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Predictors Of Counselors Accurately Diagnosing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Ocd) And Recommending Ocd-Specific Empirically Supported Treatments (Ests), Natalie Grierson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has supported that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is frequently misdiagnosed and not treated with OCD-specific, empirically supported treatments (ESTs) by healthcare professionals, resulting in negative consequences. Empirical findings are mixed regarding what predicts this and if counselors contribute to the concerns; therefore, it is imperative to investigate this with counselors. Using a medical model framework, the purpose of this quantitative study was to (a) examine the rate of counselors in the United States accurately diagnosing OCD, (b) identify the predictors for counselors accurately diagnosing OCD, (c) examine the rate of counselors recommending OCD-specific ESTs, and (d) identify the predictors for …

Implementing Healthcare Administrative Leadership Strategies To Mitigate Turnover And Enhance Retention Among Medical-Surgical Unit Registered Nurses, Janay Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To mitigate registered nursing turnover, utilize strategies centered on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, a theoretical framework that strikes a balance between the demands of the jobs and the resources and support available to nursing employees, which will lead to an increase in employee engagement, dedication, and psychological well-being at work while reducing Acute Care Hospital (ACH) turnover rates in the medical-surgical units (MSUs) in Pennsylvania. The research question examined healthcare administration leadership strategies that could be implemented by hospital administrators within ACHs in Pennsylvania MSUs. The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate the existing literature on registered …

The Relationship Between Corporate Environmental Performance And Firm Value, Edward Basile

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increasing scrutinization of polluting industries raises concern for corporate leaders responsible for sustaining profitability while reducing environmental impacts. Nested in the enlightened value maximization theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions, waste and hazardous materials management, water and wastewater management, and firm value. The participants were 140 publicly listed industrial companies that disclosed corporate environmental impacts to environmental rating agencies. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, F(3, 136) = 4.51, p < .01, R2 = .09. In the final model, two independent variables were significant, greenhouse gas emissions (t = –2.21, p = .03, �� = –.187) and waste and hazardous materials management (t = 2.62, p = .01, �� = .227). A fundamental recommendation emerging from this study is for industry leaders to establish a robust environmental impact disclosure strategy that accounts for sustainable production and long-horizon value maximization. The implications for positive social change include the potential to minimize an industry’s environmental footprint while jointly enhancing ecological stability, human flourishing, and environmentally responsible products and services.

Improving Hospital Performance Using Technological Performance Strategies To Reduce Misdiagnoses, Carlistus Nnabuife

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The burgeoning challenge of patient disease misdiagnosis presents a significant obstacle, important to hospital administrators because of their responsibility and concern for delivering quality health care. Grounded in the Kaizen continuous improvement model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective technological strategies used by four hospital administrators to reduce the incidence of disease misdiagnosis and improve organizational performance. Data were collected from participant interviews and relevant public documents. Thematic analysis included transcription review, data coding, and theme identification. Four themes emerged: (a) prioritizing the acquisition of advanced technology tools, (b) proper fitting of technology …

Association Between Psychological Distress And Diabetic Retinopathy Among U.S. Adults, Claret Ijeoma Onukogu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that causes damaged blood vessels and the growth of abnormal ones, leading to vision loss. The two stages of the disease are non-proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In the non-proliferative stage, diabetics develop macular edema and ischemia with shortage of blood in the macula region of the eye, and the vision eventually becomes blurry. However, the proliferative stage is the advanced stage of the disease involves neovascularization and retinal detachment. The quantitative study employed the socioecological model as the theoretical framework to examine the relationship between psychological distress and diabetic retinopathy …

Stakeholders’ Influence Of Voluntary Sustainability Reporting On Corporate Financial Performance, Delores Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explores the relationship between voluntary sustainability reporting and corporate financial performance, focusing on the influence of stakeholders on sustainability initiatives. The research uses legitimacy and stakeholder theories, drawing from signaling and institutional theories, to examine the impact of sustainability initiatives on financial results. The analysis was conducted on United States aerospace and defense companies listed in the Fortune 500, and Bloomberg’s ESG database. The independent variables included GRI-2019 – GRI-2022, stakeholders influence “STAKE,” firm size, and growth. The dependent variables were return on assets and Tobin’s Q. Return on investment was used as the moderating and mediating variable. …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Use Of Achieve3000 As A Literacy Proficiency Intervention, Cameron Ashley Gaines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study was that inconsistency in using a literacy development initiative resulted in no improvement of low literacy scores in April of 2022, as a total of 80.85% of high school students in one learning zone within a Georgia school district scored below literacy proficiency on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine high school teachers’ perceptions of the use of Achieve3000 as a literacy intervention using the conceptual framework of disciplinary literacy. This study's two research questions focused on high school teachers’ perceptions of using Achieve3000 …

East African Refugee Women Seeking Health Care After Government Assistance Ends, Sylivia Chelimo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

East African refugee women arrive as a vulnerable population in their host country. Before coming to the United States, refugee women may have experienced varying levels of trauma due to civil wars, genocide, sexual assault, deaths of loved ones, terrorist attacks, being taken hostage, and torture in their home country. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of refugee women from East African countries seeking health care in the Central United States when government assistance ends. The framework of the behavioral model of health was the guide for examining the experiences of the participant refugee …

School Counselors’ Perceptions And Descriptions Of Their Career Counseling Efforts For Non-Honor Roll Students In Career Management, Sherlette C. Burkhalter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High-quality career counseling is freely available at U.S. high schools. However, many students choose not to participate in career planning programs, despite being assigned to a school counselor for guidance. There is a projected increase in demand for school counselors; however, there needs to be more literature regarding whether high school students are taking advantage of career planning and how counselors cope with and manage their role in implementing career counseling programs. The purpose of this study was to explore school counselors’ perceptions and descriptions of their career counseling efforts for non-honor roll students in career management. The theoretical framework …

The Impact Of Liberia’S Post-War Public Housing Policy On Homelessness, Bofor Rahim Toh, Ii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is an inadequacy in strategies to address homeless and vulnerable youth “Zogos” in post-war Liberia. Homelessness among youth is a severe problem in post-war Liberia, with many sleeping in Palm Groove Cemetery and other informal housing settings in Monrovia and other parts of the country. This qualitative study explored post-war Liberia’s public housing program policy roles that professional competency and human capacity play in effectively mitigating homelessness of youth in Monrovia. Glasser’s choice theory was the theoretical framework used for this study. The research question explored how human capacity, selection eligibility, and professional competency at the National Housing Authority …

Experiences Of Black Males With Generalized Anxiety Disorder During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cynthia Lynn Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative research dissertation involved exploring the intersection of race, gender, and mental health via lived experiences of Black males who were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the unique sociocultural context of the pandemic influenced their experiences with anxiety. Using a qualitative Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis research design and semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of seven Black males living in various regions of the United States the interviews involved their personal experiences, coping mechanisms, and perceptions of societal and systemic factors that affected their mental health during the pandemic. …

The Experiences Of Icu Nurses Caring For Covid-19 Patients In Zambia, Mable Kasonde Mwila

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of ICU nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in Zambia. The problem was lack of knowledge on what intensive care unit nurses experienced while caring for COVID patients then to investigate the experiences of ICU nurses taking care of COVID patients in Lusaka, Zambia. Using Sister Callista Roy’s nursing adaptation model as a conceptual framework, the qualitative interpretative phenomenology approach was used to interview 14 participants in two hospitals in Zambia. MAXQDA software was used to organize data to develop codes and derive six themes, which were education, emotional and psychological …

Faculty’S Role In Creating A (Remote) Sense Of Community Among Faculty And Facilitating Contexts Of Care For Students, Jesus R. Nunez, Jesus Cisneros, Isela Pena

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This qualitative study employed a sensemaking approach to understand faculty members’ sensemaking of their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergency transition to remote teaching and learning.

Methods: An email invitation to participate in the study was sent to faculty who taught in an MBA program during both the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 academic school years. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 faculty members who self-selected to participate in the study.

Results: Two salient themes emerged from the research: creating a (remote) sense of community among faculty and facilitating contexts of care for students. These …

Criminal Justice Practitioners Perceptions On Collateral Consequence Policies Affecting Formerly Incarcerated African American Males, Ronnie Devon Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Formerly incarcerated African American males have a challenging time transitioning back into the community due to invisible barriers that impede their opportunities for successful reintegration. This generic qualitative study aimed to explore criminal justice practitioners' perceptions regarding collateral consequence policies for formerly incarcerated African American males. The theoretical framework for the study was labeling theory, which explained how others stigmatize individuals due to their social and environmental characteristics. The research question guiding this study was how criminal justice practitioners perceived the impact of collateral consequence policies on the successful reintegration of African American males. Ten criminal justice practitioners including probation …

A Staff Education Project For Administration Of Phq-9 To Adult Patients In The Emergency Department, Jessica Leigh Ionno

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a global healthcare crisis impacting millions worldwide. In the United States, over 8% of adults experience depression, leading to significant disability and increased healthcare costs. Many individuals with depression seek initial treatment in emergency departments (EDs). This project aims to reduce the burden of depression by training ED nurses to identify at-risk patients early and provide timely interventions and referrals. Benefits include improved patient outcomes, decreased healthcare costs, and social change to address the mental health crisis. Utilizing Malcolm Knowles’ adult learning theory, the project emphasizes collaborative learning relevant to the clinical setting. The partner site is a …

African American Caregivers' Perceptions Of Ecological Factors Related To Hospice Utilization, Monica Prescott Lonon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans remain an underrepresented demographic in hospice care because they underutilize the service at disproportionate rates compared to the total population. The research problem addressed African American perceptions of the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem factors that impacted their perceptions and utilization of hospice. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore African American caregivers’ perceptions of environment-related factors that affected their utilization of hospice care. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 African American family caregivers aged 18 and over, with at least 2 years of experience as hospice caregivers. Findings from coding and …

Understanding The Perception Of Risk For Heart Disease In African American Women, Erica Hudson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart disease is a serious health condition and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. African American women have the highest mortality rate from heart disease compared to any other racial group. The purpose of this research study was to assess knowledge of heart disease, by investigating two constructs of the health belief model: perceived susceptibility and perceived severity. A correlation design was used to analyze survey data from African American women from age 40 to 55 from the Atlanta, Georgia area. The participants completed the assessments on survey monkey. The assessments included a demographic …

Exploring Pre-Service Elementary Teachers’ After Student-Teaching Content Knowledge And Teaching Knowledge Of Fraction Operations, Elizabeth Salgado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With the changes in Common Core State Standards, it was essential to explore how elementary pre-service teachers’ sense of fractions is developing and their thoughts about how to teach fractions. A gap in practice exists because it is unknown how pre-service elementary teachers, after student-teaching, perceive their level of in-practice knowledge in (a) knowledge of content and (b) knowledge of pedagogy in fraction operations. The three research questions centered on content knowledge, pedagogy knowledge, and knowledge of students, and the study was guided by the concepts of Lee Shulman’s categories of teacher knowledge. The purpose of this study was to …

Adults With Avoidant Attachment Styles And Their Online Dating Experien, Amber Mae Nelson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult attachment style can influence how individuals communicate with each other and how they deal with conflict, both of which may influence the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships. Research suggested, that attachment style influenced the level of relationship security individuals experience and the level of intimacy in which they are comfortable engaging. The convenience and popularity of online dating may present unique struggles and benefits for adults with avoidant attachment styles; exploring their online dating experiences may provide insight into the benefits and pitfalls as avoidant individuals pursue romantic relationships. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore …

Exploring Teacher Practices Used To Support Black Students In Two Early College High School Programs, Raquel Hairston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early college high schools (ECHS) have contributed to the increased number of Black students earning associate degrees. However, data show that students considered college and career-ready upon entering the ECHS/dual enrollment program are underperforming in college classes, hindering their acceptance into higher education institutions and bachelor’s degree attainment. This qualitative exploratory study aimed to understand the academic and social practices teachers used to support Black students in college classes and to see if additional resources were needed. Tinto’s student integration theory examined the connection between social and academic integration and student retention. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with seven …

Experiences Of Food Insecurity Among Single Mothers Pursuing Secondary Education, Amber Bernard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of single mothers continues to grow across the nation, and many are at a socioeconomic disadvantage. Little research focuses, however, on how single mothers describe their experiences of balancing motherhood, work, and pursuing higher education, all while undergoing food insecurity. Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping was used to formulate the research design. Semistructured interview questions were used to answer the question of how single mothers with food insecurity describe their experiences pursuing higher education. A generic qualitative research approach was utilized in this study. Interviews were conducted with 10 single mothers pursuing postsecondary education …

Socioeconomic Status On The Management Of Type-2 Diabetes Among African Americans (Aged 26–64) In Rural Pennsylvania, Mariejo Joyce Constant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of knowledge on hardly-reached patients’ socioeconomic status (SES). This quantitative study examined the extent to which SES moderated or impacted the relationships of African American status, rural status, or insurance status with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management outcomes (testing for elevated glucose levels, patient education, and regular doctor visits) for African American individuals of low SES living in rural areas. The theoretical foundation for this study was the ecological systems theory (EST). Secondary data were from the publicly available Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2021 dataset. Binary and linear regression analyses showed insufficient results to …

Nursing Staff Education On Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Related To Nurse-Patient Pain Communication, Kathleen Ranne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perioperative pain is a significant challenge in terms of care of surgical patients which requires effective communication by nurses to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. The communication component of the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocol is a foundation for improved patient outcomes and pain management. The problem that was identified in this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was lack of staff education during the perioperative period related to nurse-patient communications regarding pain management. Using the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation model of instructional design, the purpose of this DNP project was to plan, implement, and evaluate a staff education …

Training Nurse Practitioners And Providers In Primary Care To Screen For Bipolar Disorder, Jane Ngozi Iwebo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The global spotlight on mental illness has challenged healthcare providers to enhance their assessment and diagnosis of various mental health conditions like Bipolar Affective Disorder. Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) is a serious mental illness characterized by severe mood swings ranging from depression to mania, often leading to high rates of suicide and disability. There is a significant gap of 8-10 years between the initial primary care visit and the diagnosis of BPAD leading to delayed treatment and worsening outcomes. The lack of use and/or knowledge of primary care providers on the use of assessment tools, such as the mood disorder …

Exploring Teacher Perceptions On The Effectiveness Of The Freshman Academy, Renee C. Goode-Boyd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A Southeastern school district created freshman academies to assist freshman students with strategies and support they need to combat ninth-grade failure successfully, but little change was observed. The purpose of the study was to explore teachers' perceptions of the freshman academy's transition program structure, benefits, challenges, and effectiveness. The conceptual framework for this study encompassed elements of constructivist theory, which explains how children adapt to their environments and learn how to process information successfully. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions regarding the benefits, challenges, and perceived effectiveness of the freshman academy intervention program. The data for this basic qualitative study …

Leadership Strategies For Small Business’ Sustainability, Abhay Arora

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small business leaders are concerned with the lack of effective leadership strategies for sustaining their businesses, which can jeopardize their long-term operational and financial success. Grounded in systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore leadership strategies small business leaders use to sustain their financial performance. The participants were comprised of four business leaders operating businesses in local malls in Manchester, Connecticut who implemented successful leadership strategies for sustainability. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Five key themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (a) customer focus and service, (b) community engagement, (c) employee collaboration and engagement, …

Examining Psycho-Social Factors Of Foster Parents Who Engage In Contact Sexual Abuse, Heather Lee Manning

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous work has been done to identify psych-social factors of criminals, although no work currently exists to identify the specific type of sexual offender identified within this study- foster parents who sexually offend foster children. This qualitative study focused on pre-determined psycho-social factors of both male and female offenders. The study reviewed nine cases which met the inclusion criteria and where sufficient data was able to be collected. Results of the study revealed that most offenders were male, most were married or in an otherwise committed relationship with a consenting adult during the time of their offending behaviors. These finding …

Impact Of Parental Attachment On Family Communication Patterns About Sex And Intimacy, Trish Mook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Risky sexual behaviors in adolescence continue to be a social problem that impacts individuals, families, and communities across the United States. Previous research showed that parents who actively talk with their adolescents about sex and intimacy topics reduce their likelihood of engaging in these behaviors. Still, less is known about what motivates a parent to engage in these discussions. This correlational quantitative research study aimed to apply Bowlby’s attachment theory and McLeod and Chaffee’s family communication patterns theory to identify if a relationship exists between parental attachment style and the family communication patterns that a parent employs when discussing sex …

Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Faculty’S Experiences Of Providing Incivility Awareness Education To Students, Emily Vanessa Pappa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated prelicensure baccalaureate nursing faculty’s lived experiences of providing incivility awareness education to students. The problem was that previous research regarding incivility awareness education to prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students focused on pilot studies to find effective strategies and students’ receptiveness to educational approaches, but it lacked the nurse educators’ experiences of delivering the education. The purpose was to explore the lived experiences of nurse educators providing incivility awareness education to prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students. with at least 1 year of teaching experience in prelicensure baccalaureate nursing programs and had taught the topic of incivility awareness. Using the qualitative …

Exploring Parent Engagement In School-Based Behavioral Health Programs, Tina Marie Wehner Hickman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is important to address the concept of parental involvement in school-based mental health counseling in order to address the presence of mental health issues in students. In school-based mental health services, enlisting parent engagement in adolescent interventions can be difficult and can, therefore, inhibit positive adolescent mental health outcomes. This case study examined an educational organization in the southwestern United States to identify barriers inhibiting parent involvement in adolescent school-based mental health and to explore strategies to encourage parent engagement. The Baldrige performance excellence framework was utilized as a guide to inform an understanding of the organization’s mission, strategic …