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Exploring Lived Experiences And Perceptions Of Individuals With Substance-Use Disorder Recovery Management From A Biopsychosocial Perspective, Robin Carter Priest

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance-use disorder (SUD) poses significant biological, psychological, and sociological impacts that negatively affect areas of employment, health, family systems, and interactions with social welfare and legal agencies. Although there has been research on SUD treatment, relapse rates remain high at approximately 40%–75%, demonstrating a gap in the literature involving individuals who completed SUD treatment and continuation or management of recovery. Grounded in phenomenological theory and through a biopsychosocial lens, this qualitative study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of individuals with substance-use disorder managing their recovery. Data were collected from 8 individuals who completed partial hospitalization or intensive-outpatient levels of …

Effective Strategies For The Implementation Of Environmental Social And Governance Initiatives To Improve Brand Value, Charity Ndisengei

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some business leaders lack effective strategies to develop and implement their organization’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives to improve the value of the organization’s brand. Business leaders, in particular, are concerned with balancing the improvement of brand value while addressing stakeholder expectations and navigating regulatory complexities. Grounded in institutional and legitimacy theories, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies for the implementation of ESG initiatives to improve brand value. Participants included five senior leaders from the energy, nonprofit, technology, and consulting sectors who had implemented ESG initiatives. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and …

Consumer Behavior-Based Strategies Small Business Leaders Use To Increase Online Sales Revenues, Alexander Sakharov

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many small business leaders struggle to tailor online strategies that drive demand, limiting growth and differentiation in competitive digital markets. Business leaders must adopt data-informed, customer-centered approaches that align digital marketing efforts with consumer behavior and market expectations. Grounded in social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the online shopping marketing strategies that some small business marketing leaders use to increase demand for products and services. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with six small business leaders from Vancouver, British Columbia; Toronto, Ontario; and Seattle, Washington. The four main themes identified using thematic analysis …

Improving Staff Knowledge On Hourly Rounding Using The 4ps To Reduce The Fall Rate, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

I designed this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project to develop an educational program that increases staff knowledge of hourly rounding using an evidence-based approach, specifically pain, position, potty, and possession (the 4Ps), to prevent falls among residents in a long-term care facility. According to facility leadership, the observed gap in practice was the nursing staff members’ lack of knowledge in performing hourly rounding. The facility’s fall records for the lockdown units indicated a surge in fall rate, with 32 falls among 62 residents per month, reflecting a need for action. The practice-focused question guiding the project was: For staff …

College Persistence And Tribal Nation-Building Among American Indian Undergraduate Students, Brittany Ann Boone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study was that little is known regarding attempts at higher education persistence and tribal nation-building affecting each other among American Indian (AI) undergraduate college students in Oklahoma. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of AI undergraduate students enrolled at a college or university in Oklahoma regarding higher education persistence and tribal nation-building. Astin’s theory of student involvement was the conceptual framework that guided this study because of its focus on the connection between student involvement and persistence. The research question addressed how AI undergraduate students describe their experiences …

Active Learning And Nclex-Rn Pass Rate On First Attempt In Bsn And Adn Programs, Janette Tingson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Failing the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt affects not only the students and their families but also nursing programs. To increase NCLEX-RN pass rates, nursing programs are shifting from traditional teaching to active learning in their aim to produce nursing graduates who will pass the NCLEX-RN exams on the first attempt. The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study, guided by theory of constructivism, was to determine if there is a relationship between faculty’s use of active learning strategies (ALS) and nursing students’ NCLEX-RN pass rates on the first attempt in bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and associate degree in …

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Disproportionate Minority Contact On Minority Youth Within Juvenile Justice In Texas, Atica Helms Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disproportionate minority contact (DMC) remains a significant concern within the juvenile justice system, yet its connection to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among minority youth is underexamined. Nationally, minority youth, particularly Black youth, are disproportionately represented compared to their White peers, prompting efforts to understand and address racial and ethnic disparities in system involvement. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between DMC and ACEs within the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). Guided by general strain theory (GST), whether traumatic life experiences contribute to the disproportionate representation of minority youth was examined. The central research question was designed …

Perceptions Of Adulthood Preparation Among Individuals Who Aged Out Of The Foster Care System, Victor Torrez Dawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This generic qualitative study was focused on the lived experiences of former foster care youth and their ability to acquire and retain self-sufficiency skills during their transition to adulthood. Using Bandura’s social learning theory as a framework, the research was focused on how interpersonal relationships with caregivers, mentors, and professionals influenced the development of these skills. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 10 former foster care youth. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, and three key themes and 13 subthemes emerged highlighting both support and barriers that youth encountered. The analysis of the data revealed that …

Enhancing Disaster Response Through Mental Health Resilience: A Force Field Analysis, Veronica Portillo-Bradford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Having a post-disaster program in place can offer survivors and emergency responders support, resource navigation, and resiliency planning. Human services workers in the field aid in disaster recovery and crisis prevention. The problem is that rural Nevada is already limited on resources and workforce with respect to mental and behavioral health response and recovery services. The purpose of this study was to identify unknown gaps within mental and behavioral health services in rural and frontier Nevada, in order to focus on advocating to enhance community resilience-related services post-disaster and potentially bolster resilience and disaster response preparedness. The framework for the …

Young Adults’ Self-Perceptions Of Parenting Styles And Attachments Influencing Juvenile Criminality, Keristin Zanda Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parenting styles, parent-to-child attachments, and parental involvements are contributing factors leading to juvenile delinquency. Adolescents are committing offending acts at a younger age, recidivating, and perpetrating with peers or parents. However, there is a lack of empirical research on juvenile perceptions of parenting, juvenile criminality, and desistance implications. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to explore past juvenile criminal offenders’ lived experiences and the corresponding influence parenting styles had on their deviant behaviors. Ainsworth and Bowlby’s attachment theory, Baumrind’s parenting style theory, and Bandura’s social learning theory provided a lens for examining young adults’ perceptions of parenting related …

Playful Learning Journeys: Exploring The Perceptions And Knowledge Of Lecturers/Tutors And Student Teachers, Frank Twum, Samuel Kweku Hayford, Dandy Dampson, Johnnie Kojo Hayford

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This paper investigated the perceptions and knowledge of play-based learning (PBL) by lecturers/tutors and student teachers. Ninety lecturers/tutors (68 males, 22 females) and 363 student teachers (191 males, 172 females) participated in the study. While both lecturers/tutors and student teachers favored PBL, they had some concerns. Lecturers/tutors acknowledged the benefits of PBL, including its enhancement of memory, conceptual development, and motor skills in children. However, nearly two-thirds found it time-consuming. Student teachers were of the view PBL promoted positive student experiences. However, more than half felt PBL offered limited opportunities for their own learning during lessons. Both groups demonstrated knowledge …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Mental Health And Socio-Emotional Challenges Of English Language Learners, Nilufer Guler, Dincer Guler, Kyle Bush

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

A fast-growing percentage of students in K–12 classrooms are English language learner (ELL) students, and a large number of these students are experiencing a vast array of academic and non-academic challenges at school. Many ELL challenges involve inadequate socio-emotional learning (SEL) skill development, as well as mental health obstacles, and many schools are not equipped with the resources needed to address and resolve these challenges for ELLs.

In this study, we focus on teacher observations of the SEL and mental health challenges that K–12 students face. In the initial survey, 120 teachers participated regarding ELLs and these challenges. Following the …

Exploring Organizational Success: Strategies That Optimize Employee Performance In Small Businesses, Latoya Anthony

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee retention challenges in small businesses can undermine organizational effectiveness and profitability. Small business leaders in the Midwestern United States service industry are particularly concerned with ineffective human resource (HR) strategies, as these shortcomings often contribute to reduced workforce engagement and higher turnover. Grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore successful HR strategies that small business leaders in the Midwestern United States service industry use to sustain organizational effectiveness and overall profitability. The participants were six HR leaders from small service firms who had successfully implemented HR practices that …

Strategies Human Resource Leaders Use To Increase Employee Retention In The Automotive Industry, Kendra Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Excess turnover of personnel threatens organizational viability and long-term success. Human resource leaders need to develop strategies to increase employee retention. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theories, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore and identify successful employee retention strategies employed by human resource leaders to mitigate employee turnover. Data were collected from human resources managers using semistructured interviews and public data from companies’ websites. Through thematic analysis, four themes emerged: (a) job assignment, (b) employee feedback, (c) employee benefits, and (d) training, growth, and development. A key recommendation is for human resource …

Strategies Managers Use To Improve Employee Retention, Jeanette L. Moncure

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Addressing employee turnover and boosting retention are major challenges for companies looking to achieve long-term success. Project managers are crucial in tackling this issue, as high turnover can undermine team performance and increase operational costs. Grounded in Herzberg’s two factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore strategies that some project managers use to reduce high employee turnover. The participants included six project managers in Mississippi who had an active role in using strategies to increase employee retention. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, organizational documentation, and research statistics. Thematic analysis identified six key strategies: (a) …

Artificial Intelligence And Collaborative Learning: Impacts On Creativity, Critical Thinking, And Problem-Solving, Abderrahim Agnaou, Hayat El Asri

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

The rapid development of large anguage models (LLMs) has sparked growing interest in their potential to transform education. This study explores how LLMs influence collaborative learning, focusing on student creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collective intelligence. Specifically, it investigates whether artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted group work enhances or hinders these aspects of the learning process. We used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, structured interviews, and analysis of student project outputs. We collected data from 102 undergraduate students via questionnaires and 15 follow-up interviews, which offered deeper insight into their experiences using LLMs in team-based projects. The …

A Content Analysis Of Prison/Custodial Suicide In Bangladesh, Anisur Khan, Rasel Hussain

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Suicide is the leading cause of death in prisons and custodial settings globally. International studies have consistently shown that prisoners and detainees are at a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population. Despite Bangladesh having a large prison population, there is no scholarly work on suicide within these settings. Against this backdrop, this study explored online newspaper content analysis capturing the characteristics of prison and custodial suicide in Bangladesh from 2014–2024. A total of 20 suicide cases were identified during this period. The data were arranged based on year-wise trends, age, sex, type of custody, nature of criminality, …

Reducing Stigma And Enhancing Outcomes: An Antistigma Education Program For Mental Healthcare Professionals, Chidi Oriaku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education project that addressed the stigmatization of patients with mental illness (PMI) within psychiatric contexts. The project site healthcare organization’s mental health professionals had a high rate of stigmatization of PMI. Stigma is linked to poor medication adherence rates, delays in accessing healthcare, lower healthcare utilization among PMI, psychiatric morbidity and mortality, and poor quality of life. Despite recognizing this problem, the healthcare organization had no targeted antistigma interventions. I developed an antistigma education to improve outcomes. The practice-focused question was: In mental health staff, will an educational program on …

Effective Strategies For Increasing Diversity In Leadership To Strengthen Organizational Success, Shamirah D. Hughes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective diversity strategies for leadership roles that represent the customer base can negatively impact organizational success. Retail business leaders who struggle with achieving effective diversity in these roles risk impeding organizational performance, making it crucial for them to identify successful approaches. Grounded in the balanced scorecard theory and stakeholder theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore the practical strategies employed by some retail business leaders to enhance diverse representation in leadership roles, thereby strengthening organizational success. The participants comprised seven retail business leaders with demonstrated success in implementing such strategies. Data were collected …

Preschool Teachers’ Perspectives Regarding Children’S Aggressive Behavior And In-School Suspension, Martha Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Aggressive behavior can lead preschool students to be suspended in and out of school. The problem in this study was the high rate of in-school suspension (ISS) among preschool students in response to child aggressive behavior. Informed by Harvey’s domain model of social reasoning and social information processing, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore perspectives of preschool teachers working in childcare centers in one city in Texas regarding children’s aggressive behavior that may lead to ISS as a response to that behavior. Four research questions probed how preschool teachers describe the level of choice exercised by …

The Perceptions Of Middle School Educators Concerning Failed Proficiency In Reading And Writing By Multilingual Learners, Carolyne Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Multilingual learners (MLs) education has been a topic of study among scholars for many years. The problem that was investigated is that middle school (MS) English Language Arts (ELA) teachers are challenged to improve reading and writing instruction for MLs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the challenges MS ELA teachers face when trying to improve the reading and writing proficiency of MLs. The conceptual frameworks that guided this study were Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of literacy and Ladson-Billing’s theory on culturally relevant pedagogy. For this basic qualitative design, data were collected through 11 semistructured interviews with MS …

School Resource Officers’ Perceptions Of Their Role And The Effects Of Their Interactions With Students, Tameka Arlene Elizabeth Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The use of school resource officers (SROs)—trained police officers who have been assigned to schools—has markedly increased with the rise in school shootings in the United States. However, after several high-profile incidents of excessive force by SROs, there has been a movement toward removing them from schools. Although researchers have studied the use of SROs in schools, few have examined how the relationship between SROs and students affects students’ perceptions of the police. The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of how SROs experience their interactions with students and how those interactions affect students' perceptions of police …

Service Learning And Association To Social Responsibility And The Process Of Cultural Competence In Nursing Practice, Helene Kay Hegge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Service Learning and Association to Social Responsibility and the Process of Cultural Competence in Nursing Practice by Helene Hegge MSN, Walden University, 2011 BSN, Mount Marty University, 1986 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nursing Walden University August 2025 Cultural competence and social responsibility are essential qualities of baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Cultural competence and social responsibility can occur in nursing students following their service learning (SL) experience and remain to influence practice as a professional nurse. The purpose of this basic qualitative study using 18 individual interviews of nurses who participated in …

Strategies Of It Managers To Promote Technology Adoption In Jamaican Government Institutions, Jodie-Ann Dione Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The success of digital transformation depends on effective adoption of technology. Information technology (IT) managers and policymakers must develop robust tactics to achieve long-term acceptance and use of new technologies, as a lack of effective technology adoption strategies can hamper carefully designed digital transformation initiatives. Grounded in the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies used by IT managers to effectively promote technology adoption in Jamaican government institutions. The participants were four IT managers and practitioners in Jamaican government institutions. Data were collected from semistructured …

Postpartum Conversion Type 2 Diabetes In African American Women With Gestational Diabetes, Guerino Tondreau

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a significant public health concern in the United States, with non-Hispanic Black women bearing a disproportionately high burden of the disease. Although this group has a lower overall prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), those who develop GDM face an increased risk of progressing to T2DM. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to explore the relationship between GDM, physical activity, weight status, and T2DM development among non-Hispanic Black women. Secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, collected from 2017 through March 2020, were analyzed. The health belief model served …

Exploring The Effective Ai Adoption And Integration Strategies Technology Firm Leaders Use To Mitigate Risks And Enhance Organizational Performance, Bona Eze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance organizational performance has emerged as a fundamental focus in modern enterprises. Technology firm leaders are concerned with AI adoption and integration strategies, as poorly aligned AI approaches lead to resource wastage and the inability to achieve competitive advantages. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the effective AI adoption and integration strategies technology firm leaders use to mitigate risks and enhance organizational performance. The participants were 10 technology firm leaders who had implemented AI adoption and integration in their firms. Data were collected by conducting …

Book Review Of The Art And Science Of Connection By Kasley Killam, Harit Agroia

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The Art and Science of Social Connection by Kasley Killam presents a case for better understanding individual health by ensuring that the social aspect is considered as a significant component of health in addition to the physical and mental aspects. Killam states that social health consists of an individual’s sense of belonging, the strength of relationships, and meaningful connections. By drawing from years of evidence building, Killam argues that social health is fundamental for one to truly flourish and prosper in their life as people who have stronger social health are shown to have higher quality of life, emotional resilience, …

The Psychological Impact Of Systemic Factors On Maternal Mental Health Outcomes, V Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal mental health disparities in the United States continue to impact reproductive-age women, especially those from underserved populations. In this quantitative study, how healthcare accessibility and socioeconomic status (SES) influenced psychological stress and maternal mental health outcomes was examined. Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model and critical race theory guided the theoretical framework. Secondary data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to analyze three research questions related to the predictive relationships between systemic factors and mental health outcomes, and differences in stress across age groups. Key variables included insurance coverage, access to a personal doctor, cost-related barriers, income, employment …

Staff Education To Pediatric Healthcare Providers On How To Prevent Unintentional Childhood Injuries., Peter Cleveland Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education quality improvement Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was focused on teaching pediatric healthcare providers how to provide education during wellness visits to prevent unintentional childhood injury. The practice problem at the clinic was that pediatric providers lacked knowledge about injury prevention. A literature review showed that unintentional childhood injuries are the leading cause of death in this population. The practice-focused question determined was to determine if, after educating providers, they have improved knowledge and intent to educate their patients. I used the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation (ADDIE) model to guide this project. The participants …

Strategies To Improve Work–Life Balance Among Remote Millennials To Increase Employee Productivity, Paige Frost

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of effective strategies to improve work-life balance for remote millennial employees is a concern for healthcare leaders. Without such strategies, organizations may struggle to remain competitive and ensure sustainability. Grounded in Homans’s social exchange theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry identified and explored the effective strategies healthcare leaders use to improve work-life balance for remote millennial employees to increase productivity. Participants were six leaders of healthcare organizations located in the southeastern United States with at least 2 years of leadership experience managing remote employees. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis. …