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Perceived Level Of Preparedness For A Terrorist Event Between State, Local And Tribal Law Enforcement Officers, Herbert Henderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this quantitative cross-sectional study, differences in perceived preparedness among state, local, and tribal law upon Kingdon’s multiple streams approach and Baumgartner and Jones’ punctuated equilibrium theory to explain administrative changes in law enforcement following the September 11, 2001, attacks. Data were collected from 53 full-time police officers across state, local and tribal agencies using a web-based survey instrument measuring enforcement officers in a northern border region were examined. Officers’ perceived preparedness to identify, prevent, and respond to future terrorist threats were evaluated. Whether perceived preparedness differed by agency type and whether officers with military experience or advanced homeland security …

Gender Disparities In The United States Federal Government Stem Leadership, Naomi Hirose-Gormally

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Persistent gender disparities continue to limit women’s representation in senior science technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leadership roles within the United States federal government, particularly at the GS‑13, GS‑14, GS‑15, and subject matter expert/senior executive service (SME/SES) levels. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore how women in senior STEM leadership experience and interpret gender disparities as they pursue and attain leadership positions. Data were collected through individual semi‑structured interviews with women serving in senior STEM leadership and analyzed inductively using phenomenological coding procedures to identify categories and themes that were grounded in participants’ lived experiences. …

Leadership Characteristics Driving Positive Patient Experience Outcomes In Behavioral Healthcare Organizations, Sophia Iovenitti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient experience is a key indicator of healthcare quality and performance; however, limited evidence exists regarding the specific leadership characteristics that influence patient experience outcomes in behavioral healthcare. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the leadership characteristics associated with positive patient experience outcomes, examine how leadership behaviors influence patient perceptions, and identify leadership development strategies to enhance patient experience. The study was guided by the Baldrige excellence framework and the Beryl Institute’s definition of patient experience. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with executive and operational leaders and triangulated with organizational artifacts, including aggregated patient …

The Perceived Professional Impact Of Exposure To Stress Experienced By Mental Health Therapists During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Bianca J. Reaves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

COVID-19 changed the methods in which therapy was traditionally delivered. Mental health therapists switched from in-person to virtual sessions during the pandemic. There was a gap in research related to stress levels of mental health therapists in the telehealth field. Adaptations were made by mental health therapists to provide services and as a result virtual platforms were used to connect with the community served. This qualitative research study was an exploration of mental health therapists perceived responses to stress or burnout in relation to a global pandemic. The theoretical foundation used to assess perceived stress is the Stress Theory. The …

An Exploration Of Factors Affecting Investments In Productivity Improvement, Gregory Springate

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Canada has exhibited lower productivity growth since 1990, resulting in substantially reduced gains in citizens’ standards of living despite the importance of sustainable productivity to economic prosperity. Understanding the primary factors that influence productivity growth is a critical concern for Canadian government leaders, as it is a key indicator of the nation’s economic vitality, competitiveness, and citizens’ quality of life. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the factors that influenced the investment in productivity improvement of organizations in the energy sector in the Edmonton region of Alberta, Canada. The COSO internal control framework guided this …

Staff Education To Decrease Workplace Violence Through De-Escalation Training In The Emergency Department, Tyrani Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace violence remains a significant issue in healthcare settings, particularly in emergency departments where psychiatric patients may present with aggressive behaviors. Nurses and healthcare staff are frequently exposed to verbal threats, intimidation, and physical aggression, which negatively impact staff safety, job satisfaction, and patient care quality. Despite workplace violence prevention policies, gaps remain in staff preparedness when managing escalating patient behaviors. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to implement an evidence-based de-escalation training program to improve staff knowledge about managing aggressive psychiatric patients in the emergency department. The practice- focused question was: Can staff education on …

Seasonal Affective Disorder’S Prevalence And Impact On Organizational Outcomes In The Northeastern United States, Tommaso Bruce Fernandes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to seasonal changes, primarily affects individuals during fall and winter. More insight was needed on the prevalence of SAD and the role of social support in moderating its impact on organizational outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between SAD and organizational outcomes, including employee well-being, absenteeism, job satisfaction, and productivity, in the Northeastern United States, where SAD symptoms are more prevalent due to environmental factors. Engel’s biopsychosocial model and Cullen’s social support theory provided a theoretical framework for the study. A quantitative cross-sectional design, featuring structured …

Examining Hiv Testing In Black Americans In The Southern United States: Association Between Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Healthcare Access, And Hiv High-Risk Behaviors, Shavon Wolfe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Examining factors that affect HIV testing in the Black/African American population is important because socioeconomic hardship, stigma, and restricted access to healthcare all lead to gaps in early diagnosis and prevention treatment to prevent further spread of infection. However, most studies have focused on these factors separately, leaving less understanding of how they work together to influence HIV testing behavior. Guided by the health belief model, this study examined the relationship between sexual orientation, gender identity, healthcare access, and HIV high-risk behaviors. The study examined the relationship between sexual orientation, gender identity, healthcare access, and HIV testing, and the influence …

Correctional Officers' Perceptions Of Inmate Suicide In Florida State Prisons, Chrishelle Robbins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Correctional officers are responsible for the care, custody, safety, and supervision of inmates within jails, prisons, and correctional institutions. They face many hardships within a prison setting including inmate suicides. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and understand the perceptions of Florida state correctional officers who have experienced inmate suicide firsthand. This study was formulated using the transcendental, descriptive phenomenology approach and addressed the study’s research questions. Participants included nine Florida state certified correctional officers who witnessed an inmate suicide. Participants were selected using purposive snowball sampling. Interviews were scheduled and conducted via ZOOM or by telephone …

Community Health Workers’ Experiences Distributing Harm Reduction Supplies During Covid-19 In The Barren River Area Development District, Angel Nichole Shoemake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community health workers (CHWs) distributing sterile injecting equipment help reduce infectious disease transmission among people who inject drugs; however, limited research exists regarding their experiences delivering harm reduction services during public health emergencies in rural areas. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore CHWs’ experiences and perceptions of health risks, operational barriers, and social influences affecting harm reduction service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Barren River Area Development District. The health belief model guided this study, emphasizing perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy. Data were collected through semistructured Zoom interviews with eight purposively sampled CHWs …

Book Review: Don’T Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning And End Of Suffering, Monique Salcido

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This book review examines a recent publication on how individuals can learn to end negative thinking and spend more time living in abundance, peace, and joy. The review summarizes the central themes, highlights strengths and weaknesses, outlines contributions to mental health literature, and offers recommendations. Particular attention is given to how the author conveys his message, and examples from the book are provided. Although the book has several limitations, the review underlines how it can be incorporated into the mental health field through contributions to clinicians and their clients. Overall, the book provides a beneficial resource for social workers, counselors, …

Staff Education On Improving Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (Aims) Documentation And Monitoring For Adult Psychiatric Patients Prescribed Antipsychotic Medications In An Outpatient Clinic, Simisola M. Asekun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In outpatient psychiatric settings, inconsistent recordkeeping and a lack of systematic monitoring continue despite the availability of established tools like Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). The goal of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to enhance the documentation and quality improvement through staff education and monitoring of AIMS in adult mental patients receiving antipsychotic medications. Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is still a serious, frequently misdiagnosed side effect of long-term antipsychotic therapy that significantly affects functional outcomes and patient quality of life. This project was guided by the following practice-focused question: How does implementing standardized AIMS documentation and electronic health record …

Law Enforcement Help-Seeking Behaviors And Organizational Mental Health Supports, Jordan Elizabeth Longendorf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to the traumatic and repetitive nature of law enforcement work, mental health support is often needed by officers, but is not consistently sought. Law enforcement leaders need to understand this concern as a leading indicator of workforce well-being, organizational effectiveness, and officers’ willingness to seek needed mental health support. Guided by the conceptual framework of Rickwood and Thomas’s help-seeking behaviors, the purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to explore law enforcement officers’ lived experiences of help-seeking behaviors for emotional and mental health issues. Data were collected through six semistructured interviews with current law enforcement officers in four different …

Non-Adherence To Antidiabetic Medications Among Rural Jamaicans, Norma Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses significant health challenges globally, with individuals and health care systems in rural communities particularly affected. Adherence to antidiabetic medication is crucial for effective management of T2DM. Still, people with T2DM encounter barriers that lead to nonadherence, resulting in poor glycemic control, increased complications, and higher health care costs. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of rural Jamaicans regarding the factors influencing nonadherence to antidiabetic medications. The basic qualitative study was underpinned by social cognitive theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight rural Jamaican participants with T2DM. Interview data …

Risk Factors Of Suicidality Among Physician Assistants, Lynn Marie Page

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide is a global public health issue that affects all ages, genders, races, and social classes. Although suicide rates are higher among health care providers than in the general public, there is a gap in the literature regarding the suicidal risk factors of physician assistants (PAs), who increasingly provide health care in the United States. The aim of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to explore the association between anxiety, burnout, and depression and the stress-reducing benefits of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), as well as the dependent variable suicidality among PAs in the United States. A self-directed questionnaire incorporated psychometrically validated tools …

General Education Primary Teachers’ Perspectives Of Inclusive Practices To Engage Students With Special Educational Needs, Zhen Rolle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study was that general education primary teachers (GEPTs) struggled to engage students with special educational needs (SEN) in Bahamian primary inclusive classrooms (BPICs). The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate GEPTs’ perspectives on their successes, challenges, and additional training needed to engage students with SEN in BPICs. This study was guided by universal design for learning, pioneered by Rose and Meyer, which supported an inclusive academic environment that accommodated students with SEN. For this basic qualitative design, data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 GEPTs. Through thematic analysis, the following five themes …

Prepared Or Not? Perceptions Of Novice Counseling Professionals On Working With Trauma Clients, Christina L. Richardson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of trauma across clinical settings and limited trauma training for clinicians can negatively affect trauma survivors. The impact of novice clinicians’ lack of preparedness and its implications for clients should be important considerations for educators, supervisors, and policymakers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of novice counselors and their preparedness to work with trauma survivors. Grounded in descriptive phenomenology, this study explored participants’ perceived preparedness to work with trauma survivors and the ways these experiences may inform counselor education and supervision. Participants were provisionally licensed counselors within three years of graduating from …

Exploring Lifestyle Transitions And Perceptions Of Weight And Health Among College Students In Huntsville, Texas, Keyonna Nicole Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

College students aged 18–25 transitioning to independent living often experience changes in diet, physical activity, stress, and time management that increase health risks. These challenges may be amplified in semi-urban communities by limited access to healthy food, transportation barriers, and scheduling constraints. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how college students in Huntsville, Texas, perceived and interpreted these lifestyle changes and their influence on perceptions of health and weight. Guided by the social ecological model, the study included 12 participants who were 18–25 years old, enrolled in college, living independently in Huntsville, Texas, and able to describe their experiences with lifestyle …

Psychosocial Characteristics Of Self-Identifying Incels, Joleen Koroluck

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research examining individuals who self-identify as involuntary celibates (incels) has increased in response to concerns surrounding online grievance communities and violence-related rhetoric. Despite growing scholarship, limited research has examined the psychosocial lived experiences of individuals who identify as incels. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore these experiences and examine factors associated with violent or extremist beliefs within incel-related online communities. Guided by social comparison theory and social identity theory, reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine 90 publicly available forum posts collected from 4Chan, Incel.is, and Looksmaxx. The data were manually coded and analyzed through iterative thematic …

Examining The Relationship Between Employee Engagement, Career Advancement, And Talent Retention, Nadeen Angella Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Retaining talent continues to be a challenge for organizations and their business leaders. The problem is important to human resource (HR) business leaders because retaining talent helps reduce turnover costs, preserve institutional knowledge, strengthen workforce stability, and enhance organizational success and competitive advantage. The purpose of this quantitative correlational research project, grounded in the social exchange theory, was to examine the relationships between employee engagement, career advancement, and talent retention among employees working for organizations throughout the southeastern United States. The participants were 78 employees in the southeastern United States who met the exclusion criteria and who completed the Utrecht …

Licensed Social Workers’ Perceived Structural And Systemic Treatment Barriers For Clients With Severe Mental Illness, Myron Curtis White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There was a gap in the existing strategies in social work practice regarding the structural and systemic barriers to health care treatment for clients with serious/severe mental illness (SMI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documented that addressing mental health destabilization in the United States is important and requires an understanding of the mental illness to be addressed, including its causal factors, the relationships between the mentally ill and their community/environment, and the methodology for effecting care. This general qualitative study explored what licensed social workers perceived as structural and systemic barriers to health care treatment access for their …

Perceptions Of African American Males Regarding Legal Risks Of Alcohol Misuse, Tylisha Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alcohol misuse among young adults leads to legal, social, and behavioral consequences in the United States. The justice system unequally impacts young African American males. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to understand perceptions of legal risks of alcohol misuse among African American young adult males who were formerly adjudicated or nonadjudicated. The research question involved African American young adult males and legal risks associated with misuse of alcohol. The differential association theory guided this study in terms of its emphasis on decision-making and learned social behaviors. Data for this study were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight …

Comparative Analysis Of “Silver Education” In Kazakhstan, Europe, Asia, And The United States, Diana Abetova, Albina Dossanova, Mehmet Cuneyt Birkok

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The study aimed to compare “silver education” policies in Kazakhstan, several European countries (Germany, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain), countries in Asia (China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand), and the United States to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Kazakh model and to suggest improvements.

Methods: Methods included synthesis, comparative and system analysis, and structural-functional analysis.

Results: The findings show that Kazakhstan is in the early stages of developing silver education, lacking a dedicated legal framework and offering limited educational opportunities for older adults (aged 65 and over). In contrast, other countries examined have well-established …

A Glimpse Into Classrooms: Teachers’ Experiences Pre- And Post-Covid, Sam Hilbert, Katherine Wheeler, Robin H. Lock, Janna Brendle, Kassi Gregory

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many schools to pause in-person learning. Prior research indicates that these closures affected overall mental health and student academic performance. Mental health concerns, particularly anxiety and depression, were exacerbated for many school-aged children during these closures. Research has linked disorders, such as anxiety and depression, with changes in behaviors. Academic gaps have also been linked with negatively displayed behaviors in school settings. COVID school closures resulted in a 25% increased global prevalence of anxiety and depression diagnoses and an estimated 1-year academic loss in student learning. Although both variables have been shown to contribute to changes …

Navigating Leadership With A History Of Parental Incarceration: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Nurse Managers’ Professional Relationships And Coaching Receptivity, Demetria Hazlett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurse managers play a critical role in healthcare organizations, yet limited research has examined how early-life adversity, such as parental incarceration, influences leadership relationships and development. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study, guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), was to explore how nurse managers’ lived experiences of parental incarceration made sense of their influenced attachment-related relational patterns, professional relationships, and receptivity to leadership coaching. The attachment theory and Karpman’s Drama Triangle grounded this study. The participants comprised eight nurse managers in six states within the United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using the IPA analytic …

Maternal Attachment Style As A Moderator Between Maternal Stress And Postpartum Depressive Symptoms, Kristie Lynn Hills

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research aimed to discover if maternal attachment style moderates the association between maternal stress and postpartum depressive symptoms for mothers living in the United States. Previous research has indicated a trend of maternal bonding mediating the association between postpartum depression and maternal stress. In this study, attachment theory was utilized as the foundational theory for understanding whether the link between maternal stress and postpartum depressive symptoms vary as a function of maternal attachment style. This quantitative examination was completed using a multiple regression analytic approach. An online questionnaire measured the three study variables. The target population for this study …

Shame, Resilience, And Disclosure Predictors Of Mental Health Seeking In Male Veterans With Ptsd And Military Sexual Trauma, Neftali Melendez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Male veterans are often the least likely to report military sexual trauma (MST), increasing the experience of shame, fear, fragility, and mental health disorders. The primary goal of this study was to examine the relationship of shame (internal and external), attitudes towards disclosure, and resilience on mental health help-seeking in male veterans who have experienced sexual abuse while in the military. Brown’s theory of shame resilience guided the development of the hypotheses and interpretation of results. Approximately 146 veterans participated in an anonymous online cross-sectional survey using a convenience sampling design and psychometrically validated questionnaires (Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale, …

Marketing Strategies To Increase Student Enrollment To Generate Revenue, Jermaine R. Mccain

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Declining student enrollment can reduce district revenue and limit a public school’s ability to sustain educational programs, staffing, and overall organizational effectiveness. Public school business leaders who lack effective marketing strategies to increase student enrollment may experience financial instability, limiting their organization’s capacity to maintain long-term operational sustainability. Grounded in consumer choice theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective marketing strategies public school business leaders use to increase student enrollment to generate district revenue. Participants were six public school business leaders in the southeastern United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and …

The Association Between Food Insecurity, Housing Insecurity, Self-Care Practice And Depression Among Black Immigrants In The United States, Beatrice Ngozi Mbaocha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence and poor prognosis of depressive symptoms remain significant among adult Black immigrants in the United States. This study examined the complex interplay between food insecurity, housing insecurity, self-care practices, and depression among adult Black immigrants in the United States. Grounded in the socioecological model, this quantitative cross-sectional study analyzed data from N = 469 noninstitutionalized Black immigrant adults (54.2% female, 45.8% male) using the 2023 National Health Interview Survey. Binary logistic regression was employed to assess the probability of depressive symptoms as a function of food insecurity, housing insecurity, and self-care practices, controlling for age, gender, and employment …

The Relationship Between Autistic Traits And Depression Among Self-Reporting College-Aged Adults, Tyler Michael Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a prevalent mental health concern among emerging adults, particularly within college populations where academic, social, and developmental stressors are heightened. Autistic traits are increasingly understood as dimensional characteristics that exist across both clinical and non-clinical populations, yet their relationship to depressive symptoms in college-aged adults remains insufficiently understood. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study was to examine the relationship between self-reported autistic traits and depressive symptoms among non-clinical adults aged 18 to 25. The study was grounded in Beck’s cognitive theory of depression and the diathesis–stress model, which posit that cognitive vulnerabilities interact with environmental stressors …