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Staff Education On Culturally Tailored Hispanic Diabetes Management In A Primary Care Community Clinic, Robyn Elizabeth Reeves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Hispanic population is the fastest-growing ethnic minority in the United States, and they have a 66% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Less than half of Hispanic patients with diabetes achieve optimal glycemic control due to cultural barriers and dietary issues. At the project site, a primary care practice in the southeastern United States regarding cultural competency training in diabetes management for Hispanics was identified. The practice-focused question was: Does providing education to primary care staff improve their knowledge of diabetes management among Hispanic patients with diabetes, as evidenced by pre- and post-surveys? In the project, I …

Perceived Impact Of Participating As A Former Immigrant High School Athlete In A Program That Prioritized Social-Emotional Needs And Self-Determination Of Young Adult Males, Filip Cejovic

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many studies have confirmed the positive impacts of extracurricular activities on students' academic achievement and social success, but also revealed that few educational policies go beyond addressing the most basic needs of language and lunch for immigrant students. As the process of assimilation can impact numerous factors and long-term outcomes for these students, this study explored extracurricular program structures that prioritize participants’ psychological needs and whether these structures have a positive impact on immigrant students’ self-determination, intrinsic motivation, and future success. This qualitative, practice-focused case study examined a purposeful sample of one boys’ high school soccer program at a public …

Synthesizing Co-Reading Behaviors: Insights From Graduate Students’ Experience And A Rapid Scoping Review, Watcharasak Sudla, Wannee Kaemkate

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: Collaborative reading of research articles is essential for graduate students to develop academic reading skills through peer engagement in knowledge sharing, reflection, and feedback. However, limited information exists about the behaviors indicative of co-reading practices. This study aims to identify behavioral indicators and social participation in students’ co-reading of research articles.

Methods: In this study, we integrated key behavioral indicators of co-reading based on data from interviews with 23 graduate students and a rapid scoping review. The collected data were then subjected to content analysis and data visualization.

Results: The findings categorize individuals involved in co-reading into six groups: …

Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services Among Young African American Same-Sex-Oriented Men, Anthony Earl Fox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2018 suicide was the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 (CDC, 2018). Suicide and other factors like HIV, depression, and oppression may serve as barriers to seeking counseling among African American same-sex-oriented men ages 18-26. Due to a previous gap in the literature regarding barriers to seeking counseling, this study may support counselors in finding ways to address the disparity in counseling utilization among this population. Grounded in queer and social identity theories, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine if adverse childhood experiences, current civic unrest, HIV, …

Creating Learning Bridges: Redesigning Homework Within The Framework Of Multiple Intelligences, Vasileios Zagkotas

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The article explores the application of Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences to homework and the potential of this approach to enhance the educational experience. Through a pilot application in philological subjects in Greek secondary education, the article presents the Homework Toolkit for Cultivating Multiple Intelligences, which offers various activities adapted to different types of intelligence. The findings from the case study research indicated that applying multiple intelligence theory to homework design improved academic performance, responsibility, and student collaboration, while also enhancing critical thinking and creativity. The results indicate that designing homework based on multimodal learning can reform the learning …

Factors Associated With Maternal Health Care Utilization In Liberia, West Africa, Isaac Nyumah Yah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Extant literature reports increased uptake of maternal health care utilization in Liberia in the era following the 14-year civil war that ended in 2004. The purpose of this secondary quantitative data analysis study was to examine the relationship between women’s place of residence, women’s earnings spending autonomy, and maternal health care utilization of women ages 15–49 in Liberia. Maternal health care utilization in this study is measured by women’s visits to government hospitals for antenatal care. Maternal health care utilization indicates whether women who were pregnant within the 3 years before the 2019–20 Demographic Health Survey in Liberia attended any …

The Influence Of Sociodemographic Factors On Opioid Mortalities In The U.S. State Of Georgia, Theresa Highsmith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since the late 1990s, the United States has been in the midst of an opioid epidemic that continues to present significant public health challenges. Opioid-related mortality, particularly involving fentanyl, has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the associations between educational level, homelessness, and alcohol use with opioid-related overdose deaths involving fentanyl, while controlling for age, gender, and marital status, among Black and White populations in the U.S. state of Georgia. The theoretical framework was Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model, which recognizes that individual behavior is influenced by multiple levels of factors, including interpersonal, community, and …

Teachers' Perspectives On Teacher Retention In Early Childhood Programs, Christopher Lavon Curry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a Midwestern state, teacher shortages have intensified the retention challenges of prekindergarten and kindergarten (PreK–K) teachers in early childhood (EC) programs. The problem addressed in this study was the retention of PreK–K teachers in EC programs and schools at the local level. Grounded in dual-factor and coping-competence- context theories, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perspectives of the factors affecting the retention of PreK–K teachers in EC programs at the local level. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 12 PreK–K teachers in a Midwestern state, who had a minimum of 3 years of …

Perspectives On Ethnic Federalism In Ethiopia, Girum Grbremariam Alemayehu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ethnic federalism in Ethiopia has garnered significant scholarly attention for its role in shaping ethnic identity, governance, and national cohesion. However, limited research has explored how this political structure affects Ethiopian diaspora communities. This study addressed the problem of increasing ethnic divisions among Ethiopian immigrants in the Denver metropolitan area, which challenges community integration and shared national identity. Despite the growing presence of Ethiopian Americans, the literature lacks an in-depth understanding of their perspectives on ethnic federalism. The purpose of this ethnographic qualitative study was to explore how Ethiopian immigrants in Denver perceive its impact on their social, political, and …

Improving Multilingual Competence In Higher Education: An Integrated Framework For Parallel Learning Of Two Foreign Languages, Aiym Kontek, Albina Dossanova, Galiya Kulzhanbekova

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The study aims to create a comprehensive framework for the effective organization of parallel teaching of two foreign languages in higher education in Kazakhstan, accounting for linguistic, psychological, didactic, and technological aspects.

Methods: We used theoretical (modeling, analysis, and generalization) and empirical methods (pedagogical experiment, testing, questionnaires, and methods of mathematical statistics) in the research. An original structural and content model of parallel learning was developed, including interrelated blocks for the integrated formation of speech activity skills and a lexico–grammatical base in each of the languages. The effectiveness of the proposed model was confirmed during the pedagogical experiment, which …

Positive Social Emotional Influences Experienced By College-Educated Black Men During Their K–12 Education In U.S. Public Schools, Lyzanethia Howard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although negative experiences and unfair factors in the K–12 educational experiences of Black males are well-researched, very little research is found on the positive contributions toward their educational success. As some Black males successfully complete K–12 schooling and advance to the college level, it is imperative to understand the factors that positively contributed to their educational advancement. Guided by Yosso’s theory of community cultural wealth, this basic qualitative study explored six aspects of cultural capital—the aspirational, familial, linguistic, resistant, navigational, and social capital—that contributed to the educational success and advancement of Black males during their journeys through the U.S. K–12 …

Tailoring Hiv/Aids Communication To The Cultural Contexts Of The Borana Pastoral Community In Ethiopia, Dano Olana, Sabihah Moola

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The HIV/AIDS health communication approach in sub-Saharan Africa has often overlooked sociocultural specificities. The current approach follows a generalist notion that does not consider the specific contextual domains accordingly. Similarly, the cultural appropriateness of HIV/AIDS health communication among the Borana pastoral community in Ethiopia is not clear. In this study, we aimed to explore whether HIV/AIDS communication among the Borana pastoral community was tailored to the cultural contexts of the community. A qualitative case study was used to unpack the cultural communication contexts for HIV/AIDS. We collected data using three methods, namely, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis …

Parents’ Experience Of The Effects Of Racism On The Psychological And Physical Health Of Teenagers With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Akane Nakamura

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many children and adults in the United States experience developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, leading to bias, marginalization, and economic hardship. Racism exacerbates these issues for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), increasing depression, isolation, and health disparities. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' perspectives on the impact of racism on the psychological and physical health of teenagers aged 13–18 years with moderate IDD in the Northwestern United States. Disability critical race theory provided a lens for examining how race and disability intersect to create barriers for these teenagers. The research method was qualitative. Phenomenology …

Third To Fifth-Grade Teachers’ Challenges When Teaching Reading Comprehension Skills To English Language Learners In Northern Virginia, Lorraine A. Wickham-Ellis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Third to fifth-grade teachers in a Northern Virginia Title 1 elementary school faced challenges when teaching reading comprehension skills to English language learners (ELLs) which impacted ELLs’ performance on state-mandated tests. Framed by Cummins’s second language acquisition theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore third to fifth-grade teachers’ challenges in teaching reading comprehension skills to ELLs and their suggestions for improved training and resources in a Northern Virginia Title 1 elementary school. Two research questions addressed the teachers’ challenges and suggestions for improved training and resources. Semistructured interviews were used to collect qualitative data from nine, …

Lived Experiences Of Sexual Orientation Discrimination Of Gay Male Service Members, Dwayne A. Tyler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy (DADT) has been an area of study among scholars since 2011. Researchers have demonstrated that discrimination based on sexual orientation is still occurring in the armed forces. However, researchers have not studied the lived experiences of active-duty male service members in the army who self-identified as gay. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to examine the lived experiences of discrimination based on the sexual orientation of male service members who self-identified as gay in the army since the repeal of the DADT policy. Using semi-structured interviews, four self-identified gay …

Do Minorities Attend Culturally Competent Hospitals? The Case Of Minority-Serving And Safety-Net Hospitals, Rumel Mahmood

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Minorities disproportionately attend minority-serving hospitals (MSHs) and safety-net hospitals (SNHs). This study examines whether MSHs or SNHs are more culturally competent than their counterparts. No research to date has examined the cultural competency of MSHs and SNHs with hospitals outside of these categories. The literature on the determinants of hospital-level cultural competence is sparse, with limited measures used nationally and a robust measure used in a single U.S. state. I calculated a 100-point score of hospital cultural competence from a nationally representative survey of hospitals (N = 849 respondents). Using multilevel regression models, I found that MSHs are culturally …

Novice Early Childcare Educators’ Experiences Applying Pre-Service Education Knowledge And Theories In Practice At Childcare Centers, Jodi Mcbride

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some novice early childhood educators (ECEs) experience barriers to applying knowledge gained during their pre-service education in practice and experimenting with their roles at childcare centers. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore novice ECEs’ experiences of barriers to applying knowledge gained during their pre-service education in practice at childcare centers. Mezirow’s transformative learning theory grounded this study by describing adult learners’ personal transformation from obtaining and understanding new knowledge to applying it in practice. For this study, eight adult learners who completed an early childhood education program, had up to 5 years’ experience, held a current …

Teaching Cultural Awareness To Dental Hygiene Students Through Project Based Learning, Jennifer Fehrenbacher

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

I implemented a cultural awareness project (CAP) to enhance dental hygiene students’ understanding of diverse cultural needs and beliefs related to oral health. This 2-year quality assurance project aimed to assess student perceptions of the CAP.

Two cohorts of 23 junior students each participated. I collected data via post-project surveys adapted from the Student Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) instrument after obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and consent. Both cohorts (n = 23 each) demonstrated positive perceptions of the CAP, with mean scores of 4.9 and 4.8, respectively (p = .024). These data suggest that the CAP …

Disability And Leadership: Barriers And Business Culture Perspectives, Ernest Edward Garrett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Persistent disparities in employment rates between people with disabilities (PWDs) and people without disabilities (PWODs) indicate that PWDs continue to face barriers and challenges to employment opportunities. The research problem is the underrepresentation of PWDs in leadership positions within business cultures and persistent barriers and challenges faced by human resource managers (HRMs) and leaders concerning their hiring and retention. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the varying perspectives of business leaders with disabilities (LWDs) and HRMs concerning the barriers and challenges associated with hiring and retaining PWDs for leadership roles. Critical realism, universal design, and human …

Teachers’ Experiences With Researched-Based Programs And Strategies To Help Struggling Readers In Grades 6–8, Ebony Camille Dixon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem in this qualitative study was that adolescent students in Grades 6–8 in a rural district in the southeastern United States were struggling with reading and had inadequate reading comprehension achievement. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate how teachers implemented researched-based practices of reading intervention programs and the strategies they deemed beneficial to use while aiding struggling students. Marzano’s nine instructional strategies were used to frame the study. The 12 participants were reading teachers, interventionists, and specialists. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using thematic analysis with open and axial coding. The …

Efficacy Of New Jersey's Child Protection Policy Among Local Superior Courts, Nerissa G. Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the existence of New Jersey Department of Children and Family (NJDCF) policy guidelines, it remained unclear whether New Jersey superior courts consistently applied these principles and guidelines in Department of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) child abuse cases. Limited research had been conducted to examine how courts interpreted and adhered to these policies in legal rulings, leaving a gap in understanding how NJDCF principles influenced judicial decision-making. This gap in the literature made it difficult to assess whether policy guidelines effectively shaped court outcomes in ways that supported child protection and welfare. Child protective advocate attitudes and opinions concerning …

Building A Theory-Based Understanding Of Sexual Health Provider Stigma: A Phenomenological Study, Harit Agroia, Rebecca Reno, Maytal Bach, Jenette Spezeski, Erin Starzyk

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Unraveling provider-level sexual health stigma requires building an understanding of contributing factors, such as provider knowledge, values, beliefs, medical training, and other intrapersonal or interpersonal factors that may influence its manifestation at the clinic level during patient–provider interactions. Healthcare provider stigma has not been sufficiently understood or explained using classic psychological theories, such as Cognitive Dissonance Theory (CDT) or Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). We build a theory-based understanding of sexual health-provider stigma by proposing modifications to the SCT to develop the Modified SCT (M-SCT) model, where cognitive dissonance is hypothesized to influence the personal/cognitive and behavioral factors of the M-SCT. …

Teacher Perceptions On The Low Enrollment Of Students Of Color In High School Computer Science, Wiley J. Cruse, Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rapid evolution of computer science (CS) as an integral part of K-12 public education in the United States has highlighted significant equity and diversity issues. Guided by critical race theory and community cultural wealth, this basic qualitative study explored high school CS teachers’ perceptions of the challenges and opportunities related to recruiting, retaining, and ensuring the success of students of color. Thematic analysis of data collected using semistructured interviews with 12 high school CS teachers revealed key challenges, including curriculum rigidity, funding inequities, and lack of administrative support. Participants reported that systemic barriers limit access to CS education for …

The Power Of Storytelling: Creatively Facilitating Conceptual Change In The Classroom, Mackenzie S. Rose, Marcus Johnson

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Conceptual knowledge encompasses understanding the interrelationships among multiple pieces of information. Misconceptions of these interrelationships illustrate the need for effective educational strategies to facilitate conceptual change, with the goal of facilitating changes in learner understanding to appropriate, accurate, and complete concepts. Strategies, such as refutation texts, have proven effective in addressing science misconceptions, yet there is a prominent gap in research on conceptual change in nonscience subjects and the use of storytelling to facilitate such change. Storytelling, presented in a range of educational subjects, invites learners to engage in social discourses and problem-solving exercises. Prompted by classroom storytelling practices, creativity, …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Independent Play As Part Of Their Daily Schedule, Christina L. Saunders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research shows that independent child-led play is essential to children’s cognitive and social development. The problem that was the focus of this study was that many preschool teachers do not include independent play in their daily schedules. Guided by Gray’s theory of play, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore preschool teachers’ perspectives regarding independent play as part of their daily schedule and the challenges they encounter or anticipate in incorporating it. A basic qualitative design with interviews guided data collection with 10 lead preschool teachers who worked with children ages 3 to 5 in independently funded preschools …

Perceptions And Experiences Of Kenyan Immigrants On Culturally Appropriate Cancer Health Education In Washington State: A Qualitative Study, Rael Odengo, Patricia Talbert, Joy Anderson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Access to culturally appropriate cancer health education (CACHE), such as cancer information in languages other than English, that considers a group’s cultural beliefs, traditions, values, and practices, is increasingly recognized as a global health communication priority. CACHE is essential for reducing healthcare disparities and improving service accessibility among African immigrants, a rapidly growing demographic in the United States. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of Kenyan immigrants in Washington State regarding CACHE. We used a qualitative descriptive design, with a purposive sample of ten participants from the Kenyan immigrant community in Washington State. The Andersen Behavioral Model of Healthcare …

Experiences Of Black Women School Counselors Coping With Student Suicide, Megan Patrice Ray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide represents a major public health and educational concern and presents profound emotional and professional challenges for school counselors. This transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of nine certified school counselors of color who had experienced the death of a student by suicide while employed in K–12 educational settings. With this research, I sought to answer the question: What are the lived experiences of school counselors of color who have had a student die by suicide? Guided by Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenological framework, this study employed bracketing to set aside researcher bias and uncover the essence of participants lived experiences …

Addressing Barriers In A Domestic Violence Program For Balkan American Women, Yasmina Isa Malas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The issue of domestic violence is a pressing concern, both globally and within specific communities, remaining a significant issue with unique implications for Balkan American women. It is important to understand the unique challenges faced by Balkan American women in accessing and benefiting from domestic violence support services and programs. The focus of this case study was a nonprofit behavioral health organization that serves a population of women who have experienced domestic violence abuse in the northeastern part of the United States. Grounded in the Baldrige Excellence Framework, the research investigated the strategies and initiatives of Organization X in reducing …

Clinical Practice Guideline For Wound Care Management In Primary Healthcare Settings Across The British Virgin Islands To Minimize Clinical Practice Variations, Trorisia Shanika John

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quality improvement (QI) initiative in a British Virgin Islands (BVI) primary healthcare setting involved the problem of inconsistent wound care management among registered nurses, which was a concern that was identified in a 2023 audit. The BVI Health Service Authority (HSA)’s diverse nursing staff, which is recruited across the Caribbean, contributed to varied wound care approaches, negatively impacting healthcare delivery and quality. These inconsistencies led to unequal resource access, increased infection and complication risks, and potential financial and legal liabilities. Furthermore, it could negatively affect staff and patient perceptions, potentially decreasing patient satisfaction, highlighting the urgent need for standardized …

Staff Education To Improve Oncology Nurses' Cultural Competency Literacy, Sharon Taziwa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project Staff Education to Improve Oncology Nurses' Cultural Competency Literacy by Sharon Taziwa MSN, Walden University, 2023 BSN, University of Texas at Arlington, 2015 Executive Summary Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University May 2025 Summary A staff education project was implemented at a comprehensive cancer center in the Southwest United States. The nurses at the comprehensive cancer center faced challenges in delivering culturally competent care to a diverse patient population, necessitating enhanced training in cultural knowledge, skills, and awareness. The lack of consistent cultural competence …