Digital Commons Network^™

African American Female Clergy In Dual Clergy Marriage, Demetra Keyanna-Michelle Hutchinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burgeoning evidence has shown rapid growth of licensed and ordained female clergy within the Protestant church. Consequently, dual clergy couples have also increased in number. Research has suggested that African American female clergy have experienced greater challenges than male clergy in leadership roles in the church, including social isolation, sexism, and glass-ceiling barriers. Female clergy are also disproportionately affected by mental and physical health complications including depression, obesity, and burnout. Guided by adult personal resilience theory and its tenets of determination, endurance, adaptability, and recuperability, this interpretive phenomenological study focused on exploring the lived experiences of 13 African American female …

Cultivating Cultural Competence To Address Childhood Obesity In Ethnic Minority Youth, Tia Knight-Forbes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent health issue, especially among children who live in high poverty, low income, and low education areas that lack needed resources and health care to promote quality of life. African American youth have a higher rate of obesity than other populations. The purpose of this project was to address an identified gap in practice by improving health care professionals' ability to provide culturally competent care to African American youth. An educational intervention framed by the Purnell model for cultural competence was developed to address the question, Will cultural competency staff education improve knowledge to prevent and …

Perspectives Of Patients With Comorbidity On The Use Of Ehealth Technology For Self-Management At Kenyatta National Hospital, Dorcas Waithira Maina

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care systems still focus on single disease management and ignore the complexities of multiple conditions management. Though self-management is the focus of chronic disease management, patients with comorbidities face challenges in meeting their self-management goals. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of patients with comorbid conditions on the use of eHealth technology to promote self-management. The research was grounded on the technology acceptance model. I sought to explore the participants' understanding of self-management, the challenges to self-management and their perspectives on the use of eHealth for self-management. In this phenomenological study, 10 interviews were conducted …

Mentoring Relationship Preferences Of Early, Middle, And Late Career Stage Registered Nurses, Tonya M. Harewood-Lawrence

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Registered nurses perceive the healthcare work environment as stressful. Stress can have a negative effect on patient care and nurses' attrition and health. In the literature, mentors have been identified as having a positive influence on nurses. This qualitative study was an examination of nurses in mentoring relationships in the early, middle, and late career stage and working in a hospital setting. Two research questions addressed mentoring relationship preferences and mentors' influence on perceived stress. Fourteen nurses were interviewed in the study. The conceptual framework was based on the career and psychosocial mentoring theory, the mentoring the adult learner theory, …

Hiv Prevalence And Donor Funding In Ethiopia, Walelign Meheretu Kassahun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many researchers have documented the trend of decreasing financial support from donors for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) responses in Ethiopia. Less information is available regarding the correlation between trends of HIV prevalence and external funding and ways to address the impact that funding scarcity could cause. The purpose of this study was to examine the trend of HIV prevalence and donor funding levels, analyzing how the 2 are correlated, and opportunities to improve responses. Using the proximate determinant framework, the research questions examined the changes in HIV prevalence in Ethiopia during the past 10 years; the association …

Spousal Caregivers' Challenges When Caring For Their Loved Ones Battling Alzheimer's Disease, Patricia A. Light

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, the occurrence of Alzheimer's dementia is growing. This chronic illness is highly prevalent in the elderly population. Studies have advised that the elderly population is primarily affected by this chronic illness as age progresses. Aging may lead to mental or physical deterioration. This chronic illness can be extremely challenging for the spousal caregivers involved and the challenging decisions that must be made. There remains a crucial gap in the literature concerning the challenges experienced by spousal caregivers and how they cope with these factors daily. Specifically, there are no studies exploring the perceptions of spousal caregivers …

Influence Of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Policy On Army Families' Food Insecurity, Kathleen Anne Van Voorhis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Food insecurity (not having continuing access to nutritious food to maintain health) is common in the United States, especially in working poor households. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a well-documented safety net for individuals and families struggling with food insecurity. Little is known about the effect of SNAP policy on food insecurity in working poor military households. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of food-insecure Army families and the perceived influence of SNAP policy on their food-insecurity. The theoretical framework was policy feedback theory. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with …

A Study Of Rural Nonprofit Board Communication And Collaboration, Angela-Janine C. Crawford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This case study explored the perceptions, experiences, and significant internal communication and collaboration problem(s) faced by a rural nonprofit board of directors experiencing a growth transition. Specifically, this study addressed (a) how a rural nonprofit's board members perceived their communication and collaboration skills and practices, and (b) the training needed to improve board communication and collaboration policies and practices. Ten rural area study participants shared their experiences and made recommendations for board communication and collaboration training. Exploring the perceptions, understandings, and capacities of the rural nonprofit board members revealed how specific communication and collaboration policies and practices affected their organization's …

Coping Methods Of Caregivers Dealing With Patients Suffering From Geriatric Dementia, Blessing Baridakara Deemua

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dementia is a neurological disorder primarily diagnosed in the geriatric population. A problem for paid caregivers of patients diagnosed with stage-4 dementia is that they may experience caregiving stress while rendering care. However, there was no research that described the lived experiences of paid caregivers. Caregiving stress can be accompanied by behaviors or comorbid conditions and specific symptoms of stress can have a differential wellness impact. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of paid caregivers of patients with dementia through Vroom's expectancy theory. Data were gathered through interpretative interviews from a sample of 10 to 15 purposefully selected nursing …

Multicase Historic Studies Of Innovative Work Behavior Among Intellectually Gifted Adults, Karen Denise Gaskins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

ABSTRACT

This qualitative research study was conducted to examine whether investing in innovation and gifted intelligence would improve America's economic well-being. The investment issue became a problem because educational researchers researched innovation as creativity rather than as productive behavior. Moreover, in the literature, adult giftedness was perceived as negative development rather than as alternate normative behavior. The purpose of this research study was to generate new knowledge about innovation and adult giftedness. WICS (wisdom, intelligence, creativity, synthesized) theory of intelligence provided the theoretical framework because intelligence is a measure of human productivity potential. The neuropsychological conceptual framework facilitated a cognitive …

Effect Of Health Information On Food Addiction Among Obese And Overweight Women, Kirsten Elyse Grant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on obesity, weight loss, and food addiction (FA) suggested a strong relationship between use of food additives and the brain's addictive response to food. Previous researchers have examined (FA) and have identified certain food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as contributors to food addiction and overeating. Social cognitive theory (SCT) has also been effective in addressing addictive behaviors such as drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and smoking cessation (Bricker et al., 2010). However, researchers had not examined food addiction, social cognitive theory, and obesity in the same study. The purpose of this quantitative, …

Leadership Strategies To Sustain Small Fitness Businesses, Jacqueline Renee Robertson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The development and sustainability of small businesses impact the U.S. economy. Owners of small businesses created 65.9% of new jobs between 2000 and 2017. Over 99.9% of known U.S. firms were small businesses. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the leadership strategies small fitness business owners implemented to sustain their businesses for longer than 5 years. The conceptual framework for this study was the servant leadership theory. The population for the study included 5 owners of small fitness businesses in the southeastern region of the U.S. who used leadership strategies to sustain their businesses for longer …

Assessment Of Cancer-Related Fatigue In Breast Cancer Survivors, Meagan Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a persistent and debilitating problem for many breast cancer survivors. Although many CRF measurement tools are available, no consensus exists on the most appropriate tool to use for breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this project was to identify the best method of assessing CRF in breast cancer survivors. The practice-focused question inquired about the most appropriate way to assess fatigue in breast cancer survivors. The central concepts of the project were CRF and cancer survivorship. This project was informed by the theory of health as expanding consciousness and Mishel's theory of uncertainty in illness. The …

Enhancing The Competitive Advantage Of U.S. Corporations By Incorporating A Foreign Trade Zones Strategy, Dino Adolfo Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some leaders of U.S. companies fail to implement proper decision-making strategies to enact and execute strategies to realize the benefits provided by a foreign trade zone (FTZ). The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and to identify the proper decision-making strategies used in successfully implementing a FTZ. The target population consisted of 5 leaders, including a senior leader, a supply chain manager, and 3 department managers of a company located in the midwestern region of the United States that successfully implemented a FTZ. Porter's competitive advantage theory was the conceptual framework used for the study. Semistructured interviews …

The Role Of Advanced Practice Nurses In Advanced Care Planning For Cancer Patients, Sincere Mcmillan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, more than 75% of people will spend their last months of life in a health care facility. A key role for clinicians is to discuss care goals with the patients as part of a process called advanced care planning (ACP). As part of the oncology care team, advanced practice nurses (APNs) could help to increase the frequency of ACP discussions. The purpose of this project was to assess the knowledge and practice experiences of APNs regarding ACP at a National Cancer Institute designated cancer care hospital. Carper's patterns of knowing was the theoretical framework of this …

Weight Management Toolkit For Patients On Methadone, Bolaji Olugboja

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Methadone is a mu-opioid agonist used in the treatment of patients with an opioid use disorder in an outpatient addiction treatment clinic. A recognized knowledge gap exists among nurses managing overweight and obese patients in an outpatient methadone treatment center in the northeastern United States. The goal of this project was to develop a weight management toolkit to assist nurses in the identification, evaluation, and management of overweight and obese patients receiving methadone treatment at the center. The evidence-based weight management toolkit incorporated practice guidelines from the American Heart Association, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, America College of Cardiology, and …

Hypertension Experience Of Foreign-Born West African Immigrant Women In The United States, Assumpta Onyinye Ude

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Foreign-born African immigrants (FBAI) have a high rate of severe hypertension (HTN) and psychosocial-cultural factors have underlying roles in this, as in other chronic diseases. Literature lacks studies on FBAI women living with HTN. This study explored the HTN experience of FBAI women in the Washington Metropolitan area. This qualitative phenomenological study, was guided by a theoretical framework that included the Health Belief Model, Patient Centered Access to Health Care and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. Highly educated health care professional of 15 women participated in in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Key findings included …

Social Support, Health Status, And Personality Factors In Coping Styles Of Gay Men, Mary Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Personality factors and coping styles may affect how individuals will respond to the lack of social support. The purpose of this descriptive design was to examine the relationship between social support and health risk implications in gay men, which is a population that is under-represented in the research literature in regard to this topic. The theoretical framework guiding this study was the social stress model, which posits that stress and support are related to mental health outcomes. A sample of 76 gay men were recruited from Craigslist ad to participate in this study. They completed self -report questionnaires anonymously online, …

Smoking And Surgical Site Infection In Orthopedic Patients' Lower Extremity Arthroplasty, Alicia Y. Mingo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cigarette smoking has been a public health concern for many years, and the possible impact of smoking on surgical site infection (SSI) has been studied broadly. However, a gap in understanding has persisted concerning whether there is an association between smoking tobacco and the development of SSI among patients who undergo lower extremity surgery, specifically total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between smoking and lower extremity SSI. Andersen's behavioral model (BM) was used to understand the risk factors relevant to the interaction between smoking and SSI. Application of the BM categories of …

Controlling Hypertension Among Young Black Men In America: A Prescription Medication Alternative, Winston Charles

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the evident improvements in the awareness of hypertension among the adult population in the United States, disparities remain in the burden of the disease, its treatment efficacy, and its control when data are compared along age, gender, and race. The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of the relationship between blood pressure control and prescription medication and lifestyle modification (smoking cessation, changes in eating habits, and weight loss). The target population were adult young Black men, and the control variables were age, low socioeconomic status (SES), and disparities in health care. A convenience sample of Black …

Public Health Implications Of Retailer Resale Of Returned Textile Clothing Merchandise, Antonette M. A. Francis-Shearer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, 18th century anecdotal accounts of the decimation of several tribes of U.S. of the Native American population by trading of infected textile blankets alludes to the role of retail in the transmission of infectious disease. This study explores implications of the modern day retail organization practice of reselling returned clothing textiles from a public health infectious disease perspective. A qualitative multi-case study, utilized responses from 20 open-ended, unstructured interviews of retail employees assigned to the returns process. Additionally, several informal observations of select U.S.based, top-ranked clothing retail organizations, identified by the National Retail Federation were completed. Select federal, state, …

Obesity Epidemic In The Military: Implications For Veterans, Tracy Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of overweight and obesity on veterans' careers. Obesity, once thought unproblematic for the military, is being recognized as a health concern that has expansive implications for the health and readiness of service men and women, as well as for veterans. There is an abundance of information on obesity within the general population, but research on the impact of obesity on military careers is limited. This quantitative, cross-sectional research study investigated how obesity is a challenge throughout a veteran's career, from enlistment to retirement, using an online survey to gather data …

Reducing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections, Alexis Genarrian Whitfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) at the local healthcare setting exceeded the benchmark of 0 CLABSI. The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) department determined that a role as CLABSI nurse champion would address the problem; however, no comprehensive education on CLABSI prevention and maintenance was available at the site. The purpose of this project was to develop a CLABSI prevention and maintenance education module using Knowles's adult learning theory and the chain of infection model. The practice-focused question asked whether a CLABSI educational module would provide the necessary information to educate nurse champions on CLABSI prevention and maintenance. The education …

Cybersecurity Strategies For Universities With Bring Your Own Device Programs, Hai Vu Nguyen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The bring your own device (BYOD) phenomenon has proliferated, making its way into different business and educational sectors and enabling multiple vectors of attack and vulnerability to protected data. The purpose of this multiple-case study was to explore the strategies information technology (IT) security professionals working in a university setting use to secure an environment to support BYOD in a university system. The study population was comprised of IT security professionals from the University of California campuses currently managing a network environment for at least 2 years where BYOD has been implemented. Protection motivation theory was the study's conceptual framework. …

Improving Nurse Well-Being Through A Mindfulness-Based Education Strategy, Sandra Dearholt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

An estimated 33% to 54% of hospital nurses exhibit signs of emotional stress and

decreased well-being, which is associated with a negative impact on nurses’ health, job

performance, patient care outcomes, and healthcare cost. This project sought to improve

nurse well-being by providing nurses with education on mindfulness-based practices.

The practice question addressed whether implementing a mindfulness-based education

strategy for nurses improved nurse well-being. Three models informed this project: the

health promotion model, the andragogical model, and Kirkpatrick’s 4 levels of training

evaluation. Sources of evidence included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and a

knowledge assessment administered to 10 …

Socioeconomic Determinants Of Physical Activity Among Adult Arab Immigrants In Edmonton, Alberta, Samer Kobrosly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little is known about leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) habits of Arab immigrants in Canada. Leisure-time physical activity has been linked to decreased risks for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all causes mortality and increased life expectancy. Socioeconomic status has been recognized as a significant factor affecting health and wellbeing due to its impact on individuals’ attitudes, experiences, and exposure to several risk factors. The purpose of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to explore the levels of participation in LTPA among adult Arab immigrants in central Alberta, Canada, to examine the socioeconomic determinants of LTPA, and to investigate which individual, social, and …

Fruit And Vegetable Consumption, Physical Activity, And Colorectal Cancer Among African Americans, Stella Francoise Nanga Ndzana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a deadly and costly cancer, especially among African Americans. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional study was to examine African Americans' health behaviors that may have an association with CRC. The Health Belief Model was used to guide this study. The study addressed whether there is a statistical association between fruit intake, vegetable intake, and physical activity, and the occurrence of CRC while controlling for confounders, such as body mass index, smoking status, and income level. After conducting an overall analysis, the final research question examined if the association varied by race. In this study, …

Health Disparities In Females With Rheumatic Heart Disease In Central Afghanistan, Ruhina Najem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study surveyed healthcare professionals and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) female participants in two hospitals located in central Afghanistan to examine the effects of communication among healthcare professionals, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, and the health quality of life. The social ecological models (SEM) of health promotion was utilized in the individual (communication between healthcare professionals), community (health quality of life), and societal factors (ethnicity and socioeconomic status). Three research questions were explored in this study: the significance of RHD healthcare professional's education to their RHD female patients ages 16 to 45 years; a correlation between ethnicity and socioeconomic status among …

Program Evaluation Of The Employee Health And Wellbeing Program, Alicia Carmen Marlena Perez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health promotion and disease prevention are a focus of population health management. Without ongoing and rigorous evaluation, these programs may be in jeopardy of continuing. The purpose of this project was to conduct a descriptive population health- focused evaluation of a large-scale health system's employee health and wellbeing program. Guided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) framework for program evaluation in public health and National Center for Organization Development guidelines, a nurse-led evaluation was conducted using 5 specific data sets emphasizing organizational structure, employee health offerings, employee surveys, Pathway to Excellence survey, and program contributions. A descriptive …

Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Prevention, Druscilla Willis Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) represent a significant challenge in the care provided for hospitalized patients. HAPUs impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. At the local practice site, the incidence of HAPUs increased in the perioperative setting. The practice-focused question for this project asked if an education program for staff nurses working in a perioperative care setting with high HAPU incidence can advance nurse knowledge regarding prevention, early assessment, symptoms, and treatment of HAPUs. The purpose of this educational project was to develop a pretest and posttest designed education program on HAPU prevention and care for perioperative nurses. The Iowa …