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Differences In Body Satisfaction Between Black And White Heterosexual College-Aged Men, Darrell L. Renfro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although there is an increasing amount of research concerning body satisfaction among heterosexual White men, few of these studies have adequately represented heterosexual Black men. This was a quantitative survey study aimed to illuminate gaps in the literature regarding Black men's body satisfaction experiences. The study used surveys and tested research questions to determine whether college-aged heterosexual Black (n = 220, 55%) and White (n = 180, 45%) men differed in their body satisfaction experiences and whether race significantly moderated the relation between sociocultural influences and body satisfaction in the two groups. This study was based on the social comparison …

Predicting Success In First-Year Associate Degree Nursing Students, Laura J. Hope

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An associate degree of nursing program in the southeastern region of the United States has had significant increases in student attrition over the past few years. Admission requirements did not include an entrance exam, such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), which may be useful in decreasing the deficiencies associated with poor student progression. Guided by the Knowles' theory of adult learning and Bandura's social learning theory, the purpose of this correlation study was to explore the relationship between the TEAS scores and the cumulative grade point average (GPA) of first-year students to determine if success at the …

Graduate Nurse Pediatric Emergency Nursing Orientation Program, Mindi Lynne Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has found that the turnover rate of graduate nurses within their first year is significantly high. Specialties such as pediatric and emergency nursing have even a higher turnover rate. It has been suggested that significant amounts of stress and lack of skills are responsible for the turnovers. This quality improvement project, which is theoretically based on Benner's novice to expert theory, will examine if a lack of a specialized pediatric emergency graduate nurse orientation program is a contributing factor. The purpose of the project is to improve retention of graduate nurses by implementing a specialized orientation program that focuses …

Students' Learning Experiences And Perceptions Of Online Course Content And Interactions, Alex Azike Nwankwo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The recent economic downturn has increased demand for higher education. Because most postsecondary schools offer online courses, it is necessary to assess the effectiveness of those offerings and provide information that will assist colleges and universities in meeting citizens' educational needs. This qualitative case study was used to examine the learning experiences and perceptions of students in online courses at a university in the western United States. Moore's transactional distance learning theory was used to assess interactions among students, instructors, and course content. Purposive sampling was used to select 18 students from 3 university departments to participate in the study. …

Satisfaction And Use: Comparing First-Time Victims And Victims Of Multiple Sexual Assaults, Julie Lindahl

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual assault advocacy services are intended to support and empower victims during the aftermath of an assault. This study's purpose was to identify sexual assault victims' use and satisfaction with victim advocacy services, and to compare those outcomes in first-time victims and victims of multiple sexual assaults. The goal was to determine if victims of multiple sexual assaults would seek services again due to satisfaction after receiving prior sexual assault advocacy services. Guided by empowerment theory, this study purported that victim satisfaction and seeking additional services would promote coping and empowerment for the victims and result in positive social change. …

School District Stress Prevention Practices In A Southern U.S. State, Stephen Field Keohane

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The growing recognition that stress is a risk factor for youth health problems has spawned research on school-based stress prevention programs and services. While such programs and services are now available for adoption by schools, there is an absence of data on their use in U.S. schools systems. In the current study, Everett Rogers's diffusion of innovations model provided the theoretical framework for the investigation of school district stress prevention practices in one southern U.S. state. The sample for this quantitative descriptive study consisted of 135 out of 136 active public districts, and 72% of school systems completed and returned …

Relationships Between Specific Health-Related Fitness Components And Standardized Academic Achievement Tests, Tona Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In an attempt to meet monetary-driven mandates to improve student achievement test scores, administrators are replacing physical education activities with subject matter classes in many American schools. This practice negates the positive contributions of physical activity to academic performance and student fitness. Guided by self-efficacy theory, this study assessed the impact of optimal versus minimal physical fitness state on student academic achievement. The study sample included 5,416 9th grade students from the same school district who completed a minimum of 5 of the 6 components of the FITNESSGRAM tests, and who also completed the math and English language arts (ELA) …

Relationships Between The Coordinated School Health Program And Childhood Obesity In Tennessee, Tekeela Shonta Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity rates have increased nationwide, but rates of childhood obesity are higher in Tennessee (TN). The Coordinated School Health (CSH) Program is a multicomponent approach designed to improve academics and health in children in Tennessee; however, researchers have not evaluated the 8 components of the plan and the impact it has on weight in children. The purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between the Coordinated School Health Program and obesity in children. The conceptual framework for this study was Bandura's social cognitive theory. One hundred forty CSH coordinators in TN were surveyed and the …

Association Between Psychological Trauma From Assault In Childhood And Metabolic Syndrome, W Sumner Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Metabolic syndrome and its component conditions of hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance are on the increase in United States. Metabolic syndrome substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D). To date, no published study has examined the relationship between psychological traumas from physical and/or sexual assault in childhood and metabolic syndrome or its components. This study, using the psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) model, investigated associations between psychological trauma (physical/sexual abuse) in childhood and metabolic syndrome in adulthood using data from the Midlife in the United States II (MIDUS-II) study. This research was undertaken to investigate whether a history …

An Examination Of Physician Resistance Related To Electronic Medical Records Adoption, Terrence Duncan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed under the Obama administration, mandated physicians to complete certification for electronic medical records (EMRs). Despite these mandates and the increased access to information technology, slow adoption rates persist on the use of EMRs. Guided by the theory of planned behavior and the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between the independent variables perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived behavioral control, perceived social influence, attitudes toward EMR, and the dependent variable user acceptance. This study identified physicians in the United States as end-users of …

Weight Management Of Women Of Childbearing Age, Marcia Hagen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black River Memorial Hospital identified obesity as a priority health concern in its rural service area; this concern was in line with the county's needs assessment. It was identified that women of childbearing age affect the lifestyle and health choices of their families and that they are at higher risk for the additional health risks associated with obesity affecting pregnancy and birth. Despite the identification of these risk factors, the factors that affect healthy weight management have not been well understood. Using the life course theory, a qualitative inquiry in the form of a structured interview was developed with local …

Employees' Perceptions Of Managerial Transformational Leadership Behaviors And Effectiveness Among Information Technology Managers, Olusesan Ogunsakin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The selection of effective leaders is critical to improving organizations' performance in the current dynamic global business landscape; however, the inadequacy of leadership selection criteria in many organizations had led to an increase in the rate of chief executive officers' dismissals within the last 3 decades in the United States. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between employees' assessments of their managers' transformational leadership behaviors and employees' perceptions of managerial leadership effectiveness for improved leadership selection. Bass' transformational leadership theory and Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory guided the study with data gathered, using an online survey, from …

The Role Of Childhood Trauma And Methamphetamine-Induced Violence In Women, Ashley Kennedy Ibbotson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Victims of childhood trauma are vulnerable to substance abuse due to their inability to develop coping skills following trauma, which can lead to criminal and violent behavior. Guided by the ecodevelopmental theory, this phenomenological study attempted to relate the perceived experiences of violent behaviors as a result of methamphetamine use in women to the types of childhood trauma the women experienced. Fourteen women were recruited using purposive sampling in collaboration with the South Brunswick Counseling Center, based on inclusion criteria that included being over the age of 18; having abstained from methamphetamine use for at least a year; having experienced …

Exploring Online Community College Course Completion And A Sense Of School Community, Kathleen Stone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found low online course completion rates to be a complex problem in higher education. Meanwhile, theory on adult learners' online persistence highlights the importance of a sense of school community. At the small, rural focus community college (FCC) for this study, general education online course completion rates are lower than the national average. FCC has not addressed the low online course completion rates. Using Rovais' composite persistence model as the conceptual framework, this instrumental case study examined how students' experiences and perceptions of a sense of school community contribute to their ability to complete online general education courses. …

The Association Between Asthma Management And Routine Posture Exercise, Anne-Marie Lydie Coleman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Asthma management is a public health issue that is complex. Medication, asthma triggers, age, and the environment are all factors that impact asthma management. There is a gap in research in terms of what lifestyle characteristics need to be in place in order for adults to manage asthma. Shaw found that posture care is a lifestyle variable that should be explored as it relates to asthma management in older adults. The Life University Clinic (Marietta, GA) sees asthmatic patients daily and teaches them about a posture care routine through a program …

Stress Among Undergraduate Distance Learners: A Cross-Sectional Study, Susan Hoang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are many changes undergraduate students face when they transition to the college environment, including vacations and an increase in academic workload. Past research has found that both gender and year of study impact level and sources of stress in undergraduate students who attend traditional brick and mortar institutions. However, the relationship between gender, year of study, and stress levels in undergraduate distance learners has not been well studied. Based on the cognitive theory of emotions, this quantitative study examined what undergraduate distance learners perceive as stressful, whether or not gender and year of study impacted these stressors and whether …

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Impact Of Standardized Testing And Remediation On Students With Disabilities, Janie M. Mora

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At ABCD High School, students with disabilities (SWDs) pass state-mandated English High School Assessments (HSA) at a lower rate than do their nondisabled peers, even with remediation. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of appropriate remediation for preparing SWDs for the English HSA. The theoretical foundation for the study was based on social constructivism with an emphasis on individual experiences. The 3 key research questions investigated how teachers perceive their role in the delivery of remediation, how they describe the remediation program, and what factors they say influence their ability to remediate SWDs effectively. Data were …

Development Of An Electronic Health Record Educational Project For Staff Nurses, Nanah Sheriff Sesay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

The use for electronic health records (EHRs) by 2015 is being mandated through incentive payments for health care providers. Evidence-based literature has shown that almost half of the hospitals in the Unites States have not adopted EHRs, and many nurses have not been educated to effectively use them. In order to enhance and sustain EHR adoption by hospitals, nurses need to be educated on EHRs' usability. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based EHR educational project for nurses on how to enter nursing assessments, document patients' medical data, and communicate effectively with patients and health care …

A Case Study Of Respect Among Young Urban African American Men, Morgan Zenobia London

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many young adult African American men living in urban areas adopt a style of self-presentation known as the gangsta image in an attempt to earn and maintain what they may perceive to be respect, self-esteem, and social status. While these young men succeed in earning the respect of their peers, they also may jeopardize their chances of succeeding in mainstream society by engaging in an alienating lifestyle related to their alternative form of status. The purpose of this case study was to explore the concepts of respect and self-esteem as defined by a culture-sharing group of young African American men …

Planning A Smoking Cessation Program In A Mental Health Hospital, Victoria Omuson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The incidence of smoking among mentally ill people is very high. Smokers have a 50%, rate of mental illness diagnosis compared with 23% rate for general population. To address this problem, the purpose of this project was to plan a smoking cessation program for patients in a mental health facility. The theoretical foundation for this project was based on the theory of planned behavior, which identifies the predictive nature of smoking and the benefits that can be derived from implementing a systematic approach for change. The project question examined the effectiveness of smoking cessation program using educational support, pharmacological strategies, …

Teacher Interventions Based On Childhood Bullying Experiences, Marcia Rushin Teemer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Guided by Premack and Woodruff's theory of the mind and Bandura's social learning theory, this qualitative study examined the issue of bullying at school, and whether teachers' childhood experiences of bullying had effects on how they, as adults, handled bullying situations in their classrooms. Convenience sampling was used to administer the Bauman, Rigby, and Hoppa Handling Bullying Questionnaire to 22 middle school educators with three or more years of teaching experience at the participating school, to determine their responses to bullying scenarios. Twelve educators completed the questionnaire. Data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed for frequencies of responses. Teachers' responses …

The Relationship Of Managers' Power Motivations To Personality Pathology, Jewel Darlene Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has shown that managerial leaders have a higher motivational need for power than those in other positions. A leader's personality traits have been shown to affect organizational performance. Leaders who score high in dark traits (undesirable personality attributes shown to predict career derailment across organizations, levels, and positions) could also be more likely to use company resources for personal gain. There is a paucity of research examining the correlation between managerial dark traits and the need for power. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between managers' dark trait scores as measured by the Hogan Development …

Women And Thyroid Disease: Treatment Experiences And The Doctor-Patient Relationship, Laura J. Mccormick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Thyroid disease, a chronic illness, affects nearly 200 million people worldwide and is more common among women than in men. Numerous factors make diagnosing and treating thyroid disease in women challenging. The standard blood test for diagnosing thyroid disease and determining treatment effectiveness is inconsistent in its accuracy. Many women with thyroid disease are misdiagnosed or struggle with symptoms even once receiving treatment. Although thyroid disease is highly prevalent among women and the doctor-patient relationship is known to influence treatment outcomes, there is a gap in the literature regarding the treatment experiences of women with thyroid disease and the doctor-patient …

Tribal Gaming Leader Strategies Toward A Sustainable Future, Janie Ann Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One aspect of leadership strategy is the need to account for the core values of the organization. The purpose of this case study was to explore the perceptions of tribal gaming leader strategies toward sustainability, an action that leads to tribal economic development and stability. The conceptual framework of situational leadership theory was used to guide the scope and analysis of this study. Six tribal gaming leaders from Oklahoma participated in a focus group session; 7 additional tribal gaming leaders from the same gaming organization participated in individual interview sessions. Member checking was used to strengthen the credibility and trustworthiness …

Evaluation Of Post-Deployment Ptsd Screening Of Marines Returning From A Combat Deployment, Erika L. Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether the post-deployment screening instrument currently utilized to assess active-duty Marines for symptoms of PTSD upon their return from a combat deployment can be solely relied upon to accurately assess for PTSD. Additionally, this study sought to compare the number of Marines who have sought trauma-related mental health treatment based on their answers on the Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) to the number who have sought trauma-related mental health treatment based on their answers on their PTSD Checklist - Military Version (PCL-M). The participants in this study were comprised of a sample …

Intervention Strategies To Decrease Discipline Issues In An Urban Pre-K-8 Public School, Wendy Mason

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intervention Strategies to Decrease Discipline Issues

in an Urban pre-K-8 Public School

by

Wendy A. Mason

MEd, Walden University, 2005

BA, Kean University, 1979

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Education

Walden University

October 2015

The educational problem addressed in this study was the lack of empirically grounded evidence of the intervention strategies an urban school in the northeast region of the United States used to decrease school discipline problems. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify, explore, and understand the strategies used by school personnel to decrease …

A Guide For Delivering Evidence - Based Discharge Intructions For Emergency Department Patients, Andre Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Discharge instructions provided to patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) are often provided in a way that is neither clear nor concise. Patients are often discharged home without a clear understanding of their diagnosis, medications, reasons to return to the ED, follow-up instructions, or how to manage their care at home during their illness. Therefore, a guideline needed to be developed in order to help the ED staff provide clear and concise discharge instructions to patients discharged from the ED. The Ace Star Model of Knowledge Transformation was the foundation for the development of the evidence-based guideline. A formative …

African American Eighth Grade Students' Attitudes Toward Hiv/Aids In The District Of Columbia, Enock Kolawole Adewuyi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The group most affected by HIV/AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is African Americans. The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge of HIV/AIDS held by African American children as a first step towards developing prevention strategies for these youths. In order to bridge the knowledge-behavior gap, this study sought to investigate the attitude towards HIV/AIDS of African American 8th grade students. The study involved secondary data from the 2012 District of Columbia (DC) Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey, obtained from the District of Columbia Office of Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Guided …

Barriers To Receiving The Influenza Vaccine In Adults 65 Years And Older, Melissa Madalone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Vaccination is regarded by many as the most effective means of reducing influenza infection and disease; however, many people in the United States are hospitalized from flu-related illness each year. Adults 65 years and older account for more than half of these hospitalizations and almost all flu-related deaths. This project aimed to identify barriers to receiving the influenza vaccine among the adult population (> 65 years of age) in a community setting. The goal was to develop a teaching tool that would assist practitioners towards improving influenza vaccination rates among this population. The Health Belief Model was the theoretical framework …

Teacher Perceptions Of Common Core-Based Evaluations For Students With Cognitive Impairments, Pamela Marie Majerus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Education reform in schools has focused on inclusion of all students in general education environments and accountability measures. Students with cognitive impairments are mandated to participate in standards-based alternate assessments. Special education teachers in a school district in a southeastern state in this study have been faced with the challenge of implementing these assessments. A bounded case study design was used to examine their perceptions of the use of standards-based alternate assessments for students with cognitive impairments. Guiding research questions focused on the nature and process of implementing alternate assessments. Resistance to change was the conceptual framework. The bounded case …