Digital Commons Network^™

Individuals’ Lived Experiences With Pharmaceutical Patient Assistant Programs, Marcia Clarke-Burke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPharmaceutical patient assistance programs (PAPs) were introduced as an alternative to address patients’ inability to obtain necessary prescription drugs. However, individuals were not fully exploring the beneficial nature of PAPs due to a poor understanding of the programs. Additional research is needed to understand how PAPs impact patients’ outcomes and costs of care. Grounded in Andersen and Newman’s model of health care utilization, this qualitative research was guided by the hermeneutic phenomenological research design. Data were collected during interviews with 11 participants located in various states regarding their participation in PAPs and their lived experiences in using PAPs. Collected data …

Improving Financial Resiliency To Provide Accessible Community Services During Emergency Conditions Through Strategic Planning, Maria Elisa Colmenares

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study site organization lacked financial resilience to ensure the provision of social services to populations reliant on these services, including before, during, and after emergency conditions. The purpose of this mixed-methods case study was to provide strategic planning recommendations to increase financial resilience and describe the unique partnership between the client agency and the nonprofit arm. The study addressed strategies to increase the financial resilience needed to sustain the organization’s core mission, and strategies the agency can use to provide community services before, during, and after emergencies such as COVID-19, hurricanes, or severe storms. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and …

Help-Seeking And Stigma Experienced By Arab American Immigrant Parents Of Children With Autism, April Demasters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Because of cultural and religious norms and associated stigma, some parents of a child with a mental illness or developmental disorder are hesitant to seek help for their child. The purpose of the study is to better understand how religious and ethnic culture reinforces stigma and its impact on a parent’s decision to seek help. This phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with Muslim Arab American immigrant parents, including first and second generations, in the United States who had a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the last 15 years. Semistructured interviews were conducted to gather data exploring …

Administrator Experiences With Placement Of Transgender Women In Coed Residential Homeless Facilities, Monica Lee Discolo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found that transgender women have difficulty accessing appropriate and inclusive services due to inadequate housing placements. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of administrators of coed homeless facilities when making housing placement decisions for transgender women. Queer theory provided the theoretical lens for the study. As part of the qualitative generic study design, 10 interviews were conducted via telephone with participants selected through snowball sampling. The interviews were transcribed, and several iterations of thematic analysis were conducted to construct codes, categories, and themes. The findings revealed that there is (a) a lack …

Experiences Of Older Adults With Hiv/Aids Enrolled In Case Management Programs In Northwest Indiana, Antoinette Cardenas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn 2016, more than half of those infected with HIV/AIDS were age 50 years or older. Since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy, the survival rate of HIV patients has been on the rise with a predicted increase by 2030, but this has also contributed to early onset of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and kidney failure. The purpose of this generic qualitative study, driven by ecological systems theory, was to explore the experiences of older adults (age 50 and older) with HIV/AIDS who were enrolled in case management programs in Northwest Indiana. Data were collected from semi structured interviews …

The Perceived Impact Of Effective Leadership On Employee Engagement And Compliance, Ayana Gilham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The focus of this study was the perceived impact of effective leadership on employee engagement and compliance. The Baldridge Excellence Framework was used as a guide for this qualitative case study of a behavioral health organization (BHO) located in the southeastern region of the United States. Research questions were used to examine the definition of effective leadership, the impact effective leadership has on employee engagement and compliance, and training needed to implement effective leadership practices. Data sources were semi-structured interviews with the organization’s Vice President of Operations and Clinical Director, the organization’s website, government websites, archival data provided by the …

Admission Timing, Age, Sex, Pain, And Disability As Outcome Predictors Of Short-Term Pain Programs, Nanesha Courtney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found that age, sex, education level, and pretreatment pain levels may be significant predictors of patient outcomes; however, it remained unknown whether the timing of treatment predicts pain and disability after a multidisciplinary short-term intensive pain treatment program. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to use archival data to examine whether the timing of entry into a multidisciplinary short-term intensive pain treatment program predicted pain and functioning levels at posttreatment. Glasser’s choice theory was used to examine whether the combined effect of pretreatment pain, occupational disability level, age, sex, education level, and time of entrance predicted …

Grade 3 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Challenges And Supports In Addressing Socioemotional Needs Of African American Students, Lavina Nicole Covin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Empirical evidence from researchers suggested that socioemotional learning is essential to academic success, reducing negative behaviors, and building confidence and resilience. The problem explored in this basic qualitative study was that Grade 3 teachers in Title I schools were not adequately equipped to handle African American students’ socioemotional and mental health needs. Guided by Seligman’s positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments theory, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of 10 local district Title I Grade 3 teachers regarding the challenges they face, and support they need to provide adequate socioemotional and mental health interventions …

Student Perspective Of Alternative Education Characteristics Implemented By Public School Social Workers, Jennifer M. Fields

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public schools are facing increased challenges to address the needs of students with significant behavioral issues. In response, Alternative education (AE) programs are used to reengage students in learning and enhance personal development, through a combination of academic and therapeutic strategies. AE placement is intended to be short-term, with the goal of returning students to public school. However, the differences between these two settings make it difficult for students to sustain achievements made in AE upon reentry. The purpose of this qualitative research was to use the student perspective to identify the social-emotional characteristics of AE that have influenced change, …

The Hospital Consumer Assessment Of Healthcare Providers And Systems And Central-Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections, Mary Kerich

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) contributing to extended hospital stays, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. In 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services implemented the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing initiative, which links acute care hospitals' payments to quality performance. A gap in the literature existed regarding the relationship between hospital characteristics, patient experience, and CLABSI rates. This quantitative study aimed to explore the relationship between patient experience scores reported by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) and CLABSI standardized infection ratio (SIR) in nonprofit acute care hospitals in the United States. Three …

The Externalization Of The Triarchic Psychopathy Model’S Boldness In Successful Female Psychopathy, Michelle F. Linski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study of successful female psychopathy is one that is under researched in the field of psychopathy. Current research focuses on the criminal male psychopath which has also led to a deficit of research on boldness, a construct of psychopathy found within the triarchic psychopathy model (TriPM). It is crucial that these gaps be addressed because these individuals still can harm those around them. The more researchers understand about the roles of gender and boldness and how they work together, the more equipped they will be when piecing together the psychopathy puzzle. The current study was grounded in Bem’s gender …

Using Multi-Theory Model (Mtm) To Predict Intention To Promote Physical Activity By Primary Care Providers, Shirley Mcclendon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physical inactivity persists as a public health concern worldwide and results in more than a million deaths per year. This modifiable behavior can result in improved health when primary care providers (PCPs) communicate recommendations to patients and behavior change is supported. In this study, a quantitative cross-sectional design was used to investigate the intentions of PCPs in providing physical activity counseling, using the constructs of the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change as the theoretical framework. An anonymous 37-item electronic survey was administered to participants practicing primary care and family medicine from rural areas in the Southeastern region of …

Strategies For Sustaining Success In Small Businesses In Nigeria, Mina Johnson-Hart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Enterprise owners in Nigeria who need more entrepreneurial skills and an understanding of the business environment may need help sustaining their market share. Nigerian small business owners are concerned with the need for entrepreneurial growth strategies because it could reduce business profitability sustainability and lead to entity failure. Grounded in the entrepreneurial orientation theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies Nigerian small business owners implement for sustaining success beyond 5 years. The participants were three small business owners in the professional services sector who developed strategies for sustaining success beyond 5 years. Data were …

Integrating Palliative Care In The Cardiac Surgery Icu, Katherine Rodman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over the last decade, patients who remain critically ill but in the chronic stage have become a subset of patients who often remain in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) for many months. Palliative care in the ICU has an important role and is well recognized by various studies to alleviate physical symptoms due to invasive treatments, to set patient-centered goals of care, and to provide end-of-life care. This acute care facility does not have guidelines for clinicians to use when introducing and managing palliative care for terminal heart failure patients during long term stays in the ICU. The clinical …

Doctoral Study Effects Of Mandatory Staffing Requirements On Quality Indicators In Long-Term Care, Melissa Reed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Long term care facilities continue to struggle to improve the quality of care, which affects publicly reported data and reimbursement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if state-mandated staffing ratios affected Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) survey ratings for CMS Region 7, which consisted of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The theoretical framework was grounded by Donabedian’s quality theory, which described quality is made up of the elements of structure, process, and outcomes. This study included two research questions evaluating if there was a correlation between minimum staffing ratios and quality of care in long-term care …

Cross-Functional Team Collaboration For Enhancing Timely And Effective Emergency Department Care, Osaigbovo Osemwegie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMany US hospitals report overcrowding in the emergency department (ED) with increased ambulance diversion. Operating at overcapacity risks staff members' ability to provide timely and effective emergency care to patients, exposing them to poor health outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate whether a correlation exists between cross-functional team collaboration and timely and effective ED care for patients who left 548 national hospital EDs before being seen between 2020 and 2021. The study's independent variable was cross-functional team collaboration, and the dependent variables were Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Measure scores: left before being …

Firefighters’ Views Associated With Mental Health Counseling, Jessica H. Ridgway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Decades of research show that firefighters’ trauma-filled tasks and work environments are associated with decreases in the quality of their everyday lives. Firefighters experience trauma on a regular basis which is leading to mental health issues contributing to work and non-work-related issues. Since stigma is present toward mental health counseling, firefighters are not always seeking the help they need. Through qualitative research, the purpose of the study was to explore thoughts and views of experienced, male firefighters to establish ways of improving their life quality. Semi structured interviews were used to gather data from nine participants regarding their views on …

Self Care Education For Nurses Following An Assault, Barbara Lynn Schwarz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSelf-Care Education for Nurses Following an Assault by Barbara Lynn Schwarz MS, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 2008 BS, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 2004

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University August 2023 Abstract Every day, 1 in 4 nurses experience physical and/or verbal assault, surpassing the rates among police officers and prison guards. This issue is particularly widespread among nurses working in mental health settings. The local practice problem for this project was the absence of self-care education for nurses following workplace assaults. The literature revealed that such assaults have traumatic …

The Experience Of Social Support In Doctoral Dissertation Student Mothers, Melissa Anne Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women who are actively parenting and employed professionally comprise a significant number of the overall global doctorate population attempting to complete their dissertation. A Ph.D. in psychology requires years of commitment of which many women will never complete. The final dissertation phase of the degree process is infamous for being viewed by students as potentially isolative. There is a need to better understand how doctoral student mothers completing their dissertation in a Ph.D. psychology program experience social support. The research questions explored doctoral student mothers’ social support experiences as they completed their dissertation. Tinto’s social integration theory guided the overall …

Diabetes Self-Management Education, Jean David Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAccording to the World Health Organization, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, metabolic disease that can lead to damage throughout the body and development complications if self-care management is not implemented. Studies have demonstrated a lack of preparedness of nursing staff on T2DM self-care. At the federally qualified health clinic where this Doctor of Nursing Practice project occurred, a gap in practice existed related to the use of outdated American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines and lack of patient education documentation on self-care management of T2DM. The purpose of this staff education project was to plan, implement, and evaluate …

Exploring Strategies To Protect Nonprofit Organizations’ Assets From Fraud, Georjean W. Trinkle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community action agencies serve low-income individuals, families, and communities. Community action agencies may be at risk of fraud if they do not have board members with the knowledge to implement effective governance strategies to protect the organization's assets from fraud. Grounded in agency theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore effective governance strategies that some community action board members use to protect their organization's assets from fraud. The participants were three board members of two community action agencies in New Jersey who implemented effective governance strategies to protect the organization's assets from fraud. Data were …

Healthcare Organizational Strategies For Designing And Implementing Economic Think Tanks, Robert Worthington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of focus on organizational strategy impedes the development of successful healthcare think tanks. Healthcare leaders are concerned about the lack of strategies and their importance in combating fraud, reducing errors, enforcing practice guidelines, and improving patient healthcare services. Grounded in the four trajectories of industry change theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies healthcare management leaders use to develop successful healthcare think tank organizations. The participants were three healthcare professionals in senior leadership positions for a healthcare think tank organization. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, a review of organizational documents, and …

Leadership’S Impact On Employee Work Motivation And Performance, Tonia Marilu Joseph-Armstrong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractLeadership is a major factor in terms of motivating employees, leading to enhanced performance. A study was conducted to examine the influence of supervisory leadership style on employee work motivation and job performance in organizations, specifically in a K-12 school setting. The main goal was to determine if there is a relationship between type of leadership demonstrated by school administrators and its impact on the teaching staff’s motivation and performance. Data for this quantitative study were gathered and analyzed from various public and private schools and included a sample of 100 participants. The predictor variable leadership was assessed using the …

Barriers To The Successful Implementation Of Laws In Saint Lucia, Confia Samantha Jn Paul-Samuel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSaint Lucia experiences barriers to successfully implementing some of its enacted laws. As a developing country, when legislative efforts are hampered, the law enactment process is negatively impacted. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the potential barriers to the successful implementation of laws in Saint Lucia by examining any effective emerging practices to develop new and innovative approaches and methods in addressing the various issues involved. The conceptual framework for this study comprised parliamentary engagement, public participation and policy making in the law enactment process in similar parliamentary jurisdictions. The research questions focused on understanding the potential …

Space Debris Mitigation: A Unified Policy Framework, Forrest Randall Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Space debris is a growing problem that impacts the ability to maneuver and conduct space missions, creates hazards for people on Earth, and has the potential for severe environmental damage. Clean-up efforts are not viable in the modern era due to a lack of viable, affordable, and safe technology conducive to such lines of effort. This leaves mitigative and preventative policy measures as the most effective way to proffer a solution to the problem. Public policy has largely failed to address space debris mitigation effectively due to the fragmentation of policies standards and a lack of horizontal integration of policies …

Gender Disparities: 5 Year Survival Rates Of Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients With Depression, Riya Joshi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is a life-threatening health condition known to greatly affect the elderly than younger populations. CRC, if comorbid with mental condition such as depression, can seriously affect patients’ quality of life with a direct influence on the survival rate. There is a connection between depression and worsened cancer progression and survival rate of CRC, little is known on gender differences in survival rates on elderly CRC patients with pre-existing depression (PD). A socioeconomic model study was used to evaluate gender, initial diagnostic stage, and marital status (MS) at diagnosis as major independent variables and 5-years survival rate (5-YS) …

Experiences With Access To Seeking And Maintaining Home Health Care Services In Low-Income Communities, Staci Yvette Kennedy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHome health care services (HHCS) are a cost-effective service option often underutilized by individuals living in low-income communities. For this population, barriers to care may result in higher health care costs and poor health outcomes. Gaps in literature indicated a need to explore experiences of accessing and maintaining home health care among individuals living in low-income communities. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to gain insight into how individuals living in low-income communities perceive their access to HHCS. The conceptual framework used for this phenomenological study was Penchansky and Thomas’s model of access, which addresses access from seven …

The Lived Experiences Of Minority Widowers With Dependent Children, Cathy-Ann L. King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Spousal death is a traumatic event well documented amongst clinical professionals because of its impact on a man’s physical and mental health. However, prior research on widowers has focused predominantly on white middle-class males. Little is known about the black indigenous people of color (BIPOC) male experience with spousal death, especially from those who are raising their dependent children. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand the lived experiences of BIPOC male widowers and their children. BIPOC widowers experiencing the trauma of this life-changing event without professional assistance are at higher risk of emotional, physical, and mental distress. Attachment theory …

Relationship Between Parental Attachment And Cyberbullying Within The Homeschooling Community, Jason King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cyberbullying has been a focus of research and societal concern since the advent of the internet. Both perpetrators and victims of cyberbullying experience significant adverse effects including depression, anxiety, internalizing and externalizing problems, suicidal ideation, and suicide. Despite the broad understanding of the impact of cyberbullying on mental and physical health, research has not prioritized the exploration of cyberbullying within the homeschooled population. The purpose of this quantitative survey design was to identify the characteristics and relationships between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, attachment security, and religiosity in homeschooled adolescents. Using a framework of Bowlby’s attachment theory, the Parental Attachment Questionnaire, …

Cross-Sectional Collaboration In Florida's Emergency Management System, Christopher Stephen Kirkland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Florida faces a unique set of emergency management hazards prompted by the state’s geography, high volume of tourism, and position as a hub of international trade. The state has developed a highly adaptive emergency management system to deliver humanitarian assistance to Floridians affected by natural and other disasters. Despite the importance of collaboration in delivering humanitarian goods and services to Floridians in times of crisis, little is known as to how collaboration occurs, what impediments exist, and how organizations adapt to the dynamics of natural and other disasters. In this qualitative case study, the integrative framework for collaborative governance was …