Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Perception Of Risk For Heart Disease In African American Women, Erica Hudson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Heart disease is a serious health condition and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. African American women have the highest mortality rate from heart disease compared to any other racial group. The purpose of this research study was to assess knowledge of heart disease, by investigating two constructs of the health belief model: perceived susceptibility and perceived severity. A correlation design was used to analyze survey data from African American women from age 40 to 55 from the Atlanta, Georgia area. The participants completed the assessments on survey monkey. The assessments included a demographic …

Perceived Stress, Social Media Usage, And Sleep Quality In United States Adults, Justine P. Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the intricate connections among perceived stress, sleep quality, and social media usage metrics, challenging prior assumptions by highlighting social media as a noteworthy stress coping mechanism. The research aimed to understand the relationship between sleep quality, perceived stress, and the frequency and quality of social media use, guided by the biopsychosocial model as the theoretical framework.The study involved adults aged 20-65. A questionnaire incorporated four validated instruments to assess these variables: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire (IADQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Social Media Quality Measure (SMQM). …

Adults With Avoidant Attachment Styles And Their Online Dating Experien, Amber Mae Nelson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult attachment style can influence how individuals communicate with each other and how they deal with conflict, both of which may influence the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships. Research suggested, that attachment style influenced the level of relationship security individuals experience and the level of intimacy in which they are comfortable engaging. The convenience and popularity of online dating may present unique struggles and benefits for adults with avoidant attachment styles; exploring their online dating experiences may provide insight into the benefits and pitfalls as avoidant individuals pursue romantic relationships. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore …

Exploring Teacher Practices Used To Support Black Students In Two Early College High School Programs, Raquel Hairston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early college high schools (ECHS) have contributed to the increased number of Black students earning associate degrees. However, data show that students considered college and career-ready upon entering the ECHS/dual enrollment program are underperforming in college classes, hindering their acceptance into higher education institutions and bachelor’s degree attainment. This qualitative exploratory study aimed to understand the academic and social practices teachers used to support Black students in college classes and to see if additional resources were needed. Tinto’s student integration theory examined the connection between social and academic integration and student retention. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with seven …

Experiences Of Food Insecurity Among Single Mothers Pursuing Secondary Education, Amber Bernard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of single mothers continues to grow across the nation, and many are at a socioeconomic disadvantage. Little research focuses, however, on how single mothers describe their experiences of balancing motherhood, work, and pursuing higher education, all while undergoing food insecurity. Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping was used to formulate the research design. Semistructured interview questions were used to answer the question of how single mothers with food insecurity describe their experiences pursuing higher education. A generic qualitative research approach was utilized in this study. Interviews were conducted with 10 single mothers pursuing postsecondary education …

Socioeconomic Status On The Management Of Type-2 Diabetes Among African Americans (Aged 26–64) In Rural Pennsylvania, Mariejo Joyce Constant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of knowledge on hardly-reached patients’ socioeconomic status (SES). This quantitative study examined the extent to which SES moderated or impacted the relationships of African American status, rural status, or insurance status with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management outcomes (testing for elevated glucose levels, patient education, and regular doctor visits) for African American individuals of low SES living in rural areas. The theoretical foundation for this study was the ecological systems theory (EST). Secondary data were from the publicly available Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2021 dataset. Binary and linear regression analyses showed insufficient results to …

Nursing Staff Education On Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Related To Nurse-Patient Pain Communication, Kathleen Ranne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perioperative pain is a significant challenge in terms of care of surgical patients which requires effective communication by nurses to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. The communication component of the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery protocol is a foundation for improved patient outcomes and pain management. The problem that was identified in this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was lack of staff education during the perioperative period related to nurse-patient communications regarding pain management. Using the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation model of instructional design, the purpose of this DNP project was to plan, implement, and evaluate a staff education …

Exploring Teacher Perceptions On The Effectiveness Of The Freshman Academy, Renee C. Goode-Boyd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A Southeastern school district created freshman academies to assist freshman students with strategies and support they need to combat ninth-grade failure successfully, but little change was observed. The purpose of the study was to explore teachers' perceptions of the freshman academy's transition program structure, benefits, challenges, and effectiveness. The conceptual framework for this study encompassed elements of constructivist theory, which explains how children adapt to their environments and learn how to process information successfully. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions regarding the benefits, challenges, and perceived effectiveness of the freshman academy intervention program. The data for this basic qualitative study …

Leadership Strategies For Small Business’ Sustainability, Abhay Arora

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small business leaders are concerned with the lack of effective leadership strategies for sustaining their businesses, which can jeopardize their long-term operational and financial success. Grounded in systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore leadership strategies small business leaders use to sustain their financial performance. The participants were comprised of four business leaders operating businesses in local malls in Manchester, Connecticut who implemented successful leadership strategies for sustainability. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Five key themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (a) customer focus and service, (b) community engagement, (c) employee collaboration and engagement, …

Examining Psycho-Social Factors Of Foster Parents Who Engage In Contact Sexual Abuse, Heather Lee Manning

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous work has been done to identify psych-social factors of criminals, although no work currently exists to identify the specific type of sexual offender identified within this study- foster parents who sexually offend foster children. This qualitative study focused on pre-determined psycho-social factors of both male and female offenders. The study reviewed nine cases which met the inclusion criteria and where sufficient data was able to be collected. Results of the study revealed that most offenders were male, most were married or in an otherwise committed relationship with a consenting adult during the time of their offending behaviors. These finding …

Impact Of Parental Attachment On Family Communication Patterns About Sex And Intimacy, Trish Mook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Risky sexual behaviors in adolescence continue to be a social problem that impacts individuals, families, and communities across the United States. Previous research showed that parents who actively talk with their adolescents about sex and intimacy topics reduce their likelihood of engaging in these behaviors. Still, less is known about what motivates a parent to engage in these discussions. This correlational quantitative research study aimed to apply Bowlby’s attachment theory and McLeod and Chaffee’s family communication patterns theory to identify if a relationship exists between parental attachment style and the family communication patterns that a parent employs when discussing sex …

Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Faculty’S Experiences Of Providing Incivility Awareness Education To Students, Emily Vanessa Pappa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated prelicensure baccalaureate nursing faculty’s lived experiences of providing incivility awareness education to students. The problem was that previous research regarding incivility awareness education to prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students focused on pilot studies to find effective strategies and students’ receptiveness to educational approaches, but it lacked the nurse educators’ experiences of delivering the education. The purpose was to explore the lived experiences of nurse educators providing incivility awareness education to prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students. with at least 1 year of teaching experience in prelicensure baccalaureate nursing programs and had taught the topic of incivility awareness. Using the qualitative …

Exploring Parent Engagement In School-Based Behavioral Health Programs, Tina Marie Wehner Hickman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is important to address the concept of parental involvement in school-based mental health counseling in order to address the presence of mental health issues in students. In school-based mental health services, enlisting parent engagement in adolescent interventions can be difficult and can, therefore, inhibit positive adolescent mental health outcomes. This case study examined an educational organization in the southwestern United States to identify barriers inhibiting parent involvement in adolescent school-based mental health and to explore strategies to encourage parent engagement. The Baldrige performance excellence framework was utilized as a guide to inform an understanding of the organization’s mission, strategic …

Successful Strategies Government Executive Stakeholders Use To Mitigate Higher Project Costs And User Adoption Failure Rates, Kimberly Rauscher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. government agency projects are under intense scrutiny due to historical reporting of overspending and significant delays; however, only 13% of U.S. government information technology projects over $6M succeed, costing taxpayers money. Grounded in the theory of constraints, the purpose of this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that U.S. government executive stakeholders use to mitigate higher project costs and user adoption failure rates. The participants included three U.S. government agency executive stakeholders in Raleigh, North Carolina, the United States, who successfully implemented strategies to mitigate higher project costs and user adoption failure rates. Data were collected data using …

Relationship Between Respect, Trust, And Turnover Intentions, Christina Love Harmon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders in the U.S. federal government are concerned with employee intent to leave, as it is the number one predictor of actual employee turnover. Grounded in social exchange theory, the purpose of this quantitative ex-post facto correlation study was to examine the relationship between social exchange and employee intent to leave. The participants were 256 employees from all agencies within the U.S. federal government who completed the 2022 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, including the Intent to Leave Scale. The results of the multinomial logistics regression were significant, χ² (4) = 87.875, p = <.001. In the final model, two predictors were significant, respect for department leaders, χ² (12) = 43.631, p = <.001, and trust in direct supervisor, χ² (12) = 32.513, p = 001. A key recommendation is for business leaders to model positive attitudes and behaviors by fostering a culture of trust, respect, and integrity to contribute to employee satisfaction and retention significantly. The implications for positive social change include the potential to retain valued employees who are committed to achieving organizational goals and improving productivity for organizational success

Depression Screening For Nursing Home Residents, Victor Chukwuocha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The project focused on depression among nursing home residents, an underrecognized and undertreated condition that affects quality of life. Few studies have been conducted on the subject of depression screening for nursing home residents, resulting in a lack of understanding among the nursing profession on managing specific conditions. At a nursing home, there was a need to address depression. The practice-focused question used in this project addressed the process of the translation of evidence to develop a staff education project for depression to enhance the knowledge of nurses working with nursing home residents. The project followed an evidence-based approach to …

Challenges Black Males Face At Predominantly White Institutions, Jerrell Lamon Starling

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem is that Black males in higher education have declining retention and graduation rates compared to other ethnic groups. Over the past two decades, Black males have declined in enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. Colleges and universities have struggled to attract, keep, and graduate Black male students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent research has shown that Black male students have experienced the most challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today's educators and practitioners have emphasized the need to do more to keep Black male students and help them complete college. Framed by Critical Race Theory, this study investigated first-generation, …

Manufacturing Strategies For Optimizing Supply Chains And Mitigating Disruption, Rudolph Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Shifts in consumer demands, access to raw materials, and rapid growth can influence supply chain performance. Tool and Die (T&D) manufacturing leaders tend to be concerned with ineffective supply chains, which can harm firms’ competitiveness and profitability. Grounded in Porter’s Value Chain theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore strategies that some leaders in the U.S. tool and die industry use to manage supply chains successfully. The participants were five T&D manufacturing leaders in the eastern United States who successfully managed T&D supply chains. Data were collected using purposeful sampling via semistructured interviews and …

Leadership Strategies Business Managers Use To Improve Diversity And Inclusion In The Workplace, Eric Ray Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business managers’ lack of leadership strategies leads to a lack of a diverse workforce in most high-powered positions. Business managers who fail to implement appropriate leadership strategies for improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace can experience poor innovation, high employee turnover rates, decreased productivity, and decreased customer satisfaction. Grounded in social identity theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the leadership strategies business managers use to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace to improve performance in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Participants were four business managers who successfully used leadership strategies …

Southeastern South Carolina K-12 Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Difficulties In Implementing An Arts-Based Initiatives, Alexis P. Steedman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A public school district in southeast South Carolina implemented a new arts-based initiative due to the surge in demand for mental health services for students following the pandemic. With more students in the research site requiring intensive mental health support during the 2021-2022 academic year, compared to the 2016-2017 school year, the district is expanding its student mental health efforts to encompass a variety of arts-based initiatives to try to alleviate such concerns. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore K-12 teachers' experiences implementing arts-based initiatives and the resources they need when implementing arts-based initiatives in the …

Predicting Distance Learning Counselor Education Doctoral Students’ Research Self-Efficacy, Jennifer Patrice Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Distance learning is a growing educational delivery method for Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) doctoral students. At the time of this study, no research existed regarding the research self-efficacy (RSE) of distance learning CES doctoral students. Historically, the lack of RSE among counselor educators has been a chronic issue. However, research addressing contributors to improving RSE among distance learning CES doctoral students is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess and provide data on current perceptions and predictors of RSE among distance learning CES doctoral students. Two theories were used to conceptualize the key variables which were Lent …

Ecological Factors And Minority Young Adults’ Trust In Law Enforcement, Jason Boswell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Throughout the past decade, studies have shown that the relationship between police organizations and community members has developed mistrust as more citizens begin to document misconduct by law enforcement officers. Studies have also proven that community members trust the police when they feel the police are fair and just. Distrust of law enforcement undermines the legitimacy of police officers, and without this trust legitimacy, police officers lose their ability and authority to perform their jobs effectively. To help bridge the gap between minority communities and law enforcement agencies, this qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to examine the trust within law …

The Lived Experience Of Stigmatization Due To Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss For Young Women With Cancer Who Attend College, Challna Blair

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated the stigmatization experienced by young women in college due to chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Previous research primarily focused on older women, adolescents, and men, leaving a gap in understanding the impact on young college-age women. Using Goffman’s theory of stigma and Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method, six young women were interviewed confidentially. The primary research question asked what is the experience of stigma in young women in college who have hair loss during or following chemotherapy cancer treatment? The study revealed that these women often faced being ostracized by peers, received minimal family support, and experienced distressing scrutiny from …

Relationships Between Environmental Pollution And Corporate Environmental Violence Within The Florida Energy Sector, Lynne Hodalski-Champagne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Environmental pollution and corporate environmental violence (CEV) have become a primary motivator for research, activism, and policy initiatives. Prior research has involved environmental crime, environmental injustice and racism, its origins, history and applications, and effects on public perceptions leading to recommendations for policy implementation. The purpose of the study was to address environmental pollution in terms of total toxic emissions and CEV through analyses of harm inflicted on life, health, and physical integrity of humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. A quantitative correlational design was used with a Pearson’s r correlation coefficient to determine significance with a 95% confidence interval. Routine activities, …

Leaders’ Responsiveness To Creating Ethical Climate For Whistleblowing And Implicit Retaliation In The Public Sector, Oluwatoyin Olusegun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Whistleblowing is reporting unethical or illegitimate practices witnessed by a member of an organization. Despite the laws and policies protecting whistleblowers in the public sector, many employees who report observed wrongdoings face retaliation. Creating an ethical climate impacts the responsiveness of organizational leaders to whistleblowing, yet little is known about how middle-level managers navigate organizational factors, situational factors, and personal beliefs to create an ethical climate. The current study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap by exploring how middle-level managers in government organizations in California described how organizational and personal factors influence their ability to create an ethical climate that …

Exploration Of The Implementation Of The Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act By Vocational Rehabilitation Programs Through Collaboration With Education Officials, Elyse Leinani Luke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite public policies intended to achieve employment equity for students with disabilities, compared to students without disabilities, transition-age students with disabilities are less likely to be in the workforce even after receiving public vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. The purpose of this qualitative, multicase study was to explore implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by VR programs through collaboration with state education officials to deliver pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) to students with disabilities. The Integration Continuum was used to conceptually frame this study because the model provides a hierarchical scale with definitions about how organizations work together at …

Neonatal Nurses’ Intention To Stay In The Nicu, Carolyn Penn-Griffin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Neonatal nursing leaders and national health care organizations within the United States are concerned about the recent shortage of skilled and experienced neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses that may reduce the quality of care delivered to NICU patients. NICU nurses are passionate about caring for premature and ill full-term infants and providing educational and emotional support for their parents, some NICU nurses remain in the NICU long-term, yet others contemplate leaving the specialty. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological research guided by Martin Fishbein and Ajezen’s theory of reasoned action was to explore the lived experiences of NICU …

A Therapist Perspective: Gender Differences In Treatment Recommendations For Adults With Adhd, Inattentive Presentation, Casey Redus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with onset during childhood and often persisting into adulthood. Statistics show that more men are diagnosed with ADHD than women, and that women are more often diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type. Treatment for ADHD has not focused on non-psychopharmacology gender-based treatment recommendations, and this has been identified as requiring further research. This qualitative study explored therapists' process in making treatment recommendations for women versus men diagnosed with ADHD inattentive subtype. Social role theory was used to underpin the research. The participants of the study included ten licensed psychologists in the state …

Language Equity In The Undergraduate Classroom: Fostering Language Diversity In The World Of Standard Academic English., Gabriela Johnson

Higher Learning Research Communications

In this essay, I explore the complex intersection of language, identity, and education with a particular focus on the importance of fostering linguistic equity in higher education settings. It is imperative for higher education institutions to reevaluate language-related practices and foster linguistic diversity and equity. Drawing upon linguistic theories and real-world examples, I highlight how language is deeply intertwined with personal identity, culture, and heritage. Various English dialects, such as African American Vernacular English, Chicano English, and others, are highlighted as valid linguistic expressions rather than deviations from a supposed standard. The role of standard academic English (SAE) in academia …

Attitudes Of Algerian Emi And Non-Emi Lecturers And Students Toward English, Sana Touahmia, Farhana Bakar

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the attitudes of English medium instruction (EMI) lecturers and students and non-EMI lecturers and students toward English in Algeria. The Algerian government plans to implement English as a medium of instruction in higher education.

Methods: The research was carried out at an Algerian university where French is the primary language of instruction, but English is used as the medium of instruction for certain courses in the engineering department. Data were gathered through a questionnaire, which was distributed to a group comprised of 52 EMI lecturers, 226 EMI students, 70 …