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The Impact Of Functional Disabilities On The Quality Of Life Of Older U.S. Adults, Bernadette Lavender May 2025

The Impact Of Functional Disabilities On The Quality Of Life Of Older U.S. Adults, Bernadette Lavender

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Among older U.S. adults, functional disabilities are critical determinants of quality of life (QoL), influencing mobility, social engagement, and independence. Despite growing evidence of these impacts, limited research examines how healthcare access, social support, and socioeconomic factors moderate this relationship. This quantitative study explored the effects of functional disabilities on QoL, operationalized through self-reported health, while examining the moderating roles of key social determinants. Using a cross-sectional design, secondary data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were analyzed. The sample included 42,405 participants aged 60 years and above from all 50 states. Multiple regression analyses and ANOVA were employed …


Food Insecurity, Myplate Utilization, And Hba1c In United States Adults With Prediabetes, Lindley R. Sharp May 2025

Food Insecurity, Myplate Utilization, And Hba1c In United States Adults With Prediabetes, Lindley R. Sharp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rising prevalence of prediabetes in the United States presents a significant public health challenge, particularly due to its progression into Type 2 diabetes. Despite national dietary guidelines, disparities in dietary adherence persist, especially among food-insecure adults. This quantitative study examined the impact of food insecurity and MyPlate utilization on HbA1C levels in prediabetic U.S. adults, while accounting for structural and intermediary determinants of health. Guided by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health framework, this cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from the 2015–March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey including a sample size of 1,417 noninstitutionalized male and …


Mediating Models Of Depression, Anxiety, And Ptsd In Adults With Early Versus Late Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses, Kaycee Malaki Dobson May 2025

Mediating Models Of Depression, Anxiety, And Ptsd In Adults With Early Versus Late Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses, Kaycee Malaki Dobson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adults are being diagnosed with autism at greater rates than in the past two decades. This research study examined whether the age of autism diagnosis impacts the severity of comorbid mental health disorders in adults formally diagnosed with autism. The Empathizing-Systemizing theory, which posits that autistic individuals systemize at greater rates, was applied to understand the link between age of autism diagnosis and two common comorbid disorders, depression (measured by the PHQ-9) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; measured by the PCL-5). Mediation analyses were used to explore these relationships on a convenience sample of 232 adults with autism. No significant …


Reasonable Suspicion And Racial Profiling In The Enforcement Of Immigration Laws In Arizona, George L. Wajackoyah May 2025

Reasonable Suspicion And Racial Profiling In The Enforcement Of Immigration Laws In Arizona, George L. Wajackoyah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The delegation of immigration enforcement authority to local law enforcement under Section 287(g) raised concerns about increased racial profiling, fueling fear and distrust in immigrant communities. Understanding these effects aided in evaluating the broader impact of immigration policies on public safety and community relations. Grounded in critical race theory, this study explored how Section 287(g) enabled racial profiling by giving local law enforcement broad discretionary authority over immigration enforcement. A qualitative research design was employed using thematic analysis of interview data from 26 immigrants and law enforcement officers. Manual coding and NVivo software were utilized to conduct the analysis. The …


Surgical Technology Faculty Perceptions Of Using High-Fidelity Simulation In Teaching, Felicia Consoweller Mcghee May 2025

Surgical Technology Faculty Perceptions Of Using High-Fidelity Simulation In Teaching, Felicia Consoweller Mcghee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Surgical technology education is critical in equipping individuals for healthcare careers; however, educators in the field have recognized that a gap in practice exists regarding clinical preparedness between surgical technologists and other healthcare professionals. This study’s research explored faculty perspectives on implementing high-fidelity simulation (HFS) in surgical technology curricula, highlighting the importance of this issue for educators and program directors who seek to enhance the training of future surgical technologists. This basic qualitative study, guided by the technology acceptance model (TAM), examined how researchers and faculty using TAM perceived HFS and its effects on student learning and readiness. Two key …


A Grounded Theory Approach To Intergenerational Adverse Childhood Experiences, Jessica Schweigert May 2025

A Grounded Theory Approach To Intergenerational Adverse Childhood Experiences, Jessica Schweigert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Extensive research has been conducted on the relationship of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative long term physical and mental health outcomes, intervention strategies after exposure in childhood, as well preventative education measures to limit ACE exposure; however, limited research has been conducted on how the exposure to ACEs could influence parental behaviors, practices, the overall experience for parents, and the intergenerational continuity of these experiences for their children. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to explore how the adverse childhood experiences of parents could have influenced their parental behaviors and practices, parenting style and approach, and …


Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On The Challenges Of Closing The African American Achievement Gap, Cherie Mcelroy-Burch May 2025

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On The Challenges Of Closing The African American Achievement Gap, Cherie Mcelroy-Burch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a persistent academic achievement gap between African American students and their White peers in Grades 1–3. Federal and state governments have made numerous efforts, implemented policy changes, and allocated more resources to struggling school districts, yet the disparity in academic achievement persists. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives on the challenges of closing the achievement gap between African American students and their White peers in Grades 1–3. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Coll and Lamberty’s model of developmental competencies in minority children. The research question for …


Barriers Faced By College Sexual Violence Survivors Who Identify As A Racial And Gender Minority, Brittany A. Gordon May 2025

Barriers Faced By College Sexual Violence Survivors Who Identify As A Racial And Gender Minority, Brittany A. Gordon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual violence is a significant issue in the US, and specifically on college campuses. Students who identify as a racial and gender minority have been found to be at increased risk. While research has examined the barriers to disclosure, reporting, or help-seeking among survivors within higher education who identify as a racial minority and those who identify as a gender minority, no qualitative studies have looked at the barriers faced by student survivors who identify as both a racial and gender minority. The purpose of this study was to understand the barriers faced by students who identify as a racial …


Barriers Rural African American Mothers Experience Accessing Healthcare, Lovelia Dixon May 2025

Barriers Rural African American Mothers Experience Accessing Healthcare, Lovelia Dixon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Psychology and Community Services This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Lovelia Latrese Dixon has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Tracy Jackson, Committee Chairperson, Human Services Faculty Dr. Antoinette Pigatt, Committee Member, Human Services Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2025 The study examined the barriers African American mothers living in rural areas face when accessing healthcare due to lack of information, transportation, and affordability. Understanding the …


Work Experience Of Millennials Resigning Abruptly From Mental Health Positions, Melonie K. Bland May 2025

Work Experience Of Millennials Resigning Abruptly From Mental Health Positions, Melonie K. Bland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The phenomenon of millennials resigning from mental health positions with little or no notice remains understudied, yet understanding it is essential for improving the consistency and effectiveness of care for individuals receiving mental health services. This generic qualitative study explored the work experiences of millennial mental health workers. The Strauss-Howe generational theory served as the theoretical framework, offering insight into how millennials’ work ethics, personal beliefs, and job expectations influenced their decisions to resign abruptly. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with nine participants, and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes and insights related to the research question. …


Perceptions Of Connections Among Technology Instructors And Their Students Working Remotely, Angela Dawn Riddle May 2025

Perceptions Of Connections Among Technology Instructors And Their Students Working Remotely, Angela Dawn Riddle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2020, educators were forced to learn new ways to instruct students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the transition from in-person to online courses, educators explored new ways of producing the learning experience. Due to the hands-on nature of industrial and engineering technology, these courses did not generally use online learning systems. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of industrial and engineering technology instructors connecting with students remotely during this period. Garrison’s community of inquiry framework was used to ground the study and understand the connection that occurs in the learning environment …


Gender And Age Differences Among Juvenile Homicide Offenders, Amanda Nichole-Wells Jabaay May 2025

Gender And Age Differences Among Juvenile Homicide Offenders, Amanda Nichole-Wells Jabaay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The involvement of juveniles in homicide-related crimes has been a matter of growing public concern in the United States. Although prior research suggests that boys and girls who kill vary in important ways, there is limited research that has examined gender and age differences among juvenile homicide offender (JHO) characteristics and crime-related variables on a national level, with only eight previous national studies to date. Guided by the social control theory, the purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to explore gender and age differences among JHOs and other crime-related variables on a current national level. Archival data (N = …


The Effects Of Sudden Telework On The Productivity And Engagement Of Hr Employees, Lisa Renee Schlichtig May 2025

The Effects Of Sudden Telework On The Productivity And Engagement Of Hr Employees, Lisa Renee Schlichtig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a change in how individuals perceived the way of conducting work in the United States. Human resources (HR) leaders need to understand this change because many employees lost their jobs without the means for sustainable work. Other employees maintained their jobs, suddenly shifting to telework, resulting in mixed productivity and work engagement levels. The purpose of this quantitative moderation analysis study was to examine whether there was a moderating effect of employer-provided psychological resources on perceived productivity and work engagement among HR employees after the sudden shift to telework. The conservation of resources theory and the …


Staff Education To Enhance Nurse Knowledge Of Depression And Screening Tool Using Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Oluwakemi Omotayo Aregbesola May 2025

Staff Education To Enhance Nurse Knowledge Of Depression And Screening Tool Using Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Oluwakemi Omotayo Aregbesola

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This staff education program focused on addressing a practice deficit regarding nonstandard depression assessment and substandard nurse knowledge of evidence-based screening tools, mainly the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a nine-item, self-reporting test used to screen for depression and assess severity of the condition based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses, 5th Edition. Depression exists as a familiar yet unidentified disorder among psychiatric inpatients, resulting in delayed treatment inferior outcomes. The staff education project targeted the nurses’ knowledge of depression identification while also teaching them to administer the PHQ-9 for prompt screening and intervention. I used an …


Strategies To Identify And Manage Toxic Leaders For Mitigating Organizational Toxicity, Ellen Scott May 2025

Strategies To Identify And Manage Toxic Leaders For Mitigating Organizational Toxicity, Ellen Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of toxic leadership across various sectors like healthcare, the military, corporations, and educational institutions presents a significant challenge, undermining organizational culture and employee well-being, leading to increased turnover and reduced performance. Guided by the toxic triangle as the conceptual framework, this qualitative Delphi study’s purpose involved leadership experts from across the United States to reach a consensus on organizational strategies for identifying, managing, and mitigating organizational toxicity. The research questions were focused on determining the most suitable strategies for recognizing toxicity in the organization and addressing it effectively. A panel of 30 leadership experts from across the United …


Community Health Workers’ Lived Experience Of Using Videoconferencing With Community Members, Valdora Lejune Avery May 2025

Community Health Workers’ Lived Experience Of Using Videoconferencing With Community Members, Valdora Lejune Avery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community health workers in the United States faced significant challenges in conducting in-person community practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, which adversely affected their communication, training, and service delivery outcomes. Videoconferencing enabled workers to connect with underserved populations for individual and community crisis response. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of community health workers in the Rural Community Health Worker Network (RCHWN) regarding the use of videoconferencing among community members in practice and how members in RCHWN perceive the availability of videoconferencing devices to communicate in the community. Transcendental phenomenology provided the conceptual framework and research …


Staff Education Program On The Vanderbilt Adhd Diagnostic Rating Scale, Rabiatu Bangura May 2025

Staff Education Program On The Vanderbilt Adhd Diagnostic Rating Scale, Rabiatu Bangura

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This DNP project evaluated the effectiveness of a structured staff education program designed to enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge and utilization of the Vanderbilt ADHD Assessment Scale (VAS) in children aged ≥2 to ≤18 years. The practice problem addressed in this project was the inconsistent use and limited knowledge of the VAS among healthcare staff, which can lead to underdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. The practice-focused question was: Will a staff education program specifically designed to instruct healthcare professionals on using the Vanderbilt ADHD Assessment Scale in children ≥2 years to ≤18 years increase their knowledge? Targeted educational sessions were implemented, and …


Staff Education For Nurses And Mental Health Technicians, Aminah Shanell Abdikadir May 2025

Staff Education For Nurses And Mental Health Technicians, Aminah Shanell Abdikadir

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Restraint and seclusion persist as considerable hazards to both patients and healthcare personnel in some mental health institutions. These interventions correlate with heightened trauma, injury, and extended duration of stay. The goal of the project was to instruct nurses and mental health technicians in verbal de-escalation strategies to diminish incidences of restraint and isolation as part of a practice reform initiative. Ten staff members engaged in pre- and post-training evaluations to assess knowledge, confidence, and readiness to apply de-escalation tactics. Data were examined using paired t tests. Results indicated statistically significant enhancements in staff knowledge, and confidence along with willingness …


Online Graduate Academic Experiences Of Adults With Bipolar Disorder, Paola Ann Faiman-Mullins May 2025

Online Graduate Academic Experiences Of Adults With Bipolar Disorder, Paola Ann Faiman-Mullins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research regarding older adults with hidden disabilities in the field of adult online learning remains scarce, including a lack of research on older adults with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Although the needs and struggles of college students with bipolar disorder aged 18-25 in online learning have been identified, few studies have been done to uncover the needs and struggles of older learners with bipolar disorder aged 40-65. This study explored the academic experiences of these individuals to better understand their unidentified and unmet needs. This study was grounded within the community of inquiry framework. This basic qualitative study recruited …


Exploring Clinical Social Workers' Challenges And Strategies For Co-Occurring Disorders In Private Practice Settings, Shakeena Y. Speller May 2025

Exploring Clinical Social Workers' Challenges And Strategies For Co-Occurring Disorders In Private Practice Settings, Shakeena Y. Speller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Co-occurring mental health (MH) and substance use disorders (SUDs) pose a significant challenge for social work practice, especially for licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) in private practice who often work with limited resources and support. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the service delivery, care coordination strategies, and challenges of LCSWs in private practice working with co-occurring MH and SUDs. Moore’s social work practice model of case management was used to explain how LCSWs in private practice settings manage complex cases within fragmented MH and SU care systems. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from …


The Lived Experiences Of Covid-19 Grief, Loss, And Coping Strategies For Black Family Caregivers Of Covid Orphans, Allison Dalrymple-Mason May 2025

The Lived Experiences Of Covid-19 Grief, Loss, And Coping Strategies For Black Family Caregivers Of Covid Orphans, Allison Dalrymple-Mason

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black family caregivers in the United States experienced disproportionately high mortality rates due to COVID-19, resulting in many Black children becoming orphans. The unexpected loss placed a burden on these family caregivers, who navigated their grief while taking on new caregiving responsibilities. Limited studies explored how Black family caregivers experienced the meaning of COVID grief, loss, and coping strategies. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of the meaning of grief, loss, and coping strategies for Black family caregivers of COVID orphans, guided by Worden’s task-based approach to supporting people bereaved by COVID-19 and Folkman’s …


Implementing A Mindfulness Program To Reduce Burnout Rates, Nadine G. Kakanou May 2025

Implementing A Mindfulness Program To Reduce Burnout Rates, Nadine G. Kakanou

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Nursing This is to certify that the doctoral study by Nadine Kakanou has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Sue Bell, Committee Chairperson, Nursing Faculty Dr. Mary Bemker Houghtaling, Committee Member, Nursing Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Summary Burnout rates among mental healthcare workers remain a concern affected by the increasing demands of the profession and the COVID-19 pandemic. The identified practice gap among mental healthcare staff members at the northern …


The Lived Experiences Of Gay Trafficked And Traumatized Men Seeking Psychological And Forensic Restoration Services, Katreace Moore May 2025

The Lived Experiences Of Gay Trafficked And Traumatized Men Seeking Psychological And Forensic Restoration Services, Katreace Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Feminine-centric, heteronormative psychological restoration interventions on gay minority men exposed to trauma and human trafficking are poorly understood. This study includes an analysis of forensics and psychological causal factors retrieved from 6 semi structured interviews with gay minority male psychological services providers. The corroboration of the clinical opinions of the participants and the enrichment of data using database reviews reflected poor treatment outcomes for the gay, minority-men population. The qualitative methodology and thematic analysis framework highlighted oppressive factors of structural intersectionality. This results in heteronormativity gender binaries that misalign with self-identified gender perceptions of gay-minority men exposed to trafficking and …


Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences Regarding Alternative Discipline For Disabled Students, Wanda Charlotte Early May 2025

Administrators’ And Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences Regarding Alternative Discipline For Disabled Students, Wanda Charlotte Early

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compared to other students, students with emotional and behavioral disorders receive more disciplinary consequences from within the public school system, which often means that students with emotional and behavioral disorders do not receive the same education. The purpose of this qualitative generic design study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of administrators and teachers in the public school system regarding using alternative discipline for African American students diagnosed with behavioral and emotional disabilities or disorders. The disability critical race framework was used as a framework for this study. Responses were generated through in-depth, semi-structured interviews of 10 participants. Thematic …


Navigating The Labyrinth: Transition Planning Process For Reintegration Of Inmates With Chronic Illnesses And Disabilities, Courtney Ashley Dean May 2025

Navigating The Labyrinth: Transition Planning Process For Reintegration Of Inmates With Chronic Illnesses And Disabilities, Courtney Ashley Dean

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Most offenders face challenges with successfully reintegrating, especially those living with chronic illness and/or disabilities. Transition interventions employed by mental health professionals are not universal and vary from facility to facility. While recidivism, community stigmatization, reoffending, and reconviction are explored in extant literature, little has been done to examine the difficulties faced by the professionals who work with this population as they get ready to plan for transitioning this disenfranchised group back into society. This study is an exploration of the role of professional counselors in facilitating successful transition planning for inmates living with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities. Guided by …


Postpandemic Perspectives Of Teleassessments In Clinical Psychology, Jacklin B. Cardentey May 2025

Postpandemic Perspectives Of Teleassessments In Clinical Psychology, Jacklin B. Cardentey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teleassessments gained prominence as a viable means of conducting psychological assessments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was an exploration of teleassessment use catalyzed by the pandemic, with a focus on the postpandemic era. The aim was to identify the factors influencing perceptions and strategies used in effective postpandemic teleassessment adoption, including factors that influence licensed psychologists’ perceptions of effective teleassessments and strategies adopted to maintain quality practices since face-to-face restrictions were lifted. The significance of this inquiry extended to various stakeholders, including mental health care practitioners, policymakers, and the public, all of whom have a vested …


Preventing Female Inmates’ High Recidivism In One Parole Reentry Program, Erika Galarza May 2025

Preventing Female Inmates’ High Recidivism In One Parole Reentry Program, Erika Galarza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recidivism among formerly incarcerated women is a challenging issue for one state prison system. Effective and fully enrolled programs to support recently released women are essential to stopping recidivism, as women often face problems such as trauma, abuse, or mental health disorders, all of which may require special care. The purpose of this study was to determine the primary outcomes of the One Parole Reentry Program’s (OPRP) effectiveness in preventing female recidivism at prison facilities and what improvements may enhance future outcomes. The state’s parole program curriculum assessment guidelines and their rehabilitation model were used as the framework to assess …


Continuity Of Novice Middle School Teachers In An Urban School District, Andrea Torres Williams May 2025

Continuity Of Novice Middle School Teachers In An Urban School District, Andrea Torres Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Extensive research suggests that effective and meaningful teacher preparation programs can help reduce novice teacher attrition. The problem addressed in this study was the high middle school teacher turnover in an urban school district (USD, a pseudonym) in Georgia, despite the implementation of coaching programs for novice teachers. Guided by Yerkes and Dodson’s challenge-hindrance model, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore novice middle school teachers’ perceptions on the support received, the challenges encountered in their first year, and the usefulness of mentoring, professional development, and instructional coaching received at USD. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 …


Psychologists’ Competency And Training Regarding Treating Transgender And Non-Conforming Youth With Gender Dysphoria, Amydth Chumacero May 2025

Psychologists’ Competency And Training Regarding Treating Transgender And Non-Conforming Youth With Gender Dysphoria, Amydth Chumacero

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is limited evidence-based research on required competency, training, assessment, and treatment practices for psychologists who treat transgender and non-conforming (TGNC) youth with gender dysphoria. Eleven licensed psychologists with at least 5 years of experience treating TGNC youth were recruited through social media and snowball recruiting to participate in this qualitative Delphi study. Using multicultural competency theory as a guide, these experts were asked to develop a consensus regarding the minimum competencies and training to treat TGNC youth, as well as what they thought the standards should be for assessment and treatment. Data were collected in three rounds of online …


The Extreme Poverty Alleviation Impact Of The Conditional Cash Transfer Program In Nigeria, Oluseun Omolara Olagunju May 2025

The Extreme Poverty Alleviation Impact Of The Conditional Cash Transfer Program In Nigeria, Oluseun Omolara Olagunju

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite several social investment programmes (SIPs) to reduce poverty, Nigeria had a high poverty rate, particularly in remote rural areas. The SIPs included conditional cash transfers (CCTs) to eligible households under certain conditions, such as extreme poverty in remote rural areas without access to water, electricity, shelter, basic health care, and education. While a few studies conducted on the effectiveness of CCTs have shown that Nigeria invested significant resources in poverty alleviation without the desired results due to factors like poor implementation and corruption, none reflects the perspective of CCT beneficiaries. The purpose of this study was to fill this …