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Quality Of Life Of People With Profound Developmental Disabilities Based Upon Residential Settings, Kristin Jill Korinko Jan 2016

Quality Of Life Of People With Profound Developmental Disabilities Based Upon Residential Settings, Kristin Jill Korinko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is much research literature on quality of life with people with varying mild to moderate levels of developmental and intellectual disabilities. A gap remained in the current literature regarding differences between the severe to profound levels of intellectual and developmental disability across residential settings. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of support of people with severe to profound levels of developmental disabilities who resided and received services either in an institution and those who receive services within the community. The theoretical foundation for this study was Maslow's theory of humanism along with the contemporary theory …

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Development And Evaluation Of A Heart Failure Tool For Homebound Patients, Matthew Kaspar Jan 2016

Development And Evaluation Of A Heart Failure Tool For Homebound Patients, Matthew Kaspar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With more than 700,000 new diagnoses annually, congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that affects the chambers of the heart. When not managed correctly, the disease rapidly progresses to substantial fluid volume overload that impacts activities of daily living and the overall quality of life. The financial implications for poor CHF management cost a mean annual medical expenditure of $33,427 per patient per year. The need for a diagnostic and prognostic at-home protocol is needed in the medical community, as there is currently no such tool on the market. Donabedian's framework was used to guide the formulation and …

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Success Strategies For Small Business Owners In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marcellinus Emeka Madu Jan 2016

Success Strategies For Small Business Owners In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marcellinus Emeka Madu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African immigrant business owners create jobs and often stimulate economic growth in distressed inner-city areas, yet they continue to experience barriers obtaining financial support in the United States when trying to gain entrance into the broader economy. The objective of this multiple case study was to explore strategies African immigrant business owners used to succeed in business beyond 5 years. The conceptual framework of this study included resource-based theory, human capital theory, and disadvantage theory. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 3 African immigrant business owners in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who had succeeded in business beyond 5 years. Thematic analysis from interviews, …

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Doing Qualitative Research Online Book Review, Donna M. Busarow Jan 2016

Doing Qualitative Research Online Book Review, Donna M. Busarow

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

A recent addition to qualitative instruction is Salmon's (2016) book, Doing Qualitative Research Online. This book review examines the book as an educational tool for student researchers.

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Developing Strategies Of Organizational Sustainability For Solo And Small Business Medical Practices, Gerald Lloyd Anderson Jan 2016

Developing Strategies Of Organizational Sustainability For Solo And Small Business Medical Practices, Gerald Lloyd Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent trends point toward a decline in solo and small business medical practices, yet, the need and demand still exists for this model of health care. The purpose of this case study was to explore effective approaches to help physicians in solo practice and small medical group primary care practitioners (PCPs) retain their small business medical practices. The study included purposive sampling and face-to-face interviews: 11 physicians, predominately primary care practitioners, in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region, were interviewed until data saturation was reached. A component of systems theory (strategic thinking) and the dynamic capabilities concept were used to frame the …

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Postsecondary Online Students' Preferences For Instructor Feedback, Joseph John Gredler Jan 2016

Postsecondary Online Students' Preferences For Instructor Feedback, Joseph John Gredler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Misalignment between student preferences and instructor assumptions regarding feedback may impede student learning. Researchers have investigated postsecondary students' preferences for types of instructor feedback including written, audio, and video. However, postsecondary online students' preferences have not been explored in a large-sample study. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted to describe postsecondary online students' preferences and the reasons for those preferences. Vygotsky's social-constructivist theory was used to frame instructor feedback as a scaffolding tool to promote self-regulation in student writing. A survey containing quantitative and qualitative questions was used to collect 93 responses from undergraduate and graduate students attending a …

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Fostering An Environment Of Magnet Recognition By Using Internet Technology, Shyneka Montgomery Jan 2016

Fostering An Environment Of Magnet Recognition By Using Internet Technology, Shyneka Montgomery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Magnet Recognition, a nurse-driven certification, is an acknowledgement of nursing excellence within a hospital. Magnetic Recognition supports the highest quality of patient outcomes and is the standard for nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The site for this project has engaged in the process of seeking Magnet Recognition but lacked a method of communicating their progress to staff, prompting the need for the institutional intranet Magnet webpage. Guided by Roger's diffusion of innovation theory and Lewin's change management model, the purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop an evaluation plan for this webpage on the institutional intranet. …

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Effectiveness Of The Kimberley Process And Corporate Social Responsibility In The U.S. Jewelry Industry, Robert Previti Jan 2016

Effectiveness Of The Kimberley Process And Corporate Social Responsibility In The U.S. Jewelry Industry, Robert Previti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States jewelry industry recognized that the illegal import and trade of conflict diamonds is a matter of serious international and national concern, leading to human rights abuse. As such, human rights and conflicts became the primary impetus for establishing the Kimberly Process (KP) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the effectiveness of the KP and CSR policies in deterring the use of conflict diamonds in the U.S. jewelry industry. This study was an investigation as to whether conflict diamonds are entering the U.S. jewelry supply chain and a review …

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Teachers' Perspectives: Face-To-Face And Computer-Based Instruction In Math, Carolyn Jones Sessoms Jan 2016

Teachers' Perspectives: Face-To-Face And Computer-Based Instruction In Math, Carolyn Jones Sessoms

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Differentiated instruction offers opportunities to improve student academic performance, specifically in students with learning disabilities. However, teachers' perceptions of which differentiated-instruction program works best to support differently abled students were unknown. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore teachers' perceptions on whether face-to-face instruction using response to intervention or computer-based learning using TenMarks works best in improving the academic performance of students who are differently abled in mathematics, specifically geometry. Constructivism, social disability theory, and Bandura's social learning theory formed the study's theoretical framework. Research questions guiding the study focused on teachers' perceptions of the advantages and …

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Case Study On How High School Teachers Incorporate Technology In The Classroom To Meet 21st Century Student Learning Needs, Sara Sharick Jan 2016

Case Study On How High School Teachers Incorporate Technology In The Classroom To Meet 21st Century Student Learning Needs, Sara Sharick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students are not adequately prepared to contribute to the workforce or engage in global citizenship in the 21st century. Research indicates proper education of students cannot be accomplished without teachers' acceptance of technology in the classroom, engagement in effective professional development, and ability to transform their curricula. Although there is an abundance of research supporting the use of technology in the classroom, little research has examined how to incorporate the technology into student-centered learning. The research questions in this study examined teachers' use and acceptance of technology in the classroom and how teachers incorporate technology to meet the 21st century …

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Grandparent Support And Juvenile Delinquent Youth, Anita Marie Taboh Jan 2016

Grandparent Support And Juvenile Delinquent Youth, Anita Marie Taboh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juvenile delinquency is a social issue which has been shown to have a significant cost to society in a variety of ways which include community safety, the cost of arrest, charges, and court processes, as well as the damage done in families and to the youth through the label of juvenile delinquent or Person in Need of Supervision (PINs). One important area in treatment and discharge planning for youth designated as either juvenile delinquent or Persons in Need of Supervision is the inclusion of supports to help youth change the trajectory from these behaviors into more socially acceptable activities and …

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Outcomes Of Professional Development For Rural Community College Leaders, William Thompson Thompson Jan 2016

Outcomes Of Professional Development For Rural Community College Leaders, William Thompson Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To mitigate the loss of experienced administrators, community college leaders create internal grow-your-own (GYO) leadership development programs. Although the purpose of these programs is to ensure institutional efficacy by developing a pipeline of administrative and faculty leaders, little attention has been given to learning about the participants' post-program career advancement over time. Consequently, the value of GYO leadership training for participants is not well known. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the post-program professional development of a group of participants 2 years after completing a rural community college GYO leadership program. The conceptual framework was guided …

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Small Learning Communities And High School Academic Success, Jeremy Eugene Warren Jan 2016

Small Learning Communities And High School Academic Success, Jeremy Eugene Warren

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Thousands of students drop out of high school every day in the United States and the repercussions affect more than just the individual. Research on smaller learning communities (SLC) reveals increased student achievement, as well as improved teacher perception of student engagement. Student attendance, grade point average, and standardized test scores have been seen to improve within the SLC. In addition, graduation rates for students enrolled in a SLC have revealed increases, but this research focuses on the SLC as an intervention for any student. The current research targets at-risk students in an educational climate of sparse resources, and an …

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Examining Employee Motivation, Environmental Systems, And Corporate Social Responsibility In Proenvironmental Behavior, Brian Warrick Jan 2016

Examining Employee Motivation, Environmental Systems, And Corporate Social Responsibility In Proenvironmental Behavior, Brian Warrick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The World Health Organization has pointed to climate change as the most significant issue in the 21st century as a result of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Organizations are leaning toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental management systems (EMS) to reverse the current trend; however, these efforts are often ineffective or pooly implemented. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the extent to which employees' proenvironmental behavior relates to their protection motivation and organizational identification, as well as their perception and knowledge of the organization's CSR and EMS, respectively. Using social identity as the theoretical framework, …

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Prescribing Hiv Prep And The Need For Education Among Care Providers, Martin Kokou Logo Jan 2016

Prescribing Hiv Prep And The Need For Education Among Care Providers, Martin Kokou Logo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an innovative biomedical approach that has been used over the past 6 years to avert the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Under-prescribing of PrEP could increase the probability of HIV exposure among serodiscordant couples/partners and those who do not practice safe sex. Previous PrEP research has not assessed the association between awareness of PrEP, years of experience of providers, provider types, and the frequency of PrEP prescription among physicians. Precaution adoption model framed this study, which aimed to evaluate the bond between the independent variables relating to awareness of PrEP, years of experience, and provider …

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High Wire, No Net: Emergence From Generational Poverty Without Higher Education, Corey Alan Caugherty Jan 2016

High Wire, No Net: Emergence From Generational Poverty Without Higher Education, Corey Alan Caugherty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Existing literature indicates that education is vital to overcoming poverty, yet educational prospects for those in persistent, generational poverty (GP) are often limited. This qualitative phenomenological study centered on the emergence from GP of individuals without formal education beyond 12th grade or a high school equivalency certificate, and explored how those who have done it perceived their experiences. Rutter's resilience theory was the conceptual framework for examining this phenomenon and its challenges and processes. A sample of five adult participants from the United States were recruited using a snowball method, completed a screening survey, and then participated in in-depth interviews. …

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Adult Development Of Positive Personality Traits Through Character Formation Mentoring, Robert Mark Colborn Jan 2016

Adult Development Of Positive Personality Traits Through Character Formation Mentoring, Robert Mark Colborn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Positive psychologists have published hundreds of empirical studies correlating positive personality traits with improved outcomes in mental health, physical health, academic and career success, resilience, relationships, and personal happiness. But there remains a dearth of research on the emergence and development of positive personality traits. This grounded theory, qualitative research sought to discover whether positive personality traits can be developed in adult mentoring relationships. Sixteen participants responded in structured interviews about the benefits of their mentoring experiences, and in addition to performing coding analysis as described by Strauss and Corbin (1990), the researcher also compared the answers to Peterson and …

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Return To Full Duty Work: Determining The Ideal Time To Refer Occupationally Isolated Acute Low Back Pain Patients To Physical Therapy, Aletha Mae Stephenson Jan 2016

Return To Full Duty Work: Determining The Ideal Time To Refer Occupationally Isolated Acute Low Back Pain Patients To Physical Therapy, Aletha Mae Stephenson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employees who develop and report nontraumatic acute low back pain that occurs while performing work duties, or shortly thereafter, are classified as having occupational isolated acute low back pain (OIALBP). The purpose of this project was to identify and implement an evidence- based time frame to refer occupational isolated acute low back pain patients (OIALBPPs) to physical therapy (PT) that returns them to full duty work (FDW) more quickly. The diffusion of innovation theory aided the project leader and health care providers to develop strategies to overcome barriers in implementing the project's results into the practice. A total of 932 …

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Mitigating The Effects Of Withdrawal Behavior On Organizations, James Fitzgerald Alexander Jan 2016

Mitigating The Effects Of Withdrawal Behavior On Organizations, James Fitzgerald Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Withdrawal behaviors such as absenteeism, tardiness, turnover intention, and employee disengagement adversely affect organizations, costing billions of dollars annually. However, there is limited research on the best practices for minimizing the effects of employee withdrawal. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore best practices leaders need to mitigate the effects of withdrawal behaviors on organizations. The social learning theory (SLT) served as the conceptual framework for this study. Ten participants were interviewed, including 4 healthcare leaders and 6 health service workers from a correctional facility nursing department in the Southeastern United States. Scholars have indicated that correctional …

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Using Sbar To Decrease Transfers From The Long-Term Care To The Emergency Room, Phyllis Marie Bowers Garrett Jan 2016

Using Sbar To Decrease Transfers From The Long-Term Care To The Emergency Room, Phyllis Marie Bowers Garrett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Care of the elderly, long-term care resident in the emergency department is an issue of importance because of the overall impact on healthcare costs, potential for negative outcomes for the resident, and the loss of revenue. The purpose of this project was to decrease avoidable transfer of residents to the Emergency Department. Using the Antecedent, Target, Measurement logic model, poor quality assessment data was deemed the antecedent of the avoidable transfer. The goal of the project was the implementation of a standardized process of assessment that would have decreased avoidable transfer of the resident. The project would have involved training …

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Veterans' Perceptions Of Military Stigma And The Shame Associated With Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress, Alexander J. Buelna Jan 2016

Veterans' Perceptions Of Military Stigma And The Shame Associated With Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress, Alexander J. Buelna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military stigma is a heavy burden of social stigma internalized by veterans who are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during post-deployment psychological screening. PTSD is classified as a mental disorder associated with widespread reluctance to seek medical assistance. Among military veterans who suffer from combat-related posttraumatic stress (PTS), military stigma is considered a widespread problem. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore veterans' perceptions of various aspects of military stigma, including post-deployment psychological screening, the diagnosis of PTSD, and factors associated with reluctance to seek medical assistance for PTS. In-depth interviews were conducted with a convenience sample …

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Orientation Of Nurses Transitioning Into Hospital Specialty Units, Mary Laly Chacko Jan 2016

Orientation Of Nurses Transitioning Into Hospital Specialty Units, Mary Laly Chacko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Competency-based nurse orientation programs focus on the new nursing graduate and experienced nurse employees' ability to perform skills necessary in a new work setting. The purpose of this project was to develop a learner-focused and competency-based orientation program for new nursing employees at a large urban hospital to enhance patient safety and nurse retention. The Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model and guideline were used in the selection of articles with higher levels of evidence and research quality for the critical appraisal of literature in support of the program development. The best practices for nursing orientation content and delivery for …

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Effectiveness Of Early Childhood Programs On The Literacy Achievement Of Kindergarten Children, Lashia Cox Jan 2016

Effectiveness Of Early Childhood Programs On The Literacy Achievement Of Kindergarten Children, Lashia Cox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood development programs enhance children's development of knowledge, skills, and processes. Despite efforts to improve early childhood education in the United States, poor student performance in early literacy and kindergarten achievement is still occurring, and questions remain unanswered about the utility of early childhood education programs. Drawing from the theory of constructivism, the purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, retrospective study was to determine the effectiveness of early childhood programs on the literacy achievement of kindergarten children. The research question addressed the differences in literacy achievement of kindergarten children based on the early childhood programs they attended. Using repeated measures …

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Differences In Treatment-Seeking And Treatment-Adherence Factors For Tuberculosis In Armenian Versus Non-Armenian Populations Of Los Angeles County, Tanya Marie Ferguson Jan 2016

Differences In Treatment-Seeking And Treatment-Adherence Factors For Tuberculosis In Armenian Versus Non-Armenian Populations Of Los Angeles County, Tanya Marie Ferguson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly, yet curable, infectious disease that continues to be a global health threat. Armenia suffers from rising TB incidence and mortality rates. Armenians living in Los Angeles (LA) County, where TB incidence is higher than national averages, is the second largest Armenian community in the world; therefore implications are that many TB cases are attributed to this group. Using the social ecological model as a theoretical framework, this concurrent, mixed-methods study compared Armenians to non-Armenians in LA County about their knowledge of TB and perceived barriers to seeking and adhering to treatment. Bivariate chi-square analysis from …

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Facilitating The Acquisition Of Social Skills Through Service Learning, Becky J. Hendrickson Jan 2016

Facilitating The Acquisition Of Social Skills Through Service Learning, Becky J. Hendrickson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Deficits in communication affect individuals with autism regarding the ability to access a free and appropriate education as well as quality of life. This research study explored the effects of a service-learning project on acquisition of social skills and reduction of problem behaviors for students who have autism. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Maslow's theory of motivation and Erickson's 8 stages of personality development. A mixed-methods design with sequential transformative strategy was used to collect quantitative data from 5 elementary students who have autism during involvement in service learning; the Social Skills Improvement System was used …

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Perceived Impact Of Prevention And Relationship Enhancement Program (Prep) On Marital Satisfaction, Angel Shantella Pierce Jan 2016

Perceived Impact Of Prevention And Relationship Enhancement Program (Prep) On Marital Satisfaction, Angel Shantella Pierce

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Married couples often face serious issues that require them to make difficult decisions in their relationships. Many couples turn to marital counseling as a means to improve the marriage. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe the experiences of heterosexual married individuals who participated in the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) and how they felt their participation had influenced their perceived satisfaction in their marriages. The theoretical framework that guided this study was social exchange theory, which is a basis for thinking about the influence individuals have on each other in personal relationships. The research …

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African American Single Mothers' Perceptions Of Physical Activity, Sheryl Lynn Richard Jan 2016

African American Single Mothers' Perceptions Of Physical Activity, Sheryl Lynn Richard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Insufficient physical activity detracts from healthy living and has a disparate impact on African American women and their female children. The extensive body of prior research addressing preventable chronic disease and other consequences of insufficient physical activity includes limited information specific to African American single mothers. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of African American single mothers' perceptions of physical activity. Specifically investigated were African American women's familial influences and potential effects of these influences on their children's health behaviors. The health belief model served as the theoretical framework for this study and provided …

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Role Of Outsourcing In Stress And Job Satisfaction Of Information Technology Professionals, Janell Renee Robinson Jan 2016

Role Of Outsourcing In Stress And Job Satisfaction Of Information Technology Professionals, Janell Renee Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Information technology (IT) outsourcing poses a potential job loss threat to IT professionals, which can decrease job security, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. The problem that this study addressed was the perceived role of IT outsourcing in the job stress, job dissatisfaction, and turnover intention of IT professionals. The purpose of this study was to explore how job-related stress, job dissatisfaction, and turnover intention within the IT profession are influenced by outsourcing as perceived by IT workers themselves. Phenomenology was the methodology used, and the person-environment fit theory formed the theoretical framework for this study. The research questions addressed outsourcing …

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Oral Health Status And Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Jail Inmates, April Lee Wendling Jan 2016

Oral Health Status And Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Jail Inmates, April Lee Wendling

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The oral health and hygiene of incarcerated populations, both in the United States and globally, is known to be poorer than that of the general population. This study examined the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease and the relationships between oral health status and the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of jail inmates housed in a large metropolitan jail located in the midwestern United States. This cross-sectional study collected data from 100 inmates using a 21-item closed-ended questionnaire in addition to oral examinations conducted by the jail's dentist to determine the extent of dental caries and periodontal disease …

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Gender And Racial/Ethnic Differences In The Effects Of Child Sexual Abuse, Sandra Gray Jan 2016

Gender And Racial/Ethnic Differences In The Effects Of Child Sexual Abuse, Sandra Gray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child sexual abuse (CSA) has been linked to a number of adverse effects including hypersexuality (HYP), substance use (SUB), suicidality (SUI), and depression (DEP). Despite a plethora of research on CSA, little is known about how it affects adolescents and the cultural factors that influence their coping styles. This study was founded on social-cultural coping theory and the model of traumagenic dynamics of sexual abuse, suggesting that CSA consequences lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms influenced by sociocultural factors. Using archival data, log-linear analysis was conducted to examine gender differences within racial/ethnic groups in HYP, SUI, DEP, and SUB among adolescent …

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