Digital Commons Network^™

Guidelines For Managing Dysautonomia Dysfunction, Angela Coleman Webb

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dysautonomia dysfunction (DD) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. Over 70 million people suffer from some type of DD, and the average length of time from symptoms to diagnosis is 6 years. Most facilities and providers choose not to treat DD due to the number of symptoms and the difficulty of being able to diagnose correctly. The purpose of this project study was to create guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of DD. The research question addressed the effectiveness of these guidelines to help nurses and providers caring for patients with DD provide better care. Watson’s theory …

The Connection Between Positive Coping Skills And Cutting For Young Adults In Adolescence, Nicoletta Weide

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to recent studies, the instances of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents have sharply risen in recent years. Cutting is the most prevalent form of NSSI in adolescence which leads to scarring, social stigma, and an increased risk of suicide. NSSI and cutting are considered maladaptive coping skills. The purpose of this general qualitative study is to explore how positive coping skills and self-regulation impacted their instances of cutting. Self-regulation theory was used to analyze if having positive alternative skills was enough to regulate the behavior and have an impact on their instances of cutting. This general qualitative research study …

Strategies To Enhance Leadership Development Of Midlevel Managers, Elizabeth Wiebe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizational executives annually invest more than $50 billion in leadership development worldwide. Nonetheless, human resources (HR) managers are concerned that leadership development initiatives prove inadequate in delivering learning outcomes equal to the investment, leaving midlevel managers ill-prepared to lead. Guided by experiential learning theory, this qualitative multiple-case study was conducted to explore strategies HR managers use to enhance the leadership development of midlevel managers. A purposeful sample included three HR managers from three organizations located in a west coast metropolitan area in Canada who successfully implemented leadership development strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and organizational documents. Informed by …

Pink Bamboo Ceiling: Barriers And Breakthroughs For Asian American Women Leaders, Mele W. Kramer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAsian Americans are the most diverse and fastest-growing minority group in the U.S. and have the highest average level of education of all minority and dominant groups in America making up 6.2 % of the labor market. However, Asian Americans overall hold one percent of the executive leadership roles in Fortune 500 organizations. Low leadership representation leaves this demographic without a decision-making voice and without power in society. The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn about the lived experiences of Asian American women (AAW) leaders and potential leaders as it pertains to race, gender, and stereotypes in the …

Teacher Perspectives On Integrating Technology Into Social Studies Instruction, Karen Diane Caldwell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social studies instruction is vital to connecting students to the world and learning 21st- century skills needed for college and careers. Teachers’ knowledge and skills are essential for effective technology integration in instruction. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore the perspectives of teachers in an urban elementary school district on the use of instructional technology in terms of the potential for properly integrating technology in studies instruction. Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations theory was the conceptual framework that guided this study. The research questions focused on teachers’ interpretations of their knowledge of laptop computers, their communication …

Human Services Caseworkers’ Experiences Working Remotely During Covid-19, Sandra Lachelle Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human services caseworkers have shifted from traditional means of providing services to their clients since the onset of COVID-19. Providing services and/or resources to clients from the home environment leads to work responsibilities and family demands that may affect work-life balance. Researchers have studied working remotely, but they have not explored human services caseworkers and their experiences of providing remote services during a pandemic. The purpose of this qualitative generic study was to explore human services caseworkers’ experiences with work-life balance while providing remote services versus face-to-face services to clients during a pandemic. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 human …

The Mother-Daughter Attachment-Bond In Adulthood After Childhood Sexual Abuse, Dionne Carla Dauphin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractChildhood sexual abuse (CSA) may have a significant impact on the attachment bond between adult women and their mothers when CSA is disclosed during childhood. When CSA is known by the mother during the period of abuse, and she failed to intervene on behalf of her daughter, there can be long-lasting effects on the mother-daughter attachment bond in the future. There is a gap in the research literature regarding the attachment bond between the mother-daughter dyad in adulthood influenced by CSA known by the mother during the period of abuse. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the …

Relationship Between Employee Engagement, Kind Of Initiatives, And Workplace Wellness Program Effectiveness, Alicia Dobrzeniecki

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective workplace wellness programs prevent organizations from decreasing employee health and well-being costs. Workplace wellness managers lose more than $1,100 in decreased productivity each year. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between workplace wellness engagement, kind of workplace wellness initiatives, and workplace wellness program effectiveness. Data were collected from 146 workplace wellness program managers who completed the HERO scorecard. The multiple linear regression analysis results indicated the model was able to significantly predict workplace wellness program effectiveness, F(2, 143) = 85.482, p = < .001, R² = .545. Both predictors provided a significant contribution to the model, with workplace wellness engagement level (t = 8.342, p = < .001, β = .543) providing a higher contribution to the model than kind of workplace wellness initiatives (t = 4.584, p = < .001, β = .298). A key recommendation for workplace wellness program managers is to emphasize employee engagement in workplace wellness programs and choose the appropriate initiatives to ensure workplace wellness program effectiveness. The implications for positive social change include the potential for improved health and well-being within the U.S. workforce.

Online Disclosure Boundaries And Marital Quality Among Facebook Users, Dominique M. Jones-King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractCurrent marital and social media research has revealed that married couples are often unsuspecting of the negative marital ramifications associated with impulsive disclosure to Facebook friends, poor disclosure boundaries, and inappropriate online emotional affairs until the affair has been revealed and the emotional detachment has already incited a legal divorce. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation, if any, between online intimate disclosure with another sex, online disclosure boundaries, and marital quality among Facebook users. The theoretical framework for this study was the social penetration theory. A quantitative, nonexperimental correlational research design was used. A total of …

Strategies To Implement An Electronic Medical Records System In Health Care Organizations, Ashley Knott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the 2009 mandate from the U.S. Government that healthcare organizations adopt and implement electronic medical records (EMR) systems to avoid fines and take advantage of the benefits EMR systems provide, adoption of EMR systems in the United States has been low. Since 2011, medical facilities have received incentive payments if they demonstrated “meaningful use” of certified EMR systems; however, medical facilities unable to demonstrate meaningful use beginning in 2015 have faced up to 5% penalties. Grounded in the diffusion of innovation theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies that hospital project managers use …

Smoking Cessation: Factors That Determine Cigarette Smokers Lived Experiences To Quit, John F. Zogbo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSmoking is a serious public health problem because of its close link to health conditions such as lung cancer. Smoking cessation has received significant attention in research that contributes to successful quitting, but not much is known about smokers’ reasons for and experiences of quit attempts. This qualitative phenomenological study explored factors that contribute to failed quit attempt experiences among adults 18–40 years old. The researcher recruited 30 participants, 22 males, and eight females, who had participated in a cessation program with the Indiana Department of Health, but failed to quit, or had successfully quit but who had returned to …

Parent Perceptions Of School Engagement Using Communication Apps To Support Struggling Readers, Elizabeth Anne Dewhurst

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractBecause parental engagement has been shown to have a positive relationship with K-12 student academic achievement, the problem for this study was that though information and communication technology applications (ICT apps) are available to engage parents with teachers and schools, it was unclear whether parents are aware of and use them. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore if parents of struggling readers in a Title I middle school were aware of school-parent communication apps, and if they perceived them as useful for partnering with schools to improve student academic success. Connectivism was the conceptual framework for the …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives On Guidance Provided To Children Who Cause Classmates Physical Harm, Vangalene Frinks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Approximately 10% of preschool children cause classmates physical harm intense enough to require the filing of incident reports. Aggressive behavior can lead to suspension or expulsion from childcare centers and disrupts student learning. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of preschool teachers working in the Southeastern United States regarding children who cause classmates physical harm intense enough to require the filing of incident reports and identify actions teachers take to manage and guide children who show aggressive behavior. The study’s conceptual framework was Bandura’s social cognitive theory of human behavior. Ten lead teachers with …

Loneliness As A Treatment Focus For Suicide Prevention In Airmen Who Seek Mental Health Care, Jovanna O. Gaines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Department of Defense is challenged to decrease rising suicide rates in all branches of military service. Studies have consistently shown interpersonal risk factors versus intrapsychic factors as strong indicators of suicide risk, yet the practice has not focused on loneliness as a treatment focus for increased risk. This study explored clinical social workers’ view of loneliness as experienced in patients who are active-duty airmen to identify prevention, coping, and treatment strategies for managing suicides. The methodology involved a semistructured interview of 10 active duty licensed clinical social workers with greater than two years of experience working within a mental …

Racial Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion Workplace Competencies At A Washington State Agency, Yolanda Denise Geolingo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative project provided a content analysis of secondary data to develop and implement racial equity, diversity, and inclusion workplace competencies for a White-led Washington State government organization. This organization sought to work towards racial equity at its center, based on Governor Jay Inslee's mandate. Consequently, leaders have redesigned systems and cultures using a racial equity lens to understand the concept better. Understanding racism helps to bridge a gap in the literature on how personal and professional beliefs play a significant role in institutional racism and its operation within their organization. The critical race theory informed leaders on how policy, …

Improving Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation In Adults Undergoing Screening Through Health Literacy Education, Kimmarie James-Ross

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the United States. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for CRC screening; however, the diagnostic efficiency of a colonoscopy is highly dependent on bowel preparation (prep) quality. Up to 30% of colonoscopy patients present with poor bowel prep. Poor bowel prep is a significant clinical practice problem that can lead to missed lesions, increased risk for CRC, increased risks for procedure-related complications, ineffective use of resources, and increased health care costs. A huge barrier to effective colonoscopy is low health literacy. This quality improvement project …

Self-Efficacy And Perceived Social Support As Predictors Of Academic Achievement Among First-Generation African American Females At A Historically Black College And University, Felicia Brown Kelly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American, female, first-generation students face unique social and academic challenges due to their triple minority status of being Black, female, and first-generation and often perceiving low social support. The problem this study addressed is the role that self-efficacy and social support play for this group of students is insufficiently known. The purpose of this study was to explore the role that self-efficacy and perceived social support play for first-generation African American females at a Historically Black College and University. Theoretical frameworks for this study were Bandura’s self-efficacy theory which analyzes self-efficacy relating to mastery and Bandura’s social cognitive theory, …

Elementary Teacher Experiences Regarding Use Of Technology In The Western Pacific Islands, Lynn Ordonez Mendiola

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the Western Pacific Islands School District (WPISD), technology standards were last developed and adopted in 2008. These standards have not been revisited or revised. The problem is that teachers are expected to use the latest educational technology, but technology standards are not current for preparing students for the 21st century workforce. The purpose of this basic qualitative inquiry was to explore how elementary teachers use current classroom technologies to address 21st century skills as mandated by the WPISD, despite having outdated technology standards. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework guided the study in order to integrate pedagogy, content, …

Society’S Perception Of Former Offender’S Impact On Housing Accommodation Options, Fealita Kimbre Prunty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was designed to explore United States societal members’ perception of the term offender and crime type concerning post-incarceration housing accommodations in the United States. Housing is an essential need for offenders re-entering society and can contribute to recidivism rates. The purpose of this study was to explore United States adult societal members’ perception of the term offender and crime type concerning post-incarceration housing accommodations in the United States. This study included a parallel mixed-method design inspired by Teddlie and Tashakkori. The theoretical framework incorporated Becker’s labeling theory. This study examined the United States adult societal members’ perception of …

Teacher Perceptions Of Social Networking Tools For Increasing Student Literacy And Engagement, Kishema Yolanda Simms

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social networking tools are innovative practices utilized by higher education institutions to promote the development of literacy skills and encourage engagement in an online learning platform. There is limited understanding of whether social networking tools have a similar effect on fourth-grade students' literacy development and engagement. The purpose of this basic qualitative research study was to explore fourth-grade teachers' perceptions of using social networking tools for literacy development and engagement. Using the Garrison, Anderson, and Archer's community of inquiry conceptual framework, research questions were designed to explore fourth-grade teachers' perceptions of using social networking tools in English language arts classes …

Health Educators’ Perspectives On Black And Latin@ College Students’ Health Literacy, Desiree Williams Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractEmerging adulthood is a critical life stage when participation in higher education can facilitate the transition of young individuals into adulthood and independence. The barriers associated with low health literacy levels are higher among racial or ethnic groups facing health inequalities, including those enrolled in higher education institutions. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how health educators promoted the health literacy of Black and Latino emerging adult college students. The theoretical framework was based on Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Eight health professionals who served to promote health literacy across diverse college campuses and different states in …

Business Strategies Towards Financial Stability For Community College Administrators: A Qualitative Study, Lauren Holubec

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nationwide, community college administrators are attempting to maintain financial stability amid extreme budget challenges. The problem that was addressed through this study is that some community college administrators at a large Northeastern state lack strategies to sustain financial stability, which threatens the 14 institutions’ ability to continue to operate as a viable educational choice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the strategies that community college administrators at multiple institutions of varying financial stability use. The conceptual framework that grounded the study was Porter’s five forces framework. Research questions focused on what strategies are used, why these strategies are …

Role Of Intravenous Access Support In Novice Nurses’ Job Satisfaction And Intent To Stay, Shaji Kurian

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The nursing shortage is a growing concern across the country, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Novice nurse retention is essential to solving this national problem. The purpose of this study was to examine whether intravenous (IV) access support influences job satisfaction and retention among novice nurses to improve their retention. Herzberg’s two-factor theory guided this research; IV access support acts as the hygiene factor. The absence of IV access support can result in dissatisfaction among novice nurses, contributing to higher turnover rates. This quantitative nonexperimental causal-comparative research design utilized a nurse work satisfaction questionnaire and intent to stay scale …

Perspectives Of Law Enforcement Officers In A Suburban Community On Use Of Body Cameras, Todd Samuel Nagbe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

As law enforcement in the United States struggles to improve relationships with the communities they serve, especially in the wake of unprecedented police use of deadly force incidents, police community relations continue to deteriorate. With advancements in technology and the creation and introduction of the Internet, footage of police misconduct including the use of deadly force has been shared on social media in real time. This has made situations between the community and police fragile to a point where it sometimes results in rioting and other public disturbances. Many have asked if the introduction of police worn-body camera systems …

Pharmacists’ Responses To Medication Management Following Disasters, Rellamichelle W. Tyree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disasters, both natural and human made, can cause emerging health threats in the United States and the Caribbean. The disasters that pharmacists experienced and reported for this study included hurricanes, snowstorms, ice storms, flooding, and a pandemic. The purpose of this research was to investigate the challenges and outcomes associated with pharmacists’ medication management practices during and following disasters. This generic qualitative study focused on pharmacists’ experiences and their responses to disaster planning and medication management activities. The ecological model of disaster management was the conceptual framework used to investigate the pharmacists and their responses and actions used to address …

Oil Rig Trainees’ Perspectives On The Influence Of Drilling Simulation On Their Learning And Motivation, Adel Mohamed Hassanein Abdelaziz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low enrollment levels in vocational drilling training programs in the Arabian Gulf area have resulted in a talent gap, with little success in building and retaining national crews. With current simulation technology, it is believed that trainees' learning, motivation, and achievements will increase; however, further study is needed to determine if these conclusions hold. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how using simulation technologies influences trainees' learning, motivation, and perspectives about completing their education at an oil-field drilling rig’s vocational training facility. Davis’s technology acceptance model concerning user reception of information systems formed the conceptual framework. …

Parents’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Collaborative Relationships To Support Kindergarten Students’ Academic Achievement In Jamaica, Kasia Janae Archer-Howell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parental involvement is a long-standing challenge that has impeded educational progress for students in the Caribbean region. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of parents and teachers about collaborative relationships that support kindergarten students' academic achievement in Jamaica. The parent and family intervention framework and the ecological systems theory served as the conceptual framework. Research questions addressed how teachers and parents think collaborative relationships can be established to support kindergarten students’ academic achievement in Jamaica and the perceptions parents and teachers have about benefits and barriers to collaborative relationships that support kindergarten students’ academic achievement …

Impact Of Healthcare Providers’ Perception On Telehealth Implementation, Misty Leann Cantrell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Telehealth has been proven to have a significant impact on patient outcomes; however, the use of telehealth in both rural and urban areas is sporadic and inconsistent. Although researchers have investigated this issue, there is little literature on the understanding of the impact healthcare provider (HCP) perception plays in this sporadic usage. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to understand how perception and behavioral intention of HCPs impacted the use of telehealth in rural and urban areas. The unified theory of acceptance and technology (UTAUT) was used to structure this research to facilitate determining the correlation between perception …

Rural Older Adults’ Wellbeing During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Christina Clevenger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent studies reveal adults 65 and over are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. However, this older generation is often vulnerable to exclusion, marginalization, and discrimination, made worse by the events and circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges and disproportionate threats to the integrity and wellbeing of older adults, especially those living in rural communities. Nonetheless, little is known about the effects the pandemic had on rural older adults’ wellbeing. This generic qualitative study explored rural older adults’ wellbeing during the pandemic, using the theoretical frameworks of Erikson’s stage theory of psychosocial development and Seligman's …

Administrators And Teachers' Perceptions Of Instructional Leadership Practices To Increase Student Achievement, Keyna Crawford Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe lack of achievement in public schools has been a concern globally and has negatively affected the growth of communities and the economy. School principals have a central role in implementing effective instructional practices and creating a positive teaching and learning environment that fosters student achievement. The problem addressed was a lack of instructional leadership in a British territory. The conceptual framework for this research was the instructional leadership model of Hallinger and Murphy, which defines three main dimensions of instructional leadership: (a) defining the school's mission, (b) managing the instructional program, and (c) promoting a positive school learning climate. …