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The Impact Of Electronic Cigarettes Use On Traditional Cigarette Uses Among U.S. Adolescents, Ismail Mensah Dwumfour-Poku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increased usage of e-cigarettes among adolescents in the United States (U.S.) is a major public health concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nicotine, an active ingredient in e-cigarettes, is the most addictive drug in use today. The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship between smoking of e- cigarettes and the risk of smoking traditional cigarettes among middle and high school students in Grades 6 through 12 in the U.S., and to determine if demographic factors contribute to this predisposition. This, quantitative cross-sectional study used the social ecological model as the …

Perceptions Of Human Services Case Workers Regarding Culturally Sensitive, Evidence-Based Services In Child Welfare, John Dyrkacz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The perceptions of human services case workers toward their racial minority clients may affect the quality of service that racial minority families who are involved in the child welfare system receive. In the child welfare system, some African American families are not offered services that are culturally sensitive or tailored to their race or ethnicity. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore human services case workers’ perceptions of offering culturally appropriate, evidence-based services to their African American and racial minority clients in an Upper Midwest urban setting in the United States. Family systems theory was used to …

Strategies For Reducing Employee Turnover In Small And Medium Enterprises, Olusegun Ayinde Fadahunsi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover negatively impacts small and medium enterprises (SME) sustainability. SME leaders are interested in finding workable strategies to reduce turnover and the high cost of hiring new employees. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies SME leaders in Nigeria used to reduce employee turnover. The participants were three SME business owners who successfully reduced employee turnover. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of company documents. Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified: effective leadership practices, focus on employees’ working conditions, enhancing employees’ competence, and implementing …

Non Reporting Of Sexual Victimization In Male Prisoners, Christopher Elliott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual assault within prisons continues to occur despite federally mandated safety protocols and reporting procedures. Male inmates must also navigate the challenge of upholding societal gender norms to meet the ideal of hegemonic masculinity as identified in Gender Order Theory. Seven formerly incarcerated males were interviewed for this study. The interviews were designed to explore four relevant topical points which explored the roles that stereotypical/hegemonic masculinity traits play in the reporting of sexual victimization in males who were sexually victimized during incarceration. 2) The role gender roles stress/conflict play in the reporting of sexual victimization in males who were sexually …

Lived Experiences Of Mothers Balancing Work And Family In The Restaurant And Food Services Industry, Brandi M. Fannell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women account for over half of restaurant and food service employees in the United States. The hours required to manage obligation to both jobs and families impact work–life balance among this population, which can lead to burnout behaviors such as complaints, turnover, and absenteeism. Guided by both self-efficacy and role conflict theories, a phenomenological study was conducted to understand work–life balance, engagement, and job satisfaction among working mothers in the restaurant and food service industry. Working mothers with children between ages 5 months and 17 years, who were employed full-time at casual restaurants and similar food service organizations, were interviewed …

Assessing Online Faculty Likelihood To Refer Students To University Mental Health Services, Karin Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The negative impact of mental health concerns experienced by college students has prompted faculty teaching in-person to become gatekeepers, assisting students in accessing mental health services. COVID-19 has changed the learning environment and presented a need to explore the role online faculty play as gatekeepers. The purpose of this study was to investigate online faculty’s willingness to refer students to university mental health services by applying factors shown to influence in-person faculty in context of the health belief model. Using a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study design, 182 online faculty completed an online survey assessing the likelihood of making a referral …

Moral Obligation And Social Influence Predictors Of Compliance Behavior And Organizational Ethical Climate Among Healthcare Leaders, Tara M. Farmer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. Congress has enacted many regulations managed by branches of government such as Medicare to ensure healthcare organizations comply. Organizational leaders who place value on building effective compliance programs seek ways to enhance compliance. Understanding what motivates individuals to behave in a compliant way may help leaders develop programs that enhance those motivations. This nonexperimental, correlational, quantitative research study tested the relationship between the predictor variables, moral obligation, and social influence, with the criterion variable compliance behaviors among healthcare organizational leaders and to determine the mediating effect of ethical climate on the relationship. A total of 186 managers working …

Improving Medication Adherence For African American Patients With Hypertension, Kimberly Fitzgerald

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adherence to antihypertensive medications is essential for positive outcomes in treating hypertension (HTN). But the rate of nonadherence to antihypertensive medications among African Americans (AA) is low. The purpose of this DNP project was to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) that would assist in improving hypertensive medication adherence in the AA patient population as well as assess whether the CPG would be recommended by a team of content experts for use in their practice. The Hypertension Medication Adherence CPG incorporated the medication adherence model and the transtheoretical model to generate evidence-based interventions. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation …

Strategies For Developing Millennials And Generation Z Into Future Nonprofit Leaders, Tracy M. Foote

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, leaders who manage the one and a half million nonprofit organizations (NPOs) nationally are aging and preparing to retire. The nonprofit sector faces a leadership development deficit as many NPOs are without a succession plan. The management problem is that NPOs have struggled to employ strategies to prepare Millennials or Generation Z (Gen Z) workers to assume leadership roles in NPOs. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies NPOs employ to prepare Millennials or Gen Z workers to assume leadership roles. The research question asked: What strategies do NPOs employ …

Empowerment Strategies For Sustaining Small Business Moving Companies, Leroy Jr Peter Fontenette

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of empowerment strategies can cause high employee attrition for small moving company owners and lead to business closures within 5 years. Small moving company owners using effective empowerment strategies can reduce attrition and increase business longevity. Grounded in the transformational theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore empowerment strategies three small moving company owners in California used for sustaining their business beyond 5 years. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents, such as logistics instruments, a combined agreement contract for moving services, and a freight bill. Using thematic analysis, the three …

A Phenomenological Examination Of African American Men’S Experiences In Community College, Abdulhalim Faruq

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe community college, given its accessibility and affordability, has become the institution of choice for many African American men pursuing academic, vocational, and technical advancement. However, African American men attending community colleges are less likely to graduate and persist than their European American male and female peers. Limited research exists on academic persistence among African American men attending community colleges and their academic self-efficacy. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American male community college students regarding their academic persistence, formal and informal interactions with their instructors, and self-efficacy. Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy …

Barriers To Completing Bachelor’S Degrees For Nontraditional Nebraska Students, Melba Dinorah Fix-Padilla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractNontraditional students in Nebraska colleges have lower graduation rates than traditional students. Approximately 40% of nontraditional students at a private college withdraw before completing a degree. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover barriers preventing nontraditional students from completing a degree. The conceptual frameworks were Tinto’s student integration model and Bean’s student attrition model, which involve financial, social, and academic completion resources. Research questions involve financial, social, and academic challenges preventing nontraditional students from completing a degree. The sample consisted of eight nontraditional undergraduate students between the ages of 25 to 65, an undergraduate administrator, and a focus …

Challenges Child Life Specialist Faculty Face In Supporting Child Life Specialist Candidates Seeking Internships, Deborah Sue Fingerhut

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University

College of Education

This is to certify that the doctoral study by

Deborah Fingerhut

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made.

Review Committee Dr. Joanna Karet, Committee Chairperson, Education Faculty Dr. Sydney Parent, Committee Member, Education Faculty Dr. Leslie VanGelder, University Reviewer, Education Faculty

Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D.

Walden University2022

Abstract Challenges Child Life Specialist Faculty Face in Supporting Child Life Specialist Candidates Seeking Internships by Deborah Fingerhut

MA, Mills College, 1983BS, California State University, Sacramento, …

Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of Using An Educational Modality Of Online Clinical Learning, Esther Edgal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMany clinical nursing courses have changed to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing challenges for both students and faculty in supporting students’ academic needs. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate nursing students’ perceptions of how the instruction in online modality clinical nursing courses supported their academic needs and faculty behaviors as well as gather the students’ suggestions of what would improve online nursing education. The conceptual framework was adapted from Kearsley and Shneiderman’s theory of engagement that offers instructional best practices for the online environment. The research questions related to nursing students’ perceptions …

Strategies For Developing Leadership Development Programs To Meet Organizational Goals, James Christopher Edge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial business leaders lack strategies to successfully develop leadership development programs to meet organizational goals. Financial business leaders are concerned that all business organizations struggle with leadership development. Grounded in the substitutes for leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore strategies financial business leaders use to successfully develop leadership development programs to meet organizational goals. The participants comprised three financial executives located in the southeastern United States who are responsible for leadership development. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of organizational electronic information. Three themes emerged: training, resources, and communications. The key …

A Clinical Practice Guideline To Promote Medication Adherence Among Adult African Americans With Hypertension, Beatrice Chisara Ekechukwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication nonadherence represents one of the major barriers to achieving optimal health, particularly for African Americans (AAs). Poor adherence to medications is a significant problem that can lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) provide current, evidence-based interventions for changing health behaviors to improve medication adherence (MA). The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based patient education CPG to address MA among AA patients with hypertension (HTN). The project site was a medium-sized health care clinic in the South Central United States with a high rate of uncontrolled HTN among AA patients. …

Strategies Nursing Managers Use To Prevent And Address Workplace Conflicts, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Ezeani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace conflicts negatively impact organizational performance. Health care leaders are concerned that workplace conflicts lead to stress and low performance by nurses and negatively affect the delivery of care to patients. Grounded in the social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies health care nursing managers use to address workplace conflict. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with five nursing managers from multiple healthcare organizations in the Western region of the United States who have successful strategies to address workplace conflict. The data analysis using Yin’s five-step approach identified four main themes: perception …

Information Communication And Technology Strategies For Improving Nonprofit Organizations’ Effectiveness, Richard T. Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSome nonprofit organization leaders lack strategies to incorporate information communication and technology (ICT) into the business operations of organizations. A nonprofit organization lacking strategies involving integrating technology into their business operations decreases the likelihood of being efficient, productive, and effective. Grounded in the information technology (IT) competency model, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the ICT strategies of a nonprofit organization leader in the south suburbs of Chicago. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and reviews of organizational documents. The Marshall and Rossman seven-step process was used to analyze data. Three themes emerged …

The Experience Of Providing Direct Care To Children Victims Of Boko Haram Insurgencies In Nigeria, Felicia Etuke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The insurgency of terrorism leaves lasting economic, social, academics, spiritual, religious, and psychological effects, but often children’s psychological welfare is neglected in the aftermath of terrorist attacks. Boko Haram’s presence in Nigeria has left many children orphaned, displaced, and impoverished. Thus, there is a need to highlight the importance of the role that care providers play in securing the psychological health of the child victims of Boko Haram insurgency. This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the experiences of care providers to the child victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Compassion fatigue theory was used as a theoretical framework for the …

Understanding How Healthcare Social Workers Respond To Adult Medical Trauma, Sonya Anthony

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medical trauma in the hospital is a growing health disparity often accompanied by social determinants. Assisting in alleviating disparities and social determinants is a standard of care embedded in social work practice. This research was conducted to examine healthcare social workers’ experiences responding to and managing the psychosocial impacts of adult medical trauma in an acute inpatient environment. The goal of the research was to identify if a need exists for trauma-informed training among healthcare social workers. The research question examined how healthcare social workers respond to medical trauma. The model of case management, trauma-informed care, and systems theory were …

Credit Abuse, Interest Rates, And Loan Performance Of Ten Nigerian Banks, Diala Ugwumba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe ongoing failure in the Nigerian financial system has been a source of concern to the regulatory authorities, stakeholders, depositors, and the banking public because of the role these financial institutions played in the Nigerian economy in the last decade. The root of the problem was credit abuse performed by the bank’s credit officers and executive directors which made it challenging for financial institutions to recover the loans granted by the banks. The issue made investors lose their investments and bankers lose their jobs. The crisis resulted in poor asset quality that eventually eroded the Nigerian financial institution’s capital. Using …

Retention Of African American Male Teachers In Elementary And Middle Schools, Marla West

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe representation of African American male teachers in elementary urban schools has decreased. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate administrators’ and African American male teachers’ perceptions of how administrators are challenged to support the retention of African American male teachers in elementary and middle schools in the focus urban school district. Social, cognitive, and transformational leadership theories were used as a framework to guide the study. Research questions addressed how administrators perceive the ways they support the retention of African American male teachers and how African American male teachers perceive that support. Purposeful sampling was used …

Effects Of Socioeconomic Status, Demographic Characteristics, And Education On Sarcopenic Obesity, Moruf Oladele Olaleye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The general problem is that although the body of research about obesity is robust, there is a lack of research addressing the problem of sarcopenic obesity. Specifically, there is a lack of research examining the statistical significance of the relationship between the independent variables of socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, and education and the dependent variable of sarcopenic obesity. This research may advance practice and policy by lending support for developing interventions to address factors that have a statistically significant relationship with sarcopenic obesity. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to identify independent variables among socioeconomic, demographic, and education …

Terrorism Preparedness, Collaboration, And Organizational Culture In The National Capital Region, Anderson Percival Padmore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Terrorism preparedness is essential for federal, state, and local governments. However, literature indicated that local governments may not be ready to respond to a terrorist event. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine terrorism preparedness levels related to collaboration in the National Capital Region (NCR) of the United States to determine first responders’ perspectives regarding challenges of organizational change. The research questions for this study concentrated on the evaluation of terrorism- preparedness and organizational changes among first response agencies since 2014, Schein’s ideas of organizational cultural change were the theoretical foundation. Four NCR public safety agencies were …

Type Of Union And Reproductive Health Influence On Domestic Violence In Sierra Leone, Yvonne Rowe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence (DV) is one of the most hidden but prevalent public health concerns affecting women of childbearing age in Africa, despite ongoing prevention initiatives. Lack of power and control in the household is a significant precursor of DV in women, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. While poverty, gender inequality, and societal norms have been identified as directly related to DV, the factors of type of union and reproductive health choice remain unexplored. This quantitative study with a cross-sectional design assessed the relationship between the type of union, female contraceptive use, and type of DV amongst women in Sierra Leone. Anchored …

Strategies For Catalyzing Supply Chain Innovation In Midsized Manufacturing Firms, Matthew J. Szukalowski Iii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Supply chain inflexibility results in reduced efficiency and profitability. Without supply chain flexibility, supply chain managers in manufacturing firms risk the loss of competitive advantage due to reduced efficiency and profitability. Grounded in business process engineering conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies supply chain leaders in manufacturing organizations use to achieve supply chain flexibility. The participants were five supply chain leaders in the manufacturing industry in the midwestern United States and successfully implemented innovative solutions to achieve supply chain flexibility. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of company documents …

Experiences Of Critical Care Nurse Managers In Addressing Nurses' Work-Related Stress, Mariana Tsucuneli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractNurses who work in the critical care unit are more likely to experience work-related stress, fatigue, understaffing, undesirable performance outcomes, and compromised workplace safety than general care nurses. Nurse managers in these units possess insights into nurses' stress-inducing challenges, in addition to managerial and administrative perspectives. Yet there is a lack of available knowledge about the experiences of critical care nurse managers in addressing nurses' work-related stress. The purpose of this study was to explore critical care nurse managers’ experiences of potential strategies to effectively address work-related stress among nurses. The job-demand resource model was the theoretical framework for the …

Experiences Of Women In Sierra Leone Relating To Accessing Breast Cancer Treatment, Anne Neville

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There has been a lack of consistent access to breast cancer care and treatment for women in developing countries, especially in Sierra Leone. Limited access to breast cancer care and treatment is a significant problem for women diagnosed in the later stages of the disease. The purpose of this research was to understand the experiences of women diagnosed with different stages of breast cancer, how they went about accessing breast cancer care and treatment, and how those experiences can be used to improve access to breast cancer treatment in Sierra Leone. Andersen and Newman’s healthcare utilization model guided the study’s …

Strategies For Accessing Finance By Small And Medium Enterprises, Ezechiel Nibigira

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Birthplace Decision Making Experiences Of The Ugep Women Of Southern Nigeria, Thomas Okoi Ofem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore and describe how behavioral, normative, and control beliefs shape women's birthplace decision-making experiences. The study sought to better understand how Ugep women of southern Nigeria decided where to give birth after attending antenatal care. Using the theory of planned behavior as a framework, a purposeful sample of nine women aged 25 to 35 years who attended antenatal clinic at least twice at the selected primary health facility but gave birth at home during the past year was recruited. Data collection was through face-to-face, semistructured interviews. Audio recordings of interviews were …