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Policymakers’ Perceptions About Providing Affordable Housing In Rural Georgia, Robert Joseph Wiley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The literature showed that low-income households face a persistent deficit of affordable housing, forcing these families to live in dilapidated housing or to live beyond their means to pay for adequate housing, and that this problem transcends rural and urban counties. Further, researchers indicated that solving this problem provided a stable workforce and a better quality of life for all income groups. A gap in the literature showed the need for more research on nonmetropolitan communities addressing housing and neighborhood revitalization; therefore, through this qualitative multiple-case study local policymakers' perceptions of the affordable housing problem in rural Georgia were explored. …

Commanders’ Perspectives On Training, Intervention, And Identity Adjustment For Reintegration, Chelsea Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military reintegration presents significant challenges for service members returning home to civilian life. Previous research has indicated many reintegration challenges, including reintegration preparation, identity adjustment, and proactive intervention; however, there remains an essential gap in the literature regarding training for military commanders and how they can be updated to help better facilitate service members’ reintegration. Grounded in general systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative study was to ask about the lived experiences of military commanders on reintegration preparation training, regarding proactive intervention during deployment, and about identity adjustment issues upon reintegration. The participants comprised six active and retired military …

Examining Motivations And Risk Factors Associated With Revenge Filicide, Alicia Darneice Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the motivations and risk factors of revenge filicide. Revenge filicide is when a parent murders their child or children out of retaliation to inflict emotional pain on the other parent. This descriptive study used 12 revenge filicide cases consisting of five female and seven male offenders to determine the motivation and risk factors for revenge filicide, and attachment theory was used as the theoretical foundation. The whole sample reported having strained or failed relationships with their current or former partner and were amid a bitter custody battle at the time of …

Navigating The Low Covid-19 Vaccination Rate Nexus: Biblical Interpretations & Practices Of Pentecostal Christians In Dmv, Patricia Mbah Nchamukong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The development and release of a vaccine during an epidemic is aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of infection, transmission, and spread of the disease. However, this does not always guarantee the acceptance of the vaccine by the entire population, as was the case with the COVID-19 vaccine. The low COVID-19 vaccine rate within the Black Pentecostal Christian community in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) is a public health concern. Some factors that might have influenced the decision of this population to accept or reject the vaccine have been linked to politics, anti-COVID-19 vaccine sentiments, and religion. The purpose …

Perceptions Of Muslim Women On The 2019 Reforms To The Saudi Guardianship System, Isatu Jalloh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Saudi Arabia, the 2019 reforms to the guardianship system were implemented to grant women greater autonomy in areas such as education, employment, and travel. However, despite legal advancements, recent research shows that deeply ingrained cultural and societal norms continue to impact the full realization of gender equality, and a literature gap exists involving professional and educational contexts. The purpose of this research was to examine Saudi women’s perspectives on the 2019 guardianship reforms and explore how these changes have affected their higher education and employment opportunities. The study used Islamic feminist theory and the narrative policy framework as a …

A Phenomenological Analysis Of Race-Based Stress Among Black Women Leaders In Counselor Education, Jamila A. Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite calls from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the American Counseling Association (ACA), counseling programs struggle to recruit and retain Black women. One contributing factor to this issue is gendered racism directed toward Black women in the counseling profession. However, the research surrounding the race-based stress (RBS) and race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) experienced as a result of encounters with gendered racism among Black women leaders in this profession remains limited. This inquiry utilized a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative methodology and the race-based traumatic stress inquiry model as a conceptual framework to explore the nature …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Risk Factors, Protective Factors, And Intervention Strategies For School Shooters, Emily Michelle Hudson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over 1,000 lives have been lost in school shootings in the United States. Many school shooters are current or former students ages 12 to 18, predisposed to risk factors (e.g., mental illness, bullying, trauma). Teachers have a crucial role in school safety, but their voices are underrepresented regarding school shooting interventions. Guided by the social ecological model, this generic qualitative research explored teachers’ perspectives of the risk factors, protective factors, and intervention strategies for school shootings. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 secondary education teachers from various states in the United States. The collected data were then thematically …

Lived Experiences Of Clinicians Who Support African American Men In Treatment Programs For Opioid Use Disorder In Georgia, Christian Ann Paige

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among African American men in Georgia has risen significantly, highlighting the need for specialized clinical approaches. Clinicians face complex challenges in delivering effective treatment and support. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of clinicians working with African American men in OUD treatment programs in Georgia. Grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, the study utilized semistructured interviews with eleven clinicians. Four key themes emerged from the analysis: (a) barriers to treatment, as stigma and systemic inequities hinder engagement; (b) cultural competency challenges, as clinicians strive to provide care that aligns with clients’ …

Probation Officer Perspectives Of Rehabilitation Programs In The Federal Bureau Of Prisons, Brandon Christopher Harper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to better understand the federal probation officer's perspective of rehabilitation programs in the federal bureau of prisons. The following research question provided a guide: What are federal probation officers' perspectives regarding the success of rehabilitation programs offered in the federal bureau of prisons? Semi structured interviews were conducted with 10 employees of a federal probation office located in the southern United States. Interviews were conducted using Zoom and audio-recorded and transcribed to text files for thematic analysis. The main findings in this study included the need to tailor programs for prisoners to …

Narrative Inquiry: Exploring Black Female Professional Counselors’ Storied Experiences Of Supervision, Donald Theophilus Cooper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black women supervisees are underrepresented in research. Given the importance of relational connections in women’s lives and how the supervision process occurs in relational interactions of intersecting contextual variables, an investigation into the supervision experiences of Black female professional counselor supervisees was warranted. This narrative inquiry aimed to explore and understand how Black female professional counselor supervisees narrate their supervision experience. The research question focused on how Black female professional counselor supervisees narrated their supervision experience. Eight participants were recruited from social media. They self-identified as Black and female, lived in the United States, and were licensed professional counselors. Narrative …

Experiences Of African American Women Working In Higher Education Leadership Positions In Predominantly White Institutions, Angela Renee Hall Carrington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite significant educational achievements, African American women remain underrepresented in academic leadership at predominantly White institutions. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences, challenges, and barriers of African American women when navigating leadership pathways. The conceptual framework guiding this study was Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory. For this basic qualitative study, purposive and snowball sampling led to semistructured interviews with 8 African American women who had at least 2 years of experience in academic leadership roles at predominantly White institutions. Participants were African American women in leadership positions at 2 predominantly White institutions in California and 3 …

Effective Risk Management Strategies Minority Small Business Owners Use To Address Challenges Of Changing Business Environments, Sabit Yasin Mohammed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As a result of a lack of effective risk management strategies, some minority small business owners are unable to address business challenges during changing business environments. Small business leaders who cannot mitigate challenges in changing business environments risk financial loss and business failure. Grounded in general system theory and entrepreneurship theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore effective risk management strategies of minority small business owners used to mitigate challenges of changing business environments. The participants were six minority small business owners from southwest region of the United States who successfully mitigated the challenges of …

Exploring An Infection Control Game To Reinforce Learning In Health Professions Education, Stephanie Anne Lea

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Globally, there remains a high occurrence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The problem under study was the lack of information about the experiences of health professions students with a serious game on infection control. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore health professions student experiences with a serious game on infection control as a tool to reinforce learning. This study was framed by Bonwell and Eison’s active learning theory and Kolb’s experiential learning cycle. The participants were 12 health professions students who played an online serious game on infection control. The data were collected from semistructured interviews with …

Reasons Teachers Of Color Leave The Field Of Education In A Suburban School Division In Virginia, Arianne Hayes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher retention remains a persistent challenge in the field of education, with teachers of color (TOCs) experiencing disproportionately higher attrition rates compared to their White counterparts while affect schools nationwide, particularly in high-need areas. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate why TOCs left their teaching positions in Virginia. This study was grounded in job demands-resources theory and focused on the significance of the demands and available resources within a workplace. For this basic qualitative design, eight former TOCs that had at least 3 years of experience in a suburban district in Virginia participated in semi structured interviews. …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Covid-19 Learning Strategies’ Influence On Reading Achievement In Title I Urban Elementary Schools, Kadian Alicia Grant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly intensified reading achievement challenges among Title I urban elementary school students. There was a need to understand the impact of district-implemented strategies to improve reading achievement during the pandemic. Guided by Fullan’s educational change theory, this qualitative case study explored principals’ perceptions of the influence of district strategies on reading achievement implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2021–2022 school year, particularly in Title I urban elementary schools. The study specifically aimed to explore (a) principals’ perceptions of the influence of lesson acceleration, (b) principals’ perceptions of the influence of personalized learning, and (c) challenges …

Gender Differences In Weight Perceptions And Intentions Among Hispanic Youth In The United States, Kristy Gregurek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity is a global epidemic and a serious issue for children and adolescents in the United States. Despite recognition of its dangers, obesity remains a public health concern, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to its prevalence. Of particular concern is the higher obesity rates among Hispanic children, who face disproportionately significant psychological and physical health risks. Using the theory of planned behavior, this study aimed to investigate the lack of knowledge regarding gender differences in weight perceptions and intentions, the relationship between physical activity and weight perception, and the role each may play in obesity among Hispanic …

Queer Connections: Relationship Initiation Approach And Relationship Quality For Queer Couples, Kai Ambakad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Queer individuals encounter unique challenges in romantic relationships, making it essential to explore factors that influence their relationship quality. The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare relationship quality among queer individuals based on the method of meeting (i.e., through dating applications vs. in person) and to test communication quality as a moderating variable. This study examined commitment and satisfaction as the dependent variables for relationship quality and meeting method as the independent variable. The research addressed whether there were (1) differences in relationship quality based on meeting method and (2) whether communication quality moderated this relationship. The study …

Nurse Managers’ Effective Strategies For Retaining Nurses, Sharina Johnson-King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective strategies for retaining registered nurses (RNs) can lead to negative business and patient care outcomes. High RN turnover rates pose a challenge for nurse managers, as they can reduce the quality of patient care and strain healthcare resources. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies nurse managers use to successfully retain RNs. The participants were 11 nurse managers in the Southeastern United States who had retained their full-time RNs for 2 years. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of Health Resources and Services Administration data. Through thematic …

Mental Health Literacy, Education, And Implications For Mental Disorder, Robert Louis Sims Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health literacy (MHL) improves the recognition and treatment of mental disorders. The completion of a bachelor’s degree has been correlated with higher levels of MHL, and higher levels of MHL are reported to improve mental health status (MHS). While educational attainment has a significant positive relationship with MHL, the strength and significance of education in predicting MHL level remains unclear. A health literacy conceptualization and self-efficacy theory underpinned further examination of these variables in this study. A survey was administered to a sample of 105 university graduates in Georgia enrolled in one of five bachelor’s degree disciplines: education, humanities, …

Adverse Childhood Experiences In Early Adolescence And Adult Interpersonal Relationships Violence, Jenalee M. Dawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive social issue that affects individuals and communities, often rooted in early life experiences such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Understanding the link between ACEs and IPV is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. This quantitative research explored the potential link between ACEs encountered during early adolescence and the subsequent occurrence of IPV in adult domestic relationships, building upon the foundational work of Felitti et al. Using a quantitative survey design, 30 participants aged 18 and older who had experienced at least one ACE were recruited via social media and surveyed. Bandura's …

Cultural Competency When Providing Intimate Partner Violence Assistance, Deanna Lashawn Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health crisis that disproportionately affects African American and Latina women due to systemic barriers, cultural stigmas, and inadequate culturally competent support services. This qualitative study explored the experiences of English-speaking African American and Latina women aged 23 to 60 in seeking culturally competent assistance for IPV in the United States. Using a generic qualitative research design and relational-cultural theory as a theoretical framework, this study examined how cultural beliefs and values influence help-seeking behaviors and the perceived adequacy of IPV support services. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who had previously …

Exploring Cybersecurity Policy Compliance Strategies To Secure E-Government Systems, Michael Oyedele Arowosegbe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian government organizations face significant challenges in complying with cybersecurity policies, threatening the security and efficiency of their e-government systems. IT leadership groups are concerned that compliance issues could lead to data breaches, service disruptions, and diminished public trust, ultimately hindering economic growth and digital transformation efforts. This qualitative multiple-case study, framed through the lens of neo-institutional theory, aimed to explore the cybersecurity policies and effective compliance strategies employed by information security officers to secure e-government systems against cyberattacks. The participants consisted of nine information security officers from three information security-certified government institutions in central Nigeria. Data collection included semi-structured …

The Impact Of On-The-Job Traumatic Events From The Perspective Of African American Law Enforcement Officers, Stefanie Marie Hadley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Most law enforcement officers (LEOs) enter their profession with the intent to positively impact their communities. However, the emotional and psychological toll of their work often goes unaddressed, leaving officers to navigate repeated exposure to trauma with limited support or preparation. While research has examined the effects of trauma on LEOs, there remains a gap in understanding the impact on African American LEOs. This study explored the effects of frequent on-the-job traumatic events from the perspective of African American LEOs and the barriers to seeking mental health treatment. Guided by social cognitive theory and rational choice theory, this qualitative study …

Do Universities Choose The Right Strategies For X Engagement? The Case Of Six Universities In Thailand, Mathupayas Thongmak

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand how Thai public universities engage their stakeholders on X (the social media platform previously known as Twitter). This article answers the following research questions: 1) What are the X message strategies of six public universities? 2) Do they choose the most effective strategies to drive X engagement in terms of favorites and reposts?

Method: Data was automatically collected using anX analytic tool, and the potential variables were extracted semi-automatically using tools appropriate to text mining, sentiment analysis, word cloud, and so on. Posts from six universities in Thailand were investigated.

Results: …

Strategies Head Start Program Managers Use To Acquire External Funding During Economic Downturns, Judith Angella Maxwell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Head Start programs risk limited external funding due to economic downturns, leading to difficulty managing programs effectively and competitively. Head Start program managers will continue to struggle if they do not develop strategies to acquire external financial support in response to economic downturns, like the COVID-19 pandemic, while enhancing staff and student experiences. Grounded in the resource-based view theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study research project was to explore the strategies employed by Head Start program managers to effectively acquire external financial support in response to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were …

School Counselor Wellness And Organizational Support, Pamela Spence Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Wellness is at the core of the counselor profession, yet school counselors face daily wellness challenges in the environments in which they work. Organizational support in the form of supervision and school support has been shown to mediate burnout, yet research had not investigated its mediating role in school counselor wellness. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between school counselor organizational support, as measured by the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support-Short Form, and school counselor wellness, as measured by the Helping Professional Wellness Discrepancy Scale, in a sample of 78 practicing school counselors. Results of …

Experiences Of Grandparenting During Covid-19 For Grandparents Geographically Distanced From Their Grandchildren, Eva Louise Benevit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 2015, the number of retirees relocating after retirement has increased significantly, leading grandparents to be distant from their grandchildren. Isolation and distance from families has increased due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to high rates of loneliness and isolation for older adults. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore experiences during COVID-19 for grandparents geographically distanced from their grandchildren. This research was grounded using Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory, with a focus on the maturity stage, and thematic analysis was used to guide interviews and analysis. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit five …

Successful Leadership Strategies Used By Front-Line Leaders In Crises, Robi Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unskilled front-line leaders in the production industry can contribute to operational inefficiencies and delays in crisis response. Effective crisis management requires front-line leaders to employ evidence-based leadership strategies that enhance organizational resilience. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore successful leadership strategies front-line leaders use for crisis management. The participants were seven front-line leaders in the central Mississippi production industry who successfully implemented leadership strategies for crisis management. Data were collected using semistructured virtual interviews and a review of public documents related to crisis management, public safety policies, and code of …

The Healing Potential Of The Use Of Racial Socialization By School Counselors For African American Students, Vameker Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American adolescents experience racial discrimination incidents more frequently than their peers from other racial backgrounds. Racial socialization (RS) has been proven to be effective in assisting African American youth in coping with racial stressors. School counselors play a crucial role in supporting African American youth dealing with race-related stress (RRS). Research has focused on the use of RS among African American parents and children, yet there is a research gap regarding the use of RS among school counselors. Further research is necessary to explore how school counselors implement RS to help students cope with and respond to stressful discriminatory …

Adult Sexual Grooming: A Systematic Review, Christin Aletky, Bonita Sharma, Jose Carbajal, Tia Eubank

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Grooming is the manipulation and intimidation of people into acts that may appear consensual but are in fact exploitative and harmful, activities they would not have chosen otherwise. Different legal definitions and shifting social perspectives on consent complicate efforts to determine whether a given behavior is a result of informed consent or a response to grooming behaviors. Most studies on grooming and sexual assault focus on adults grooming and abusing children—research on adults grooming other adults is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to conduct a systematic review of current research on the grooming of adults. We used …