Digital Commons Network^™

Lifestyle Factors And Social Determinants As Predictors Of Weight/Body Mass Index, Uthman Alhaji Baba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a major public health concern that includes the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and premature death in adults. Previous studies have established the relationship between gender, educational level, household income and respondents’ weight but additional research is needed to factor the nature of education in relation to gender differences, diet, and other important behavioral mediators such as social determinants. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study is to determine the extent to which frequency of physical activity, household income, social determinants of health (money for balanced meals, finances at the end of month, and poor mental health), respondent …

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Residents With Dementia, Jared Bielanski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The use of antipsychotic medications in persons with dementia has been shown to increase mortality in long-term care (LTC) patients. National guidelines recommend the use of nonpharmacological interventions when possible for LTC residents with dementia. Nurses who work in a local LTC facility are not regularly trained in effective nonpharmacological interventions and lack the knowledge to provide care for patients with dementia. To provide safe and effective alternative interventions to antipsychotic medication use, nurses and direct care staff must have current, evidence-based education available to them about alternative practices. The purpose of this staff education project, guided by Calista Roy’s …

Understanding Teachers’ Experiences Implementing An Innovative Early Literacy Program, Stephanie Callaway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of effective literacy interventions for the development of reading skills for primary students who are at-risk for dropping out of high school. The purpose of this study was to examine early literacy instruction by exploring the insights and perspectives of primary educators who participated in a literacy intervention program known as the supporting literacy model. The conceptual framework was based on sociocultural learning theory and self-efficacy theory. The main research question for this qualitative multiple case study addressed the experiences of teachers and instructional coaches who implemented the supporting literacy model. …

Cultural Identity As A Predictor Of Weight Loss In U.S. Hispanics, Leon Daniels

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on behavioral weight-loss programs has guided the development of health-related, behavior-change interventions that contribute to combating overweight and obesity in the United States, and illnesses that co-occur with unhealthy weight. However, research on behavioral weight-loss programs that focus on the U.S. Hispanic population and cultural identity is largely unrepresented in the current literature. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively examine body mass index (BMI) decreases of U.S. Hispanics while observing their (a) motivation toward exercise, (b) cultural identity, (c) physical activity program type, (d) exercise frequency, and (e) demographic variables as predictors of weight-loss. Guiding this study …

Teachers’ Use Of Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports With Social Studies Instruction, Constance Michelle Davenport

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem at a rural Title I elementary school in a southern state is that it is unknown how teachers integrate Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with social studies. A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted to explore teachers’ perceptions of integrating PBIS within social studies classes to facilitate instruction and engage students in learning. The conceptual framework that grounded the study was the PBIS structure, an evidence based intervention practice and organizational system, used to support and improve behavioral and academic outcomes for students. The research questions concerned how teachers integrate PBIS with social studies to facilitate instruction …

Case Managers’ Lived Experiences Working With Trauma Victims, Margaret Donohue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore and understand how case managers’ (CMs’) experiences listening to trauma stories of trauma victims affects them personally and professionally and what strategies they use to cope with hearing these stories. Constructivist self-development theory provided a framework for understanding the development of vicarious trauma in mental health workers. The central question and subquestions were developed to address the identified problem and purpose of the study, asking how CMs describe their experiences, how hearing trauma stories impacts CMs, and how CMs cope with their experiences of hearing trauma stories of trauma victims. …

Impact Of Interviewers’ Personal Bias On Hiring Of Law Enforcement Applicants, Richard W. Diffley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals posing a risk to the community who pass preemployment interviews represent a problem for law enforcement departments and their communities. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the shared experiences of participants regarding hiring biases that may exist among individuals tasked with interviewing law enforcement applicants. Argyris’s organizational learning theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 4 participants who had experience interviewing applicants for placement in a law enforcement department.Data were analyzed to identify themes.Biases included participants’ interpretation of applicants’ appearance, body language, ability to handle stress/pressure, preparedness for the …

Gay-Affirmative Social Work Practice With Homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Youth, Aissa Deloatch-Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth are overrepresented in the homeless population and experience higher rates of discrimination and unfair treatment when accessing services and shelter. Research indicates that homeless LGBT youth remain homeless for longer periods of time than their heterosexual peers because of bias and stigmas associated with their gender identity and sexual orientation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine if social workers in the city of New Haven, Connecticut, used an affirmative model of intervention when working with homeless LGBT youth. Maslow’s self-affirmation theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. The interview …

Principal Leadership For The Establishment Of Family-School Partnership, Mickelli Dunn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The area of family engagement and its benefits to the academic outcomes of students has been well researched. Educators, including practitioners and those who prepare them, and community members need to understand more about the leadership actions of principals, especially in urban, low-income predominantly African American schools, that lead to effective communication and learning at home partnerships. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the leadership actions of principals that support teachers establishing productive communication and learning at-home family engagement practices. Epstein’s school, family, and community partnership model was the framework that guided this research. Research questions …

Mandibular Attachment Device Effects On African American Veterans With Heart Failure, Tracey T. F. Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart failure is a growing epidemic that affects people nationwide and is disproportionate to African Americans. The purpose of this quantitative repeated measures study was to determine whether mandibular attachment device (MAD) therapy impacts symptoms of heart failure in African American male veterans diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The oxidative stress theory was applied in this study to assess whether MAD therapy received from Veterans Affairs (VA) dental clinics impacted heart failure symptoms, after controlling for patient body mass index (BMI) levels and smoking status. Research questions examined whether MAD had a significant effect on symptoms of heart failure …

Influence Of Perceived Supervisor Support And Narcissistic Leadership On Employee Turnover Intention, Natalie Disque

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employees may perceive that many factors contribute to negative attitudes at work that

increase turnover intention. Researchers have established that uncivil behavior, toxic

leadership, bullying, and mobbing increases disengagement and absenteeism and

negatively influences the leader-follower dyad and organizational performance. Based on

the theoretical foundation of the leader-member exchange theory, the purpose of this

quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between the independent

variables (employees’ perceptions of supervisor support [PSS] and narcissistic leadership

[NL]) and the dependent variable (employee turnover intention [TI]). Employee age and

tenure with the company were control variables in the study. Survey data from …

Resiliency In Latino Youth Experiencing Cartel Violence And Other Perceived Traumatic Events, Kasandra Garcia Reyna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latino youth at the violent forefront of the U.S.-Mexico border face traumatic events daily. The present study examined Latino youths’ resiliency to the violence that they face and what factors help them cope. A quantitative research approach based upon resilience theory explored social support, perceived traumatic events, and resiliency in 134 Latino youth ages 18 to 19 years who lived near the Texas-Mexico border and had witnessed, had been involved in, or had family members involved in cartel-related violence. Measurement of participants’ family and social supports along with their perceived traumatic events enabled a comparison of these scores with the …

Barriers To Reporting Workplace Violence In Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review, Kari Gaston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Underreporting of workplace violence by emergency department (ED) nurses is a global practice concern. When workplace violence is not reported, the breadth of the issue is not reflected in the data, which is necessary to support legislative action, regulatory requirements, and organizational changes to prevent violence. The purpose of this systematic review of literature was to appraise and synthesize evidence regarding ED nurses’ barriers to reporting workplace violence. The practice-focused question addressed the barriers to reporting workplace violence according to emergency nurses. The theory of planned behavior was the theoretical framework for this project. Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt’s critical appraisal of …

Small-To-Medium-Size Enterprise Managers’ Experiences With Cloud Computing, Anthony Effiong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, managers of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have had concerns regarding cloud computing and cybersecurity. Their resistance to using cloud computing has influenced their ability to do business effectively and to compete with businesses that use cloud computing. The purposes of this descriptive phenomenological study were to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of SME managers that might influence their decisions to adopt cloud computing. Watson’s concept of resistance to change and Davis, Bagozzi, and Warhaw’s technology acceptance model were the conceptual frameworks that guided this qualitative study. Data collection consisted of conducting 16 semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions …

Inpatient Psychiatric Readmissions And Social Work Practice In Nevada, Taneisha J. Graves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the social work profession, there is a lack of understanding related to increasingly rapid readmission rates at inpatient psychiatric units. Medical social workers have a vital role in the discharge planning process. Clients readmitted to an inpatient facility within 30 days of discharge have a significant impact on the social work profession. The research question examined medical social workers’ perceptions of the risk factors and challenges associated with rapid psychiatric readmission and how effective discharge planning could address the risk factors and challenges. The purpose for this action research study was to obtain social workers’ perspectives into risk factors …

Behavioral, Demographic, And Clinical Determinants Of Hiv Serostatus In Zambian Women, Debebe Masresha Gebreyohannes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection shows a diminishing trend at the global level while it shows increasing in intensity of mortality, morbidity, and burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. The intertwined behavioral, demographic, and clinical determinants fueled the incidence of infections in Zambian women. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between demographic, behavioral, and clinical determinants with HIV serostatus in Zambian women. With the conceptual framework of the World Health Organization’s Commission for Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) and quantitative method of MANOVA, this study examined Zambian Demographic Health Survey data for Zambian women of …

The Association Of Romance Movies, Gender, And Relational Identity Among Emerging Adults, Sara Hare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emerging adults are motivated to form intimate relationships and explore their relational identity. Little is known, however, about the development of relational identity in emerging adults. Given that external influences such as movies can impact how people view relationships, and that emerging adults are more likely to watch movies than other forms of media, it is essential to explore the relationship between movies and relational identity in emerging adults. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study was to examine the relationship between relational identity, gender, and the preference for romance movies among emerging adults. The theoretical foundations for the study …

Parents’ Perceptions Of Healthcare Influences On Their Decisions To Vaccinate Their Children, Patricia Frances Badiola Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Declining immunization rates are associated with higher incidents of vaccine-preventable diseases. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological inquiry was to explore the perceptions of vaccine-hesitant parents regarding their healthcare experiences. Ajzen and Fishbein‘s theory of reasoned actions and its key concepts (the intention to perform behaviors, attitudes, subjective norms, and external variables) was used as a framework to understand influences on parents' decisions to vaccinate their children. The research questions for the study examined the healthcare experiences of vaccine-hesitant parents, how these experiences influenced their decisions to vaccinate their children, and how this group perceived the current strategies promoting vaccinations …

Nursing Administration And Faculty Perceptions Of Their Self-Efficacy With Active Learning Methods, Lindsey Ann Helm

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of active teaching was identified in a small, rural college in a midwestern state, resulting in negative course evaluations that referenced students’ learning preferences as not being met. This qualitative case study was aligned with Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy to explore the perceptions of nursing administrators and nursing faculty about their teaching methods and self-efficacy regarding the implementation of active learning strategies. A purposeful sampling method was used to select a total of 8 participants: 6 nursing faculty and 2 nursing administrators. Selection criteria included nurse educators and administrators who had worked at the college within the last …

Perceptions Of Physician Influence On Healthcare Accessibility, Samuel N. Jacobs-Abbey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant portion of the U.S. population across the country has limited access to quality healthcare; however, this situation is more pronounced in rural areas. One potential solution is for healthcare practitioners to move their services to underserved rural areas to improve healthcare coverage. No previous studies have explored the perceptions of practitioners regarding their influence on healthcare access, particularly the potential impact of moving healthcare services to underserved areas. Thus, the purpose of this research was to address this gap. A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted. A sample of 24 participants was selected using purposive sampling, from the target …

Increasing Culturally Competent Care Of Lgbtq Patients By Providing Staff Education, Victoria Jacoby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The majority of health care professionals do not feel confident or competent to adequately care for a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) patient. Research has identified a link between poor preparedness of the provider/staff and poor patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an in-person staff education module about providing culturally competent care to LGBTQ patients. The study focused on providers’ attitudes, preparedness, and confidence in caring for a LGBTQ patient. The Iowa and Kirkpatrick models were utilized to ground and evaluate the study. This study was a one-group pre- and posttest …

Intrinsic Motivations And Perceived Benefits Of U.S. Males For Taking Dimethyltryptamine, Timothy Raymond Kazmarek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a psychedelic drug which has a rapidly increasing user rate, giving rise to concern amongst law enforcement and public health officials around the world. While previous researchers have primarily focused their examinations of motivations for DMT use internationally with diverse populations, this study was an investigation of DMT use in the United States among its most prevalent user demographic, adult men. The purpose of this study was to bridge the gap between knowledge of motivations for DMT use internationally and lack of knowledge domestically. The theoretical foundation for this study was comprised of the self-efficacy theory and …

Perceptions Of Administrators And Teachers As Facilitators Of Students’ Socioemotional Learning, Crystal January

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current conditions in the United States have resulted in an increasing number of middle and high school students experiencing trauma. To improve positive learning environments and graduation rates, a Southern school district transitioned from punitive, exclusionary consequences to restorative practices such as socioemotional learning (SEL). A bounded qualitative case study was used to explore the perceptions of administrators and teachers regarding teachers’ facilitation of SEL, the most effective strategies to facilitate SEL, and teacher preparedness to facilitate SEL. The study was guided by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning framework. Data were collected from 5 teachers and 3 …

Disaster Survivors’ Experiences With Disaster Volunteers, Christa Frances Lopez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The intention of this qualitative case study was to understand the disaster survivors’ experiences with disaster volunteers. Understanding the experiences of the survivors with the volunteers may determine how disaster volunteer training could be improved to inform how overall assistance is provided to disaster survivors. The community affected by the disaster can be overwhelmed by the impact of the disaster on their homes and possessions. This stress can be alleviated by the offerings of volunteers. However, volunteers may also pose a challenge as they may lack the appropriate training, may not understand the culture or community norms, and thus may …

Youth Overcoming Barriers Through Multiple Adult Mentoring Relationships, Faraji Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American youth may face several problems that may hinder their positive growth into adulthood. These individuals may not have adults in their lives who aid in overcoming difficulties that halt positive youth development. Mentoring may provide a young person with an adult or several people that can assist youth with problems and help them find the appropriate solutions to overcome them. Numerous studies have provided research on negative influences on youth development, but authors noted that further research on positive youth development among disadvantaged African American youth is necessary. The current study provides information about informal mentoring and the …

The District Of Columbia And Gun Control Laws: Homicides And Social Impacts, Richard Ghislain Mbakop

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

The District of Columbia has one of the toughest gun laws in the United States, yet the city has one of the highest homicide rates in the nation and much of this gun violence is concentrated in the southeastern part of the city. The framework for the study was comprised of (a) the psychological theory based on many arguments, such as labeling weapons as symbols of male superiority and power, and (b) the social contract theory. Finding the perceptions about the relationship between gun control laws and homicide rates in Washington D.C. was the essential aim of the study. …

Impact Of Education On Hiv Testing Among African American Women In The United States, Florence Matimbah Mbangowah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Improved and increased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among African American women in the United States could facilitate early detection of the virus. The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative study was to determine if there was a significant association between HIV testing participation and education level (i.e., high school, college, post-college level) based on access to healthcare after accounting for insurance, income, employment, marital status, English language proficiency, and vision quality. The integrated theory of health behavior change, the theoretical framework used for this research, proposes that changes in health behavior can be improved by various factors such as fostering …

Achieving Profitability In Global Small Business Supply Chain Management, Cheryl A. Mccloud

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Supply chain managers of small and medium-sized enterprises face cost inefficiencies in meeting human, physical, and technology capital requirements. Small and medium-sized enterprise supply chain managers who fail to implement cost-efficiency strategies risk jeopardizing profitability. Grounded in the chaos theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the successful strategies SME supply chain managers used to create cost efficiencies to remain profitable. Participants were 3 corporate supply chain managers of a small and medium-sized international enterprise located in central Florida who were successful at creating cost efficiencies to remain profitable. The data collection process included face-to-face …

The Association Between Provider Cultural Competence And Type 2 Diabetes Health Behaviors, Bernadette Joyce Mejia-Tran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Provider cultural competence is poorly understood in relation to the outcome of Type 2 diabetes patient health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between provider cultural competence and diabetes patient health behaviors. The chronic care model provided the conceptual framework for this study. The research questions were designed to determine whether 5 measures of provider cultural competence play a role in diabetes patient health behavior change. The research design of the study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey using the 2017 National Health Interview Survey. The 2,342 participants included in the study represent a national sample …

Prevention Practices And West Nile Virus Infection Among Ethnic Minorities, Texas, Bayabel Debebe Mengistu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) is a major public health problem and the cause of nearly 25% of the world's economic burden of disease. While the risk factors for developing West Nile fever and West Nile disease from WNV infection have been identified, it is not known how knowledge, attitude, behavior (KAB), access to health care (AHC), and comorbidities are associated with prevention practices of WNV infection among ethnic minorities. The aim of this study was to examine the association between KAB, AHC, comorbidities, and prevention practices of WNV infection among ethnic minorities in Texas. KAB, AHC. Comorbidities were used …