Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

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, …

Understanding Hereditary Breast And Ovarian Cancer Syndrome In Black/African American Women: Implications For Equitable Outcomes And Interventions, Alexandria E. Fletcher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black/African American women face significant health disparities in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) due to systemic barriers to genetic counseling and testing, leading to poorer survival outcomes. Guided by the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) framework and Intersectionality Theory, this quantitative descriptive study examined disparities in access to genetic services, socioeconomic barriers, and healthcare biases. Data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) included 1,357 Black/African American and White women aged 25–65 with a family history of HBOC. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) dataset analyzed 15,684 Black/African American and 105,547 White women with breast cancer, …

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 …

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 …

African American Superintendents’ Reflections Of Their Lived Experiences To Become Superintendent, Terrell M. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through the study was the underrepresentation of African American superintendents in public school districts across the United States. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore African American superintendents’ descriptions of their lived experiences becoming and being superintendent and to gather their reflections on the underrepresentation. Elements of Super’s developmental self-concept theory and cultural identity literature formed the framework. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 active, former, or retired African American superintendents who came from K-12 public school districts across the United States and had a minimum of 3 years in the superintendency. Open coding …

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 …

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 …

Physical Activity, Smokeless Tobacco, Urban/Rural Status And E-Cigarette Use Among African American Young Adults, Destiny Britt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The growing prevalence of e-cigarette use is fueled by the false belief that they are safer than traditional cigarettes. African American adults aged 18 and older are disproportionately impacted by tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Little research focuses specifically on e-cigarette use among young African Americans, examining how factors like physical activity, smokeless tobacco, and urban/rural status influence their usage. This study aimed to investigate these influences while considering gender, academic level, alcohol and marijuana use, cigarette smoking, and anxiety/depression as controlling factors. Using the social ecological model (SEM), the research sought to understand how environmental factors interact with individual behaviors, …

Exploring Juvenile Probation Officers' Perception Of Strategies To Reduce Juvenile Recidivism In Southeastern Michigan, Nikaya Cecelia Robin Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The high rate of juvenile recidivism in southeastern Michigan poses a threat to the safety of the community as well as a challenge to the juvenile probation officers (JPOs) who supervise them. The literature is abundant with data on juvenile recidivism; however, little is known about JPO’s perceptions on the efficacy of strategies and practices that aid in the rehabilitation of juvenile probationers. Grounded in both social learning and social bond theoretical frameworks, the purpose of this study was to explain how behavior is learned through processes of observation and the significance of positive bonds in minimizing delinquent behavior. The …

Racialization Of Urban Black Middle School Students From The Perspective Of Middle School Teachers: A Phenomenological Study In Central And Southeast Michigan, Bryan L. Spencer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Education and Human Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Bryan L. Spencer 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. Michael Langlais, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Matthew Hertenstein, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2025   Racialization of Urban Black Middle School Students from the Perspective of Middle School Teachers: A Phenomenological Study in Central and Southeast Michigan by Bryan L. Spencer MPhil, Walden …

Experiences And Behavioral And Psychological Characteristics Of U.S. Parents Who Affirm The Tgnc Identity Of Their Child, Brison Scholar Lee Downing

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Discrimination remains a problem faced by many transgender and nonconforming (TGNC) individuals. Support for these individuals has increased significantly in recent years; however, there is no substitute for the love of family, especially parents and caregivers. Affirming a child’s TGNC identity is a challenge for some parents, who may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation from challenges related to being a parent of a TGNC child. The purpose of the generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences and behavioral and psychological characteristics of parents who had successfully affirmed the TGNC identity of their child. Guided by parent developmental theory, …

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 …

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: …

Influence Of A Remedial Course On First-Year Medical Students’ Learning And Study Strategies At A Medical School In The Caribbean, Aruna Ullal, Ed.D.

Frank Dilley Award for Outstanding Doctoral Study

Medical schools aim to provide quality education and rigorous training to create competent future healthcare providers. Due to the demanding curriculum, first-year medical students often struggle, leading to course repetition or withdrawal from the program. The problem addressed in this study was the underperformance of first-year medical students, who required participation in a remediation course at a medical school in the Caribbean. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, the purpose of this quasi-experimental, quantitative study was to determine the extent of change in medical students’ learning and study skills as measured by the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) after …

Influence Of A Remedial Course On First-Year Medical Students’ Learning And Study Strategies At A Medical School In The Caribbean, Aruna Gautam Ullal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medical schools aim to provide quality education and rigorous training to create competent future healthcare providers. Due to the demanding curriculum, first-year medical students often struggle, leading to course repetition or withdrawal from the program. The problem addressed in this study was the underperformance of first-year medical students, who required participation in a remediation course at a medical school in the Caribbean. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, the purpose of this quasi-experimental, quantitative study was to determine the extent of change in medical students’ learning and study skills as measured by the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) after …

Strategies U.S. Hospital Leaders Use To Recruit, Hire, And Retain Physicians To Sustain Profitability, Terence Christopher Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor physician retention negatively impacts the quality of community healthcare, leading to financial losses and increased operational costs for hospitals. Hospital administrators and the governing boards are particularly concerned with addressing this issue to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery. Grounded in the Hertzberg’s two factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that hospital administrators can utilize to improve physician retention. The participants included eight high-ranking hospital administrators within the geographic region of North Carolina who had an active role in provider retention. Data was collected using semistructured interviews, identify five critical themes: (a) implement mentorship, …

Strategies For Independent Restaurant Business Leaders In The United States To Retain Employees, Ayman Hussein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover poses a significant threat to the stability and growth of businesses, particularly in the restaurant industry. Independent restaurant owners and managers are especially concerned about the consequences of high turnover rates, which can negatively impact their operations. This includes disruptions in productivity, declines in profitability, and diminished competitiveness, all of which undermine the long-term viability of their establishments. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies employed by leaders of independent U.S. restaurants to retain employees. The participants included 10 leaders from independent Florida-based restaurants, each with at least …

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 …

Exploring The Adaptation And Implementation Of Social–Emotional Learning Programs, Jennifer Poteet

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher led social–emotional learning programs are implemented in a variety of ways to mitigate the effects of school bullying, however little attention has been paid to their academic impact on middle school students. The theories and/or concepts that grounded this study include Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) ecological theory and social cognitive theory. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the impact of Second Step, a social–emotional learning program with 16,166 middle school students. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between student gender, ethnicity, Second Step program participation, and program fidelity on the students’ mathematics and reading assessment …

Successful Strategies Used By Perfusion Managers To Increase Retention Of Perfusionists, Michelle Jaskula-Dybka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perfusion managers face challenges in retaining skilled perfusionists which can impact the continuity of care and overall hospital efficiency. Effective perfusionist retention strategies are important to perfusion managers who aim to mitigate employee turnover. Grounded in the job demands-resources model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore the successful retention strategies that some perfusion managers used in the United States. The participants were five perfusion managers who had successfully retained a team of perfusionists for at least 1 year. Data were collected through digital semistructured interviews and publicly available documents. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. …

Improving Care For Psychiatric Patients In Rural Emergency Departments, Tonya Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to an increase in the presentation of adults with mental health crises and substance use disorders in rural emergency departments (EDs), solutions should focus on the enhancement of patient outcomes, improving the quality of care, health conditions, and overall patient experience. The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize international evidence associated with initiatives to improve ED care identified through the concepts of the Donabedian framework model that can support ED managers in implementing evidence-based interventions to improve behavioral healthcare in rural EDs. An integrative review of literature published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted. The findings of …

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 …

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 …

Clinical Specialists’ Perceptions Of Their Ability To Diagnose Autism In Toddlers, Donna Morgan Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism is diagnosable by a clinical specialist, and toddlers who receive an early diagnosis by a clinical specialist are more likely to receive the appropriate early intervention services and supports that meet their needs. However, researchers have found that clinical specialists have doubts regarding the accuracy of their diagnoses in toddlers. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to provide an understanding of clinical specialists’ perceptions of their abilities to make an early diagnosis of autism in toddlers. Self-efficacy theory served as the theoretical framework. Semi-structured interview data were collected from 12 clinical psychologists with experience diagnosing autism in …

Diagnostic Stewardship And The Mitigation Of Treatment Of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Raimonda Kathryn Clarke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Urinalyses and urine cultures are being ordered at the facility of concern without regard to patient history/symptomatology, leading to inappropriate treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. The following practice-focused question was developed to address this practice concern: Can an educational program focused on diagnostic stewardship and the mitigation of treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria improve clinician awareness, knowledge, and confidence in identifying and diagnosing asymptomatic bacteriuria in patients over age 65 in the outpatient setting? Thus, the purpose of this doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was to close the identified knowledge and attitude gap in a moderate-size …

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 …

Guardians Or Bystanders? Examining School Shooting Responses In The Southern United States, Andre L. Tompkins Ed.D.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

School shootings challenge educational safety, demanding effective leadership strategies. The Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers, heightened concerns about campus vulnerabilities, urging administrators to prioritize student protection. I performed a qualitative study interviewing principals, teachers, parents, and community leaders to examine their experiences addressing campus threats. The findings revealed three themes: (1) ineffective leadership affects campus safety, (2) prompt actions enhance trust in leadership, and (3) connecting with others enhances safety. In this study, I spotlight the crucial role that proactive leadership plays in building the coalitions needed to …

The Academic And Social Meaning Of Transcendental Meditation Practice For Students And Their Guardians, Holly Erica Squires

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transcendental meditation (TM) is a unique meditation practice that uses a personal mantra to help the practitioner create a quiet state of mind, greater mental clarity, better concentration, and emotional control. TM has not been examined for its value to help students academically and socially. In this generic qualitative study, high school students and their guardians were asked to describe the meaning of TM practice in their academic and social life. The competencies of social emotional learning (SEL) theory were utilized as the conceptual framework to guide the study’s methodology. Data from semistructured interviews with six students and five guardians …