Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Sex Offenders’ Experience Of Being Registered As A Sex Offender, Stacey Mitchell-Swingle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In society, sex offenders are subject to unforeseen consequences of the sex offender registry. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how the sex offender registry contributes to the mental distress of registered sex offenders and their concerns about recidivism. This study addressed a gap in understanding the sex offender registry experiences from the offender’s perspective. The research question addressed how adult male registrants describe their experiences of mental distress associated with registration and how they perceive registration as shaping their risk of reoffending. The theoretical framework was John Braithwaite’s reintegrative shaming theory, with a specific focus on …

Lived Experiences Of Law Enforcement Officers Assigned To Co-Response Teams Responding To Mental Health Crises, Roxanne Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Law enforcement officers are increasingly called upon to respond to mental health crises, yet their experiences as members of co-response teams (CRTs) remain underexplored. This study was conducted to address that gap by examining the lived experiences of officers assigned to CRTs that pair specially trained officers with mental health clinicians to respond jointly to calls involving individuals in crisis. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe how officers experience CRT work and how it shapes their perceptions, practices, and professional identity. The study was guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress, appraisal, and coping, …

Impact Of Burnout And Empathy On Correctional Officers’ Aggression, Sagan Ladd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Correctional officers experience persistent occupational stress that places them at elevated risk for burnout, which may negatively affect emotional functioning and increase aggression. Guided by general strain theory, this quantitative nonexperimental correlational study examined the relationships between burnout, empathy, and aggression among uniformed correctional officers working in U.S. jails and prisons. Participants (N = 58) completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire–Short Form through an anonymous online survey. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to answer three research questions. Results indicated that burnout significantly predicted aggression, F(1, 56) = 12.38, p < .001, R² = .18, such that higher burnout was associated with higher aggression scores. Empathy did not significantly predict aggression, F(1, 56) = 2.32, p = .133, R² = .04, though the relationship trended negatively. A multiple regression analysis revealed that burnout and empathy together significantly predicted aggression, F(2, 55) = 7.74, p = .001, R² = .19; however, burnout remained the only significant predictor when controlling for empathy. Additional analyses indicated that burnout significantly predicted all four facets of aggression: verbal aggression, physical aggression, anger, and hostility. These findings suggest that burnout plays a central role in aggression among correctional officers and highlight the importance of organizational and mental health interventions aimed at reducing burnout to promote staff well-being and institutional safety.

Improving Early Detection Of Lung Cancer In Underserved Primary Care Settings, Trent Arden Goode, Ii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States, with underserved populations experiencing higher rates of late-stage diagnosis and preventable death. Despite established screening guidelines, adherence within primary care remains inconsistent, particularly in safety-net settings, reflecting a healthcare administration problem driven by organizational structures and care processes. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify administrative interventions that improve primary care provider adherence to lung cancer screening referral guidelines in safety-net healthcare settings. Guided by the Donabedian Quality Framework, a systematic integrative review was conducted to examine how healthcare structures and processes influence screening implementation. …

Graduates’ Perceptions Of Their High School Career Technical Education Work-Based Learning Experiences, Cheryline M. Hewitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little is known about how career and technical education (CTE) work-based learning (WBL) programs support student academic achievement and workforce outcomes. Guided by Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school graduates’ perceptions of their CTE WBL experiences and to identify how completing a CTE WBL program supported and hindered their academic and workforce achievement. Ten graduates of CTE WBL programs were recruited via postsecondary CTE school outreach, Facebook, and LinkedIn groups and participated in a semistructured interview. Thematic analysis using open coding was conducted. The data analysis resulted in three identified …

How Case Management Can Improve Access To Outpatient Mental Health Clinics For Low-Income African American Women, Marie Daphney Vilseant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract: African American women face deeply rooted systemic challenges that affect their access to mental health care treatment. There are no case management techniques that are strategic and equity driven and offer individualized support tailored to the needs of African American women, especially those from low-income backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of case management as a potential solution to improve access to outpatient mental health services for this under-served group. The Anderson behavioral model for health care was utilized to understand access and utilization of health care services. The review question focused on case …

The Environmental Mental Health Services Needed For Youth Ages 18-25 Aging Out Of The Foster Care System, Keelin Leger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth transitioning out of foster care experience increased mental health challenges that affect their ability to age out successfully to independence. In this qualitative modified action study, the environmental mental health services needed for adolescents, aged 18 to 25, aging out of the foster care system in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana were explored. This study was guided by the Families Rising framework. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 20 participants who provided insights to this study. Participants were reached by posting flyers on social media and the online platform forums, and they signed the consent form to participate. The data were …

Psychologists’ Attitudes On Capital Punishment And Interpretation Of The American Psychological Association’S Ethics Code, Darya Baugh-Ruschman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

When defendants are sentenced to death due to the nature of the crime, psychologists may be asked to participate in these cases, performing tasks such as conducting competency evaluations. Because the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code states that psychologists cannot participate in activities that violate human rights, an ethical debate has emerged regarding whether they should participate in capital cases. The present study examined psychologists’ opinions on capital punishment and their interpretation of the APA Ethics Code, which does not specifically define what constitutes a violation of human rights. The theoretical framework for the study is the ethical decision-making …

Optimizing Patient Intake Efficiency: Integrating Data Accuracy And Workflow Improvement Strategies, Breanna Virginia Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For a professional therapist, social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist, improving the quality and effectiveness of patient care is a central responsibility. This qualitative single-case study examined how WGGX, a nonprofit behavioral health organization in South Philadelphia, addressed challenges within its patient intake process to improve workflow efficiency, data accuracy, and the client onboarding experience. Guided by the Baldrige Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence, the study explored how leadership practices, workforce engagement, and process management influenced organizational effectiveness related to intake operations. Data were collected through semistructured, in-person interviews with six organizational stakeholders and a review of organizational documents and …

Staff Education To Improve Nurse Use Of Teach-Back In Outpatient Diabetes Care, Latoya Hodge-Curtis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic condition in the United States, with ineffective patient education and low health literacy linked to poor glycemic control, preventable complications, and increased health care utilization. At the project site, a practice gap was identified related to a lack of knowledge among nurses regarding the use of teach-back strategy for use with Type 2 diabetes education. The practice-focused question was: Does educating nurses on the teach back strategy for Type 2 diabetes improve knowledge as evidenced by pre- to post-survey? This project was implemented using the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) …

Hiring Practices And Staff Retention At A Non-Profit Organization In Florida, Jajaira Matos Jemmott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A nonprofit organization in Florida that provides wraparound services to vulnerable families faced a significant staff retention problem, where persistent turnover disrupted service delivery, strained grant funding, contributed to burnout, and increased the cost of rehiring and training. Addressing this organizational challenge was critical to ensuring consistent, high-quality services. Guided by the practice-focused question, What changes can the client organization implement to retain staff and reduce training costs? The purpose of this study was to explore organizational factors influencing staff retention and recommend evidence-based strategies for improvement. The conceptual framework incorporated Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, Lewin’s change theory, and social exchange …

Promoting Equitable Early Childhood School Readiness Through Prevention And Advocacy In A Rural Community, Teri Kimberling

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement

The goal of this Social Change Portfolio is to promote healthier developmental outcomes for young children in our rural community by increasing access to early childhood readiness supports that prevent social-emotional and behavioral difficulties in kindergarten.

Significant Findings

Early childhood school readiness is a significant public health and mental health concern in the rural coastal community of Lincoln County, Oregon. A large number of children enter kindergarten without any school readiness, whether it was in a formal preschool or just done at home. This can be due to many factors, including socioeconomic disparities, such as high poverty rates, …

Staff Education For The Management Of Chronic Pain In Patients With Mental Health Disorders, Jude Osagie Ukpebor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a practice-focused quality improvement staff education initiative designed to address a gap in nurses’ knowledge related to chronic pain management in patients with mental health disorders. Chronic pain frequently coexists with psychiatric conditions, yet nurses often lack formal education on biopsychosocial, trauma-informed, and non-pharmacologic pain management approaches, contributing to fragmented and inequitable care. Addressing this gap is essential to improving patient outcomes and advancing evidence-based nursing practice. The practice-focused question asked whether implementing a targeted nurse education program would improve nurses’ knowledge related to chronic pain management in patients with mental health disorders. …

Strategies Some Small Business Owners Use To Implement New Accounting Technology, Susie Annmarie Stewart-Branch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Small business owners often face challenges when implementing accounting information systems, resulting in inefficiencies and reduced competitiveness. The study was grounded in the technology acceptance model (TAM), which guided examination of how small business owners implemented, evaluated, and sustained accounting software use while addressing implementation challenges and leveraging internal and external support. Data were collected through semi-structured interview questions from six small business owners who used accounting software such as QuickBooks, and thematic analysis identified five themes: (a) change management and organizational culture, (b) importance of external support and strategic partnerships, (c) measuring effectiveness through operational and client metrics, …

Executive Leadership System Improvement Mobile Lung Cancer Screening, Tracy Holladay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project is an evidence‑based practice initiative to develop a mobile lung cancer screening program that expands early detection services in rural Arkansas. The practice problem involves low screening rates, high mortality, and access barriers that delay diagnosis for high‑risk individuals, making this work essential to nursing roles in prevention, coordination, education, and population health. The practice focused question examined whether creating a Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Unit proposal will support timely referrals and treatment. The purpose of the project was to design a feasible, evidence informed model aligned with organizational capacity and equitable access goals. Analytical strategies included …

Pharmacy Service Quality Strategies To Mitigate Prescription-Only Medicines Stockouts, Martin Mulomba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some patients in Lusaka, Zambia experience adverse health outcomes when pharmacists are not able to fill life-saving, prescription-only medications (POMs) because of supply-chain shortages. Important to pharmacists are strategies to improve POMs supply and mitigate out-of-stock occurrences. Grounded in the SERVQUAL theory as the conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the service quality strategies pharmacists employ to mitigate shortages and enhance patient care. The participants were eight pharmacists who successfully mitigated POMs shortages for improved customer service. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and publicly available documents. Data were analyzed thematically and six …

Strategies To Improve Team Cohesion Among Hybrid And Remote Teams To Improve Customer Satisfaction, Leslie Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of team cohesion among hybrid and remote teams can negatively affect customer satisfaction. Customer service leaders require effective strategies to improve team cohesion in increasingly flexible work environments; however, limited understanding exists regarding the strategies these leaders use to foster cohesion in hybrid and remote work settings. Grounded in the composite conceptual framework of theories of group development and customer focus, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies that some leaders in the South Central region of the U.S. customer service organizations use to improve team cohesion among hybrid and remote …

Staff Education To Enhance Psychiatric Medication Adherence In Psychiatric Care, Emmanuel Nusta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication non-adherence affects 49% of psychiatric patients and contributes to poor outcomes and increased hospitalizations. At the project site, 40% of patients demonstrated suboptimal adherence and 12 medication-related incidents occurred. Nursing staff lacked specialized training in motivational interviewing and comprehensive adherence assessment. This project developed and implemented an evidence-based educational program to enhance nursing competencies in psychiatric medication adherence counseling. Seven nursing staff members (5 registered nurses, 2 licensed practical nurses) participated in a 90-minute session incorporating the four-domain assessment framework, motivational interviewing techniques, and psychoeducational strategies. The ADDIE framework guided program development with interactive discussions, case-based learning, and role-play …

Staff Education To Use The Teach-Back Method Toward Increasing Adherence To Medications In A Mental Health Clinic, Yanysel Gonzalez Torres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A staff development project was conducted at a mental health clinic to improve medication adherence among patients. The intervention was an evidence-based presentation on the teach-back method for staff members to educate them about the importance of using the teach-back method for patient teaching to increase medication adherence among mental health patients. The gap identified by leadership was that staff members are often unaware of strategies for patient education designed to ensure that patients take their medications as prescribed by the provider. The project was conducted over a period of 4 weeks, with sessions held 3 days per week, taking …

Strategies Some Business Leaders Use To Implement Technological Innovation For Increasing Performance, Judy Muiruri

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Incorporating technological innovation is essential for maintaining organizational performance. Company executives in software-as-a-service (SaaS) enterprises who do not incorporate technological innovation risk reduced organizational performance and profitability. Grounded in Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations (DOI), the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore strategies employed by business leaders to effectively implement technological innovation and, in turn, increase organizational performance. . The participants consisted of fifteen business leaders who successfully incorporated technological innovation designed to improve organizational performance and profitability. The data collection process incorporated both semi structured interviews combined with a review of publicly available documents about …

Attribution Of Behavior And Misdiagnosis In Mental Health Evaluation Of Primary School Children, E’Mon Ambers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem of misdiagnosis of mental health conditions in primary school aged children because of attributions related to misbehavior is a significant issue. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore a selected sample of educators’ and mental health professionals’experiences and perceptions of the risks of attribution errors in mental health misdiagnosis among primary school-aged children in Richmond, VA. The research questions addressed how stakeholders perceive the role of attribution errors in professional practice contributing to misdiagnosis, as well as what practice-based and systemic changes stakeholders propose to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Narrative data was collected from educators …

Predicting Perceived Immigrant Threat To National Identity Based On Christian Nationalism, White Racial Centrality, And Social Dominance Orientation, Anna Caroline Kinney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Immigrants remain frequent targets of anti-immigrant hate speech, often amplified by right-wing media. Demographic factors such as Christian nationalism (i.e., the desire to preserve Christian symbols, beliefs, and policies preserved as the established religion of the United States), White racial centrality (i.e., an automatic association between the self and the White ingroup), and social dominance orientation (i.e., support for group-based hierarchies and inequality) significantly shape perceptions of immigrants as a threat to national identity. Although prior research has examined these factors independently, their relative importance in predicting perceived immigrant threat remains limited. Informed by intergroup threat theory, this quantitative study …

Digital Trust Recovery: Effective Data Breach Management Approaches, Milbert Flores Dacayana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the digital economy, organizations face an increasing number of data breaches that compromise sensitive information and erode consumer trust. Some organizational leaders are concerned about the lack of effective strategies to manage data breaches and restore stakeholder confidence, which threatens organizations’ reputation and financial stability, and long-term trust in digital systems. Grounded in cybersecurity risk management theory (CRMT) and situational crisis communication theory (SCCT), the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies employed by data managers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, to manage data breaches and rebuild consumer trust. Participants were 10 experienced data …

Strategies Leaders In Structured Alternative Academic Environments Use To Improve Resource Management, Operational Efficiency, And Program Sustainability, Sean D. Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders of structured alternative academic environments often struggle to sustain operations because of limited resources, fragmented leadership, and high staff turnover. This business problem is important to leaders of structured alternative academic environments because ineffective resource management and operational inefficiencies threaten program sustainability and continuity of services for at-risk student populations. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies leaders in structured alternative academic environments use to improve resource management, operational efficiency, and program sustainability. The participants were six leaders from structured alternative academic programs in southeastern New Mexico. Data were …

Staff Education To Improve Nurses' Knowledge And Confidence In Suicide Risk Assessment, Sherica Mcbride

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project was to strengthen nurses’ knowledge and confidence in suicide risk assessments. Suicide remains a crucial patient safety issue, and nurses report uncertainty in early recognition and intervention; therefore, brief, practice-proximal training is essential. The practice-focused question that informed this project’s purpose was whether a short education module with pre- and post testing improves nurses’ knowledge and confidence in suicide risk assessment. Three nurses participated in a structured session covering risk factors, warning signs, standardized screening, and safety planning. I then used descriptive analysis to compare their pre- and posttest …

Reflective Parenting, Psychological Needs, And Parental Interpretation Of Children’S Negative Emotions, Julia Pappas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents’ ability to understand and respond effectively to children’s negative emotions plays a critical role in children’s emotional development and regulation. However, it remains unclear whether parents interpret negative emotions as potential signals of underlying psychological needs. Based in the conceptual framework of parental reflective functioning and basic psychological needs theory, and grounded in interpretivist- constructivist paradigm, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine how parents interpret children’s negative emotions and how their meaning-making processes relate to basic psychological needs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of children between ages 3 and 9 years old (N = …

Leadership Strategies Used By Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Resource Providers To Support Entrepreneurial Success, Sarah Niehaus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Failure to collaborate effectively within entrepreneurial ecosystems remains a significant concern for leaders of entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations. Without clear, actionable collaboration strategies, these leaders may struggle to support entrepreneurial success and make informed decisions that enhance financial performance. Grounded in Mockler’s complex adaptive systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies some leaders within entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations use to collaborate in a manner that supports entrepreneurial success. Participants included seven leaders of entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations located in the Midwest United States with successful experiences using such strategies. Data were collected from semistructured …

An Assessment Of New Employee Training In A U.S. Government Agency, Kisaana Fernanders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study evaluated the utility of a newly developed employee training initiative within a U.S. government disaster recovery agency. The purpose of the professional administrative study was to examine the existing training architecture and recommend improvements aligned with the agency’s mission. A general qualitative approach was employed, using interviews and surveys with government personnel to elicit their perceptions of the training’s effectiveness. The research aimed to identify key elements to incorporate into a revised employee training program, with the goal of enhancing disaster response readiness and policy implementation. It also sought to recommend strategies for continuous improvement. The study was …

Self-Stigma Of Seeking Help, Psychological Safety, And Employee Assistance Program Use In Nurses, Latisha Lenee Marshall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) remain underutilized across various U.S. work sectors, including nursing. There are several barriers that impede nurses from using EAP services, including self-stigma of seeking help (SSOSH) and psychological safety (PS). The purposes of this study, which used the health promotion model as its theoretical framework, were to determine (a) if there was a difference in the level of SSOSH in nurses who have used EAPs and those who have not used EAPs, (b) if there was a difference in the level of PS in nurses who have used EAPs and nurses who have not used EAPs, …

Implementation Of Structured Nursing Leadership Rounding To Improve Hospital Policy Adherence, Irma Rose Maize

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Variability in nursing policy compliance contributes to inconsistent clinical practice and compromises the delivery of standardized care. Limited leadership presence, support, and accountability have been identified as significant contributors to this practice gap. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project focused on educating nurse leaders about the importance and benefits of consistent unit-based leadership rounding as a strategy to support frontline nurses and reinforce policy adherence. A structured leadership rounding checklist was developed to guide purposeful, consistent check-ins with nursing staff, facilitating real-time support and identification of barriers to practice. Implementation of the checklist promoted increased leadership accessibility, improved communication, and …