Digital Commons Network^™

Critical Food Safety Violations In Food Facilities By Regions Across Calgary Communities From 2022 Versus 2023, Kamorudeen Olayinka Bakare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Critical food safety violations in food facilities are severe infractions that may affect the quality and safety of foods as well as the health and wellbeing of consumers in Canada. In 2023, Alberta Health Services heightened scrutiny on these violations in Calgary. However, no investigation has been undertaken to document its potential effects on types and trend (from the previous year) of food safety violations in food facilities across Calgary regions. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the associations between Calgary regions of Canada, Year (2022 versus 2023), and the number of types of critical food safety …

The Relationship Between Theory Of Planned Behavior Constructs And Small Business Owners’ Tax Evasion And Avoidance Behaviors, Kenyatta Patton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. Department of the Treasury incurs substantial costs due to a tax gap, and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has limited capacity to implement non-enforcement strategies without a deeper understanding of the behavioral drivers of tax non-compliance. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to explore the relationships between small business owners’ attitudes toward taxation, social norms, perceived behavioral control, and tax compliance behaviors. The participants comprised 121 small business owners in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area. They completed a combined survey consisting of the ethics of tax evasion survey instrument …

Disability Accommodations In Field Education: Exploring The Msw Student Perspective, Alicia Dawn Melnick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of students with disabilities is increasing, yet little is known about how graduate social work students navigate accommodation during field placements. This study addressed the limited understanding of Master of Social Work (MSW) students’ experiences applying Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations in practicum settings. How accommodations are managed can determine whether disabled students gain equitable access to training and the profession. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to examine how MSW students with disabilities describe their experiences with applying ADA accommodations during field placements. Critical disability theory guided the study, emphasizing ableism and structural barriers …

Google Search Trends And Their Correlation With Covid-19 Cases And Vaccination Rates In Austria, Stefanie Wendell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Timely digital surveillance is essential because clinical reporting often lags. This quantitative, longitudinal correlational study tested whether weekly Google searches in Austria signal changes in COVID-19 cases and vaccination uptake, and short-term case-vaccination dynamics, guided by Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory. Weekly Google Trends indices (0-100) and nationally reported surveillance totals (weekly counts of new cases and vaccine doses) were aggregated; cases: N = 175 weeks (Feb 2020–Jun 2023); vaccinations: N = 132 weeks (Dec 2020–Jun 2023). Time series correlations and lagged growth models showed that symptom-related searches consistently rose 1 week before reported cases (Δlog cases_t on Δlog searches_{t−1}: …

The Perceptions Of Foster Care Alumni Who Are Recipients Of Pandemic Aid, Ashley Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened challenges for young adults transitioning from foster care to independence. Research shows that foster care alumni faced barriers in education, employment, housing, and health due to limited support networks. Yet, little is known about how emergency policies, such as the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021, affected them. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of foster care alumni who received financial aid through the Act. The research question: What were the experiences and perceptions of foster care alumni (aged 18-26) who received funds via the CAA of 2021 during …

Improving Discharge Planning To Reduce Readmissions In Non-Teaching Urban Hospitals, Darlene Michelle Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital discharge planning is a critical determinant of patient outcomes, organizational performance, and financial sustainability. Many non-teaching urban hospitals continue to struggle with high readmission rates, especially among socially vulnerable populations such as the homeless. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine discharge planning strategies that would reduce readmissions, enhancing patient throughput, and mitigating financial penalties in non-teaching urban hospitals. The review question focused on effective discharge planning strategies that would improve readmission rates in non-teaching urban hospitals. A systematic integrative review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 was conducted and 25 quantitative and qualitative studies …

Challenges And Successes In Retaining Direct Support Professionals For People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In Group Home Settings, Erica Kay Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Challenges and Successes in Retaining Direct Support Professionals for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Group Home Settings by Erica Kay Evans MA, Walden University, 2016 BA, University of Phoenix, 2013 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University November 2025

Development Of An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline For Discharging Patients With Substance Use Disorder (Sud) From Outpatient Treatment To Community Care, Emmanuel Onyeani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a gap in practice in an outpatient treatment center for discharging patients with substance use disorder (SUD), addressing the need for follow-up care and relapse prevention due to the widespread impact of SUD. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) help healthcare professionals make informed decisions for specific clinical situations. The guiding question asked whether an expert panel would evaluate and validate a CPG developed from current, evidence-based literature and recommendations with 70% agreement using the AGREE II tool. The CPG focused on continuity of care, access to resources, and relapse prevention strategies. Seven expert …

Public Housing Professionals Perspectives On Mobile Food Unit Location And Accessibility For Children, Antoinette Lashurn Simpson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor nutrition is a major contributor to death in the United States, and residents of public housing face disproportionate challenges in maintaining adequate nutrition. Public housing is the nation’s oldest housing subsidy program, providing more than one million units for millions of residents, many of whom are women, minorities, and unmarried individuals with incomes below the poverty line. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore public housing professionals’ perspectives on using a mobile food unit located within housing communities to help reduce food insecurity. Feminist intersectionality theory provided the framework for this study, emphasizing how overlapping systems …

The Effects Of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury On Sexual Criminal Offense, Brooke Leslie Luckhardt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic brain injury during childhood and adolescence is a significant social problem and is particularly damaging to long term cognitive and mental health. Major growth and maturation occur within the brain from age 6 months to 25 years and any interruption to this process can be detrimental to long term cognitive and emotional adjustment. Research has shown that pediatric traumatic brain injury can cause aggression, agitation, mood disorder, and socially inappropriate behavior. However, the study of how sustaining a traumatic brain injury during the time of pediatric development could potentially affect future sexually inappropriate behavior has not been explored. This …

Associations Between Devices, Flavors, Ease Of Acquisition, And Use Of E-Cigarettes Among American Youth, Sasha Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Initiation of use of e-cigarettes is attributed to many factors and must be understood to curtail health-related problems such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases that are associated with use of tobacco products. This study used the Social Cognitive Theory to analyze how curiosity and peer influence could be possible predictors of e-cigarette use among youth in the United States. Predictors of flavor preference and acquisition were also examined. Data were acquired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey (N = 20,189). Statistical tests to determine existing relations and associations were binary and multinomial …

Examining Emergent Patterns Of Behavior In White Female Sexual Homicide Offenders, Kristin Bemis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The majority of studies on sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) have been conducted on male sexual homicide offenders (MSHOs). In many aspects, this is due to society’s reluctance to view women as capable of sexual murder. There have only been a handful of studies conducted on female sexual homicide offenders (FSHOs). However, these studies found substantial differences between MSHOs and FSHOs, as well as between White FSHOs and Black FSHOs. Since prior studies on FSHOs have all been quantitative, this study employed a qualitative case study approach to analyze FSHOs. Using rational choice theory, 12 White FSHO cases were examined, using …

K–5 Teachers’ Perceptions Toward Implementing An Lgbtqia+-Inclusive Curriculum In New Jersey, Stephanie J. Faille

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is the gap in literature about K–5 teachers’ challenges in implementing an LGBTQIA+-inclusive curriculum in New Jersey. Grounded in Fuller’s concerns of teachers framework and Foucault’s seminal work on the historical treatment of members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore K–5 teachers’ challenges in implementing an LGBTQIA+-inclusive curriculum in New Jersey. Purposeful and snowball sampling were used to recruit 11 K–5 teachers who self-identified as having implemented the New Jersey LGBTQIA+-inclusive curriculum. Data collected through semistructured interviews were analyzed using a priori codes in …

How To Prevent Boulder County Nonprofit Therapist Burnout, Taylor Avalos-Hartery

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement

This portfolio aims to make social justice and advocacy contributions by applying scientific data about housing and income inequality in Boulder County, Colorado, to encourage readers, public policymakers, and city officials to initiate actionable efforts to improve client care quality by preventing counselor burnout in community mental health organizations. Significant Findings: This paper demonstrates the preventability of poor client care and counselor burnout through empirical, peer-reviewed academic research that details the risk and protective factors for individuals, communities, organizations, and society. Preventing counselor burnout in Boulder County, Colorado, USA, begins with understanding population health-specific data, revealing a community …

From Techno-Stressors To Techno-Exhaustion: The Mediating Role Of Techno-Anxiety In It Workplace, Jeevan Jyoti, Mehmood Ahmad, Mehak Mahajan

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

The widespread use of information and communication technology in modern workplaces has intensified techno-stress. This study examines the impact of techno-stressors—techno-overload and techno-complexity—on techno-anxiety, its role in driving techno-exhaustion, and the mediating effect of techno-anxiety in this relationship. Data from Indian IT sector employees, collected via snowball sampling, was analyzed using structural equation modeling in AMOS (Version 23). Our findings revealed that techno-overload and techno-complexity significantly heighten techno-anxiety, which, in turn, exacerbates techno-exhaustion. Techno-anxiety serves as a crucial mediator in linking stressors to exhaustion. The study offers theoretical insights and practical implications, and emphasizes managerial strategies, employee support, and socio-technical …

Evaluating Sustainability Research In Argentine Higher Education, María Belén Arias Valle, Frederic Marimon Dr.

Higher Learning Research Communications

This study analyzes the integration of sustainability into the research activities of Argentine higher education institutions (HEIs), both public and private. Through a quantitative approach, 132 HEIs were evaluated regarding the presence of sustainability research lines, the inclusion of this topic in strategic plans, and the existence of specialized institutes and academic publications. The results indicate that only 26% of HEIs have established research lines on sustainability, with greater participation from public universities. However, the overall commitment is uneven, with only 55% of institutions including sustainability in their strategic plans. The limited presence of observatories, specialized journals, and research centers …

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Prevention Staff Education For Medical- Surgical Nurses, Grace Ann Abustan Porciuncula

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Background: CLABSIs remain a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs, particularly in hospitalized patients requiring long-term vascular access. Despite established guidelines, inconsistent adherence to central line dressing change protocols persists within the DNP project organization, often due to insufficient staff knowledge and variability in practice. This practice gap increases the risk of catheter site contamination and leads to preventable CLABSI events, creating a clear need for intervention. Method: A designed educational program that integrated interactive lectures, case studies, and simulation-based activities. A pre- and post-intervention assessment to measure changes in participants’ knowledge and self-reported confidence in applying …

Leadership Styles, Multigenerational Providers, Motivation, And Satisfaction In Mental Health Workplace Settings, Terri Adeshola

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A problem confronting organizations, including mental health organizations, is how leadership will address motivation and satisfaction in a diverse, multigenerational workforce. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study was to examine the relationship between multigenerational licensed clinician providers and perceptions of their supervisors’ leadership style to predict their motivation and job satisfaction in mental health workplace settings. Transformational leadership theory grounded this study. The participants comprised 93 licensed clinician providers from mental health organizations in three generational cohorts, Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial, in the Middle Atlantic, Pacific, South Atlantic, West-South Central, and East-North Central regions of the …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Livia L. Klein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

: A lack of knowledge among nurses and healthcare staff in providing evidence-based practice (EBP) medication treatment and patient care for individuals who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was evident at a Midwest substance use and mental health facility. For nurses and staff caring for those with ADHD, appropriate patient treatment is essential in helping patients avoid struggles in their daily lives. To address this problem, I developed, implemented, and evaluated a staff education program on ADHD treatment in the project. The practice question focused on whether participants of the education program improved their knowledge of medication and treatment management, as …

Parental Ses And Geographic Location As Predictors Of Graduations In Southeastern High Schools Before And After Covid-19, Marcy J. Watkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American students in the United States have long faced systemic barriers to high school completion, which were further intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational-predictive study was to examine the extent to which parental SES and school location predict graduation outcomes among African American students in southeastern public high schools from 2019 to 2024. Grounded in Bandura’s social learning theory, the study explored how environmental and socioeconomic contexts influence academic achievement. Three research questions guided the study: (1) To what extent do parental SES and location combined predict the number of African American graduates? (2) …

Effective Human Resource Strategies And Processes For Improving Remote Workers’ Engagement, Productivity, And Retention, Lachanta' Rene Chevis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inability to sustain employee retention amid expanded remote work practices highlights the urgent responsibility of leaders to confront the growing disparity between high job demands and insufficient resources that jeopardize employee engagement and organizational stability. Human resource (HR) leaders have a critical responsibility to address the effects of ineffective remote work strategies, which can lower morale, reduce performance, and increase turnover, weakening workforce cohesion and stability. Grounded in the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore and identify effective HR strategies and processes for supporting remote workers. Data sources included semistructured …

Immigrant Catholics’ Perspectives And Engagement On Climate Crisis, Tison Vadakkekudiyil Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this generic qualitative study, how immigrant Catholics in the United States make sense of climate change and environmental justice was examined, addressing a critical gap in understanding how faith and cultural identity shape environmental engagement among marginalized communities. Guided by sensemaking theory and the Catholic principle of integral ecology, as outlined in Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’, the research question addressed how church-going immigrant Catholics in Maryland perceive and engage with the climate crisis, considering their religious beliefs and concerns for environmental justice. Seventeen first-and second-generation adult immigrants participated in semistructured interviews, and data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s …

Experiences Of Accessing Mental Healthcare Among Older Black Women Living In Public Housing, Liza Jane Davis-Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Older Black women living in public housing have been identified as a high-risk group for experiencing barriers to and underutilization of mental health services. Accessing and utilizing mental health care in public housing complexes is challenging due to persistent barriers that discourage residents from seeking treatment. The older adult population, particularly Black women, remains inadequately served and experiences some of the poorest health outcomes, in part because of underreporting of health concerns and limited treatment-seeking behaviors. The purpose of this study was to explore older Black women’s experiences of accessing mental health care while living in public housing and to …

A Clinical Practice Guideline For Managing Gastrointestinal Toxicities Related To Glp-1ra And Gip/Glp-1ra Medications, Lindsay Williamson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The project is a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for managing Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities related to Glucagon-like Peptide-Receptor Agonist 1 (GLP-1RA) and Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/Glucagon-like peptide-1Receptor Agonist (GIP/GLP-1RA) medications. Many patients are seeking weight loss with these agents, which cause GI toxicities that lead prescribers to have patients remain at lower doses that are sub-therapeutic or discontinue therapy. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are prescribing these therapies for patients and lack an evidence-based CPG for properly managing the most common GI toxicities. APRNs can successfully monitor and manage GI symptoms to promote tolerability and treatment adherence. The project question focuses on …

Successful Strategies Used For Volunteer Retention In Nonprofit Organizations, Sheraaron Nicole Hurt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inability to retain volunteers critically undermines nonprofit leaders’ capacity to deliver consistent and effective services to vulnerable community populations, threatening organizational stability and mission fulfillment. Persistent challenges with volunteer retention hinder nonprofit leaders’ operations, reduce program reach, and drive up recruitment costs, weakening organizational sustainability. Grounded in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, this qualitative multiple case study explored effective strategies that nonprofit leaders use to retain volunteers and support organizational sustainability. Five nonprofit leaders from the U.S. East Coast were participants and selected because each demonstrated success in volunteer retention. The themes that emerged from thematically analyzing semistructured interviews and …

Probation Officers' Experiences Working With Individuals Who Have Antisocial Personality Traits, Katherine Ore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In fulfilling their role of monitoring individuals outside of a prison setting, probation officers may encounter individuals who have antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or antisocial personality (ASP) traits. Individuals who have ASP traits and are not diagnosed with ASPD are still impacted by recommendations of punishment, higher recidivism rates, and a lack of treatment resources provided. Individuals in the criminal justice system with ASP traits are not a new phenomenon, but there is a lack of research on the probation officers' experience working with these individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine and explore the experiences of probation …

Effects Of Foster Care Placement With Kin Or Nonkin On Opiate Abuse And Criminality, Pamela Bouyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Opioid abuse has remained a public health crisis with far-reaching economic and social consequences that include costs associated with healthcare and increased foster care placements. Children placed into foster care are at risk themselves for opioid use and delinquency. The purpose of this quantitative research was to explore the causal-comparative relationship between foster care placement with kin (family) or nonkin (nonfamily) and its impacts on opiate abuse and criminal behavior. The Attachment Theory guided this study. Data were collected using a web-based, retrospective survey distributed at behavioral health agencies in Northeast Ohio, social media platforms, and Centiment, an online survey …

Shared Family Identity And Emotional Abuse From A Childhood Caregiver As Predictors Of Self-Censorship Willingness, Jillian Theryon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood emotional abuse may be underreported and unnoticed. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine whether shared family identity (SFI) with an emotionally abusive childhood caregiver was linked to self-censorship of social and political opinions in adulthood. The study also examined whether this relationship is intensified among those with a strong sense of SFI with that caregiver. Linear multiple regression analysis of survey data collected from 119 participants, recruited through Survey Monkey Audience, revealed that willingness to self-censor was significantly shaped by the interaction between SFI and emotional abuse, especially overcontrol. Although SFI is often seen as …

Grade 6–8 Teacher Perceptions Regarding Teacher Resiliency Factors In A Northeastern State’S Public Middle Schools, Melanie Totten-Jonas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher attrition presents a significant challenge for Northeastern State Middle School Districts (NSMSD), threatening educational stability and student outcomes. This qualitative study examined Grade 6–8 teachers’ perceptions of resilience as a factor influencing their decisions to remain in the teaching profession. Grounded in resilience theory, the study explored how teachers overcame professional challenges and identified supports that promoted retention, addressing a gap in existing research. Using a basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 purposefully selected middle school teachers from NSMSD. Reflexive thematic analysis using open coding revealed five key themes: individual resilience factors, relational supports and collegial …

Clinicians’ Perceptions Of Restorative Justice And Community-Based Intervention Programs For Juvenile Offenders, Jacque Timberlake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The main goals of restorative justice and community-based intervention programs include reducing reoffending behavior, successful reintegration, and yielding greater satisfaction among participants. Although clinicians play a vital role in conducting rehabilitation methods for youth offenders, the problem was a lack of literature that explored clinicians’ perceptions of implementing more effective alternatives such as restorative justice and community-based intervention programs. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore clinicians’ perceptions of administering rehabilitative interventions for youth offenders, specifically in reducing recidivism, adequately addressing mental health concerns, and evaluating overall program effectiveness. The risk-need responsivity model and the good lives …