gaps Postpandemic In The Automotive Industry, Neil Shah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inadequate approaches to filling employee skill gaps can seriously weaken workforce stability and organizational performance. Canadian automotive sector leaders are concerned about the risk of persistent employment shortages, high employee turnover, and decreased productivity. Grounded in Alderfer's existence, relatedness, and growth theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore the strategies employed by Canadian auto manufacturers to address skill shortages in their workforce in the wake of the pandemic and subsequent digitalization. Six senior executives from Canadian auto manufacturers who led successful skill-development and retention initiatives participated in semistructured interviews, complemented by a review of …

Socioecological Factors And Age Of Diagnosis For Autism Spectrum Disorder Among U.S. Children, Richline Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As autism spectrum disorder (autism/ASD) diagnoses rise, understanding the influence of socioecological factors on the age of diagnosis among children in the United States is critical for timely intervention and improved quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine how socioecological factors influence the age at which children are diagnosed with autism/ASD. The quantitative causal-comparative design, which was informed by Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model, involved analysis of secondary data from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (N=1416). Ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that race and ethnicity moderated the relationship between socioeconomic status (caregiver educational and employment status …

Staff Education For Improved Diabetes Management: Enhancing Knowledge And Patient Outcomes, Carissa Martine Bolden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An increase in patients’ hemoglobin A1c levels in a South Mississippi organization suggests that inadequate type 2 diabetes (T2DM) knowledge among the staff hindered them from delivering competent care. The gap in practice at the site revealed a deficiency in knowledge in nutrition education for healthcare providers and staff, which led to the practice question: Does educating providers and staff on nutrition for adults with type 2 diabetes improve knowledge, as evidenced by pre- and post-surveys? This educational initiative employed the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model, the John Hopkins evidence-based practice (JHEBP) model, the Walden University Doctor …

Patient Engagement Strategies In Weight-Loss Programs, Olufunmilayo M. Bishop

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Weight regain after pharmacological weight-loss interventions remains a pervasive challenge in primary care, with over 70% of patients reverting to baseline weight within six months. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance healthcare providers’ patient engagement skills to improve retention and long-term outcomes in weight-loss programs. A structured staff training program focusing on motivational interviewing, goal-setting, and barrier recognition was implemented among a multidisciplinary team. The program’s effectiveness was evaluated through a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative pre- and post-assessment scores and qualitative staff satisfaction surveys. Results demonstrated a significant increase in staff knowledge, with average scores rising from 68% to …

African American Men's Perceptions Of Law Enforcement, Dr. Dedrie Reshell Leonard-Francis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American Black men are more likely to report unreasonable, unnecessary, and unwarranted experiences with U.S. law enforcement than men of other racial groups, and they higher mistrust toward law enforcement than any other racial group. These experiences have been described as unjustifiable due to the level of force used by police. In some cases, excessive force by law enforcement has resulted in the death of Black men. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore Black men’s perceptions of law enforcement and to understand their distrust. The study centered on the facilitators and barriers to Black men trusting …

The Challenges Faced By Postrelease Offenders In Rural Mississippi, Whitney Starks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reintegration after incarceration has long been a subject of scholarly inquiry, particularly regarding barriers to employment, housing, and mental health services. However, limited research addresses the reintegration experiences of postrelease offenders in rural regions, where access to essential resources is often restricted. This qualitative single case study is an exploration of the challenges and service needs of formerly incarcerated individuals living in rural Mississippi. Using purposive and snowball sampling, six participants were selected based on residency in rural counties, a nonviolent criminal history, and at least one year of successful community reentry. The conceptual framework was guided by the assess, …

Relationship Between Doctor Communication And Patient Satisfaction In Inpatient Units In California, Sandra Viehoever

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Effective doctor communication is an important determinant of patient satisfaction in inpatient units. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey measures patient satisfaction and influences reimbursement rates under the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program. The purpose of this retrospective quasi-experimental quantitative study was to examine the possible relationship between doctor communication and patient satisfaction in inpatient units in California. The Donabedian framework provided the theoretical framework to examine possible relationships between the variables. Publicly available data were collected from 290 hospitals in California that participated in the HCAHPS survey between July 2022 and June 2023. Results of …

Enhancing Communication Among New Nurses Using Scenario-Based Education, Anita Clark Chambers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education project was designed to enhance communication among new nurses with 2 years or less of experience in a Level One trauma center emergency department (ED). The aim of this project initiative was to enhance learners’ communication strategy knowledge and confidence by using scenario-based education via a web-based format. When ineffective communication exchanges occur with healthcare personnel, such as with new nurses, negative patient care outcomes can occur such as sentinel events. Transitional challenges such as lack of prioritization, clinical decision-making skills and low confidence can affect the new nurse’s ability to appropriate effective communication strategies into their …

Strategies To Reduce Waiting Times In A Hospital Emergency Department, Gillian Denise Browne-Farrell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders of the emergency departments (EDs) globally, especially in the United States face persistent challenges addressing staffing issues in the ED and increased wait times. The purpose and review question for this integrative review was to investigate strategies and best practices to decrease waiting times in a hospital ED. The Theory of Constraints framework served as the theoretical foundation for this review. An examination of the literature published within the past five years identified 101 relevant articles. From these articles, 30 empirical and non-empirical articles were selected for further analysis using the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model and six major …

The Treatment Experiences Of Female Domestic Violence Offenders Who Have Completed Court-Mandated Counseling Programs, Chelsea S. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence is a significant societal problem. However, aspects of domestic violence (DV) perpetrated by women are often overlooked or inadequately addressed in existing counseling and intervention programs, leaving counselor educators ill-equipped to effectively train counselors to treat this specific population. The research question addressed the treatment experiences of female DV offenders who completed court-mandated counseling programs. Given the limited current research on female domestic violence offender treatment, Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was employed to further understand the perspectives of participants, potentially identifying areas of improvement and addressing the needs of female program participants. Semistructured interviews were completed with six …

The Lived Experience Of The Orgasm Gap In U.S. Cisgender Women In Heterosexual Relationships, Alina Beverly Vergara-Hegi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women are not orgasming as often as men in heterosexual sexual encounters. Research has confirmed that sociocultural influences, gender differences, sexual perceptions, sexual miseducation, and relationship dynamics contribute to women’s negative sexual experiences. What has been missing is a better understanding of the experience of the orgasm gap and the role of gender ideology in women’s sexual experiences. This study explored the lived experience of the orgasm gap and gender ideology in nine cisgender women in long-term heterosexual relationships. Critical feminist theory was used as the lens to explore the meaning of sexual inequities in intimate long-term relationships. Using interpretative …

The Relationship Between Federal Employees' Viewpoints On Intrinsic Meaningful Work In The Extrinsic Work Unit Environment And Job Satisfaction., Sandra Kunz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Managers are concerned with low job satisfaction since it is a prediction of decreased productivity and increased turnover. Framed within the two-factor theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational post-facto study was to examine the relationship between intrinsic meaningful work in the extrinsic work unit environment and job satisfaction. The participants were 1,378 U.S. federal employees from the Office of Personnel Management who completed the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey in 2023. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, F(2, 1375) = 900.817, p < .001, R² = .567. Recommendations for managers include aligning employees with positions that reflect their skills and interests, enhancing communication regarding the significance of individual contributions, seeking out employee feedback, and resolving any work environment challenges to foster greater job satisfaction. The implications for positive social change include the possibility for managers to advance effective leadership and communication, thereby enhancing the work environment for employees and the quality of service to customers.

Prediction Of Collegial Relationships And Teachers’ Commitment To Stay In A Compulsory Swedish School, Chermaine Clunie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the high annual teacher turnover rate of 30% in a Swedish compulsory school, which significantly exceeded national averages. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between the quality of collegial relationships, as measured by emotional support, task-related support, and feedback from colleagues which are subscales of the workplace social support (WSS) scale, and Swedish teachers’ commitment to stay in their current teaching positions in a Swedish compulsory school, measured on a continuous scale, using a 5 point Likert scale. The study was grounded in Blau’s social exchange theory, which …

Staff Education To Enhance The Use Of Alternatives To Restrictive Interventions When Managing Aggressive Behaviors, Anthony Obinna Madu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This is a DNP staff education project executive summary aimed at increasing staff knowledge on the use of alternatives to restrictive interventions when managing aggressive behaviors in an inpatient psychiatric unit.

Development Of A Clinical Practice Guideline For Trauma-Informed Care In Interprofessional Health Care Settings, Ngwi Rita Etiendem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Developing a standardized Clinical Practice Guideline for Trauma Informed Care was a central objective of this Doctor of Nursing project. This project followed an evidence-based, collaborative, and structured methodology that prioritized interdisciplinary input, organizational alignment, and rigorous appraisal using the AGREE II instrument.

Beyond The Individual: Community Socioecological Correlates Of Mass Shootings In A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Barbara (Basia) E. Lopez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mass shootings represent an urgent and persistent threat to public safety in the United States, yet most research has focused on individual-level characteristics, leaving community-level socioecological conditions comparatively underexamined. This study addressed this gap in knowledge through an examination of the statistical correlations between community-level characteristics and mass shooting incidence using Ostrom’s social-ecological systems theory as a guiding framework. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed using secondary data from The Violence Project, the U.S. Census Bureau, Neighborhood Atlas National Data Archive, and publicly available law enforcement and policy records. Multiple regression analysis was performed to test both main and interaction …

Minority Female Political Representation In Westchester County Politics: A View From Minority Female Elected Office Holders, Dwanita Michelle Crosby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women have historically been underrepresented in political leadership, a disparity largely attributed to the persistent absence of structured support systems—particularly mentorship—that promote advancement across federal, state, and local levels. Existing literature highlights gender and racial disparities in political trajectories but often overlooked the specific role of mentorship in shaping leadership outcomes for African American women at the municipal level. This gap was particularly critical given the increasing civic engagement and influence of African American women in local governance. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to examine how mentorship shaped the political journeys of African American women …

Lived Experiences Of Police Officers With Vicarious Sexual Trauma, Resiliency, And Departmental Support, Joseph Schreiner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study involved addressing lived experiences of police officers who investigate sex crimes. Vicarious sexual trauma experienced by officers can lead to both short- and long-term issues for these individuals, particularly if they are left unaddressed. The constructivist self-development and resiliency theories were used to examine these experiences. Specifically, this study involved investigating how police officers perceived vicarious sexual trauma and viewed the accessibility and practicality of mental health and wellness resources provided by their departments. It was guided by two research questions, which were addressed through 12 semistructured interviews, which were thematically analyzed and interpreted. Five themes emerged …

Adaptive Leadership And Employee Retention During Disruptive Times In Real Estate, Susej Koral Corrales Bethancourt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some real estate agency owners in Panama lack adaptive leadership strategies to retain employees during market disruptions. The real estate industry and agency owners are especially vulnerable to financial fluctuations and market volatility, which can lead to increased employee turnover and decreased organizational performance. This qualitative pragmatic inquiry explored the adaptive leadership strategies used by Panamanian real estate agency owners to retain employees during disruptive periods. Guided by Heifetz and Linsky’s adaptive leadership theory, the project addressed the central research problem through semistructured interviews with six real estate owners and managers with at least 4 years of leadership experience. Participants …

Staff Education Program For Fall Prevention, Priya Sebastian Vadakkan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls are the most common adverse events leading to increased injury, length of hospital stay, and costs among hospitalized patients. I developed a staff education project to address the identified practice problem of increased fall rates on the cardiac floor of the project site. The practice-focused question guiding this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was whether a comprehensive staff education program on evidence-based fall prevention strategies could improve the nurses’ knowledge when compared to standard fall prevention practices. The purpose of this DNP project was to provide staff education to increase nurses’ knowledge about the early identification of fall …

Formation Of Inclusive Competence Of Future Special Education Teachers, Gulbanu Ashimkhanova, Akbota Autaeva, Anar Rakhmetova, Gulmira Tussupbekova, Kanat Sadykov

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This study aims to explore the phenomenon of inclusive competence as an integral trait of today’s educators.

Methods: The scientific research involved surveying students from pedagogical universities as well as using methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization, systematization, comparison, and classification.

Results: The concept of inclusive competence is understood as the degree of skills and knowledge required to fulfil pedagogical responsibilities within an inclusive educational environment. Key elements of inclusive competence, such as cognitive, motivational, reflexive, and operational components, have been identified and have the following functions:

• · Cognitive elements enable teachers to develop a comprehensive understanding of pedagogical …

Enhancing Reading Comprehension And Critical Thinking Skills Through Lms Integration In An English For History Course For Non-Efl Undergraduate Students, Izzatul Fajriyah, Silvi Nur Afifah

Higher Learning Research Communications

This study addresses the challenges faced by non-EFL undergraduate students in enhancing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills within an English for History course. While existing research has explored reading comprehension and critical thinking in EFL contexts, there is a notable gap in understanding how these skills can be developed in non-EFL students through the integration of learning management systems (LMS). The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of LMS on improving reading comprehension and critical thinking skills among non-EFL undergraduate students who are enrolled in an English for History course. A sequential mixed-methods approach was employed, …

The Problem With Consumer Affordability Of Prescription Medications In The United States, Valerie E. Bell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Consumer affordability of prescription drugs is an ongoing problem in the United States. This study was undertaken to research the financial, physical, and economic effects of drug prices on consumers and the methods used by consumers to address such effects. Rational choice and power and politics theories were used to explain the decisions consumers make when they could not afford their medications and the role policies and politics play in drug pricing. The research questions concerned the relationship between consumers’ perceptions of drug pricing and their ability to purchase medications. The quantitative nonexperimental study involved the administration of a survey …

Postpartum Experiences Of Arab Women And The Educational Role Of The Mother, Diana Ikki

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women in the Arab world traditionally observe a 40-day postpartum rest period, during which they rest, follow specific rituals, and learn to care for their newborn under the guidance and care of a family matriarch, typically their mother. Despite the prevalence of this practice, there is limited empirical research exploring the educational role of Arab mothers during their daughters' postpartum period; this qualitative study addressed this gap. Foundational to this study’s theoretical framework was Ramona Mercer’s theory of maternal role attainment. The study addressed two research questions: how Arab women describe their postpartum experiences and the educational role their mothers …

Fathers’ Experiences With Reunification With The Massachusetts Child Welfare System, Phernel Joseph Manigat

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study focused on fathers’ experiences with the Massachusetts child welfare system (MCWS) or the Department of Children and Families (DCF) during the reunification process with their children, particularly those fathers who received sole custody of their children during this process. Researchers have demonstrated that fathers are minimally engaged and mostly ignored in the child welfare system (CWS). A research gap was identified regarding the experiences of fathers who received sole custody of their children through the CWS. The purpose of this study was to explore these fathers’ experiences with the MCWS or the DCF during the reunification process with …

Staff Education On Culturally Tailored Hispanic Diabetes Management In A Primary Care Community Clinic, Robyn Elizabeth Reeves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Hispanic population is the fastest-growing ethnic minority in the United States, and they have a 66% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Less than half of Hispanic patients with diabetes achieve optimal glycemic control due to cultural barriers and dietary issues. At the project site, a primary care practice in the southeastern United States regarding cultural competency training in diabetes management for Hispanics was identified. The practice-focused question was: Does providing education to primary care staff improve their knowledge of diabetes management among Hispanic patients with diabetes, as evidenced by pre- and post-surveys? In the project, I …

Effective Strategies For Artificial Intelligence Adoption In The Healthcare Industry, Josias Talom Sop

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Healthcare organizations face challenges in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) to manage complex data and personalize care amid rising costs and growing patient volumes. This research is critical for healthcare leaders seeking to address inefficiencies in AI implementation, which could otherwise hinder competitiveness and the quality of patient care. This qualitative pragmatic inquiry study explored strategies healthcare leaders use to integrate AI into their business model innovations. Six U.S. healthcare leaders with at least 3 years of leadership experience who had successfully led AI projects participated in semistructured interviews. Grounded in Osterwalder and Pigneur’s business model innovation theory and their Business …

Experiences Of Women In K–12 Educational Technology Leadership Positions, Natalie M. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of women in K–12 educational technology leadership positions in the United States. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of women in K–12 educational technology leadership regarding the challenges and successes they encountered in achieving and maintaining their positions. Feminist standpoint theory formed the framework for this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 women who were active or former K–12 educational technology leaders in public schools across the country. Open and pattern coding were used to support thematic analysis. An overarching theme of gender bias …

Understanding Black American Pastors' Leadership Role And Interaction With Public Health During Covid-19, Stacy L. Tolbert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic tested the leadership, response, and resilience of Black American pastors and their communities. These pastors played a crucial role in supporting their communities to lessen the impact the virus had on underlying health conditions and socioeconomic hardships that were exacerbated by the pandemic. Despite their efforts, Black American pastors frequently encountered challenges helping their community. The current research sought to understand the lived experiences of Black American pastors during the pandemic and their interactions with public health institutions to secure resources for their communities through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The study was guided by the research question, …

Nursing Turnover Based On Age, Race, And Gender In Community Hospitals In Michigan, Laura Lawhorn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospitals struggle to maintain nursing staff to meet patient needs for a population that requires continuous care and experiences multiple illnesses. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the variations in reasons for leaving the nursing profession (dependent variable) based on age, race, and gender (independent variables) within community hospitals in Michigan. The theoretical framework for this study was the Nursing Neuman Systems Model, which posits that nursing comprises four key components: environment, individual, nursing practice, and health. A correlational research design was utilized to address the research question and analyze the relationships between the variables. The secondary …