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Efficacy Of Methods Available To Remove Environmental Tobacco Smoke In Vehicles, Brian Albert Nielson Jan 2018

Efficacy Of Methods Available To Remove Environmental Tobacco Smoke In Vehicles, Brian Albert Nielson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a serious public health threat. Residual ETS in vehicles unknowingly exposes future occupants to environmental tobacco smoke. Reducing or removing exposure to ETS has been proven to reduce long-term health complications. This quasi-experimental study investigated 5 cleaning methods and their effect on air particulate matter2.5 (PM2.5) along with the correlation between air nicotine levels and PM2.5 levels. Study variables included cleaning methods as the independent variable, and changes in air nicotine and PM2.5 levels as the dependent variables. This study is framed within primary prevention and risk reduction based on the harm reduction theory. The …

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Minority Stress And Mental Health Among Transgender Persons, Elizabeth Alice Sapareto Jan 2018

Minority Stress And Mental Health Among Transgender Persons, Elizabeth Alice Sapareto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transgender people, a minority population, are at increased risk for negative health and mental health consequences. Profound societal discrimination and stigmatization lead to systemic institutional barriers and lack of access to health care services. Research with lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations shows a strong association between minority stress and mental health; however, there is a gap in research for the transgender population. This study, based on theories of minority stress, positive psychology, the biopsychosocial model, and the transgender model, was conducted to clarify this relationship for the transgender population. Four research questions were proposed. A final sample of N = …

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Strategies For Improving Profitability Through Effective Internal Controls, Melissa M. Washington Jan 2018

Strategies For Improving Profitability Through Effective Internal Controls, Melissa M. Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Between 2007 and 2009, the United States experienced a financial crisis. Many businesses experienced difficulties obtaining funds for projects and working capital due to the great recession. As a result, many business owners filed for bankruptcy. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that some small business owners in the construction industry used when implementing internal control processes to improve profits. The study population entailed 6 individuals in the southeast region of the United States who successfully implemented internal control processes to improve profits. The data collected were from face-to-face interviews, analysis of company documents, and …

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Nursing Self-Efficacy In The Acute Care Setting With The Neighborhood Staffing Model, Laurie Swaney Berghoff Jan 2018

Nursing Self-Efficacy In The Acute Care Setting With The Neighborhood Staffing Model, Laurie Swaney Berghoff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to changes in health care, along with increasing technological demands, nurse's experiences increased stress. Nurses who are asked to staff another area other than their own have increased stress that can lead to increased nurse turnover, absences, and nursing dissatisfaction scores. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess whether limiting what units a nurse works on can reduce nurse stress, improve self-efficacy, and improve nurse job satisfaction. The design of this pilot placed like nursing units within a neighborhood staffing model for floating. The plan-do-check-act model was used as a framework to implement a change in …

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Case Management And Social Work Practice In Public Schools, Grace Charriez Rivera Jan 2018

Case Management And Social Work Practice In Public Schools, Grace Charriez Rivera

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, 66% of elementary and secondary school students experience academic difficulties. Evidence-based implementation and data-driven practices in the field of school social work to address these academic difficulties are lacking. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions of school social workers in a public school division in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States regarding the use and effectiveness of case management strategies with at-risk students. Ecological theory and social constructionism theory provided the framework for the study. Qualitative focus group discussion involving 8 social workers in the division was used to collect …

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The Underrepresentation Of Low Socioeconomic Status Children In Gifted And Talented Programs, Teresa Clark-Massey Jan 2018

The Underrepresentation Of Low Socioeconomic Status Children In Gifted And Talented Programs, Teresa Clark-Massey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem is children from low socioeconomic status households are often underrepresented in gifted and talented programs. Only a small percentage of these students is selected to participate in the district's gifted program. The purpose of the study was to help appropriately identify and include low SES children in the district's gifted program. The social constructivist foundation was applied for a better understanding of how the environment affects a child's learning and how social factors contribute to cognitive development, which could possibly alter the perceptions of how successful children can be. The guiding questions revolved around the teachers' perceptions of …

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Improving The Care Of Patients With Urinary Catheters Through A Quality Improvement, Ashley Nicole Holmstrom Jan 2018

Improving The Care Of Patients With Urinary Catheters Through A Quality Improvement, Ashley Nicole Holmstrom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) significantly increases patient morbidity and mortality, length of stay, and organizational cost. In the 2 years prior to project implementation, the incidence of CAUTI increased by 15% in the local acute care, inpatient facility that served as the project site. Nursing leaders at the project site linked the increase in CAUTIs to a nursing knowledge deficit related to CAUTI prevention principles. The clinical question focused on the impact of CAUTI prevention staff training on the incidence of CAUTI, length of stay, and cost to the local acute care organization. After a review and critical appraisal …

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Resiliency Factors In African American Female Students In Single-Gender Educational Settings, Phyllis Lynette Hill Jan 2018

Resiliency Factors In African American Female Students In Single-Gender Educational Settings, Phyllis Lynette Hill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Resiliency is a critical factor in educational success; the gap exists in the research regarding the effect of resiliency in the educational success of African American female students. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological research (IPR) study was to explore and describe the lived experience of single-gender education through African American female student alumnae to capture and distill their shared experience of educational resilience and competence. Framework drew on gender-relevant education, social capital, racial identity and socialization. Research perspective that participants were viewed consisted of critical race feminism theory and competency versus deficit or risk perspective. Research questions focused on …

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Citizen Perceptions Of Institutional Disparities And The Reintegration Of Nonviolent Drug Related Offenders, Terrance Hinton Jan 2018

Citizen Perceptions Of Institutional Disparities And The Reintegration Of Nonviolent Drug Related Offenders, Terrance Hinton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2017, Louisiana had the highest incarceration rate in the nation with 1,420 of every 100,000 adult males being placed in a state or local penitentiary. To address this issue, a series of criminal justice reforms were passed within the Louisiana legislature that released thousands of former offenders back into the community. The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand the attitudes, thoughts, and opinions of citizens in a single Louisiana city regarding ex-offender re-integration and disparities within the criminal justice system. March and Olsen's Rational Choice Institutionalism was used to explain how environment impacts individual perception and choices …

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Validating A Home Health Care Staff Educational Module For Wound Treatment And Documentation, Kimberly Sanders Hebert Jan 2018

Validating A Home Health Care Staff Educational Module For Wound Treatment And Documentation, Kimberly Sanders Hebert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although guidelines and minimal standards for the care and documentation of wounds in home health care settings in the United States are available, there is a lack of compliance among many home health care agencies (HHAs) with regard to the accuracy of wound documentation and care of wounds. Failure to follow guidelines for wound care according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Home Health Outcome and Assessment Information System standards could result in loss of revenue for HHAs, improper treatment of wounds, and legal ramifications. The purpose of this doctoral project was to develop and validate a staff …

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Walking And Talking For The Elevation Of Mood And Satisfaction Levels, Lori Jean Kellner-Schoelles Jan 2018

Walking And Talking For The Elevation Of Mood And Satisfaction Levels, Lori Jean Kellner-Schoelles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study is important because of the high prevalence of mental and physical disorders experienced by American adults. These bring undue strain to those suffering them and to the health care system because research indicates that many of these disorders may be mitigated via supportive conversation, or through the practice of physical exercise. The purpose of this quantitative treatment-control study was to examine the relationship between the practice of walking/talking and resulting mood and satisfaction levels. Self-determination theory and biopsychosocial perspectives were used to provide a framework for the study. The research questions asked whether there was a mood response …

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Women Of Intimate Partner Abuse: Traumatic Bonding Phenomenon, Meghan Koch Jan 2018

Women Of Intimate Partner Abuse: Traumatic Bonding Phenomenon, Meghan Koch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers indicate women succumb to relational abuse as seen with maladaptive attachment, identity enmeshment, and implicit maltreatment. Implicit violence and nonviolence, bonding victims to victimizers remains unstudied, although the domestic abuse phenomenon continues. Intimate partner abuse was examined through qualitative inquiry. There is much to learn about female victim perspectives describing attachment bonds, identity conflicts, and implicit maltreatment experiences. Traumatic bonding theory served as the lens through which female participant responses were examined in this study. Research questions were developed to focus on female attachment bond perceptions, views concerning self-esteem, self-identity, or self-reference, and implicit aggression, coercive control, or manipulation …

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Exploring Sports Participation And Sexual Risk Behaviors In High School Males, Jessica L. Dupree Jan 2018

Exploring Sports Participation And Sexual Risk Behaviors In High School Males, Jessica L. Dupree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Casual sex culture, also known as hook-up culture, is an experience adversely affecting teens in America. The intent of this study was to test the association between sports participation and sexual risk behaviors among high school males. For the purpose of this study, sports participation, the independent variable, was defined by having played on a sports team in the last 12 months. The sexual risk behaviors, dependent variables, were defined by sexual engagement with multiple partners, drug and alcohol use before intercourse, and sex without condoms. The ecological model provided the theoretical foundation for the study. Secondary analysis of the …

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Empowering Cultural Competency In Healthcare Providers, Betty Antoinette Dement Jan 2018

Empowering Cultural Competency In Healthcare Providers, Betty Antoinette Dement

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Racial and ethnic health disparities are highest in communities of color; providing culturally competent care could address these disparities. Culturally competent communication between the healthcare provider and the patient is an essential behavior that may improve health in racially and ethnically diverse women. A quality improvement project was completed with guidance from the 5 constructs of the Campinha-Bacote model as the conceptual framework, and the method used was the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. The perspective of 20 Mexican American and 20 African American women in El Paso, Texas between ages 45 and 72 with menopausal symptoms …

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Leadership, Organizational Turnarounds, And Gil Hodges's 1969 New York Mets, John Rebecchi Jan 2018

Leadership, Organizational Turnarounds, And Gil Hodges's 1969 New York Mets, John Rebecchi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The impact of the 2008 global financial crisis, shifting market demands, and prolonged underperformance has forced organizations to devise and implement turnaround strategies or risk business failure. Researchers have pointed to the importance of leadership in the turnaround process, yet there are a limited number of research studies identifying characteristics of successful turnaround leaders. Using the full range leadership model, the purpose of this nonexperimental, ex post facto study was to examine the leadership style of Gil Hodges, manager during the 1969 New York Mets successful turnaround season and explore the organization's culture and climate. Data were collected using the …

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The Relationship Between Nurse Staffing And Quality Outcomes In Georgia Nursing Homes, Tamara Kathleen Stephens Jan 2018

The Relationship Between Nurse Staffing And Quality Outcomes In Georgia Nursing Homes, Tamara Kathleen Stephens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The quality of care in United States' nursing homes has been of concern to consumers, government agencies, and researchers for several decades. Nurse staffing has been identified as a key factor influencing the quality of care in nursing homes. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational research was to determine if relationships existed between nurse staffing levels and three quality care outcomes in the state of Georgia. Donabedian's quality conceptual framework guided the study. The framework encompasses three interrelated dimensions of quality including structure, process, and outcomes. Nurse staffing levels and facility bed size represented the structure of nursing homes and …

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Well-Being Among Parents Of Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities When Transitioning From High School, Teshawnia Thompson Jan 2018

Well-Being Among Parents Of Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities When Transitioning From High School, Teshawnia Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transition out of high school for young adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs) has been described as a stressful time for individuals and their families, with increased demands for caregiving and parental support. A lack of research is associated specifically with those individuals with moderate IDs and their parents' experiences of well-being during the transition process. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how parents of young adult-aged children with moderate IDs experience well-being as their child transitions from high school to adulthood. Ryff's model of psychological well-being was used as the conceptual framework to better understand and explore …

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Exploring The Multicultural Pedagogy Of Ces Faculty Through An Intersectional Lens, Jenae D. Thompson Jan 2018

Exploring The Multicultural Pedagogy Of Ces Faculty Through An Intersectional Lens, Jenae D. Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Counselor education and supervision (CES) faculty members are responsible for adequately preparing counselors-in-training (CIT) for their work with diverse populations. Current literature explains traditional multicultural counseling education in this way; however, little research is available exploring faculty members' personal and professional experiences with intersectionality and how those experiences contribute to their pedagogy. In this dissertation, CES faculty members' experiences with intersectionality theory and how they could use this theory in their multicultural pedagogy were explored. Research questions exploring CES faculty use of intersectionality in their multicultural coursework, how their personal experiences contribute to their pedagogy, and their experiences with privilege …

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Competence Of Behavioral Health Clinicians In Integrated Care Settings, Agyenim Akuamoah-Boateng Jan 2018

Competence Of Behavioral Health Clinicians In Integrated Care Settings, Agyenim Akuamoah-Boateng

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Collaborative efforts between medical and behavioral health professionals is required to simultaneously treat individuals with medical and mental health disorders. However, there is lack of focus on the competencies and trainings needed by behavioral health clinicians (BHCs) transitioning to integrated primary care (IPC) settings. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of BHCs who have transitioned from specialty outpatient behavioral healthcare settings to IPC settings. Semi-structured interview questions were used to collect data. Using interpretive phenomenological data analysis approach, themes and the shared meanings and experiences of 8 licensed BHCs were explored. Seven …

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Gender, Social Support, And Resiliency In Suicidal Ideation Among U.S. Army Soldiers, John Franklin Ambrose Jan 2018

Gender, Social Support, And Resiliency In Suicidal Ideation Among U.S. Army Soldiers, John Franklin Ambrose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicidal behaviors have continued to increase in the United States (U.S.) Army population since the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Suicide rates are higher in men compared to women; yet, the rate of suicidal ideation is higher in women than men. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between suicidal ideation and protective factors, if social support and resiliency are different for men and women within the U.S. Army population, and if gender acts as a moderating variable between suicidal ideation and protective factors. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior was …

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Understanding Feeding Style And Young Children's Consumption Of Food, Mary W. Bean Jan 2018

Understanding Feeding Style And Young Children's Consumption Of Food, Mary W. Bean

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to increased rates of childhood obesity since 2010, researchers have examined family environmental factors and family influences on children's consumption of healthy foods. While previous research has examined how factors such as food presentation and the food intake of other family members can predict a child's body mass index, there has been little research examining whether parent factors predict the amount of healthy foods children eat. This quantitative survey study examined whether certain parent factors, specifically parents' attitudes about food, parents' feeding styles, and parents' attachment styles, predicted the amount of fruits and vegetables children ate. Understanding the extent …

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Student Perceptions Of E-Assessment Tools For Sign Language Interpretation, Marc Boese Jan 2018

Student Perceptions Of E-Assessment Tools For Sign Language Interpretation, Marc Boese

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

American Sign Language (ASL) has grown to be the 3rd largest enrolled secondary language course in the United States, and colleges and universities seek to identify effective assessment methods for this visual-based language. Although much research exists on sign language e-learning programs, asynchronous video feedback, and sign recognition software, very few studies have been conducted on using technology to as a method of assessment for sign language courses. The purpose of this hermeneutical, phenomenological, qualitative study was to document the lived experiences of students using the electronic assessment tool, GoReact, in courses. The conceptual framework was guided by engagement theory …

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After-School Mentorship Program And Self-Efficacy Beliefs In Middle-School Students, Atia D. Mark Jan 2018

After-School Mentorship Program And Self-Efficacy Beliefs In Middle-School Students, Atia D. Mark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Middle-school students in Nova Scotia are perceived to have low self-efficacy for achieving learning outcomes. Strong self-efficacy beliefs developed through effective curricula have been linked to improved academic performance. However, there is a need for the formal evaluation of effective curricula that aim to improve self-efficacy. The purpose of this project study was to investigate a 10-week, after-school mentorship (ASM) curriculum that has never been evaluated. The outcomes of the curriculum design are to strengthen self-efficacy beliefs via relationship building exercises, public speaking training, and character education. Bandura's theory on self-efficacy, which states that treatment influences can alter the strength …

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Predicting The Nclex-Rn Pass Rate At An Associate Degree Nursing Program, Dawne Devoe Olbrych Jan 2018

Predicting The Nclex-Rn Pass Rate At An Associate Degree Nursing Program, Dawne Devoe Olbrych

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) first-time pass rate for an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program was below the national mean, presenting a problem for graduates who failed the NCLEX-RN and could not enter the workforce as registered nurses. Knowles's assumptions of adult learning, Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve, and Zull's neuroscience research served as the theoretical frameworks for this study. The purpose of this study was to identify which academic and time-lapse variables predict the graduate's first-time passage for the NCLEX-RN. Archived academic records and NCLEX-RN results for all 786 graduates from one ADN program who took …

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Experiences Of Counselors Who Work With Sexual Minorities With A Serious Mental, Anthony Zazzarino Jan 2018

Experiences Of Counselors Who Work With Sexual Minorities With A Serious Mental, Anthony Zazzarino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual minorities (SM) are at a greater risk for experiencing a serious mental illness (SMI) compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Furthermore, SM with a SMI continue to experience stigma and discrimination that leads to more negative outcomes and a greater need for counseling services. Current researchers have not adequately addressed the specific needs of SM with a SMI and how to prepare counselors to work with this population. Furthermore, most SM with a SMI find that counseling services are inadequate and do not meet their unique needs. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study, grounded in a Husserlian philosophical and …

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Improving Advanced Practice Nurses' Knowledge Of Cerebral Hemorrhage Assessment And Management, Kimberly Marie Lombardo Jan 2018

Improving Advanced Practice Nurses' Knowledge Of Cerebral Hemorrhage Assessment And Management, Kimberly Marie Lombardo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cerebral hemorrhages are a type of stroke causing bleeding in the brain from a ruptured brain vessel or an aneurysm. In the emergency department (ED), advanced practice nurses (APNs') play a pivotal role in identifying cerebral hemorrhages. Many APNs' lack the skills necessary to assess, diagnose, and manage this type of stroke. A delay in diagnosis of cerebral hemorrhages carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality and can lead to lifelong disability or death. The framework of this project is the Patricia Benner theory of novice-to-expert, which is a 5-step approach designed to strengthen nursing skills with the goal …

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Leadership Strategies To Improve Employee Performance In The Insurance Industry, Momodou K. Sonko Jan 2018

Leadership Strategies To Improve Employee Performance In The Insurance Industry, Momodou K. Sonko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lack of performance improvement strategies contributes to poor employee performance and increases the potential for business failure. Some insurance business leaders lack strategies to improve employee performance. The purpose of this case study was to explore strategies that successful insurance business leaders use to improve employee performance. The classical management and transformational leadership theories served as the conceptual frameworks for this study. Using a semistructured interview technique, 9 purposefully-selected insurance senior managers in Atlanta, Georgia were interviewed on how they successfully improved employee performance. Through open coding and thematic analysis, 4 themes emerged: goal setting and performance review; effective communication; …

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Reducing Congestive Heart Failure Hospital Readmissions Through Discharge Planning, Lacy Rebaka Thomas Jan 2018

Reducing Congestive Heart Failure Hospital Readmissions Through Discharge Planning, Lacy Rebaka Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Every year, thousands of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. There is a gap in practice in the care continuum of patients with CHF within the transition from hospital to home. One of the factors known to increase a patient's risk for readmission is the lack of patient engagement and self-efficacy regarding the treatment plan. The purpose of this project was to implement a transition of care practice guideline that consisted of the use of a risk identification tool, a customized care plan for patients at high risk for readmission, and …

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Effect Of External Locus-Of-Hope On Acquired Capability For Suicide, Yitzchok Wagshul Jan 2018

Effect Of External Locus-Of-Hope On Acquired Capability For Suicide, Yitzchok Wagshul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have investigated the role of hope as a protective factor against suicide. Of the 3 factors posited by Joiner's interpersonal theory of suicide (IPTS) to be necessary before suicide can occur, increased hope has been shown to reduce 2 (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness), but, counterintuitively, to increase the 3rd (acquired capability for suicide). A fuller understanding of this phenomenon may lie with Bernardo's locus-of-hope construct-pursuant to which hope may lie not only in one's own plans and capabilities (internal locus-of-hope) but in those of others (external locus-of-hope) but to date no study has researched the relationship between external …

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Marital Status And Burdensomeness As Risk Factors Of Suicide Ideation In Poststroke Patients, Froso Andreou Jan 2018

Marital Status And Burdensomeness As Risk Factors Of Suicide Ideation In Poststroke Patients, Froso Andreou

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide (SISAS) are increased in poststroke patients, yet not everyone who has suffered a stroke is at risk for SISAS. Two risk factors for SISAS, marital status and burdensomeness, may be of particular relevance to poststroke patients. The majority of poststroke patients have a disability that may require help from a family member with basic functions such as dressing and bathing. It was not known if being married decreases risk of SISAS for stoke victims as shown in studies with nonpoststroke subjects or increases risk for SISAS due to its influence on feelings of burdensomeness. …

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