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The Lived Experiences Of Mental Health Clinicians Treating Adolescents Diagnosed With Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Gilbert Hernandez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Transformational Role Of Perceived Self-Efficacy In Combating Online Exam Anxiety, Ana Pereles, Carmen Romero-García

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective:This study investigates how university students’ perceived self-efficacy influences anxiety levels during online examinations, a pressing issue amplified by disruptions caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)–driven assessment concerns. The aim is to analyze the relationship between self-efficacy and online test anxiety, identifying effective strategies to mitigate its effects.

Method: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was conducted. Searches in Scielo, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest Education, Google Scholar, and Dialnet databases included peer-reviewed articles in education, psychology, social sciences, and computer sciences, published …

Resilience, Stress, And Emotion Regulation In College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model Of Tiktok Engagement, Samuel Bibat, Jon Thang, Hui Zhang, Hannah Carrie, Jessica Golden

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study examined associations between stress, resilience, emotion regulation (ER), and TikTok use. Data were collected from 101 undergraduate students (M_age = 20.04, SD_age = 4.02) at a Midwestern private university. Participants completed self-report measures of TikTok use and intensity (i.e., emotional attachment), resilience, perceived stress, and intrapersonal and interpersonal ER. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS macro models. Stress mediated the relationship between resilience and TikTok use but not intensity. Interpersonal ER moderated the resilience–stress link, with higher interpersonal ER amplifying the negative association between resilience and stress, which in turn was linked …

Strategies To Increase Service Utilization And Profitability In The Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business, Ugochukwu Obidiugwu Onyemaobi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Underutilization of services is a concern for business managers because it reduces organizational profitability and efficiency. Business leaders in non-emergency medical transportation organizations are particularly affected by this issue due to its impact on operational sustainability. Grounded in change management and innovation theories, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry explores strategies managers use to mitigate service underutilization and increase profitability. The participants were six managers of non-emergency medical transportation businesses who implemented successful strategies to mitigate service underutilization and increase profitability. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and publicly available documents. Through thematic analysis, six themes were identified: (a) optimizing scheduling efficiency, …

Perceptions Of Instructional Accommodations Among Nursing Students With Information Processing Disorder, Imaobong Aliyu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Instructional accommodations in nursing education often emphasize testing adjustments, while classroom-based instructional support for students with information processing challenges remains underexamined. This descriptive qualitative study explored pre-licensure nursing students’ perceptions of instructional accommodations for students with information processing disorders in Southern California. Guided by humanistic learning theory, the study addressed the research question: What are the perceptions of instructional accommodations in the classroom setting among pre-licensure nursing students with information processing disorders? Seven pre-licensure nursing students participated in semistructured Zoom interviews. Data were analyzed using an inductive process consistent with Saldaña’s analytic approach. Analysis revealed one overarching theme- Instructional accommodations …

Optimizing The Charge Nurse Role To Improve Workflow And Communication In A Community Living Center, Ndidi Kalu Ibe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated the impact of optimizing the charge nurse role on workflow efficiency and communication within a Community Living Center. Identified practice gaps included role ambiguity, inconsistent delegation, and communication breakdowns, which contributed to delays in care and decreased staff satisfaction. An evidence-based approach was used to standardize charge nurse responsibilities, strengthen leadership practices, and introduce structured communication processes. The project demonstrated that improving role clarity and leadership consistency supports more effective delegation, enhances team communication, and improves care coordination. Outcome included increased staff engagement, improved workflow efficiency, and enhanced patient safety. This initiative …

General Education Teacher Experiences With Implementing Inclusion In Middle School, Kelly Anne Bodkin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A state in the Pacific Northwest implemented an initiative to increase access to the general education setting for students with disabilities; however, students with disabilities continue to perform significantly below grade level standards despite the increase in inclusion. Guided by Bandura’s social cognitive theory of self-efficacy, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of the challenges, successes, and necessary resources of eight general education teachers who teach students with disabilities in their classrooms. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight general education teachers teaching students with disabilities in the general education setting. Thematic analysis using deductive …

Successful Strategies Business Leaders Use To Implement Artificial Intelligence For Achieving Financial Benefits, Swain C. Riley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) strategies can erode organizational performance. Senior business leaders who struggle to integrate AI into core operations may find their organizations facing increased costs, reduced efficiency, and weakened competitiveness. Grounded in Lewin’s change management theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore effective strategies business leaders use to implement AI technologies to reduce costs and improve profitability. The participants were 10 senior business leaders who successfully implemented AI strategies within their organizations and were recruited via professional networking platforms. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and publicly available …

Mindfulness-Based Interventions To Improve Anxiety And Depression Outcomes In Adult Patients, Eunice Onyinye Nsofor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent mental health conditions and significantly affect quality of life, daily functioning, and healthcare utilization among adult patients. Despite strong evidence supporting mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as effective nonpharmacologic approaches for managing anxiety and depression, these interventions remain underutilized in many clinical settings due to limited staff knowledge and inconsistent referral practices. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement and evaluate a structured staff education program designed to improve staff knowledge of mindfulness-based interventions for adult patients with anxiety and depression. The practice-focused question examined whether staff education on MBIs …

Strategies Used By Software Leaders To Manage Technical Debt, Noel G. Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of effective strategies for managing software technical debt (TD) can negatively affect organizational performance. Software leaders are concerned that unmanaged TD threatens business growth and competitiveness. Grounded in bounded rationality theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies used by software leaders to reduce software TD. The participants were six senior software leaders from private software companies in the United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and the review of publicly available industry reports. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) balancing product delivery and technical health; (b) leadership, stewardship, and …

Perceptions Of Novice Elementary Teachers Working In Mainstream Classrooms With English Language Learner Students, Cristin Mccue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates preservice teacher training frequently does not foster the pedagogical and linguistic expertise required to support students developing English proficiency. The problem addressed through this study was that novice teachers do not have the skills and knowledge to meet the learning needs of English language learners (ELLs) in mainstream classrooms. Guided by the integrated collaborative learning approach, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine how novice teachers perceive the challenges of supporting ELLs in mainstream classrooms and the types of support they believe are necessary for student success. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 …

Telehealth Workflow Optimization, Taku Ajongakoh Stella

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This evidence-based quality improvement (EBQI) project addresses the 36% telehealth no-show rate at an outpatient behavioral health clinic in Maryland. High attrition rates currently compromise continuity of care and result in a projected annual revenue loss of $124,000. The present project proposed a standardized workflow redesign in the current Integrated Care Approach (ICA) notes Electronic Health Record (EHR) system to address the manual outreach inconsistency. Significant interventions involved the activation of automated multimodal reminders at 72-hour, 24-hour, and 1-hour intervals, and the obligatory 24-hour technical pre-verification connection. Moreover, the project introduced a systematic 48-hour follow-up procedure of missed visits to …

Lived Experiences Of Black Counselor Educator Mothers: Intersecting Identities In Academic And Professional Spaces, Althea Genae Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black counselor educator mothers navigate intersecting identities. Despite growing attention to women of color, scholarship remains limited on how Black counselor educator mothers manage caregiving and professional duties. This gap contributes to practices that overlook labor, taxation, and strains that affect retention and the ability to thrive. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to answer the question of what the lived experiences of Black counselor educator mothers are as they navigate the intersecting identities of race, gender, and motherhood in their personal and professional lives. This study also answered the question of what meaning Black counselor educator mothers …

Empowering Nurses To Save Lives: Suicide Prevention Education And Training For Outpatient Nurses In Prince George’S County, Maryland, Oludoyin O. Ajala

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide remains a significant public health concern, with increasing prevalence across diverse populations. Outpatient nurses frequently encounter individuals at risk for suicide; however, many report limited confidence and inconsistent use of evidence-based assessment tools, contributing to missed opportunities for early intervention. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project was to implement a structured suicide prevention education program to improve nurses’ knowledge, confidence, and ability to identify and manage suicide risk. The practice-focused question examined whether implementing a structured suicide prevention education program for outpatient nurses would increase knowledge and confidence in identifying and intervening with patients …

The Association Between Racial Discrimination And Pregnancy-Related Hypertension Among Department Of Health And Human Services Regions Between 2016 And 2022, Emily Chew

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study examined the association between racial discrimination and pregnancy-related hypertension among women age 18–40 in the United States, and how this relationship is modified by age and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regions (states). Guided by the social ecological model, this research measured whether race, place, and lived experiences of discrimination contributed to disparities in maternal health outcomes. The study utilized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data set (2016–2022) which represented 81% of United States live births (n=249,970). The independent variable was self-reported racial discrimination during pregnancy, delivery, …

A Grounded Theory Approach To Explaining Leadership And Leadership Processes Among Oncology Social Workers, Larmender Amia Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The absence of comprehensive field-specific leadership theories leaves oncology social work leaders insufficiently equipped to navigate organizational challenges such as policy shifts, financial pressures, and workforce dynamics. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to generate an explanatory theory of leadership grounded in the experiences of social work leaders practicing in oncology settings. The grounded theory and a conceptual framework on leadership processes, ethical identity, and organizational context guided this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 12 oncology social work leaders in the United States. Five categories emerged and were analyzed using the constant comparative method: …

Health-Related Quality Of Life Of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In Malaysia, Stephanie Yang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine condition among women of reproductive age. PCOS is known to be a chronic disease that presents significant physical and body image issues, which in turn are associated with lowered emotional and health-related quality of life. Previous studies point to widespread dissatisfaction and delays with the diagnosis of PCOS and a lack of information provided by doctors. This phenomenological study was guided by Wilson and Cleary’s model of health-related quality of life to explore the health-related quality of life in Malaysian women with PCOS. Seven Malaysian women aged 29 to 50 years …

Strategies To Improve Diversity In Leadership And The Representation Of Black Women Within An Integrated Nonprofit Health Care System, Dominique Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black women have been underrepresented in health care leadership, specifically at the senior level. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify strategies that could be implemented to increase representation for Black women in health care leadership, with emphasis on senior leadership. The review question centered on sustainable strategies and best practices that support an increased representation of Black women in health care leadership. Relational leadership theory (RLT) served as the theoretical framework, demonstrating that leadership advancement is influenced by relational networks. A comprehensive literature review identified 50 articles that were critically appraised using the John Hopskins evidence tools, …

Strategies To Improve Caregiver Satisfaction With Telehealth In Autism Care, Navid Dezhnabadi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increasing use of telehealth in autism care has created opportunities to improve caregiver satisfaction as it remains a critical challenge in pediatric specialty settings. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify strategies that healthcare administrators can implement to improve caregiver satisfaction with telehealth platforms and optimize care delivery for autism patients. Using an integrative review methodology and viewed from the lens of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework, evidence from 20 research and non-research sources published between 2018 and 2025 were analyzed, using the Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model and synthesized. The …

Effective Strategies For Onboarding Programs Mitigating Turnover Of Recently Separated Veterans, Jamie Reed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High rates of early turnover among recently separated veterans weaken workforce stability and disrupt both family and organizational outcomes. Employers, veteran service organizations, and families are concerned that without comprehensive onboarding programs, veterans’ adjustment and retention will suffer. Grounded in Schlossberg’s adult transition theory and the 4S transition model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective onboarding strategies to mitigate turnover among recently separated veterans. The participants were six business leaders with experience onboarding veterans in Department of Defense-contracted industries in the United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and publicly available documents. Through thematic …

Staff Education To Improve Culturally Responsive Mental Health Care For African Immigrants, Martha Eseh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health disparities among African immigrant populations are often influenced by cultural stigma, limited mental health literacy, and providers’ insufficient understanding of culturally specific beliefs and help-seeking behaviors. In outpatient psychiatric settings, these gaps can negatively affect engagement, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether a structured staff education program could improve provider knowledge of culturally responsive care for African immigrant patients. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model, a pretest–posttest design was implemented with 13 interprofessional staff members, including psychiatric providers, therapists, and support staff, in an outpatient mental health …

Information Security Strategies To Thwart Cybersecurity Attacks In The Financial Services Industry, Donovan Anthony Miles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial markets and industries are vulnerable to ransomware attacks. Information technology (IT) security subject matter experts (SMEs) are concerned about ransomware cyberattacks on critical infrastructure that threaten their customers’ financial privacy and the institution’s reputation, causing severe financial losses and diminishing productivity. Grounded in the diffusion of innovation theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies IT security SMEs use to increase the implementation of existing solutions to thwart cybersecurity attacks in the financial services sector. The participants were six IT security SMEs in the financial industry in the Northeast United States who were responsible for …

Student Perspectives On Title Ix Policy Across North Texas College Campuses, Felicia Chism

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study examined how North Texas higher education students’ lived experiences with Title IX (TIX) shaped their perceptions of the policy’s fairness, accessibility, and implementation. The study addressed the problem that experiential perspectives of TIX remain underexplored, despite their importance for understanding institutional accountability and student trust. Guided by the social ecological model and organizational justice theory, the research investigated how individual, relational, institutional, and societal factors influenced students’ interpretations of TIX processes. Eight students from North Texas public universities who had direct involvement in a closed TIX case participated in semi‑structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Moustakas’s …

Strategies For Integrated Primary Care Clinics To Improve Administrative Costs Due To Medication Nonadherence, Michael A. Watkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication non-adherence is a pervasive issue that drives up administrative costs for integrated primary care clinics. Total administrative costs for medication non-adherence account for one-quarter of U.S. healthcare expenditures. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify cost-reduction strategies that integrated primary care clinic administrators can implement to offset costs associated with medication nonadherence. The theoretical framework for this integrative review was Bertalanffy’s general systems theory. The review question was to identify strategies that primary care clinics could implement to reduce administrative costs associated with patient medication nonadherence. A comprehensive literature search yielded 1,892 potential articles. A quality analysis …

Prenatal Care Access And Pregnancy Outcomes Among Black Women Ages 15–44 In Cook County, Illinois, Deandrea Heggins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal health disparities affecting Black women in the United States remain a persistent public health concern due to inequities in prenatal care access and adverse birth outcomes. Prior research has shown that socioeconomic conditions, insurance coverage, and systemic barriers influence prenatal care utilization and maternal outcomes; however, limited research has examined how Medicaid coverage, household income, preterm birth, and birth weight are collectively associated with prenatal care access among Black women in Cook County, Illinois. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationships among these factors and access to prenatal care among Black women ages 15–44 …

Executive Summary: Executive Leadership System Improvement Improving Depression Screening And Follow Up Processes, Rebecca Geneiveve Hidalgo Salomon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression remains a significant public health burden in the United States, contributing to disability, healthcare utilization, and economic cost. Internal 2024 audits at the project site identified variability in Patient Health Questionnaire 9 PHQ 9 screening and follow up processes, with 68% of screenings completed, 55% of follow ups timely, and disparities among patients with limited English proficiency. These findings indicate a systems level reliability and equity gap. This executive leadership system improvement project focused on developing a standardized, nurse led, electronic health record supported workflow to improve PHQ 9 completion and timely follow up. The practice focused question asked …

Lived Experiences Of Husbands Of Deployed Military Spouses, Timothy Lee Heath

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The focus of this study was to explore the lived experiences of civilian husbands during the deployment of their active-duty spouses. Although there is plenty of information concerning the negative and demanding impacts of deployment on female spouses and children, more is needed to understand the lived experiences of husbands of deployed soldiers. Research has confirmed that husbands of deployed soldiers have distinctive gender-specific needs that have been inadequately addressed, leading to adverse psychosocial effects. The couple adaptation to traumatic stress model and gender role theory served as the frameworks for this study to identify the psychosocial issues faced by …

Human Service Professionals’ Perceptions Culturally Competent Resources For Transracial Adoption, Rachelle Tau-Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transracial adoption continues to increase in the United States, particularly in states with predominantly White populations; yet, culturally competent preparation and postadoption resources remain limited. The lack of structured cultural socialization and race-responsive supports places transracially adopted youth at increased risk for identity disruption, mental health challenges, and experiences of racism and microaggressions. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to explore human service professionals’ perceptions of the services needed to provide culturally competent resources for transracial adoption in Washington State. Guided by the Transracial Adoption Parenting Series framework developed by the Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families, …

Occupational Stressors Correlated With Depression And Burnout Among Criminal Defense Attorneys, Fay Frances Spence

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No prior studies have compared occupational stressors of criminal defense lawyers by practice setting (public defender, court-appointed, or retained). In this mixed-method study, the goal was to identify occupational stressors perceived by criminal defense lawyers in different settings and to determine if those stressors were correlated with depression, anxiety, and burnout, using Maslach’s burnout-engagement continuum as the theoretical framework. Based on stressors identified in semistructured interviews with 15 criminal defense lawyers, the Criminal Defender Stress Survey (CDSS) was created to measure the frequency and perceived intensity of identified stressors. The CDSS was incorporated into an online survey, along with the …

Strategies Of It Leaders For Deploying Cloud-Native Applications In Emerging Markets, Peter Ekhator

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cloud-native applications are transforming organizational information technology (IT) operations by enabling scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency. However, some IT leaders in emerging markets lack evidence-based strategies for successfully deploying cloud-native applications. IT leaders and organizational decision-makers are concerned because ineffective deployment limits the ability to leverage cloud technologies for innovation, operational resilience, and sustained competitiveness. Grounded in the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies IT leaders use to deploy cloud-native applications in emerging-market contexts. Data were collected using semistructured interviews from 10 IT leaders with experience deploying cloud-native applications and were supplemented …