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Preconception Health And Preterm Birth Differences Among U.S.-Born And Foreign-Born Black Women, Sheree Holmes Keitt Jan 2019

Preconception Health And Preterm Birth Differences Among U.S.-Born And Foreign-Born Black Women, Sheree Holmes Keitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Foreign-born Black women giving birth in the United States have superior preterm birth outcomes compared to their U.S-born Black peers. Many studies have focused on tobacco use and medical risk factors, but few have focused solely on preconception health. The purpose of this study was to examine preconception health and preterm birth differences among U.S.-born and foreign-born Black women. Three theoretical frameworks guided this study: the life course theory, healthy migrant theory/immigrant paradox, and weathering theory. Primary research questions assessed (a) if there were an association between chronic preconception risk factors, prepregnancy obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, in U.S.-born and foreign-born …


Exploring Subcultural Perceptions That Influence Change Success Within A Hybrid Organization, Kevin Morgan Sorbello Jan 2019

Exploring Subcultural Perceptions That Influence Change Success Within A Hybrid Organization, Kevin Morgan Sorbello

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Global change-failure rates remain over 70%, despite over a half-century of research, theory development, and mitigation strategies. Although researchers studying the problem of change failure recognize that subcultural perceptions influence change success, especially in hybrid organizations where subcultural differences are more profound, the perceptions that predispose a subculture to support or resist organizational change remain relatively unknown. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to address the problem of the high cost of change failure by identifying perceptions that influence change success within a maritime organization. The study'€™s conceptual framework was founded on the interpretive paradigm and social constructivist …


Demographic, Behavioral, And Cultural Factors On Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection, Philis Grace Palmer Jan 2019

Demographic, Behavioral, And Cultural Factors On Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection, Philis Grace Palmer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted disease, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years in the U.S. population. Certain demographic factors have been identified as posing an increased risk to acquire this disease. The purpose of this mixed-methods research was to examine how population demographics (quantitative section) and cultural and behavioral factors (qualitative section) affect risk for contracting chlamydia trachomatis in the Miami-Dade, Florida area. The theory of reasoned behavior was the theoretical framework of the study. The quantitative component used secondary data from Jackson Health System (2012- 2018) pertaining to 333 Miami-Dade young adult individuals with incidents …


Employer Strategies For Improving Employee Work-Life Balance, Vernessa Lashawn Johnson-Hoffman Jan 2019

Employer Strategies For Improving Employee Work-Life Balance, Vernessa Lashawn Johnson-Hoffman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Senior leaders who fail to implement work-life balance strategies may experience reduced profits and sustainability challenges. This single case study explored employers' strategies for improving employee work-life balance. The population for the study included 4 senior leaders of a hospice care agency in North Carolina who successfully implemented employee work-life balance strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and from the review of company documents, website, and social media pages. The conceptual framework for the study was the transformational leadership theory. The trustworthiness of interpretations was supported by member checking. Four themes emerged from inductive analysis of the data: a …


The Experience Of Founder's Syndrome In Nonprofit Organizations Founded By Women, Coutanya Moultry Coombs Jan 2019

The Experience Of Founder's Syndrome In Nonprofit Organizations Founded By Women, Coutanya Moultry Coombs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Gaps exist in the literature on knowledge of how founder behavior affects volunteers and employees in nonprofit organizations. Through exploration of founder relationships with volunteers and employees, this study fills some of those gaps and adds to the body of knowledge of how those relationships are perceived by founders, volunteers, and employees. The purpose of this narrative study was to address the question of the impact of founder behavior on founders, employees and volunteers in nonprofit women's organizations founded by African American and Caucasian women. The theory of psychological ownership was used as the framework to understand founder behavior. The …


Hazardous Waste Site Proximity And Type 2 Diabetes: From Youths To Adults, Theresa Ann Johnson Jan 2019

Hazardous Waste Site Proximity And Type 2 Diabetes: From Youths To Adults, Theresa Ann Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in adults and youths. Persistent organic pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as pesticides, dioxins, and organochlorines, are omnipresent and persist in the environment with potential for human exposure via contaminated air, waterways, soil, and human food supply. EDCs have been correlated with diabetes incidence and risks. Residential proximity to hazardous waste sites (HWS) has been correlated with increased hospital admission rates for diabetes. The study used a sample population (N = 1,724), ages ≥ 12 years from the 2005-2012 Continuous NHANES and HWS data from the National Priorities List of Superfund Sites. …


Bioterrorism Hardening: An Exploratory Study Of Emts Preparedness And Practices, Ndubuisi Chinemerem Ejike Jan 2019

Bioterrorism Hardening: An Exploratory Study Of Emts Preparedness And Practices, Ndubuisi Chinemerem Ejike

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The 2001 anthrax attacks heightened awareness of the possibility of weaponizing biological agents such as Ebola, anthrax, and smallpox and hence, the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 to prevent biological attacks and reduce bioterrorism threats and vulnerabilities. However, the 2014 Ebola epidemic raised concerns about unpreparedness for bioterrorism within the healthcare community and about secondary infections from healthcare workers. Using Kingdon's conceptualization of multiple streams as the foundation, the purpose of this case study was to explore the nature of bioterrorism threats and the level of preparedness of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who were involved in the 2014 Ebola epidemic in …


Breast Cancer Disparities Among African American Women Corresponding To Health Service Barriers, Dianne Jamerson Jan 2018

Breast Cancer Disparities Among African American Women Corresponding To Health Service Barriers, Dianne Jamerson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women tend to experience higher health disparities in cancer-related illness than any other female population in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify and examine access-related barriers that play a significant role in the decision-making process of this population when seeking breast cancer health services. The central research question explored the effect that barriers to health care have on African American women in the Southeastern region of the United States. Secondary research questions explored the role the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 has on improving access to affordable, quality …


Effect Of Eustress, Flow, And Test Anxiety On Physical Therapy Psychomotor Practical Examinations, Todd Joseph Bourgeois Jan 2018

Effect Of Eustress, Flow, And Test Anxiety On Physical Therapy Psychomotor Practical Examinations, Todd Joseph Bourgeois

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students at the graduate level undergo higher levels of stress compared to their peers, and this stress is known to affect academic performance. Most of the research is focused on the negative aspect of stress. Positive psychology aspects, such as eustress and flow, are related to success in some activities; however, it is unknown whether these correlate with academic performance. Several stress-related theories-Yerkes-Dodson curve, cybernetics, conservation of resources, and choking under pressure-guided this quantitative study of the effects of eustress, flow, and cognitive test anxiety (CTA) on a psychomotor practical examination for physical therapy students. A sample of 192 physical …


Reentry Practitioners' Perceptions Of Constraints During Ex-Offenders' Job Search Process, Crystal Raquel Francis Jan 2018

Reentry Practitioners' Perceptions Of Constraints During Ex-Offenders' Job Search Process, Crystal Raquel Francis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unemployment among formerly incarcerated citizens is a complex problem that continues to grow. Previous reentry studies describe the collateral effects of incarceration on employment from the perspective of formerly incarcerated individuals, yet little academic research exists regarding reentry practitioners' perceptions of constraints during the job search process. Using Goldratt's theory of constraints as the foundation, the purpose of this case study of reentry and employment in a mid-Atlantic state was to explore from the perspective of practitioners, the types of constraints individuals with criminal records face during the job search process, the most difficult phase of the job search process, …


Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disparity In Black Men Who Have Sex With Men, Valencia L. Beckley Hildreth Jan 2018

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disparity In Black Men Who Have Sex With Men, Valencia L. Beckley Hildreth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to be a challenge in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population. Initiatives to decrease rates of new HIV infections have proven less than optimal. Despite evidence-based interventions to curtail the prevalence and incidence rates of HIV infection, Black MSM have been most impacted with increased HIV incidence. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to explore the relationship, if any, between age, online and physical venues attended by participants within the last thirty days, neighborhood's perceived social environment, and HIV incidence in the non-Hispanic Black MSM population in a metropolitan statistical area …


The Survival Of Healthcare In Rural Texas, Destin Cook Jan 2018

The Survival Of Healthcare In Rural Texas, Destin Cook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over 80 rural hospitals have closed in the United States since 2010, representing about half of all hospital closures during this period, and another 600-700 rural hospitals are at risk of closing shortly. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study, which was based on transformational leadership and diffusion of innovation theories, was to gain a common understanding of financial problems and operational inefficiencies that may be impacting rural hospital leaders in the state of Texas. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with 4 senior healthcare leaders from 3 separate regions in Texas. Data analysis included compiling, sorting, fragmenting, and …


Black Business Owners Overcoming Barriers In Texas, Henry Williams Jan 2018

Black Business Owners Overcoming Barriers In Texas, Henry Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black entrepreneurs in the state of Texas reported that they did not achieve the same level of success as nonminority enterprises. Many Black entrepreneurs have obtained education from top tier institutions and have the managerial experiences, skills, and working knowledge that facilitate business success, but they are not able to sustain business growth. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black Texan entrepreneurs. This research was established using the conceptual framework of human capital. The overarching research question concerned the lived experiences of Black Texas entrepreneurs who were not as successful in business as …


The Wealth Gap A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Analysis Of Self-Esteem And Monetary Power, Willard Edwin Pretlow Jan 2018

The Wealth Gap A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Analysis Of Self-Esteem And Monetary Power, Willard Edwin Pretlow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The median wealth of Blacks is lower than that of Whites by 90 percent. The corresponding median income for Blacks is 40 percent below Whites. Additional research has revealed that Blacks tend to invest in low-yielding assets and borrow at high interest rates. The alarming problem is that financial outcomes and behaviors can be associated with race. In this cross-sectional quantitative study, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem and the Money Attitude Scale, both are Likert-type scales, served as survey instruments to collect data from Blacks and Whites about their individual financial behaviors. The purpose of this survey was to explore the relationship …


Organizational Culture And Individuals' Experience Of Workplace Bullying, Luan Zeka Jan 2018

Organizational Culture And Individuals' Experience Of Workplace Bullying, Luan Zeka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace bullying is an epidemic in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to increase understanding of employees' lived experiences of bullying in an organizational culture. Schein's organizational cultural model provided the conceptual framework for the study. The research question addressed how individuals who were bullied or witnessed bullying in the New York State area perceived their experiences within the organizational culture. Data collection included a researcher's journal and in-depth interviews with 25 participants. Data were analyzed using Moustakas's modified van Kaam method of phenomenological analysis. From the data analysis process, three categories of bullying emerged …


Increasing Universities' Tuition Fee Revenues From International Undergraduate Students, Marc Jan Ledermann Jan 2018

Increasing Universities' Tuition Fee Revenues From International Undergraduate Students, Marc Jan Ledermann

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Universities are losing expected tuition revenues due to attrition of international undergraduate students. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that university leaders use to increase tuition fee revenues from international undergraduate students. The participants in this study were 3 former leaders of the European division of Laureate International Universities, a global university group with university locations in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Cyprus. The conceptual framework of this study was institutional theory as part of the change management of universities. Data collection included semistructured interviews of 3 former leaders of the …


A Phenomenological Study On The Leadership Experience Of Teleworking Leaders, Patrice Ann Louie Jan 2017

A Phenomenological Study On The Leadership Experience Of Teleworking Leaders, Patrice Ann Louie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Technological advances and the desire for employees to improve work-life balance have contributed to the growth of telework. Finding and retaining effective leadership talent are critical needs of organizations. Recruitment and retention of leadership talent can be supported by access to perquisites such as the ability to telework. Although research on teleworking employees in general, and virtual team leaders, can inform the industry, few leadership models exist that specifically help understand what it takes to be a teleworking leader. The purpose of this phenomenological study of teleworking leaders filled this gap by examining the experiences of 12 teleworking leaders with …


Factors Associated With Provider Utilization Of The Heath Information Exchange In The State Of Hawaii, Kris K. Wilson Jan 2017

Factors Associated With Provider Utilization Of The Heath Information Exchange In The State Of Hawaii, Kris K. Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a context where technology is increasingly being incorporated into health care practice, many U.S. health care providers and organizations are finding it challenging to connect disparate electronic documentation systems to retrieve patient information when coordinating care across providers and heath care entities. Local and regional health information exchange (HIE) systems were created to facilitate collecting information into one integrated patient record to address information transfer between heath care providers. Yet, adoption and use of HIEs have been low. The purpose of this study was to review the predictive factors accounting for physicians' use of a HIE in the U.S. …


Combat Service And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder As A Violent Crimes Predictor In Oef/Oif Veterans, Rachel L. Ivory Jan 2017

Combat Service And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder As A Violent Crimes Predictor In Oef/Oif Veterans, Rachel L. Ivory

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is an established link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and criminal activity. Of every 100 veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), 11 to 20 percent are diagnosed with PTSD each year. Previous research has documented that veterans are incarcerated at higher percentages compared to nonveteran inmates, though little published research examines incidence of PTSD relative to violent crime. Using Agnew's general strain theory as the foundation, the purpose of this correlational study was to examine combat service, PTSD, and specific violent crimes as defined by the FBI as murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, …


Leadership Strategies For Developing And Implementing Organizational Change, Hardy L. Delay Iv Jan 2017

Leadership Strategies For Developing And Implementing Organizational Change, Hardy L. Delay Iv

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders in some narcotics treatment programs struggle with change development and implementation. The objective of this single-case study was to explore strategies used by leaders in a narcotics treatment program to develop and implement organizational change initiatives successfully. Participants included 4 leaders who had developed and implemented successful change initiatives repeatedly for more than 10 years in a narcotics treatment program in the southeastern United States. Bertalanffy's general systems theory was the basis for the conceptual framework. Data collection included semistructured interviews of leaders of a narcotics treatment program and collection of archival data, such as reports relating to strategic …


Perceived Parental Barriers To Preventive Dental Care Programs For Children, Kim Attanasi Jan 2017

Perceived Parental Barriers To Preventive Dental Care Programs For Children, Kim Attanasi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dental caries is the most prevalent childhood illness and disproportionately affects children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Dental organizations are collaborating within communities to decrease oral health disparities among children by offering free preventive oral health events. These programs face the problem of low enrollment due to lack of informed parental consent. Also, gaps in the literature indicated the need to examine oral health perceptions and dental-care-seeking practices of culturally diverse low-income parents regarding preventive care for their children. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the reasons why parents are not allowing their children to participate in …


Employees' Organizational Commitment And Turnover Intentions, Andrea Annette Bonds Jan 2017

Employees' Organizational Commitment And Turnover Intentions, Andrea Annette Bonds

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employees who want to leave their companies may exhibit low morale and commitment to organizations, which may affect the way employees interact with customers. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between employees' affective, continuance, and normative commitment to their organizations and their turnover intentions. The target population consisted of individuals with 2 or more years of call center experience who resided in the United States. Meyer, Allen, and Smith's 3-component model of commitment provided the study's theoretical framework. A purposive sampling of participants, which included a targeted audience and individuals who accessed the survey from …


An Evidence-Based Mentorship Program For Experienced Nurses, Roma Allen Jan 2017

An Evidence-Based Mentorship Program For Experienced Nurses, Roma Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Turnover of experienced nurses is a component of the nursing shortage, which has created a lack of expert nurses administering bedside care. The project site is a Chicago suburban hospital with an average first year turnover of experienced nurses at 35%. This rate is above the 27% first year turnover reported by the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council. This project focused on development and evaluation of an evidence-based mentorship program supported by theory that can contribute to an increase in experienced nurse retention. A detailed literature review references causative factors of turnover, such as an increasing workload, a multigenerational and aging …


Educational Module Toolkit To Assist Adult Patients With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Dometrives Armstrong Jan 2017

Educational Module Toolkit To Assist Adult Patients With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Dometrives Armstrong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes is a challenging chronic disease for adult patients to manage effectively. Poor adherence to prescribed medications treatment is one of the main reasons for poor blood sugar control. Despite healthcare providers' efforts to emphasize the importance of taking medications, adult patients with Type II diabetes frequently present with complications related to persistent failure to adhere to prescribed medication regimen. These patients should thoroughly understand why adhering to a strict medication regimen to maintain control of their blood sugar is so important. The purpose of this project, guided by Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory, was to develop an educational module …


Perceptions Of Adolescents Suspended For School Drug Abuse, Katherine Bomba-Edgerton Jan 2017

Perceptions Of Adolescents Suspended For School Drug Abuse, Katherine Bomba-Edgerton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School drug use has been attributed to the annual suspension of thousands of secondary adolescents, subsequently contributing to poor academics, low graduation rates, and continued school drug use. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of former adolescents who engaged in school drug use. Social learning theory suggests that behaviors observed from within the environment may later be modeled. Using Bandura's social learning theory, 10 participants, 18 years old and older responded to open-ended questions about how they processed school drug use. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, the responses to the open-ended questions were coded and analyzed. …


The Impact Of Stereotype Threat On The Social Self-Efficacy And Academic Performance Of Mexican Immigrants, Jessica Holmes Jan 2017

The Impact Of Stereotype Threat On The Social Self-Efficacy And Academic Performance Of Mexican Immigrants, Jessica Holmes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mexican immigrants living in the United States face academic challenges as well as being exposed to stereotypes. Additionally, Mexican immigrants tend to report lower self-efficacy compared to their American counterparts. This quantitative study aimed to fill a gap in the literature by examining the impact that stereotype threat (STT) has on Mexican immigrants' academic performance and social self-efficacy using a two-way between subjects design. Self-efficacy theory and stereotype threat theory provided the theoretical foundation for the study. Caucasian and Mexican immigrants were randomly assigned to one of two groups- a group exposed to STT (Caucasian n = 94, Mexican immigrant …


Identification, Diagnosis, Counseling, And Referral Of Overweight Military Dependent Children To Reverse Early Childhood Obesity, Gerald William Hall Jan 2017

Identification, Diagnosis, Counseling, And Referral Of Overweight Military Dependent Children To Reverse Early Childhood Obesity, Gerald William Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 1980, the obesity rate in children 5 to 11 years of age has increased from 7% to 18%. The lack of structured physical activity and poor dietary habits childhood are primary risk factors for obesity related comorbidities in adulthood. Guided by primary care providers, families can reverse childhood obesity by implementing healthy dietary habits and engaging in structured physical activity. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop an evidenced-based policy with procedures to standardize the timely and consistent identification of overweight children at a primary care clinic serving military families. With an emphasis on obesity prevention …


Airline Pilots In Recovery From Alcoholism: A Quantitative Study Of Cognitive Change, Heather Christina Hamilton Jan 2016

Airline Pilots In Recovery From Alcoholism: A Quantitative Study Of Cognitive Change, Heather Christina Hamilton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In order to perform their duties, airline pilots must have no clinical diagnosis of mental illness or any substance use disorder. However, provisions have been in place since the 1970s that provide for a return to work for airline pilots with alcohol problems. To date, over 5,000 airline pilots have undergone rehabilitation for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and successfully returned to work. An important gap in the literature remains with regard to what extent improvements in cognitive performance may be experienced by airline pilots who complete treatment and to what extent age influences the amount of change. This study examined …


Teacher Strategies For Developing Historical Empathy, Billy Kenneth Harris Jan 2016

Teacher Strategies For Developing Historical Empathy, Billy Kenneth Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that the application of historical empathy, defined as using historical evidence to reconstruct past perspectives, engenders critical thinking in students. There is lack of research on the level of comprehension and use of historical empathy as an instructional strategy by high school history instructors. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore teachers' comprehension and application of historical empathy in 2 high schools. This study was grounded in Edmund Husserl's concept of intersubjectivity, which suggests that apperception facilitates the grasp of multiple perspectives. Research questions addressed history teacher comprehension and employment of historical empathy as a tool …


Relationships Among Administrative Computerization, Hospital Size, And Administrative Expenses, Pamela J. Gallagher Jan 2016

Relationships Among Administrative Computerization, Hospital Size, And Administrative Expenses, Pamela J. Gallagher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The healthcare industry is computerizing administrative functions in an attempt to reduce expenses and remain competitive. This correlational study of 3,088 Medicare-certified, short-term, acute-care hospitals in the United States was based on a general systems theory framework; it sought to examine the relationships among the independent variables of hospital size and administrative computerization and the dependent variable of administrative expenses. Secondary data from Health Information Management Systems Society's surveys and cost reports from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services were used. Correlation analyses with an alpha of .05 were used to test 3 of the 4 hypotheses; regression analysis …