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Perception Of Pre-Existing Dm2 Management Among Pregnant Asian Indian Immigrants During Covid-19, Sanya Bedi Grewal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that exerts a significant burden among communities by increasing healthcare costs, reducing productivity, higher rates for premature mortality, and tangible socioeconomic burden, which overall reduces the quality of life. The purpose of the study was to explore the perception of pregnant Asian Indian immigrants regarding diabetes self-management strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five women were recruited via purposive sampling from Facebook groups. Data were collected via individual interviews using Facebook groups. The health belief model was used to help understand and interpret the findings. Clarke and Braun’s thematic analysis method was used to …

The Relationship Between New Jersey Primary Teachers’ Perceptions Of One-To-One Device Programs And Their Stage Of Adoption, Frances Amato

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Interest in one-to-one (1:1) device programs, where schools provide each student with their own computing device, has increased across the United States. The problem this study addressed was whether primary teachers’ perceived usefulness, ease of use, organizational support, and technical support of a 1:1 device program is related to their reported stage of adoption. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between primary school teachers’ perceptions of a 1:1 device program and their self-reported stage of adoption. The theoretical framework guiding the study included the diffusion of innovations theory and the technology acceptance model. Data were …

The Lived Experiences Of Counselors Trained In Brainspotting With Clients Who Have Experienced Trauma, Tina Deveau

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exposure to trauma continues to be a significant issue for many individuals and is one of the leading reasons why clients seek counseling. Therefore, more trauma-informed and effective counseling interventions are needed to address the impact of trauma. Brainspotting has begun to rise in recognition as an intervention to treat trauma. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of counselors trained in brainspotting with clients who have experienced trauma. The phenomenological study followed Husserl’s framework to understand the essence of the lived experiences of 12 counselors who integrate brainspotting with clients who have …

Exploring Associations Between Poverty, Race/Ethnicity, Gender, And Childhood Obesity In Cherokee County, South Carolina, Lillie Mae Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity (CHO) rates have increased significantly worldwide over the last decade. The magnitude of CHO extends beyond physical health to include economic stability, social connections, and access to daily living resources. CHO is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that may differ from traditional prevention approaches and treatment. Over the years, interventions have focused on maintaining a balance of healthy eating and active living to reduce weight and promote lifelong behavior change. Body mass index (BMI) surveillance studies have been conducted in Cherokee County, South Carolina since 2012 to assess and inform CHO interventions. However, the data have not …

How Faculty And Students Understand And Experience The Development Of Critical Thinking In The Online Classroom, Katarzyna Peoples, C. Todd Correa, Gary J. Burkholder

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: There are essentially three schools of thought regarding critical thinking—humanistic, cognitive, and behavioral. Given the disagreement among them, confusion continues about what critical thinking means, and how it can be taught to students.

Methods: In this qualitative phenomenological study, researchers interviewed students and faculty in a distance education master of public health program about their perceptions and experiences of what critical thinking means and how it is developed in the online classroom.

Results: Themes emerging from student interviews included (a) differing thoughts on the meaning of critical thinking; (b) learning and meeting course requirements as students’ …

Use Of Integrated English Language Development To Improve Long-Term English Learner Instruction, Rosanne Reid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2023, California schools served 1.2 million students designated English learners (EL-classified students). Most EL-classified students in grades 6-12 were considered long-term English learners. The problem addressed by this study is that LTEL-considered students have historically had the lowest academic achievement of any student group, despite federal and state mandates for instructional support through designated and integrated English language development (ELD). The purpose of this case study was to explore how content-area teachers at one California high school used components of integrated ELD to support LTEL-considered students in learning language, literacy, and content knowledge and how site and district administrators …

Examining The Association Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors Between African Immigrants Living In The United States And African Americans Born In The United States, Philip Effiong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of the study was to investigate the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among African immigrants and African Americans born in the United States to identify differences and similarities in their impact and prevalence. Variables considered as potential differentiators included alcohol consumption, income, educational levels, and smoking habits, age, and gender. The health belief model served as the theoretical framework. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2016, logistic regression analyses were used to test for significant factors affecting T2DM prevalence in these groups. Results indicated that country of origin did not predict …

How African American Clergy Perceive The Cultural Relevance And Usefulness Of The Mental Health Guide For Faith Leaders, Lisa Marie Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans experience mental illness at a rate similar to White individuals but are less likely to seek professional mental health care. African Americans have traditionally turned to the Black church for mental health assistance. Various organizations have created mental health resources for clergy members, with varying levels of comprehensiveness. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how African American clergy perceived the cultural relevance and usefulness of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation’s Mental Health Guide for Faith Leaders. The study was conducted using critical race theory as its theoretical framework. Four experienced clergy participated in two …

Management Strategies To Improve Employee Retention And Organizational Performance, Fay Etta Catlett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover is a problem that is pervasive and negatively impacts the productivity of organizations. Business leaders who do not have strategies to combat employee turnover within organizations will incur unbudgeted costs of replacing employees who leave organizations, which affects organizational performance. Grounded in Vroom’s motivational theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies business leaders use to retain experienced employees to improve organizational performance. The participants were 5 human resources and business leaders of various organizations who maximized employee retention and organizational performance. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of publicly available …

Examining Barriers To Technology Integration Practices Of K-12 Teachers, Sherri N. Brackett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this study addressed is that K-12 teachers inconsistently implement technology into classroom instructional practices. The use of technology influences every aspect of our daily life. In fact, schools now have a responsibility to integrate technology into teaching and learning. This qualitative study aimed to investigate how K-12 teachers’ perceptions of technology integration and barriers influence the integration of technology into their classroom practice. The technology acceptance model and the barrier to technology integration were the frameworks for this study. The research questions explored teachers’ perceptions and barriers that influence the integration of technology into classroom instructional practices. The …

Effective Sales Education Training Delivery Methods: A Pragmatic Inquiry, Eunice N. Onyelobi-Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective training delivery methods developed and delivered to Generation Z employees negatively impact a sales organization’s overall profitability, causing the risk of reduction in force or business closure. Grounded in content, instructional design, programmed learning, and recommendation (CIP-R) framework, and diversity, individualism and teamwork, technology, and organizational supports (DITTO) framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies sales managers used to develop and deliver sales training for Generation Z employees to increase sales organizations’ revenues. The participants were 10 sales managers in the United States who trained Generation Z employees and impacted revenues. Data were …

Successful Strategies Of Black Women Business Owners, Carolyn Bennett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unsustainable business strategies have the potential to lead to adverse business outcomes when starting new business ventures. Business owners are concerned with having effective business strategies to sustain their businesses beyond 5 years. Grounded in the resource-based view theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore successful strategies that were used by Black women business owners starting new business ventures to sustain their businesses for more than 5 years. Participants were seven Black women business owners who developed successful strategies to sustain their businesses. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and a review of publicly available documents. …

Strategies For Nonprofit Organizations To Meet Performance Goals Through Employee, Allicia Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dismal employee engagement can have an adverse effect on an organization’s productivity and profitability. Nonprofit organization leaders are concerned about employee engagement because the lack of it impedes meeting organizational performance goals. Grounded in engagement theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that nonprofit organizational leaders used to increase employee engagement to meet organizational performance goals. The participants were six nonprofit industry leaders in the Northeast region of the U. S. who successfully implemented employee engagement strategies and met organizational performance goals. Data were collected through semi structured interviews and from publicly available data and …

Stress And Coping Experienced By Mothers With Autoimmune Diseases While Parenting Children With Autism, Christine Marie Dillon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of individuals diagnosed with autoimmune diseases (AD) continues to rise, with the majority being women of childbearing age. There has been a concurrent increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mothers of children with ASD are often the primary caretaker for their children, and report decreased quality of life and increased behavioral health concerns. AD and ASD have been studied separately through a quantitative lens, with findings demonstrating similarities between the two regarding potential etiology. Few qualitative studies have been conducted to understand the stress and coping experienced by mothers with AD parenting …

Teachers' Experience Serving Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders In Distance Learning, Mireya Escalante Torres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders forced millions of students attending schools in the United States to shift to distance learning. As pandemic restrictions lifted and schools reopened, an emerging trend was observed: many parents of children with disabilities chose to continue distance learning. This decision gains significance in the context of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs) who are at a higher risk of disengagement from school. Educators need to understand how to address social, emotional, and behavioral needs within online learning frameworks. However, increasing engagement for students with EBDs in distance learning has not been well-researched. Drawing …

The Shift In The Roles Of Local Emergency Management Agencies In The Planning And Response To Civil Unrest, Howard Ray Simons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Local government's response to civil unrest has continually shown a concerning level of unpreparedness and how quickly inundated local government becomes during a response to civil unrest. The theoretical framework used for this study is knowledge management due to its ability to be used in different disciplines like emergency management, safety, and business. This framework is used to get all stakeholders to work in concert to attain strategically planned goals. The research question explored how the local emergency manager's knowledge and experience directly impacted strategic planning, response, and community relations during a civil unrest event? The research design was a …

Maternal Absence Of Female Offenders Convicted Of A Violent Crime, Smarlyn Colon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of maternal absence of female offenders convicted of a violent crime from the perspective of violent female offenders. Two research questions were addressed: (a) how female offenders convicted of a violence offense describe their lived experiences with their mother’s absence due to incarceration and (b) how maternal absence due to incarceration feature on female offenders’ reflections of what led to their violent offending. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyze data collected from 13 participants using semi structured interviews. The results revealed four themes: (a) the mother-child …

Workplace Climate And Culture Experiences Of Black Lgbtq Public School K-12 Educators, Sidney Gaskins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recruiting and retaining Black educators is a problem in the United States. Research into specific subgroups within this population, such as Black LBGTQ educators, can help identify ways to address this problem. In this qualitative study, five individuals were recruited who self-identified as Black or African American, LGBTQ, hold a current teaching certificate, have taught more than three years, and were 30 years or older. Data were collected from participants through semistructured interviews, and those data were analyzed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to allow for their voices, perspectives, and experiences to be heard directly. Findings revealed 11 themes associated …

Strategies For Reducing Employee Turnover Costs, Karen Coates

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High employee turnover costs are prevalent in academic healthcare centers. Healthcare center leaders who experience high employee turnover also experience high operational costs. Grounded in Blau's social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies executive and senior healthcare leaders utilized to minimize employee turnover costs. Through interviews with four academic healthcare center leaders on the East Coast of the United States, using Ming-Shu Yuan's (2019) narrative analysis, four primary themes were identified: (a) strategies, (b) implementation, (c) measuring success, and (d) leadership support. One key recommendation is for academic medical center leaders to increase …

Stakeholder Perceptions Of Chronic Absenteeism Among Students Of Color In An Urban Alternative High School, Brian W. Willmott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic absenteeism negatively affects millions of U.S. students each year, and there has been little improvement in the past 2 decades despite the efforts of educational organizations nationwide. The purpose of this qualitative project study was to examine the perceptions of different stakeholders regarding how the factors that contribute to chronic absenteeism of students of color have affected attendance interventions in an alternative urban high school setting in Northeastern Ohio. The conceptual framework was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which explains that the development of individuals is influenced by the different environments in which they exist throughout their lives. Interviews were …

Education Reform: Exploring Human Services Needed To Address Disparities In Urban, Antonio Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This investigation sought to delve into the complex issues surrounding racial and institutional racism within urban educational frameworks, emphasizing the substantial role that systemic obstacles and prejudices play in perpetuating educational inequities. Amidst an expanding corpus of literature on this topic, the nuanced contributions of human service interventions to ameliorate these inequities have been somewhat overlooked. The objective of this research was to fill this knowledge void by examining the perspectives and experiences of a diverse range of professionals within the K-12 educational sector, from a human services standpoint. The study utilized qualitative research methodology, gathering data through interviews with …

Budget Sustainability Strategies And Practices In Correctional Institutions, Darrel Fox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over 80 billion dollars are spent annually incarcerating approximately 2.3 million people, yet correctional systems continue to encounter substantial barriers in maintaining budgetary sustainability. Correctional leaders are concerned with budget strategies’ relevance to ensure that needed resources are allocated and utilized to enable correctional facilities’ continuing effectiveness. Grounded in organizational capacity theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to identify and explore effective budget strategies and practices used by midlevel supervisors in correctional institutions. The participants comprised five midlevel correctional supervisors from four state prisons in the Southeastern United States who successfully developed and implemented effective strategies …

Effects Of Personality On The Relationship Between Hybrid Work Characteristics And Employee Engagement, Cassandra J. Brewer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The need for remote work has sparked a global discussion about the prospects of adopting home, office, remote, and hybrid work patterns. There are opportunities and challenges with the adoption of remote and hybrid work from individual, group, and leadership perspectives. In a post-COVID-19 world where changes to the way individuals work have been impacted, this study addresses the effect of the built environment on employee engagement and whether personality impacts the relationship between hybrid work characteristics and employee engagement in the modern workplace. A quantitative non-experimental, correlational multiple regression research design was used to analyze the relationships between variables. …

Social Identity Comparison Of Black And White Students Of Attend Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Korliss Hall Datcher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Throughout college, social identity and belonging to social groups significantly shape an individual’s identity. Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have become more diverse as more White students, faculty, staff, and administrators have begun to learn and work in this environment. This mixed-methods study aimed to contrast self-reported measures and experiences between Black and White students attending historically HBCUs. Social identity theory guided the study, as the theory suggests that groups, such as family, culture, and academic class, play a significant part in establishing pride and self-esteem. The qualitative component of the study explored the perceptions of social identity among …

The Lived Experience Of Parents With Newborns In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu): A Heuristic Inquiry, Abigail Bilyk

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents with newborns who require medical care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) immediately following birth are at an increased risk of experiencing psychological distress. While quantitative research studies have determined that a NICU admission can have detrimental effects on parents, a better understanding of the lived experience for both mothers and fathers is necessary to ensure adequacy in the standard of care given to parents while their newborn is admitted to the NICU. The phenomenon has not previously been explored using the phenomenological approach of heuristic inquiry. Constructivism, social constructivism, and the transactional model of stress and coping …

Impact Of Workplace Racial Discrimination On The Health Of Black Men, Denise Richardson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived racially discriminatory experiences of Black men in the workplace in New York City and how those incidents affected their overall health. The study used Critical Race Theory as the theoretical framework and analyzed data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants. Findings from coding analysis indicated that Black men routinely engaged in acts of John Henryism to receive positive recognition as they navigated negative societal stereotyping, namely proving that they, as individuals, were not negative stereotypes. Additionally, the study revealed that exposure to racial discrimination in the workplace …

Mitigating Burnout In Primary School Teachers Since The Covid-19 Pandemic, Janine Celeste Adrian

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although teacher burnout has been experienced for decades, teachers faced additional stressors with the onset of COVID-19. Teachers faced newfound stressors due to lockdowns and restrictions on gathering face-to-face and instruction becoming virtual. Even the youngest students (kindergarten to fifth grade) had to be taught according to the virtual learning mandates. As a result, primary school teachers began to experience burnout differently. The purpose of this study was to explore the support primary school teachers needed to help mitigate the burnout they experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored what interpersonal, intrapersonal, or educational support helps mitigate burnout …

Domestic Violence: Lived Experiences Of Female Counselors, Franchesca Angelique Ortiz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological research study involved exploring how effective heterosexual female counselors who have survived domestic violence (DV) are at counseling female clients experiencing DV. The goal was to gather rich firsthand data regarding lived experiences of female counselors. This study involved using in-depth semi-structured synchronous interviews with six counselors, listening to lived experiences, reading transcriptions, taking and reading notes in a journal during and after interviews, and analyzing data. Findings revealed female counselors who are survivors of DV are effective in their counseling roles within the profession. Themes that emerged from findings were intergenerational cycles, power and control, …

Relationship Between Nursing Home Covid-19 Vaccination Rates And Nursing Staff Turnover, Cassandra Parker-Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected healthcare facilities in the United States, including nursing homes. Nursing home administrators found it challenging to provide adequate care for patients while ensuring the wellbeing of nursing staff. Many nursing home staff questioned the COVID-19 vaccine legitimacy due to vaccine’s quick development by pharmaceutical companies. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination rates (independent variable) and total nursing staff turnover (dependent variable). This study involved secondary data collected from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The primary research question involved the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination rates and total …

Equality In Programming For Girls And Boys: Adolescents' Shared Experiences From An After-School Support Program In Urban Nairobi, Nelson Muhia, Benta Abuya

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

There has been marked progress in access to education, representation of women in leadership, sexual reproductive health, and gender-based violence as a result of gender equality initiatives. However, there is still a strong focus on interventions targeting girls only. Through the adolescents’ lens, this study sought to establish if there is a preference for interventions targeting girls compared to boys in two urban informal settlements; and what benefits were realized from programming for both adolescent boys and girls enrolled in an after-school support program. We employed a thematic analysis approach to answer the research questions. Results showed that most interventions …