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Examining Research Issues Of Power And Privilege Within A Gender-Marginalized Community, Stacee L. Reicherzer, Sherece Shavel, Jason Patton

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This research practice article presents the ethical dilemmas and decision-making of a White transgender researcher (Author A), who conducted a qualitative case study of resiliency among three transsexual women of Mexican origin who worked as entertainers in south and central Texas. The study, conducted within a community in which both the researcher and participants were a part and in which they had all experienced varying degrees of marginalization, presented a number of unique characteristics from the onset that became more embedded as the study developed and concluded. In the absence of a guiding body of literature from her own profession, …

A Geographical Analysis Of Hiv/Aids Infection In Nigeria, 1991-2001, Chinekwu Azuka Obidoa, Robert G. Cromley

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Abstract

Objectives: Within the gradually accumulating literature on the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Nigeria, investigations concerning the spatial dimensions of the infection are virtually non-existent. An understanding of the spatial dimensions of the epidemic is central in the development and implementation of appropriate intervention strategies. This study is a geographic analysis of HIV/AIDS infection in Nigeria from 1991 – 2001. The three objectives of this study were: 1) to examine the geographic pattern of the epidemic, 2) to examine the spatial-temporal trend and diffusion pattern of the epidemic, and 3) to explore the factors associated with the spatial …

Student Wellness And The Residency Experience, Joseph Spillman, Laura R. Simpson, Michelle Perepiczka

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This project surveys MS Mental Health/Marriage Couple and Family /Career residency students. Data has been collected over the course of one year of residencies in a variety of geographic locations to determine students’ perceptions of how the Walden University residency experience impacts personal wellness. Preliminary results will be reported. The goal is to use the information to assist Walden faculty in the training, education, and personal support of counseling students in their professional and personal growth and development.

Compassion Fatigue And Emotional Intelligence In Physicians, Jennifer Peterson

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Literature reveals that healthcare professionals, like physicians, experience compassion fatigue (CF) as a result of exposure to patient trauma. Research also demonstrates that leaders, like physicians, with higher emotional intelligence (EI) are more effective. This study proposes to identify if there is a correlation between CF and EI in physicians.

Cafas Profiles: Canonical Correlation Analysis Of Behavioral And Performance Dimensions, Reginald Taylor, Sabrina Swope

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Psychosocial disturbances are pervasive mental health illnesses affecting 1 out of 10 children in America. The Child and Adolescent Functioning Assessment Scale (CAFAS) is a benchmark instrument assessing adolescent impairment in day-to-day functions. This study will examine the extent to which subsets of the CAFAS behavior dimension may be correlated with subsets of the performance dimension.

Burnout, Secondary Trauma, & Compassion Fatigue In Disaster Mental Workers, Susan Marcus, Catherin Barmore

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This phenomenological study of Disaster Mental Health counselors will include interviews with 25 participants. The themes to be explored include: secondary trauma as a primary, proximal experience; compassion fatigue as a "solo" phenomena; and burnout experienced as response to administrative processes.

Planned Behavior And Physician-Patient Communication: Predicting Adherence To Anti Hypertensive, Mayon Sylvain

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Lack of adherence to treatment contributes to unmanageable high blood pressure and satisfaction with physician-patient communication enhances adherence to treatment. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) guided the research questions in this quantitative study to determine the effects of a communication program for vulnerable population with implications for social change.

Health Perception And Behavior Changes In Survivors Of The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Mona Hanania

2010-2016 Archived Posters

The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe illness with a 40% mortality rate. Improvements in care have reduced deaths but led to an increasing number of survivors who experience chronic adverse effects. However, there are no published studies that have evaluated changes in health perceptions and behavior in ARDS survivors. We sought to determine changes in health-related perceptions and behaviors in ARDS survivors. A sequential mixed methods study was conducted to examine changes in health perceptions and behaviors in ARDS survivors. Respondents were registrants at the ARDS Foundation, a non-profit patient support and education organization. Findings from interviews …

Live-Fire Training Fatalities And The Degree Of Adherence To National Fire Protection Association Standards (Nfpa 1403), Christina Spoons

2010-2016 Archived Posters

A review of literature revealed a gap in research on the relationship between firefighter fatalities that take place during live fire training and adherence to the guidelines outlined in a national standard published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In this mixed-methods study, quantitative data were collected from fire department training officers through an electronic survey. Qualitative data were collected through document review and interviews with leaders in fire service training and were coded to reveal emerging themes. Findings indicated a relationship between the disregard of NFPA 1403 and the fatalities, with the improper use of fuel found to …

The Relationship Between Eating School Lunch And Overweight Or Obesity In Elementary School Children, Doret Ledford

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Childhood obesity has become a grave concern in the U.S. and globally today. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of school lunch on overweight or obesity in elementary school children. The results revealed that eating school lunch was significantly related to increased risk of overweight or obesity in school children.

Fear As A Predictor Of Life Satisfaction For Retirees In Canada, Satoko Nguyen

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Laslett’s theory of the Third Age regarding postretirement life satisfaction was tested from the social participation perspective in Canada by a quantitative method. Fears about growing old negatively significantly predicted both life and retirement satisfactions after adjusting for significant activity theory co variates. Canada’s eminent poverty preventing strategies supported retiree life satisfaction.

The Impact Of Theory-Based Trainings On The Level Of Creativity Of Family Day Care Providers, Olga Zbarskaya

2010-2016 Archived Posters

The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate how two interventions, based upon two substantially different theories of creativity, impact 125 Latina female childcare providers and their assistants’ level of creativity. The age range of the participants was 27 – 71 years old, and the experience of the participants varied from 1 to 32 years as a child caregiver. This secondary data analysis study was based on a post test only, true experimental design. This study contributes to understanding of how to reverse the decline of creativity in Latina childcare providers with high cultural sensitivity, and fidelity.

Encouraging Education In Kpanlori, Ghana, Christina Spoons, Mark Gordon

2010-2016 Archived Posters

A review of literature revealed a gap in research on effective ways to promote education in the far eastern rural areas of Ghana where the village of Kpanlori is located. This case study used purposeful sampling of eight key informants in a food security program designed to increase enrollment in primary school in Kpanlori. Findings revealed the importance of addressing food insecurity issues and tradition in order to increase regular school attendance.

2012 Walden University Summer Research Symposium, Walden University

2010-2016 Archived Programs

Welcome to the 2012 Walden University Summer Research Symposium, which is being held during the university faculty meeting for the first time. This positioning provides an opportunity for more of our academic community to experience the symposium and makes it more convenient for some of our newest researchers to participate. The topics for this symposium remain as interesting and varied as in the past and include some of our evaluation studies and thought leadership efforts. Speaking of new researchers, we have presentations on capstone projects representing nearly all the doctoral programs at Walden University—and in spite of the variety, each …

Conceptual Framework For Mentoring Doctoral Students, Iris M. Yob, Linda Crawford

Center for Faculty Excellence Publications

In the research and professional literature, there are at least four lines of inquiry around mentoring: perceptions of successful mentoring in general, mentoring of doctoral dissertations in particular, mentoring specific to the online environment, and relative importance of mentoring behaviors. In each case, particular qualities that make for successful mentoring are identified and described but not coalesced into a conceptual model of mentoring. In examining this literature, the authors identified 94 mentor behaviors and characteristics of effective mentors, which were reduced for redundancies to 55. These were clustered into a conceptual model of mentoring with two domains, academic and psychosocial …

The Emerging Hiv Epidemic On The Mexico-U.S. Border: An International Case Study Characterizing The Role Of Epidemiology In Surveillance And Response, Steffaine Strathdee, Carlos Magis-Rodriguez, Richard Jimenez

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Purpose

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome surveillance data are critical for monitoring epidemic trends, but they can mask dynamic subepidemics, especially in vulnerable populations that underuse HIV testing. In this case study, we describe community-based epidemiologic data among injection drug users (IDUs) and female sex workers (FSWs) in two northern Mexico-U.S. border states that identified an emerging HIV epidemic and generated a policy response.

Methods

We draw from quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional and prospective epidemiologic studies and behavioral intervention studies among IDUs and FSWs in Tijuana, Baja California, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.

Results

The recognition that the HIV epidemic …

Training The Resilient Psychotherapist: What Graduate Students Need To Know About Vicarious Traumatization, Aletha Baker

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

There is a pressing need for more research, not only about the experience of vicarious traumatization (VT), but also how academic institutions can best prepare graduate students for this experience. This qualitative study provided insight into the shared, lived experience of VT, effective coping strategies, and the need for a graduate-level course in trauma therapy. A purposive sample of 11 master’s-level trauma therapists, simultaneously enrolled in a doctoral program, responded to questions about their experiences with VT, their ways of coping, and ideas for a graduate-level course. Data were analyzed via a series of steps, as outlined by Moustakas (1994). …

Association Between Workplace And Housing Conditions And Use Of Pesticide Safety Practices And Personal Protective Equipment Among North Carolina Farmworkers In 2010, Donna L. Levesque, Ahmed A. Arif, Ji Shen

School of Health Sciences Publications

Background: There are inconsistencies about the effects of farmworker housing and workplace conditions and use of self-protective behavior practices and personal protective equipment (PPE). Objective: To investigate the association between workplace and housing conditions and farmworker use of pesticide safety practices and PPE. Methods: This study was conducted in 4 counties in North Carolina, USA, from July to October, 2010, during the agricultural growing season. Farmworkers working in agriculture aged 18 to 62 (n=187) were administered a structured questionnaire to collect self-reported measures on housing and workplace conditions. Use of pesticide safety and PPE were examined by asking questions about …

Association Between Workplace And Housing Conditions And Use Of Pesticide Safety Practices And Personal Protective Equipment Among North Carolina Farmworkers In 2010, Donna L. Levesque, Ahmed A. Arif, Ji Shen

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: There are inconsistencies about the effects of farmworker housing and workplace conditions and use of self-protective behavior practices and personal protective equipment (PPE). Objective: To investigate the association between workplace and housing conditions and farmworker use of pesticide safety practices and PPE. Methods: This study was conducted in 4 counties in North Carolina, USA, from July to October, 2010, during the agricultural growing season. Farmworkers working in agriculture aged 18 to 62 (n=187) were administered a structured questionnaire to collect self-reported measures on housing and workplace conditions. Use of pesticide safety and PPE were examined by asking questions about …

The Tech-Savvy Teacher: Instruction In A 1:1 Learning Environment, Jenifer Corn, Jennifer T. Tagsold, Ruchi K. Patel

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

A research team conducted an evaluation of a laptop initiative in 18 North Carolina high schools through administrator, teacher, and student focus groups; teacher and student surveys; and classroom observations. The study aimed to provide information about the value of the laptop initiative in enhancing student learning. In addition, it intended to identify challenges to the successful implementation of 1:1 programs, strategies for meeting those challenges, and services and supports needed to enable successful 1:1 programs throughout the state. This paper explores how the initiative affected instructional practice in areas such as technology use, communication, the role of the teacher, …

An Analysis Of Governance Policies And Practices In One School District Regarding English Learners, Lynn V. Lysko

Frank Dilley Award for Outstanding Doctoral Study

In a large, urban, high school district, secondary English-learning students are not achieving at the same rates as other identified subgroups on state and local standardized tests. This gap compounds economic and social inequities in the region. A solution to the problem is important to educators and policy makers in providing an equitable education for all students. Using the conceptual framework of organizational culture, this qualitative project study explored the district's policies and practices on the academic program for English learners and whether policies result in meeting academic needs of English-learning students at the secondary level. One-on-one interviews with district …

The Polarities Of Democracy: A Theoretical Framework For Building A Healthy, Sustainable, And Just World. Chapter Seven, William J. Benet

Polarities of Democracy Collection

No abstract provided.

Professional Doctorates: Literature, History, And Recommendations, Walden University Professional Doctorate Working Group

White Papers

The purpose of this paper is to guide the Walden University academic community toward a consistent understanding of the standards and scope for our doctoral degrees, with a focus on the professional doctorates. The specific purpose of the findings in this paper is to help shape future development and assessment of professional doctorates within the University. Tools within this document can be used for guidance and criteria to help demonstrate that Walden is upholding basic agreed-upon standards of doctoral education

2012 Walden University Winter Research Symposium, Walden University

2010-2016 Archived Programs

Welcome to the Walden University Winter 2012 Research Symposium in Miami, Fla. In keeping with the tradition, this symposium showcases the work of faculty members, students, and our newest graduates, all of whom have been working on a wide range of research topics and areas of inquiry. Each symposium is a little different, however, and it is not hard to see distinct themes in the topics that are being presented and discussed this evening. First, an increasing number of graduates and faculty members from our professional doctorate programs are participating in the symposium, and as a result, we see more …

Parent’S Experiences During Their Infant’S Transition From Neonatal Intensive Care Unit To Home: A Qualitative Study, Sharon W. Hutchinson, Marydee A. Spillett, Mary Cronin

Center for Research Quality Publications

Limited literature exists which examines how parents of infants hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) transition from their infant’s NICU hospital stay to home. This study examines the question, “What are the experiences of parents during their infant’s transition from the NICU to home? Grounded theory methods served as the paradigm to explore twelve NICU parents’ experiences during their infant’s transition. The basic social psychological process identified was “becoming a parent” which was based on the core problem “I’m not a parent.” Analysis of data contributed to a model described by the researchers as the resultant Model of …

Child, Parent, And Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives On Hiv Infection Status Disclosure To Children, Grace Gachanja

Presidential Alumni Research Dissemination Award

HIV infected parents face great challenges when contemplating and performing disclosure of theirs and their children's illnesses to their infected and noninfected children. HIV disclosure guidelines for a parent's and child's illness do not exist in resource-poor nations. This hinders and impedes the delivery of disclosure from parent to child. This qualitative phenomenological study, based on the disease progression theory and the consequence theory of HIV disclosure, was conducted to understand the lived experiences of HIV-infected parents and their children living in Kenya before, during, and after disclosure of a parent's and child's HIV infection status. Thirty four participants consisting …

A Nhanes 2005-2006 Data Analysis Examining Early Childhood Factors, Food Security, Medical Insurance, And Childhood Obesity, Assanatu Iyatunde Savage

Presidential Alumni Research Dissemination Award

The purpose of this study, and primary research question, was to examine the relationships among early childhood factors, food security, and family medical insurance and childhood obesity. There are many factors associated with the overweight and obesity epidemic. Hence, creating solutions must be addressed on various platforms such as early childhood influences, food security/insecurity, and family availability of health insurance. Relevant and aggregate data on factors affecting childhood obesity could potentially lead to age appropriate interventions to prevent childhood obesity and its sequelae. The literature noted the social cognitive theory in addressing the relationship between parents, the environment, and childhood …

Government-To-Government E-Government: A Case Study Of A Federal Financial Program, Olu Faokunla

School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) Dissertation Award

The problem with the study of the concept of electronic government (e-Gov) is that scholars in the field have not adequately explored various dimensions ofthe concept. Literature on e-Gov is replete with works on the form of government to consumer e-Gov. Much less work had been done on the government to government (G2G) e-Gov. This qualitative case study was predicated on the concepts of intergovernmental relations and intergovernmental management, and it sought to fill the gap in the literature by providing a clear understanding of G2G e-Gov by exploring a federal program in the United States. The central research question …

A Multiple Case Study Analysis Of The Positive Deviance Approach In Community Health, Piroska Bisits Bullen

Harold L. Hodgkinson Award for Outstanding Dissertation

The positive deviance (PD) approach involves finding individuals who have solved a problem and spreads their unique solutions to others. While there have been calls for PD to become a standard tool in community health, there has been little research on the approach. This study investigated how PD is used in practice and evidence of its effectiveness by analyzing case studies of 40 PD programs and 32 PD inquiries implemented in a range of high, middle, and low income countries by both national and international organizations. Case studies were developed using data from publicly available documents. Qualitative within-case and cross-case …

Fear As A Predictor Of Life Satisfaction For Older Adults In Retirement In Canada, Satoko Nguyen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In developed countries, most healthy retirees still have fears about growing old; however, there is little empirical data on the relationship between this fear and quality of life. This cross-sectional, correlational, survey study tested whether a summated measure of fears of growing old (fear) based on Laslett’s theory of retirement (the third age) significantly predicted life satisfaction and retirement satisfaction after adjusting for significant activity theory covariates. 190 Canadian volunteer retirees at 3 community retirement centers completed surveys. A pilot study established the reliability and valdity of the scales, including an instrument Fears about Growing Old derived from Laslett’s exemplifications, …