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The Relationship Between The Acute Care For Elders Unit In A Mississippi Critical Access Hospital, And Length Of Stay, And Readmission Rates, Angela Christine Middleton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospitals with high readmission rates face financial penalties due to the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective, quasi-experimental study was to determine the relationship between pre- and post-implementation of an Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit in a critical access hospital (CAH) and length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates within 30 days. The theoretical framework used for this study was Donabedian’s theory of evaluating the quality of medical care delivered. Donabedian’s theory of quality care delivery is composed of three elements, structure, process, and outcome. For the purpose of this study, structure consists …

Enhancing Staff Impact On Medication Adherence In A Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, Uzoamaka Lynda Mbadugha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project addressed the critical issue of medication nonadherence among mental health patients by implementing a staff education program at an outpatient clinic in the Mid-Atlantic region USA. The program focused on enhancing staff knowledge and confidence through training in psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Nonadherence often leads to relapse, hospitalization, and poor outcomes, compounded by a lack of structured interventions at the project site. Sixteen clinic staff members participated in biweekly training sessions over a one-month period. Pre- and post-training assessments revealed a 44.79% increase in staff knowledge and a 50% improvement in confidence …

Scientific Evidence: Impact On A Jury, Thomas B. Scavone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The goal of this qualitative study was to better understand the impact of scientific evidence ‘s influence on a jury’s verdict. The presence of scientific evidence has the potential to convict the defendant or overturn a guilty verdict as seen in cases involving the innocence project. The theoretical framework for this qualitative study was Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory which postulates heavy exposure to television has the potential to influence the individual’s perception of the world. The researcher implemented an exploratory research design using purposive sampling. A total of 68 participants (prior jurors) applied for the study, 66 from an advertisement placed …

Preservice Elementary Educators’ Perceptions Of Teaching Proficiency Within A Blended Curriculum Context, Vincent M. Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was investigated through this study is that preservice elementary teachers struggle to incorporate blended learning pedagogy. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate preservice elementary teachers’ perceptions on instructional opportunities and primary concerns when incorporating blended learning pedagogy. The conceptual frameworks for this study were Rogers’ theory for educational technology and Garrison and Archer’s community of inquiry. For this basic qualitative design, eight semistructured interviews with preservice elementary teachers were conducted. Interviews were coded with a priori, open, and axial codes and then thematically analyzed with the following themes emerging: Preservice teachers (a) see the …

Public Policy And Trust In Artificial Intelligence Decision Making, Avril A. Bunbury-Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Technology is largely unregulated at present, which raises a safety issue for the automated decision-making process of multiagent systems (MAS) using AI applications. This study was conducted to explore whether a policy-making rule for decisions can protect the public from the social implications of biases, challenges, risks, and uncertainty while exposing a trust gap. Computers can dominate life, and this research was conducted to explore how to trust the decision-making process of MAS, mainly when there are no guardrails or regulations to manage the system. As a result, the generic qualitative inquiry was used to explore how concerned computer users …

The Relationship Between Anthropometric Sizing, Fit Issues, And Return Rates In Plus-Size Women's Apparel, Cassondra Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Retail business owners remain concerned with apparel sizing and return sales, as sizing is a frequent predictor of apparel returns and decreased revenue. Grounded in new product development theory (NPD), the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between anthropometric apparel sizing standards, sizing and fit issues, and return sales. The participants were 89 women’s bridal apparel owners and leaders within the retail business sector who completed a 5-point Likert-type survey. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, 3, 85) = 32.301, p < .001, R2 = .533. In the final model, there were two predictors which were significant, sizing and fit (t = 9.718, p = <.001, ß = .735) and sizing standards (t = 2.478, p = .01, ß = .205). A key recommendation is for retail business leaders to acknowledge the growth in the U.S. female apparel consumer. Further, the alignment of sizing standards and product offerings provides functional apparel and mitigates return sales due to sizing. The implications for positive social change include the potential for the apparel industry to acknowledge the growing complexity of women’s sizing, which is influenced by diverse cultural backgrounds and body types. This shift could promote greater inclusivity, enhance consumer confidence, reduce return rates, and foster broader acceptance of diverse female body types within the industry.

The Lived Experiences Of Prediabetes And Type 2 Diabetes Among African Americans In Rural West Virginia, Orlando Craighead

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans in rural Appalachian West Virginia experience disproportionate rates of diabetes, with limited research examining their unique challenges in managing this chronic condition. This qualitative study aimed to explore how African Americans in rural Appalachia develop and utilize diabetes management skills, examining the intersections of cultural influence, healthcare access, and technological adoption. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach grounded in the Social Determinants of Health theory, Health Belief Model, and Social Ecological Model, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine African American adults diagnosed with pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes in Kanawha County. Thematic analysis revealed four main themes: Cultural and …

Stories Of Pastors' Wives, Their Responsibilities, And Their Mental Health, Marsha Patrice Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Church ministry has many written and unwritten rules, responsibilities, and expectations for those who choose to serve in pastoral roles. Some responsibilities and expectations cause church pastors to experience stress and burnout, which has residual effects on their wives and families. Many church leaders or congregations are not aware of or consider the emotional impact of unwritten rules and expectations on the pastors’ wives. The purpose of this narrative research was to explore the stories of Protestant church pastors’ wives and highlight how their various supportive roles in marriage and ministry impacts their emotional and mental health. With a feminist …

Social Media Influence On African American Women Mental Health And Self-Image, Terressa Sanchez Gamble

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women’s perspectives on the influence of social media content on their mental health (i.e., moods, thoughts, and behaviors) and self-image were explored in this qualitative study. The theoretical framework chosen for this study was Festinger’s (1954) social comparison theory, which was used to examine whether there was a logical connection between the study topic and the framework presented. Data were collected through semistructured interviews that were conducted via Zoom. The data from 10 participants’ interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach, resulting in the following two emergent themes: (a) pressure to compare and emulate and …

Black Online College Students' Perceptions Of Their Unmet Needs During Covid-19, Zanita Gaither

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black college students face unique challenges in achieving academic success, particularly when their unmet needs are not addressed adequately. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these challenges for online learners in this group, impacting motivation and learning experiences. This interpretive phenomenological analysis explored the lived experiences of Black online college students and their perceptions of unmet needs during the pandemic. Despite numerous studies on Black college students during the pandemic, little literature has been focused on their perceptions of unmet needs. To understand their needs and experiences, this study considered internal and external influences based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Rovai’s …

An Educational Intervention Focused On The Care Of Older Adults, Michele Orzehoski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is estimated that by 2050, individuals ages 65 and older will comprise 20% of the U.S. population. Further, research has demonstrated that among these aging adults, 80% have one chronic condition with 77% having at least two chronic conditions. Given this, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) developed the Age-Friendly Health System framework for the care of older adults centering on what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility, or the 4Ms. In the local organization, leadership determined there was a need for an older adult-centered care model given their population includes aging individuals. Thus, the purpose of this doctor of …

The Perceptions Of Nursing Faculty Who Experience Student Incivility Behavior, Dehlia Abaya Parsons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Incivility among nursing students is well documented in the academic, clinical, and leadership literature. Student incivility towards faculty was less studied, and merited investigation because incivility can lead to faculty discontentment, stress, and attrition, exacerbating the scarcity of nursing faculty. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study, which was underpinned by the health belief model, was to explore the perceptions of nursing faculty who experience student incivility in the Western region of the United States. Open-ended, semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 nursing faculty who shared perceptions of their experience of student incivility behavior. Open coding and thematic analysis yielded …

The Relationship Between Percentage Of Layoffs, Company Age, And Earnings Per Share In Tech Firms, Demarco Dejion Pope

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business owners and investors are concerned that layoff announcements and company age may negatively impact earnings per share (EPS), reducing investor confidence and ultimately lowering stock performance. This decline in stock value can affect a company’s ability to attract investment and sustain long-term growth. Grounded in the prospect theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between the percentage of layoffs, company age, and earnings per share. The participants were 107 technology firms with at least 1,000 employees on the NASDAQ Stock Index that initiated layoffs during the 2021–2022 calendar years. The data was collected …

Executive Leadership Practice Through The Lens Of Religiosity And Ethics, Christopherlie Roger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The specific research problem addressed through this study is executive leadership religiosity and decision-making that leads to unethical behaviors and practices that could result in corporate corruption at Fortune 500 companies in the United States region of New York State. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study research was to explore executive leadership religiosity and decision-making through three research questions, for example, how executive leadership perceives unethical leaders' behaviors and practices that could result in corporation corruption. This study's conceptual foundation and key concepts included religiosity, ethics, decision-making, and the theory of planned behavior. The participants comprised nine executive …

Violence Among Nigeria’S Female And Predictors Of Help-Seeking Behavior Using Technology, Abayomi Karunwi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The decision-making autonomy of female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors to make financial transactions is a stronger predictor of help-seeking behavior that is not yet fully explored. Despite the plausibility of using the mobile phone for financial transactions, it is yet to be explored as a predictor of help-seeking behavior after IPV events through digital financial inclusion. The dataset from the 2018 Nigerian Demographic Health Survey was used to explore if digital financial inclusion could predict help-seeking behavior instead of the severity of abuse among ever-partnered Nigerian female IPV survivors (aged 15 to 49 years) who use their mobile phones …

University Counselor Perceptions Of Safety And Safety Coping Strategies After On-Campus Mass Shootings, Tonya Sims

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For over 2 decades, mass college campus shootings have been a problem in the United States. College counselors are required to assist and support others on campus after mass shootings and coping with their own concerns and safety. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore coping strategies and perceptions of safety of college counselors in response to the potential risk of gun violence on campus. The framework was based on Figley’s principles of stress theory. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of eight university counselors. Narrative data were collected and analyzed manually for emerging themes. …

Modern Factors Associated With Cervical Cancer Screening Among African American, Rosemary O. Fashogbon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cervical cancer affects women of all races; however, African American women are diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer at a higher rate than White women. A number of factors could be related to this disparity, including a lack of education about the disease, lack of insurance, and other barriers to cervical cancer screening. The purpose of this study was to evaluate modern factors associated with cervical cancer screening among African American women in the state of Georgia. Blum’s model of health determinants was the theoretical framework for this study. This cross-sectional quantitative study sought to evaluate if an association exists between …

The Lived Experience Of Leaders With Work-Related Unresolved Grief, Jennifer Harden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unresolved grief within organizational contexts has remained an underexplored area in literature, with most research focusing on grief related to personal loss rather than unique challenges leaders face during organizational transitions. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological hermeneutic study was to explore and understand the leaders’ lived experiences with unresolved grief for addressing intricate emotions, perceptions, and coping mechanisms within the context of organizational change. The grief model, the dual process model, and the sensemaking theory grounded this study. Ten human services industry leaders were participants in semistructured interviews. The thematic analysis revealed four themes: the emotional and physical toll …

K-3 Teachers Implementing Blended Learning For Personalized Student Learning, Olivia Hayes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Blended learning combines traditional classroom instruction with online learning experiences, creating a flexible and personalized approach to education. This approach allows teachers to address individual student needs and pacing while fostering greater student engagement. In a large public school district in Colorado, blended learning is being inconsistently implemented. Guided by the complex adaptive blended learning system framework, the purpose of this qualitative project study was to learn how the district policy involving one-to-one devices for all students influenced curriculum, instruction, and assessment experiences of K-3 teachers for meeting needs of individuals in their classes. Eleven classroom teachers participated in semistructured …

Physical Health Care Use, Mental Health Care Use, And Resilience Among Formerly Incarcerated Adults In Southern California, Tamara Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adults who have experienced incarceration face many challenges reentering society. The lack of physical and mental healthcare use has been shown to contribute to recidivism. This cross-sectional study using a multivariate linear regression examined the relationship between physical healthcare use, mental healthcare use, and resilience among formerly incarcerated adults in Southern California while controlling for age, gender and race. Physical healthcare use was defined as the frequency of appointments, having health insurance coverage, and having a usual place of care. Mental healthcare use was defined as needing and receiving mental health treatment. The study used the Resilience Theory to determine …

Opioid Use Disorder In Region 9 Of Louisiana: Using Labeling Theory To Understand The Layperson's Perception, Sara Elizabeth Dupree-Wolf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The overall research problem in this research study was that there were no current data related to the layperson's perception of opioid use disorder using labeling theory in Region 9 of Louisiana. This study is essential because opioid use disorder affects people worldwide, and the number of people diagnosed with opioid use disorder rises annually. Annually, thousands of people overdose, with a plethora of these overdoses resulting in death, due to opiate use. These deaths are unnecessary because there are treatment options and resources available. However, stigma and fear keep people from accessing potentially lifesaving resources. The purpose was to …

The Impacts Of Software Development Methodologies On New Model Success Rate In The U.S. Automotive Industry, Marquita Aleatrice Tucker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 2017, the U.S. automotive industry has experienced a decrease in new-model launch success rate. A single 12-month delay in a new vehicle launch may cost a manufacturer up to $200 million. One component of automotive product development is software development. The research problem was a lack of understanding of the challenges with software development methodologies from the perspective of software developers, preventing managers from implementing methodologies, policies, and processes to improve the rates of successful new model launches. The purpose and the research questions were focused on exploring the lived experiences of software developers in the U.S. automotive industry …

Strategies For Technology Adoption In Small- And Medium-Sized Enterprises To Improve Competitiveness, Anthony Marcus Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and beverage industry play a vital role in local economies but face significant challenges in adopting technology to remain competitive. Without effective growth and sustainability strategies, SME leaders may face business closures that will lead to job losses, economic instability, and lost innovation opportunities. Grounded in the technology acceptance and diffusion of innovations models, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies used by food and beverage SME owners in California to integrate new technologies. Participants included six SME owners who had operated their businesses for over five …

Comparing The Efficacy Of Artificial Intelligence Immersion And Human-Led Workshops For Enhancing Researchers' English Language Skills: A Randomized Control Trial, Ndubuisi Friday Ugwu Phd, Raphael Ezamenyi Ochiaka Phd, Ugochukwu Simeon Asogwa M.Sc, Adewumi Segun Igbinlade Phd, Kamorudeen Taiwo Sanni Phd, Toyin Segun Onayinka Phd, Obinna Iroegbu Phd, Michael Olayinka Irewole Phd, Jacob Kehinde Opele Phd, Abiodun Oyetunde Oloyede Phd, Ndidi Christiana Ibenyenwa Msc, Oladipo Adeyeye Olubodun Phd

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: Our study aimed to compare the efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI)-based immersive training with human-led workshops to improve the English language skills of non-English early career researchers (NEECRs) in a Nigerian public university.

Methods: Our study employed a randomized pretest/posttest control group design. A total of 124 NEECRs in Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria, who met the eligibility criteria participated in the study. NEECR participants were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of self-directed AI immersion (n = 62) or human-led workshops (n = 62). A 56-item questionnaire collected data pretreatment, posttreatment, and at a 3-month follow-up. Repeated-measures …

Exploring The Impact Of Sufficient Childcare On Recruitment And Retention Of African American Women In Law Enforcement, Jo Anne Wallace

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although African American women have made progress in multiple fields and careers, they remain underrepresented in the field of law enforcement. There has been a lot of research about women in law enforcement, but there has been little research to show the impact of lack of sufficient childcare on the recruitment and retention of African American women in law enforcement. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American female police applicants, recruits, and veteran officers and their perception of challenges and barriers in recruitment and retention when it comes to the lack …

Aviation Maintenance Technicians’ Perceptions Of Safety Management System Implementation At Maintenance, Repair, And Overhaul Facilities, Stanley Matthew Losiewicz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A safety management system (SMS) is challenging for an aviation maintenance facility and even more significant for the aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) entrusted to perform the work due to organizational, methodological, and consistency issues. The incorporation of an SMS is new in the United States for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities that operate under the Code of Federal Regulations Part 145. AMTs constitute the bulk of the workers in an MRO. By default, a safety culture and safety consciousness existed in MROs prior to an SMS, and this study was conducted to understand the perceptions of the AMTs in …

Nurse Educators’ Experiences With Medical Cannabis Education, Rachel Ann Parmelee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medical cannabis is legal in more than half of the United States, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing has provided guidelines indicating that nurses need to know about medical cannabis. However, most nurses report a lack of knowledge and education but believe that cannabis has therapeutic potential. The problem addressed in this study was the limited research on nurse educators’ experiences with medical cannabis education and its meaning for nursing education. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study, supported by an emergent framework, patterns of knowing, was to explore nurse educators’ experiences with medical cannabis education …

Perspectives Of Juvenile Violence Prevention Programs, Tamlar D. Walton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increase in violent behavior among individuals aged 12 to 19 prompted a nonprofit organization to consider adopting a more proactive approach to reduce such violence in the community while also expanding the range of services offered to address this concern. The organization leaders recognized the necessity of improving their knowledge in this area, prompting them to enlist the services of a research consultant who utilized a generic qualitative research method to explore juvenile violence prevention programs. This professional administrative study examined the experiences and perspectives of public servants who engaged with juvenile offenders, focusing on the influence of their …

Staff Education To Increase Health Care Practitioners’ Knowledge On The Symptomology Of Burnout, Carli Turngren

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The aim of this staff education project was to educate health care practitioners about the early recognition of symptoms of burnout. Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic stress that has not been successfully managed. Symptoms of burnout appear as energy depletion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy (World Health Organization 2019). Through a review of existing literature and analysis of qualitative data I gathered from practitioners, I identified key indicators of burnout and its implications for practitioner efficacy and patient outcomes. The findings underscore the urgent need for a proactive approach to address burnout in …

Exploring The Components Of Mental Health Programming Within Jails In Virginia, Kayla Deann Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of individuals who experience a mental health diagnosis and are incarcerated is growing within the United States. Data also shows that the types of mental health treatment currently being offered within jails are not enough to help those with a mental health diagnosis. The purpose of this qualitative study was to highlight different strategies to assist professionals and administrators of jails in Virginia with providing adequate mental health treatment to those incarcerated. The well-being development model framework was used as a lens through which to explore different strategies that human services professionals can use in correctional facilities to …