Digital Commons Network^™

The Relationship Between Juvenile Sex Offender Registration And Depression In Adulthood, Sharon E. Denniston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Accounts of sexual abuse appear daily in the media. Rightfully, this issue demands attention. Juveniles may be victims; they may also be offenders who are subject to sex offender registration and notification (SORN) policies. Growing research finds that SORN policies fail to achieve intended public policy outcomes. Little is known, however, about the unintended consequences of SORN for juvenile offenders. This study contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of these policies on this population. Merton's concept of manifest and latent functions of purposive social action and an alternate non-criminogenic form of Lemert's secondary deviance proposition provided the …

Ethical Behavior, Leadership, And Decision Making, Emmett Emery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ethical principles applied in organizations can broaden individual and corporate priorities beyond profit and shareholder enrichment. Ethical factors may influence leaders to make sound decisions to protect the organization from unethical behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine if a correlation exists between the independent variables of leadership and decision making, and the dependent variable of ethical behavior. Drucker's theory of management served as the theoretical framework. Data collection involved 2 survey instruments, the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire and the Moral Potency Questionnaire from 98 participants from retail businesses in the southwestern United States. The model as a whole …

Hiv Knowledge, Intoxication, Risky Behaviors, And Sexual Communication Among Nigeria University Students, Johnpaul Chukwuemeka Ezeonyido

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor sexual communication among Nigerian youth can create problems for health workers, medical practitioners, and the government in determining what is and is not working in their attempts to reduce sexually-related diseases. This quantitative study used self-administered questionnaires among 107 Nigerian university students, aged 18 to 35, to determine if a statistically significant predictive relationship existed between: (a) beliefs about alcohol, (b) HIV knowledge, (c) risk behaviors, (d) age, (e) religion, (f) gender, (g) sexual activity status, (h) dating status, (i) language, (j) sexual orientation, and (k) tribes of Nigerian university students and their sexual communication with partners. Previous studies …

Association Between Biopsychosocial Factors And Physical Activity Among U.S. Stroke Survivors, Claire Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stroke causes substantial morbidity and mortality, and physical activity can reduce the risk of stroke occurrence. The purpose of this study was to test the association between biopsychosocial factors and levels of physical activity and to develop a model to predict inactivity for US stroke survivors. A quantitative, cross-sectional analysis was performed of the 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which is a representative sample of US households. Association for 1,077 stroke survivors was tested with chi-square between physical activity and independent variables: biological factors (age, sex, race, body mass index, musculoskeletal conditions, and cardiovascular diseases), psychological factors (mental distress, …

Examination Of Resource Allocation And Student Achievement, Jo Ann Neal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the raise in per-pupil expenditures, the achievement gap between economically advantaged and disadvantaged students continues to increase. Education proponents are scrambling to understand the complexities of local school funding. The No Child Left behind deadline stipulated that all students must be proficient in language arts and mathematics by 2014. The constructivist theory served as the conceptual framework for the study. Performance data were obtained from the State of New Jersey Department of Education and the United States Department of Education. This quantitative study determined whether a significant relationship exists between the allocation of fiscal resources and students' test scores. …

Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction, And Burnout For Dietitians, Cara Perdue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are low retention rates of dietitians and this impacts quality of care. Emotional intelligence (EI) may be the missing component to improve retention, due to EI increasing job satisfaction and decreasing burnout for other health providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between EI, job satisfaction, and burnout for dietitians. The theoretical framework utilized was the 4-branch model of EI. Method of inquiry was convenience, quantitative non-experimental design. Registered dietitians (N = 84,173) living in the United States were contacted via e-mail. Approximately 9.5% of dietitians (n = 8,038) completed the Wong and Law EI …

A Plan For The Implementation And Evaluation Of Diet Education In Type 2 Diabetes, Soy Ramsumeer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States with a projected increase of 552 million people worldwide who will be affected with this illness by 2030. The need to address this issue is vital to prevent complications and reduce healthcare spending. The DNP project is aimed at planning and designing a nutritional education program tailored toward specific ethnic groups in order to increase knowledge in making healthy food choices. This project is intended to educate Registered Nurses (RNs) on nutrition so that they can offer dietary knowledge to T2DM patients. Additional …

Faculty Perceptions On The Student Learning Accountability Movement, Tara Rose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Literature examining the impact of the student learning accountability movement on faculty perspectives is insufficient, as little is known about how faculty perceive the requirements related to federal, state, and institutional accountability initiatives. This case study investigated the threat posed by the accountability movement on the stability of faculty engagement, while exploring how faculty perceptions of the movement will impact institutional and state policy. Using Levin's system of accountability as the framework for this study, the central research question explored how understanding faculty perspectives on the student learning accountability movement could promote policy within an institution. Data were gathered via …

Improving Patient Care Delivery In A Small Alaska Native Health Care Organization, Annette Cecile Siemens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic diseases impose heavy burdens on the United States health care system, particularly among some ethnic/racial groups such as American Indian and Alaska Natives who experience higher incidence of these diseases than non-Native population. In an effort to improve the health status of its patients, the Ukudigaunal Wellness Center (UWC) partnered with the Improving Patient Care (IPC) Collaborative to implement changes designed to improve chronic disease care for Native Alaskans through intensive monitoring of screening for chronic disease and selected chronic disease outcomes. For this program evaluation, the units of analysis were the changes in health service delivery and the …

The Exposure Of Workplace Conflict On Residential Mental Health Clients, Shawna Deann Stoneking

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals who receive residential mental health services rely on caregivers for support, supervision, and a safe living environment. Residential clients exposed to workplace conflict among staff may feel insecure and mistrust their caregivers, which in turn could negatively impact quality of life and treatment outcomes. The theory of therapeutic alliance proposed by Zetzel, emphasizing the client's perception of the therapist as a nurturing beneveolent figure, was used as the conceptual framework for this phenomenological study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 adults, recruited with homogenious sampling, who had experienced conflict among staff members and who had been discharged from residential …

Knowledge Transfer Preferences Of Expert Employees Nearing Retirement, Phillip Andrew Weiss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Managers of organizations face increasing rates of retiring Baby Boomers as that generation begins to leave the workforce. Some managers of organizations have no formalized knowledge transfer strategies in place to reduce the lost productivity and negative financial effects of these retiring employees. The purpose of this single-site case study was to explore the knowledge transfer preferences of expert scientific support employees nearing retirement at a United States national laboratory in northern California. Understanding the preferences of employees nearing retirement may allow managers to affect the business practice of promoting organizational learning by implementing strategies that catalyze knowledge transfer from …

Blended Value Accounting And Social Enterprise Success, John Anner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social enterprises (SEs) are businesses managed by entrepreneurs who seek to improve society, and they represent an important trend in social change work. However, there is little empirical knowledge about which blended value accounting (BVA) methods are used by SE managers, and whether the use of BVA is perceived by SE managers as a critical success factor. Blended value accounting is a conceptual framework for measuring combined social and financial outcomes in SEs, and some believe that the use of BVA may be a critical success factor for SEs. This research was based on Covin and Slevin's conceptualization of entrepreneurial …

Assessing Information Technology And Business Alignment In Local City Government, Leslie Milbourne D'Anjou

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Top executives are interested in more transparent and formalized structures, applicable measurements, and clear justification of alignment. Limited or improper information technology governance (ITG) affects the business strategy that will ultimately influence the overall business alignment in local city government agencies (LCGAs). The problem addressed in this study was the lack of information regarding LCGAs IT/business strategic alignment maturity model (SAMM) level and the LCGAs' employment size. The purpose of this survey study was to evaluate 48 LCGA participants in the Southwestern part of the United States and compare their alignment perceptions with their cities' employment size. The theoretical framework …

Evidence-Based Alternative Therapy To Reduce Anxiety In Ambulatory Mental Health Patients, Renee Ann Denobrega

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence-Based Alternative Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in Ambulatory Mental Health Patients

by

Renee Denobrega

MS, Widener University, 2013

BS, Alvernia University, 2007

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

January 2016

Barriers To Breast Cancer Prevention And Screening Among African American Women, Abosede Francisca Obikunle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breast cancer is a serious illness that often has fatal consequences. Adherence to the recommendations for breast cancer surveillance is poorly practiced among African American women. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to seek individual professed barriers to breast cancer screening among African American women to better understand why breast cancer continues to be one of the principal basis of mortality among African American women. The theoretical framework for this study was the behavioral model of health services use. Purposeful selection was used to invite 14 African American women to participate in the in-depth interview process. Interview data were …

Human Trafficking: The Health Of Men Forced Into Labor Trafficking In The United States, Christina Omole

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human trafficking is a criminal act that occurs globally. It affects both women and men, but most studies have focused on female victims; few have explored trafficked men or their related health issues. Though there are many forms of trafficking, it is believed that most male victims are trafficked as forced labor. Using gender schema theory as a framework, this quantitative study examined archival data to identify the types of trafficking men are subjected to, their health ailments, and how these differ from the health ailments of trafficked women. Archival data from 124 individuals subjected to human trafficking in Florida …

Factors Associated With Primary And Secondary Sexual Transmission Of Hiv In Concurrent Relationships In Kenya, Daphne Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This phenomenological study was designed to understand the lived experiences of a purposive sample of 9 participants from local villages in Nairobi, Kenya, who had sexual behaviors that contributed to higher HIV risk exposure. Past studies have provided information about the increased rates of HIV infection; however, little has been done to identify the solutions for minimizing the negative impact of HIV among concurrent partnerships. The study investigated the role of high risk cultural practices among participants in married and cohabitating unions. The conceptual framework of the study was gender and power theory, which addresses the complex sexual relationships between …

Examining Small Business Adoption Of Computerized Accounting Systems Using The Technology Acceptance Model., Alan D. Rogers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small business owners who fail to adopt modern technology risk placing themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Drawing on Davis's technology acceptance model, the purpose of this study was to examine how small business owners in Central Ohio come to accept and use computerized accounting systems (CAS). The research question addressed the correlation between perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and the intent to adopt CAS using multiple linear regression. Data were collected using a survey mailed to 347 small business owners which yielded a sample size of 71 respondents. Results showed a positive correlation between perceived ease of use, perceived …

The Impact Of Social Determinants On Tuberculosis Incidence Trends In New Jersey, Thomas Larry Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social determinants have impacted disease states. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of social determinants on the incidence of tuberculosis over a 20-year period for the state of New Jersey to determine interventions that can be developed for the state. The epidemiological triad (host-agent-environment) served as the theoretical foundation for this study. A quantitative series of cross sectional analyses were performed using secondary data from a New Jersey Department of Health database on population tuberculosis incidence for the state. Categorical data analyses were used to describe the data. According to study results, certain social determinants; such …

The Relationship Between Physical Fitness And School Performance In Middle School Girls, Jamie Anne Donnelly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Past research has indicated a significant relationship between physical fitness and standardized test scores; however, the relationship between physical fitness and other aspects of school performance has yet to be empirically examined in a population specifically composed of middle school girls. This study examined several factors that contribute to school success, such as classroom behavior, attendance, and grades, in relation to physical fitness among a group of adolescent girls. It was specifically designed to examine the statistical relationship between physical fitness, as measured by the Fitnessgram, and quantitative data on school performance including grades, standardized test scores, school behavior, and …

An Ecological Approach To African American Adolescent Food Choices In Low Income Neighborhoods, Clarence E. Mcmillan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity remains prevalent among African American (AA) adolescents in low income neighborhoods with limited access to a variety of foods from stores. Guided by the ecological framework, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of neighborhood stores on food choices, and physical activity among AA adolescents in a low income neighborhood. A quantitative research design with cross sectional primary and secondary surveys was used. Participants included 176 high school students and 42 store merchants. Data sources were the 2011 New Jersey Student Health Survey with core questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Hmong …

Falls And Related Injuries Based On Surveillance Data: U.S. Hospital Emergency Departments, George K. Quarranttey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls can lead to unintentional injuries and possibly death, making falls an important public health problem in terms of related health care cost, incurred disabilities, and years of life lost. Approximately 1 in every 3 Americans ages 65 years and older is at risk of falling at least once every year. Children, young adults, and middle-aged adults are also vulnerable to falls. The purpose of this study was to examine the epidemiology of falls and fall-related injuries using surveillance data from nationally representative samples of hospital emergency departments in United States. The study was guided by a social-ecological model on …

Leadership Competency, Service Time, And Gender Orientation: A Comparative Study Of Cpa Leaders, Delores Cauthorne King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Working in environments that could be described as task-oriented, certified public accountants (CPAs) are generally considered to be leaders. In 2015, within the United States, fewer than 30% of CPAs were women. Based on the theoretical framework of Eagly and Karau's role congruity theory and Bandura's social learning theory, this survey study sought to understand the relationship between self-rated leadership competency, service time, and gender orientation of female CPAs in leadership positions for 5 years or more, compared to men working in similar positions. A sample of 92 CPAs (46 women, 46 men) completed 2 online surveys, the LPI-Self Leadership …

Transforming Care Of The Behavioral Health Patient In An Emergency Department Setting, Theresa J. Kubiel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Behavioral and mental health issues contribute to the needs of many patients presenting to emergency departments, and yet these needs often go unrecognized. Patient processing procedures in emergency departments may not include mechanisms to consistently identify and triage patients whose care is complicated by behavioral illness. The purpose of this project was to plan a program to improve early identification and management of behavioral health patients presenting to the emergency department. The objective of this project was to develop a rapid mental health screening tool and policies guiding use of the tool in the emergency department. A multi-disciplinary team of …

The Effect Of State Financial Aid Policies On College Completion, Sheri E. Ragland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2008, state legislatures provided $6 billion in financial aid to 2 million low-income young adults. When low-income young adults receive state financial aid and do not complete college, states lose their investment because fewer people with degrees will contribute to the state's economy. Declining states' budgets have led to (a) the rising cost of higher education, (b) state merit-based aid that has targeted nonminority students from affluent backgrounds, and (c) state need-based aid that has targeted students further along in their college career. State need- and merit-based aid may contribute to the lack of college completion among low-income freshman …

The Pharmaceutical Industry's Effect On Rheumatologists' Patterns Of Care, Frank Bailey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Drug makers have developed numerous techniques to influence treatment choices. Almost no information exists regarding the pharmaceutical industry's influence on rheumatologists and how these pressures could affect patient care. This phenomenological research, conducted within the framework of social exchange theory, explored the lived experiences of rheumatologists regarding their interactions with agents of the pharmaceutical industry. A researcher-designed interview protocol was used to gather feedback from 10 rheumatologists regarding how interactions with agents of the pharmaceutical industry made them feel. Using horizonalization, meaningful statements made by rheumatologists were condensed into specific themes and patterns, which provided a composite summary of their …

A Quantitative Study Of The Effectiveness Of Regulatory Policy In The Maryland Food Industry, Alphonsus C. Korie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Foodborne illness is a persistent problem in the food service industry. Restaurant inspections reveal that only 60-70% of restaurants are in compliance with health code requirements, which vary from state to state and county to county. In Maryland, 5 of the state's 24 counties have a requirement that restaurants classified as medium- or high-priority food establishments must employ certified food managers (CFMs). It is unknown how this requirement has influenced the operation of the affected restaurants and the extent to which the requirement has resulted in improved food handling safety. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the …

Adopting The Lifelong Communities Initiative In The Atlanta Metropolitan Area, Corneil Montgomery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The older adult population has been growing since 1950. The quality of life of older Atlanta citizens may be reduced if adopted Lifelong Communities (LLC) initiative principles are executed poorly or not at all. The purpose of this case study was to describe and explore the experiences of local government officials in Atlanta, Georgia who have adopted LLC initiatives. Research questions focused on local government officials' experiences adopting the LLC initiative, their use of the LLC principles, as well as the benefits and challenges encountered when integrating principles within organizations and communities to ensure quality of life for persons served. …

Use Of Maternal Health Services And Pregnancy Outcomes In Nigeria, Abubakar Sadiq Umar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal health services (MHS) provide primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention to achieve better pregnancy outcomes. However, use of prenatal and natal services among Nigerian women has been ranked among the lowest in the world and, consequently, the country is among the 10 countries with the highest maternal mortality ratio. Moreover, nationwide community-based studies on the use of maternal health services in Nigeria are limited. To address this gap, this quantitative, cross-sectional study analyzed the 2008 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data to identify whether Nigerian women's biological, cultural, and socioeconomic characteristics are associated with their use of …

Oral Nutritional Supplement Use In Relation To Length Of Stay In Heart Failure Patients At A Regional Medical Center, Ellen Burkhardt Babb

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Improving the nutritional status of hospitalized patients has been shown to reduce length of stay (LOS), hospital costs, readmission rates, complication rates, and mortality. Provision of nutrient-rich, liquid, oral nutrition supplements (ONS) is one approach to improving nutritional status. ONS use has been associated with improved outcomes among patients with diagnoses of orthopedic injuries and pressure ulcers, mainly using prospective designs among elderly and/or malnourished patients. Less information is available for other diagnoses, and no analysis of the effects of ONS could be found that considered the epidemiological triad of person, place, and time. This study used a quantitative, retrospective …