Digital Commons Network^™

African American Superintendents’ Reflections Of Their Lived Experiences To Become Superintendent, Terrell M. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through the study was the underrepresentation of African American superintendents in public school districts across the United States. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore African American superintendents’ descriptions of their lived experiences becoming and being superintendent and to gather their reflections on the underrepresentation. Elements of Super’s developmental self-concept theory and cultural identity literature formed the framework. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 active, former, or retired African American superintendents who came from K-12 public school districts across the United States and had a minimum of 3 years in the superintendency. Open coding …

Nurse Managers’ Effective Strategies For Retaining Nurses, Sharina Johnson-King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective strategies for retaining registered nurses (RNs) can lead to negative business and patient care outcomes. High RN turnover rates pose a challenge for nurse managers, as they can reduce the quality of patient care and strain healthcare resources. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies nurse managers use to successfully retain RNs. The participants were 11 nurse managers in the Southeastern United States who had retained their full-time RNs for 2 years. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of Health Resources and Services Administration data. Through thematic …

Cultural Competency When Providing Intimate Partner Violence Assistance, Deanna Lashawn Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health crisis that disproportionately affects African American and Latina women due to systemic barriers, cultural stigmas, and inadequate culturally competent support services. This qualitative study explored the experiences of English-speaking African American and Latina women aged 23 to 60 in seeking culturally competent assistance for IPV in the United States. Using a generic qualitative research design and relational-cultural theory as a theoretical framework, this study examined how cultural beliefs and values influence help-seeking behaviors and the perceived adequacy of IPV support services. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 participants who had previously …

Physical Activity, Smokeless Tobacco, Urban/Rural Status And E-Cigarette Use Among African American Young Adults, Destiny Britt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The growing prevalence of e-cigarette use is fueled by the false belief that they are safer than traditional cigarettes. African American adults aged 18 and older are disproportionately impacted by tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Little research focuses specifically on e-cigarette use among young African Americans, examining how factors like physical activity, smokeless tobacco, and urban/rural status influence their usage. This study aimed to investigate these influences while considering gender, academic level, alcohol and marijuana use, cigarette smoking, and anxiety/depression as controlling factors. Using the social ecological model (SEM), the research sought to understand how environmental factors interact with individual behaviors, …

Exploring Juvenile Probation Officers' Perception Of Strategies To Reduce Juvenile Recidivism In Southeastern Michigan, Nikaya Cecelia Robin Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The high rate of juvenile recidivism in southeastern Michigan poses a threat to the safety of the community as well as a challenge to the juvenile probation officers (JPOs) who supervise them. The literature is abundant with data on juvenile recidivism; however, little is known about JPO’s perceptions on the efficacy of strategies and practices that aid in the rehabilitation of juvenile probationers. Grounded in both social learning and social bond theoretical frameworks, the purpose of this study was to explain how behavior is learned through processes of observation and the significance of positive bonds in minimizing delinquent behavior. The …

Racialization Of Urban Black Middle School Students From The Perspective Of Middle School Teachers: A Phenomenological Study In Central And Southeast Michigan, Bryan L. Spencer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Education and Human Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Bryan L. Spencer has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Michael Langlais, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Matthew Hertenstein, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2025   Racialization of Urban Black Middle School Students from the Perspective of Middle School Teachers: A Phenomenological Study in Central and Southeast Michigan by Bryan L. Spencer MPhil, Walden …

Experiences And Behavioral And Psychological Characteristics Of U.S. Parents Who Affirm The Tgnc Identity Of Their Child, Brison Scholar Lee Downing

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Discrimination remains a problem faced by many transgender and nonconforming (TGNC) individuals. Support for these individuals has increased significantly in recent years; however, there is no substitute for the love of family, especially parents and caregivers. Affirming a child’s TGNC identity is a challenge for some parents, who may experience feelings of loneliness and isolation from challenges related to being a parent of a TGNC child. The purpose of the generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences and behavioral and psychological characteristics of parents who had successfully affirmed the TGNC identity of their child. Guided by parent developmental theory, …

Exploring Cybersecurity Policy Compliance Strategies To Secure E-Government Systems, Michael Oyedele Arowosegbe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian government organizations face significant challenges in complying with cybersecurity policies, threatening the security and efficiency of their e-government systems. IT leadership groups are concerned that compliance issues could lead to data breaches, service disruptions, and diminished public trust, ultimately hindering economic growth and digital transformation efforts. This qualitative multiple-case study, framed through the lens of neo-institutional theory, aimed to explore the cybersecurity policies and effective compliance strategies employed by information security officers to secure e-government systems against cyberattacks. The participants consisted of nine information security officers from three information security-certified government institutions in central Nigeria. Data collection included semi-structured …

Effects Of Foreign Aid On Developing Countries: Case Of Turkana County, Kenya, Baraka M. Akeyo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite substantial foreign aid investments in road construction projects in Turkana County, Kenya, anticipated benefits of improved access to social facilities, economic development, and rural and urban growth have not been fully realized. This study involved assessing the impact of foreign aid for road construction in Turkana County. Grounded in the social constructivism perspective, the research acknowledges subjective realities shaped by individual and societal experiences. The agency theory served as the theoretical foundation, framing the donor-recipient relationship as one where donors act as principals imposing conditions on recipient communities as agents. The study addressed the central research question: What is …

Do Universities Choose The Right Strategies For X Engagement? The Case Of Six Universities In Thailand, Mathupayas Thongmak

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand how Thai public universities engage their stakeholders on X (the social media platform previously known as Twitter). This article answers the following research questions: 1) What are the X message strategies of six public universities? 2) Do they choose the most effective strategies to drive X engagement in terms of favorites and reposts?

Method: Data was automatically collected using anX analytic tool, and the potential variables were extracted semi-automatically using tools appropriate to text mining, sentiment analysis, word cloud, and so on. Posts from six universities in Thailand were investigated.

Results: …

Strategies Head Start Program Managers Use To Acquire External Funding During Economic Downturns, Judith Angella Maxwell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Head Start programs risk limited external funding due to economic downturns, leading to difficulty managing programs effectively and competitively. Head Start program managers will continue to struggle if they do not develop strategies to acquire external financial support in response to economic downturns, like the COVID-19 pandemic, while enhancing staff and student experiences. Grounded in the resource-based view theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study research project was to explore the strategies employed by Head Start program managers to effectively acquire external financial support in response to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were …

Strategies U.S. Hospital Leaders Use To Recruit, Hire, And Retain Physicians To Sustain Profitability, Terence Christopher Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor physician retention negatively impacts the quality of community healthcare, leading to financial losses and increased operational costs for hospitals. Hospital administrators and the governing boards are particularly concerned with addressing this issue to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery. Grounded in the Hertzberg’s two factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that hospital administrators can utilize to improve physician retention. The participants included eight high-ranking hospital administrators within the geographic region of North Carolina who had an active role in provider retention. Data was collected using semistructured interviews, identify five critical themes: (a) implement mentorship, …

Capital Structure Strategies For Catalyzing The Growth Of Mining Companies In Developing Countries, Pepe Kalombo Kapompa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of effective strategies to develop capital structures affects operational profit and growth. Consequently, leaders of mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo are concerned about the significant financial losses resulting from these deficiencies. Grounded in trade-off theory of capital structure, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that leaders of mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo used to develop capital structures that enhance operational profit and growth. The participants included three business leaders from three mining companies who successfully implemented such strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company …

Strategies For Independent Restaurant Business Leaders In The United States To Retain Employees, Ayman Hussein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover poses a significant threat to the stability and growth of businesses, particularly in the restaurant industry. Independent restaurant owners and managers are especially concerned about the consequences of high turnover rates, which can negatively impact their operations. This includes disruptions in productivity, declines in profitability, and diminished competitiveness, all of which undermine the long-term viability of their establishments. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies employed by leaders of independent U.S. restaurants to retain employees. The participants included 10 leaders from independent Florida-based restaurants, each with at least …

School Counselor Wellness And Organizational Support, Pamela Spence Robinson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Wellness is at the core of the counselor profession, yet school counselors face daily wellness challenges in the environments in which they work. Organizational support in the form of supervision and school support has been shown to mediate burnout, yet research had not investigated its mediating role in school counselor wellness. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between school counselor organizational support, as measured by the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support-Short Form, and school counselor wellness, as measured by the Helping Professional Wellness Discrepancy Scale, in a sample of 78 practicing school counselors. Results of …

Strategies For Improving The Transition Process Home After Skilled Nursing For Chronically Ill Residents Who Are 65 Years Or Older, Tawauna Renea Mcclendon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

When skilled nursing facilities fail to implement, enforce, and follow up with the discharge planning process before and after the resident transitions home, it can lead to a hospital admission. The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize the literature to identify how the chronic care model (CCM) can support skilled nursing facilities with the pre- and postdischarge planning process and make recommendations for strategy or policy revisions. The review question was focused on determining how the CCM can be effectively implemented within SNFs to optimize pre- and postdischarge planning for residents with chronic conditions and what strategy revisions …

Exploring The Adaptation And Implementation Of Social–Emotional Learning Programs, Jennifer Poteet

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher led social–emotional learning programs are implemented in a variety of ways to mitigate the effects of school bullying, however little attention has been paid to their academic impact on middle school students. The theories and/or concepts that grounded this study include Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) ecological theory and social cognitive theory. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the impact of Second Step, a social–emotional learning program with 16,166 middle school students. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between student gender, ethnicity, Second Step program participation, and program fidelity on the students’ mathematics and reading assessment …

Successful Strategies Used By Perfusion Managers To Increase Retention Of Perfusionists, Michelle Jaskula-Dybka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perfusion managers face challenges in retaining skilled perfusionists which can impact the continuity of care and overall hospital efficiency. Effective perfusionist retention strategies are important to perfusion managers who aim to mitigate employee turnover. Grounded in the job demands-resources model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore the successful retention strategies that some perfusion managers used in the United States. The participants were five perfusion managers who had successfully retained a team of perfusionists for at least 1 year. Data were collected through digital semistructured interviews and publicly available documents. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. …

Improving Care For Psychiatric Patients In Rural Emergency Departments, Tonya Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to an increase in the presentation of adults with mental health crises and substance use disorders in rural emergency departments (EDs), solutions should focus on the enhancement of patient outcomes, improving the quality of care, health conditions, and overall patient experience. The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize international evidence associated with initiatives to improve ED care identified through the concepts of the Donabedian framework model that can support ED managers in implementing evidence-based interventions to improve behavioral healthcare in rural EDs. An integrative review of literature published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted. The findings of …

Successful Leadership Strategies Used By Front-Line Leaders In Crises, Robi Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unskilled front-line leaders in the production industry can contribute to operational inefficiencies and delays in crisis response. Effective crisis management requires front-line leaders to employ evidence-based leadership strategies that enhance organizational resilience. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore successful leadership strategies front-line leaders use for crisis management. The participants were seven front-line leaders in the central Mississippi production industry who successfully implemented leadership strategies for crisis management. Data were collected using semistructured virtual interviews and a review of public documents related to crisis management, public safety policies, and code of …

Experiences Of Grandparenting During Covid-19 For Grandparents Geographically Distanced From Their Grandchildren, Eva Louise Benevit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 2015, the number of retirees relocating after retirement has increased significantly, leading grandparents to be distant from their grandchildren. Isolation and distance from families has increased due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to high rates of loneliness and isolation for older adults. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore experiences during COVID-19 for grandparents geographically distanced from their grandchildren. This research was grounded using Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory, with a focus on the maturity stage, and thematic analysis was used to guide interviews and analysis. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit five …

Educating Staff To Use World Health Organization Hand Hygiene Guidelines To Decrease Health Care-Associated Infection, Edith Kplivi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary The Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a practice-focused initiative to address increased hospital-associated infections (HAIs) in an outpatient mental health facility. Improper hand hygiene significantly contributes to the spread of HAIs, negatively affecting patient outcomes, increasing healthcare costs, and decreasing patient satisfaction. The practice-focused question was: For nursing staff in an outpatient clinic, will education focused on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on hand hygiene increase knowledge toward the goal of decreasing HAIs? In collaboration with project site leadership, I identified the following gap in practice: Though fundamental hand hygiene practices may be known to healthcare workers, …

Strategies To Obtain Working Capital For Small Businesses, Solomon Ambili Atamaya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inability to obtain working capital can affect small business continuity, especially in the long term. Small business owners must be able to access working capital or else risk business survival through liquidity shortages, lost customers, and falling profitability. Grounded in the pecking order theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore the strategies employed by small business owners to obtain working capital for business continuity beyond five years. The participants were eight small business owners in Maryland who had successful strategies to obtain working capital for business continuity beyond five years. Data were collected through semistructured …

Clinical Specialists’ Perceptions Of Their Ability To Diagnose Autism In Toddlers, Donna Morgan Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism is diagnosable by a clinical specialist, and toddlers who receive an early diagnosis by a clinical specialist are more likely to receive the appropriate early intervention services and supports that meet their needs. However, researchers have found that clinical specialists have doubts regarding the accuracy of their diagnoses in toddlers. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to provide an understanding of clinical specialists’ perceptions of their abilities to make an early diagnosis of autism in toddlers. Self-efficacy theory served as the theoretical framework. Semi-structured interview data were collected from 12 clinical psychologists with experience diagnosing autism in …

Quality Improvement Initiative Addressing Job Satisfaction Among Nursing Staff Through Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Jagjeet Kaur

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The global shortage of nurses has become a pressing issue affecting both developed and developing nations. This widespread scarcity poses significant challenges for the entire nursing profession. The 2023 National Nursing Workforce Survey revealed that an overwhelming 91% of nurses believe the shortage is worsening. As a result, many countries are becoming increasingly worried about their capacity to recruit and retain nursing professionals. The practice-focused question for this project was: Will a mindfulness-based stress reduction education assist nurses in incorporating mindfulness in their daily routine? The primary aim of this project was to enhance job satisfaction among nurses, with the …

The Healing Potential Of The Use Of Racial Socialization By School Counselors For African American Students, Vameker Banks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American adolescents experience racial discrimination incidents more frequently than their peers from other racial backgrounds. Racial socialization (RS) has been proven to be effective in assisting African American youth in coping with racial stressors. School counselors play a crucial role in supporting African American youth dealing with race-related stress (RRS). Research has focused on the use of RS among African American parents and children, yet there is a research gap regarding the use of RS among school counselors. Further research is necessary to explore how school counselors implement RS to help students cope with and respond to stressful discriminatory …

Integrating Information And Communication Technologies To Enhance High School Students’ Research Capabilities, Kareen Marie E. Palines, Jenie Mary U. Moreno, Aron G. Tatlonghari, Ruth Ortega-Dela Cruz

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Integrating information and communication technologies into research curricula can help students become more proficient researchers. Students need strong research capabilities in the modern educational environment to handle the challenges of information access and analysis. This article reveals the results of a study that explored the use of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS), a program developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for use in public schools in the Philippines. The study investigated the effect of this technology on 36 purposefully selected Grade 9 students working on science investigatory projects in the Science, …

Adult Sexual Grooming: A Systematic Review, Christin Aletky, Bonita Sharma, Jose Carbajal, Tia Eubank

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Grooming is the manipulation and intimidation of people into acts that may appear consensual but are in fact exploitative and harmful, activities they would not have chosen otherwise. Different legal definitions and shifting social perspectives on consent complicate efforts to determine whether a given behavior is a result of informed consent or a response to grooming behaviors. Most studies on grooming and sexual assault focus on adults grooming and abusing children—research on adults grooming other adults is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to conduct a systematic review of current research on the grooming of adults. We used …

Guardians Or Bystanders? Examining School Shooting Responses In The Southern United States, Andre L. Tompkins Ed.D.

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

School shootings challenge educational safety, demanding effective leadership strategies. The Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers, heightened concerns about campus vulnerabilities, urging administrators to prioritize student protection. I performed a qualitative study interviewing principals, teachers, parents, and community leaders to examine their experiences addressing campus threats. The findings revealed three themes: (1) ineffective leadership affects campus safety, (2) prompt actions enhance trust in leadership, and (3) connecting with others enhances safety. In this study, I spotlight the crucial role that proactive leadership plays in building the coalitions needed to …

Preanalytical Errors, Analytical Errors, And Postanalytical Errors And The Financial Performance Of Hospitals, Rachele Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital administrators and financial decision-makers face ongoing challenges in maintaining positive operating margins, which are critical for sustaining healthcare services and delivering high-quality patient care. Errors in clinical laboratory testing—preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical—can lead to inefficiencies, increased costs, and reduced financial performance. Grounded in total quality management, the purpose of this quantitative correlation study was to examine the relationship between preanalytical errors, analytical errors, and postanalytical errors and hospital operating margin. The participants were clinical laboratory leaders who completed an anonymous survey using Survey Monkey as a data collection tool. The sample size for this study included 77 participants. The …