Digital Commons Network^™

Career Transitions In Sport, T. Brandt, N. Harmsen, W. Walsh, Kimberlee Bethany Bonura, N. Galli

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The transition out of sport prompts an identity change for the athlete. When putting an end to their sporting career, an athlete loses an important part of themselves, particularly if they have been training and competing in their sport for much of their life. This may apply to the youth athlete who will not compete in college, the collegiate athlete who will not compete professionally, and the professional athlete who is retiring. Because athletes spend a great deal of time training and devoting themselves to their sport, they may not have time for exploration of activities or careers outside of …

Small Enterprise Strategies In An Unstable Public Environment, Daryl Green, Thomas Kohntopp

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Many small business owners in the United States dream about getting a large contract with the federal government, feeling that their lives would be easier if they did. Ironically, there have been numerous occasions where small businesses have gone out of business after being overwhelmed by a government contract. This case study addresses how small businesses can improve their survival and success rate in the public sector with a strategic approach to their operations. It begins by discussing the preparation that goes into federal contracting by small businesses. Case examples of four American companies involved in contracting with the Department …

Health Care Clinicians' Compliance With Conducting Spiritual Assessments And Providing Spiritual Care To Infertile Women, Lesa Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Infertility is a disease that can cause psychological impairments in women, and the inability to achieve motherhood brings about cultural and social stigma. Spirituality is a protective element that may provide consolation to women experiencing infertility, yet the literature has shown that few clinicians conduct spirituality assessments or provide spiritual care to patients. The objectives of this scholarly project were to conduct an assessment to determine the needs of health care clinicians in regard to spirituality and spiritual patient care and to develop an educational module based on identified knowledge deficits. Guided by the knowledge-to-action cycle, a needs assessment was …

A Model For Hiv Disclosure Of A Parent's And/Or A Child's Illness, Gary J. Burkholder Jr, Grace Gachanja

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

HIV prevalence in Kenya remains steady at 5.6% for adults 15 years and older, and 0.9% among children aged below 14 years. Parents and children are known to practice unprotected sex, which has implications for continued HIV spread within the country. Additionally, due to increased accessibility of antiretroviral therapy, more HIV-positive persons are living longer. Therefore, the need for HIV disclosure of a parent's and/or a child's HIV status within the country will continue for years to come. We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study to understand the entire process of disclosure from the time of initial HIV diagnosis of an …

Transforming Care Of The Behavioral Health Patient In An Emergency Department Setting, Theresa J. Kubiel

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract

Transforming Care of the Behavioral Health Patient in an Emergency Department Setting

by

Theresa J. Kubiel

MSN, Walden University, 2009

BSN, Bloomfield College, 2002

AAS, Ocean County College, 1992

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

January 2016

Abstract

Behavioral and mental health issues contribute to the needs of many patients presenting to emergency departments, and yet these needs often go unrecognized. Patient processing procedures in emergency departments may not include mechanisms to consistently identify and triage patients whose care is complicated by behavioral illness. The purpose of …

Changing Embedded Student Attitudes Within A Mathematical Setting, Ruth Collins

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Existing student attitudes and beliefs about mathematics often block student learning and deep understanding of mathematical content in the college classroom (e.g. preservice elementary teachers). Changes in pedagogy, classroom participation, and curriculum were infused into two college mathematics classes for preservice teachers and the attitudinal beliefs of these preservice teachers were assessed to measure change after a course intervention.

Integration Of Place-Based Education Into Science Classes From Prekindergarten Through Grade 5, Terri A. Wade-Lyles

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Abstract In a large urban district in Ohio, 29.2% of Grade 5, 28.7% of Grade 8, and 45.7% of Grade 10 students passed the state test in science. School district administrators formed a community partnership with local science institutions in order to provide students with hands-on place-based learning experiences intended to improve science academic achievement in PK-Grade 5. The purpose of this qualitative program evaluation was to determine the level of implementation of that place-based program by examining the efficacy of the teachers’ embedded professional development and their experiences with the training components. Bruner’s theory of cognitive development was used …

Professional Doctorates 2016: Updates And Further Recommendations, Walden University Professional Doctorate Working Group 2

White Papers

The charge to this second working group was to examine the 2012 recommendations and clarify Walden’s position on professional doctorates. Unlike the first effort that addressed differences between professional and academic doctorates, the expectations for this group were to focus on the commonalities in the university’s professional doctorates; set clear and consistent definitions, standards, and requirements for our professional doctorates; and link those programs to employment paths more directly. From the outset, the working group acknowledged that any outcome will be a “living document” that continues to be refined as discussion continues in the university community.

Evaluation Of A Temporary, Immersive Learning Community Based On Worldschooling, Aimee Ferraro

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Learning communities are a proven method for engaging groups of people who share common goals for personal growth and knowledge acquisition (Gabelnick, MacGregor, Matthews, & Smith, 1990; Taylor, Moore, MacGregor, & Lindblad, 2003). However, little is known about the usefulness of this approach in the context of alternative education. This article describes the evaluation of a temporary, immersive learning community for self-directed teen learners, Project World School (PWS), which was based on a new, pedagogical approach to learning called worldschooling. Findings indicate that regardless of demographic characteristics and personal interests, PWS attendees experienced learning and progress in three main areas: …

Parents And Teachers’ Perceptions And Clinical Diagnosis Of Autism Among White And Non-White Groups, Margaret Gopaul

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The pervasiveness of autism has significantly increased over the past 2 decades with the 2014 Center for Disease Control and Prevention report indicating 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Early intervention is recommended as the most effective treatment approach. Nevertheless, previous research has indicated that White children are diagnosed with ASD about 1.5 years earlier than are Non-White children. A current gap remains in literature regarding ASD and different racial groups, and evidence has been inconclusive regarding disparities in identifying and diagnosing ASD. To fill this gap, this study investigated the relationship between child race, …

Pregnancy With Psoriasis: What New Parents Need To Know, Debra Henline Sullivan, Deborah Weatherspoon, Christopher Weatherspoon

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects a substantial number of women annually during pregnancy and childbirth. Some of these women will need and seek guidance before or during their pregnancies and during lactation. The childbirth educator needs a basic knowledge base and ability to answer questions that may arise regarding psoriasis during the childbirth experience. This article will define psoriasis and its effects on pregnancy and childbirth, consider genetic concerns, and explore treatment options.

Multilingual Multicultural Multimedia: Transforming Higher Education Through Transdisciplinary Action Research Projects, Melda N. Yildiz

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Situated within the context of higher education, this study outlines of use of participatory action research in developing global competencies, critical thinking, and 21st-century skills among students and showcases their transformative, inclusive, multilingual, multicultural research projects across content areas. This participatory action research study aims to advance scientific knowledge of transformative critical pedagogy as a means to promote heutagogy through the lens of innovative technologies in a global education context while redefining education and developing a “transformative educator model.”

Using Multi-Theory Model For Physical Activity Behavior Change, Manoj Sharma

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem. College students are a vulnerable group. This study was aimed at using multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change to predict physical activity behavior change in college students. Regression revealed that 26% of the variance in the initiation of physical activity was explained by advantages outweighing disadvantages, behavioral confidence, work status, and changes in physical environment. About 30% of the variance in sustenance of physical activity was explained by emotional transformation, practice for change, and changes in social environment.

An Empirical Investigation Of Wyoming Fourth Grade Math Assessment Scores, Keren Meister-Emerich

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Newspaper articles and school/district reports often give only descriptive information about scores on annual statewide assessments. Public data will be used to answer research questions and test hypotheses about fourth grade math scores for Laramie County School District #1 (LCSD#1) fourth grade students using chi-square analysis.

A Cross-Regional Comparison Of Fabricated Metals' Manufacturing Sector Resiliency, Linda Ann Holt

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Fabricated metals manufacturing employment in the U.S. declined after the 2008 recession. Within a complex adaptive systems framework, this study compared job loss patters and workforce composition for two geographic regions. Statistically significant differences in post-recession recovery patterns and workforce demographics pointed to targeted economic incentive developments for regional manufacturing sectors.

Evolution Of Physician-Centric Business Models Under The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act, Tanya Nix, Lynn Szostek

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

For decades, the cost of medical care in the United States has increased exponentially. United States citizens spend twice as much as their European counterparts on medical care. Congress enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to ensure affordable healthcare to the citizens of the United States. PPACA legislation is creating a new paradigm in healthcare delivery and provider business models. The purpose of this case study was to explore physicians’ perspectives regarding physician-centric business models evolving under the requirements of the PPACA legislation. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews and questionnaires with a purposive sample of 75 …

E-Government Initiatives Case Study: New Models For Success, Douglass P. Smith

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

This case study examines the efforts of a mid-tier, cabinet-level state agency to transform its constituency services to be more effective using information technology. The agency, based in a rural Midwestern state, faced increased scrutiny to raise accuracy, lower wait times, decrease expenditures, increase constituency satisfaction, and expand services to the state. To meet these challenges, the agency conducted a series of meetings to determine best possible opportunities for change and decided that technology solutions, which supported their business vision of the future, would be the foundation for that change. Redesigning core organizational processes—using several technologies such as e-commerce, content …

A Case Study Exploration Of Blue-Collar Worker Retirement Plan Investment Decisions, Mark Griffin, Steven Tippins

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

The finances of blue-collar workers were the most acutely impacted as these workers lost their jobs during the Great Recession of 2007 through 2009. The literature revealed a minimal understanding of how blue-collar workers allocated funds for their retirement, and what their investments might be when they invested. To address this problem, the current qualitative study addressed (a) how blue-collar workers chose to invest or not invest for retirement and (b) how blue-collar workers diversified their portfolio if they chose to invest. Theoretical foundations of the study were based on regret theory and prospect theory. A nonrandom purposeful sample of …

Maternal And Child Health Access Disparities Among Recent African Immigrants In The United States, Bakali Mukasa

2010-2016 Archived Posters

Health care disparities and U.S. national public health concerns and disproportionately affect minority populations. Analysis of published studies on the health of larger immigrant populations from Europe, Asia, South American, and the Caribbean revealed a knowledge gap on the health of African and other minority immigrants. This phenomenological study of 11 recent African immigrants concerned access to maternal and child health (MCH) care as well as the causes and effects of disparities to care-seeking experiences. The results may support interventions to improve health care access and health outcomes of minority immigrants in the United States and beyond.

Predictors Of Latino English Learners’ Reading Comprehension Proficiency, David A. Hernandez, Theresa A. Grasparil

2010-2016 Archived Posters

There is a gap in reading comprehension proficiency between English learners and their English-speaking peers. This study examined the strength of three significant predictors of reading comprehension—oral English proficiency, oral reading fluency, and academic vocabulary knowledge. Spending more instructional time on developing students’ skills in the strongest predictor, academic vocabulary knowledge, may reduce the achievement gap.

The Association Between Osteoporosis And Early Menopause Following Hysterectomy, Mia Meeyaong-Won Botkin

2010-2016 Archived Posters

This study is to examine the association between osteoporosis and demographic and behavioral factors in women of age 50 and older who had undergone hysterectomies prior to reaching natural menopause. The 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was analyzed using multiple logistic regressions analysis. Osteoporosis was inversely associated with demographic and behavioral factors. Non-Hispanic Whites of the age of 36-45 at the time of the hysterectomies were significantly associated with osteoporosis. This study may drive positive social change by facilitating public health to promote and implement effective behavioral interventions in women.

2016 Walden University Research Symposium, Walden University

2010-2016 Archived Programs

Welcome to the 2016 Walden University Research Symposium. The Walden University Research Symposium is an annual event that showcases research projects from our academic community, especially work by our recent graduates. The presentations at a symposium appear in two different formats. Poster presentations provide an opportunity for researchers to engage with all individuals attending the symposium and potentially to network with other interested researchers. Using a roundtable presentation format, a select group of researchers is available for interactive discussions of their work, with handouts and visual materials available to support the discussion. This year’s roundtable presenters are focused specifically on …

2015-2016 Social Change Review, Social Change Working Group

Social Change Impact Report

The 2015 Review of Social Change at Walden University identifies a number of initiatives that were put in place during 2015 to actualize and support the social change portion of the university mission. Many of these initiatives implemented proposals offered during the Special Emphasis Self-Study that was part of The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaccreditation project of 2012. One of the most important social change initiatives in 2015 emerged from discussions among Walden’s Board of Directors, president, and leadership teams, who agreed that Walden will move forward with development and implementation of a 5-year action plan to more fully realize …

Terrorist Experts’ Perceptions Of How The Internet Has Shaped International Terrorism, Samuel F. Wilson Ii, Teresa M. Lao Ph.D., Ernesto Escobedo Dr.

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

The use of the Internet by terrorists has greatly contributed to international terrorism. The Internet is a main strategic communication asset for terrorists who use online message boards and chat rooms to share information, coordinate attacks, spread propaganda, raise money, and recruit. The Internet gives terrorists a medium to legitimize, propagate, and intimidate citizens to their cause. Their strategies are based on careful analysis of human communications; thus, messages are adapted and carefully delivered to appeal to people who may need something to believe in. This study bridged the gap in knowledge by exploring, understanding, and explaining the perceptions of …

Law Enforcement Officers' Experiences Of Exposure To Trauma, Michelle B. Nirenberg, Robyn Trippany-Simmons, Tiffany C. Rush-Wilson

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Violent, traumatic, and stressful work situations are common for law enforcement officers (LEOs). LEOs are susceptible to stressful situations that impact their emotions and have the ability to affect job performance. This phenomenological study focused on identification of how traumatic incidents affected 10 LEOs from 2 rural law enforcement agencies from a rural community in the southeastern United States. Participants were interviewed regarding the experience of how encountering or witnessing traumatic events impacted their emotions during and after the incident, coping mechanisms they implemented, views on seeking mental health treatment, and importance of peer support. Findings indicated that LEOs expressed …

Predicting Mathematics Teachers' Acceptance Of Reflective Blogging To Improve Instruction, Diana Sue Fesmire

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An internal district audit identified that a rural, socioeconomically disadvantaged Southwestern school district has a lack of congruent and consistent implementation of the Common Core State Standards in mathematics. Innovative and cost-saving avenues for professional development (PD), such as reflective blogging, foster teacher learning to reconcile the enacted curriculum with the intended curriculum. This correlational study investigated the predictive power of technology acceptance and motivation constructs on reflective mathematics teachers' social media use intention and participation in informal, virtual Communities of Practice (vCoP). The framework that guided this study is the unified acceptance and use of technology and self-determination theory. …

Determining Small Business Cybersecurity Strategies To Prevent Data Breaches, Jennifer Saber

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cybercrime is one of the quickest growing areas of criminality. Criminals abuse the speed, accessibility, and privacy of the Internet to commit diverse crimes involving data and identity theft that cause severe damage to victims worldwide. Many small businesses do not have the financial and technological means to protect their systems from cyberattack, making them vulnerable to data breaches. This exploratory multiple case study, grounded in systems thinking theory and routine activities theory, encompassed an investigation of cybersecurity strategies used by 5 small business leaders in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The data collection process involved open-ended online questionnaires, semistructured face-to-face interviews, …

Mindful Fitness: Guidelines For Prenatal Practice, Kimberlee Bethany Bonura

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Mindfulness exercise practices offer a form of physical activity which is uniquely suited to support both psychological and physical health during pregnancy. Mindfulness exercise practices, which include yoga, qi gong, tai chi, and martial art forms such as kung fu, karate, and tae kwon do, combine physical activity with deliberate breathing exercises and focused attentional strategies. The purpose of this article is to review the various forms of mindfulness exercise and outline basic guidelines for mindfulness exercise training during pregnancy.

Sensory-Based Calming Strategies For Infants, Leann Stadtlander

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Crying in infants is a normal physiological response; however, prolonged crying can produce a great deal of frustration and stress for new parents, and has been found to be related to shaken baby syndrome. Offering parents a range of calming options for their infants gives them a sense of control and connection to the infant. The process of calming their crying baby boosts parents’ confidence, creates a growing sense of trust within the infant, and sets the foundation for establishing a positive parent-infant relationship. This article explores sensory-based calming techniques and provides resources for parents, as well as, the childbirth …

A Model For Hiv Disclosure Of A Parent’S And/Or A Child’S Illness, Grace Gachanja, Gary Burkholder

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

HIV prevalence in Kenya remains steady at 5.6% for adults 15 years and older, and 0.9% among children aged below 14 years. Parents and children are known to practice unprotected sex, which has implications for continued HIV spread within the country. Additionally, due to increased accessibility of antiretroviral therapy, more HIV-positive persons are living longer. Therefore, the need for HIV disclosure of a parent’s and/or a child’s HIV status within the country will continue for years to come. We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study to understand the entire process of disclosure from the time of initial HIV diagnosis of an …