Digital Commons Network^™

Perception Of Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury Regarding The Veterans Administration Rehabilitation Process, Kalangie J. Serrano

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There was a social work practice gap on the perceptions of veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) regarding the Veterans Administration's (VA’s) rehabilitation process in terms of its ability to enhance their vocational skills and employability. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the vocational and employment needs of military veterans with TBI and to understand their perceptions and challenges in navigating the vocational rehabilitation and employment process. Using a generic qualitative approach and ecological systems theory, data were collected through semistructured interviews with seven veterans who had participated in rehabilitation programs. Thematic analysis of the data revealed …

Attrition Experiences Among Officers In A Texas Correctional Organization, Dewanou Frejus Aisse

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) faces employee retention challenges, and recruiting and retaining correctional officers remains TDCJ’s most significant challenge and highest priority. Correctional facility leaders need to understand these challenges as indicators of workforce sustainability. Grounded in job embeddedness theory, the purpose of this general qualitative study was to explore the turnover experiences of Texas correctional officers, to understand why officers left their jobs, and the factors that contributed to their decisions to stay in their jobs. Participants comprised 11 former correctional officers who had worked between 5 months and 6 years for the TDCJ. Data were …

Early Life And Post-Traumatic Growth Among Urban African Americans, J. Howard Streeter Iii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) has received increasing attention in psychological research, yet the PTG experiences of African Americans remain underexplored. Trauma researchers have established the common prevalence of trauma within this population, but there have been very few studies on how African Americans traverse trauma according to PTG. Understanding PTG in this population is essential for clergy, coaches, parents, counselors, and others who work in these communities. The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to determine whether there was a statistically significant relationship between rumination, religious orientation, religious commitment, and stressful life events (SLEs) and PTG among urban African American …

Clinical Practice Guideline To Improve Medication Adherence In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd), Leroy Anagho

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, hyperarousal, and alterations in mood and cognition following exposure to traumatic events. Although evidence-based pharmacotherapy is a cornerstone of PTSD treatment, medication nonadherence remains a pervasive barrier to effective symptom management and functional recovery. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) aimed at improving medication adherence in adults diagnosed with PTSD in outpatient psychiatric settings. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model and appraised through the AGREE II instrument, current …

Burnout And Perceived Organizational Support Among Female Healthcare Social Workers, Shukundala Clark Champion

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Healthcare social workers experience elevated levels of burnout, or psychological distress resulting from a prolonged mismatch between the individual and their work environment. The problem addressed in this generic qualitative study is that female healthcare social workers experience elevated rates of burnout but may not receive adequate perceived organizational support (POS) to help ameliorate burnout. This study concentrated on female healthcare social workers' descriptions and experiences of burnout and POS. The guiding theoretical framework for this study is the perceived organizational support theory (POST). The study was conducted with 14 female healthcare social workers working in various healthcare settings in …

Hospice Clinical Social Workers’ Perceptions On Reducing Burnout Through Empowerment And Self-Care Practices, Chasity Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout is common among hospice clinical social workers due to the emotionally demanding nature of the profession and heavy caseloads. This study explored how hospice clinical social workers perceive the role of empowerment and self-care practices in reducing burnout. The qualitative design used semi-structured interviews with ten hospice clinical social workers. Thematic analysis identified five categories: indicators of burnout, team-based/relational support, systemic and workload pressures, organizational culture, and values and professional identity. The themes that emerged from the five categories were emotional, physical, and professional; interdisciplinary support and supervisory support; workload and organizational demands; organizational challenges and policy limitations; workplace …

Enhancing Antitrafficking Initiatives Through An Interagency Collaboration Framework, Robert Louis Baxter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The challenges individual agencies face in addressing the complex issue of human trafficking and how interagency collaboration can strengthen survivor-centered support are largely unknown. Organizations often lack formal alliances that combine expertise and resources to deliver more comprehensive care. The absence of such partnerships represents a missed opportunity to provide the essential services necessary for survivors’ recovery, empowerment, and social reintegration. The purpose of the study was to use interagency collaboration to address the question: How can education, law enforcement, public health, and community-based organizations assess the barriers and benefits of interagency collaboration to create a more seamless support network …

Child Poverty: Understanding The Emotional Labor Of Social Work Professionals, Aamir Terry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child Poverty: Understanding the Emotional Labor of Social Work Professionals by Aamir Terry MSW, Walden University 2019 BS, Central State University 2008 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Social Work Walden University November 2025

Middle-Class Black Women, The Strong Black Women Role, And Seeking Treatment For Depression, Kendra Griffin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study explored how middle-class Black women perceive seeking mental health treatment for depression while identifying with the Strong Black Woman (SBW) role. This study investigated how middle-class Black women perceive seeking mental health treatment for depression while identifying with the Strong Black Woman role and how they interpret this role in relation to coping with depression. Guided by a social constructionist framework, the study used a qualitative design. Eight women who identified as middle-class, experienced depression, and endorsed the SBW role participated in semi-structured interviews. Braun and Clarke’s six phase thematic analysis revealed six themes: therapy as cultural …

Stigma Associated With Using Mental Health Services Among The Igbos In Nigeria, Emmanuel Okoye Sr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study addressed the impact of stigma and cultural beliefs on help-seeking behaviors among the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. The importance of this issue lies in its potential to increase access to mental health services and foster well-being among Igbo community members who might be harmed by stigma and cultural barriers. The study's theoretical framework was the cultural theory of mental illness, which emphasizes how cultural values and beliefs influence how people perceive and express their mental health. This study aimed to offer guidance for interventions and programs that address mental health disparities in the Igbo community by comprehending the …

Staff Education To Increase Nurses’ Knowledge And Comprehension Of Psychiatric Advance Directives, Lenora Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) are binding documents through which a patient who has severe mental illness can specify their treatment preferences before becoming mentally ill in a crisis. PADs support patient autonomy, shared decision-making, and reduce the reliance on coercive or involuntary treatments. However, patient record reviews in this practice setting revealed that PAD documentation was not frequently practiced, and nurses were not even aware of or confident enough to assist patients in preparing these directives. This DNP project was designed to bridge this gap by implementing a formal staff education program that would improve the knowledge and awareness of …

The Impact Of Access To Mental Health Services For Minority Offenders From The Perspective Of Mental Health Professionals, Quentin Eugne Mills

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many reintegrating offenders residing in northwest Florida’s rural areas are negatively impacted by a lack of access to mental health professionals. Inaccessibility to treatment service providers impacts the offender’s physical, mental and economic well-being. While research studies focus on examining access barriers in metropolitan jurisdictions, a gap remains in understanding how this issue adversely impacts offenders in rural communities. This qualitative research study examined the impact of inaccessibility to treatment services related to minority offenders in rural jurisdictions. Grounded by the intersectional theory and the general strain theory, this study utilized interviews with six mental health professionals who counseled offenders …

Contrapower Harassment And Stress Experienced By Online Psychology Instructors, Sarah D. Hull

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous researchers have found that face to face bullying by students directed towards postsecondary education faculty may result in negative mental and emotional impacts. The virtual environment provides a unique opportunity for student-to-faculty bullying behaviors, known as cyberbullying, to occur. Researchers have not yet studied how psychology faculty in particular experience stress when cyberbullied by students. The purpose of this qualitative study, rooted in phenomenological design, was to improve the understanding of how psychology faculty who are cyberbullied by students experience stress. Contrapower harassment theory was used to ground these research questions and design. The research questions examined the experiences …

Brotherhood: Black Male Perception On The Impact Of Mentorship, Berinda Hollis-Sapp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the adolescent stage of development, identity is a foundational aspect of one’s development, and its absence leads to a negative outcome, characterized by role confusion. Positive interventions are necessary to develop a strong sense of self. The purpose of this generic qualitative project was to explore the perspectives of black males and the impact of mentorship on their identity during adolescence. The theoretical framework chosen for this study was Erikson’s identity versus role confusion, the fifth stage of his psychosocial development theory. Based on this concept, the research supported the idea that adolescent Black males should participate in culturally …

Telepsychiatry For Veterans Who Are Homeless, Vivian J. White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for mental health providers to expand telepsychiatry services to veterans who are homeless in a day treatment center. The practice problem was the lack of a standardized approach to increase access to mental health care. This CPG supports nurses in implementing evidence-based interventions to reduce mental health disparities and promote equitable care delivery for veterans who are homeless. The guideline was aimed to ensure safe, effective, and coordinated mental health care through integration with interprofessional teams. The project question was: Does the evidence support development of a CPG for provision of telepsychiatry …

Exploring Counselor Perspectives On The Role Of Ecotherapy In Mental Health Treatment: A Qualitative Study, Kimberly Seid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This grounded qualitative study explored the common themes of ecotherapy in practice. The research problem was the limited understanding of how counselors implement ecotherapy in clinical practice, hindering the field’s ability to fully integrate nature-based approaches into mental health treatment. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore counselor perspectives on ecotherapy using the biophilia hypothesis and Swarbrick’s wellness model. The research questions focused on how licensed mental health counselors understood, implemented, and evaluated the impact of ecotherapy. Qualitative data were collected through an online survey with open-ended questions from 15 licensed counselors across the United States who …

Improving Retention Of Newly Hired Nurses In Home Care, Chidi D. Ihezue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the home care setting, there is an increasing need for home care services due to aging populations and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, as well as a scarcity of qualified home care staff to meet the health needs of patients in this setting. A home care agency's onboarding program, particularly its capacity to deliver comprehensive orientation and robust mentoring for new nurses, plays a crucial role in supporting the retention of newly employed nursing staff within the home care environment. Research indicates that without ongoing support and close monitoring, newly hired nurses may disengage during the onboarding and …

Examining Social Workers’ Perceptions Of Collaborating With Police Officers To Foster Community Trust In Oklahoma, Lashonda Lanette Dale

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current study was administered in order to examine Oklahoman social workers’ perception of collaborating with police officers to foster community trust. The goal was to determine whether the collaboration amongst social and police officer fostered trust when collaborating during services calls. The theory of planned behavior and policing (TPBP) studied by Ishoy and giving credit to Ajzen’s were the foundational theory used to support this study. Collaboration among social workers and police officers can foster community trust and benefit both parties. Such collaboration could also lead to joint training and education, as well as alleviating public fears and misconceptions. …

Intimate Partner Violence: Serving Heterosexual Male And Same-Sex Victims, David Welch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an ongoing social problem across nationalities, cultures, socioeconomic statuses, sexual orientations, and genders. Historically, research into IPV has focused on the heterosexual female victim and male perpetrator paradigm, including identifying the root causes of this phenomenon and appropriate treatment models. There is a distinct gap in the current literature addressing how therapists in the psychological community approach working with heterosexual male and same-sex victims of IPV, beginning with case conceptualization. To explore the unique case conceptualization considerations of therapists as they encounter heterosexual male and same-sex IPV victims in their practice, a general phenomenological research …

Experiences Of Child Welfare Workers In Ohio Serving Justice-Involved Youth Who Exhibit Aggressive Behaviors, Charnella Boykins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers with high work demands and low resources are likely to experience burnout. The specific social work practice-focused research problems that were addressed in this project were job demands, available resources, and perceptions of burnout in child welfare social workers. The focus was on burnout in social work practice from the perspectives of child welfare social workers providing services to justice-involved children with aggressive behaviors. The practice-focused research questions for this project concerned the participants’ descriptions of job demands and employer-provided resources and their feelings of burnout when working with justice-involved youth who have aggressive behaviors. Bakker and Demerouti’s …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline For A Comprehensive Care Partner Program For Postpartum Women, Abibat Yusuff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project focuses on the development of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) aimed at addressing a critical gap in postpartum care, particularly postpartum depression (PPD), inconsistent follow-up, and low breastfeeding continuation rates, which disproportionately affect African American women and other underserved populations. These gaps contribute to preventable morbidity, poor maternal experiences, and health inequities, making this issue a priority for nursing and public health. The guiding practice-focused question asked if an interdisciplinary team would achieve consensus on a clinical practice guideline for the development of a comprehensive care partner program for postpartum women. Analytical strategies included a systematic evidence …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Dialysis Social Workers' Perceptions Of Strategies To Address Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Barriers To End-Of-Life Planning With Black Dialysis Patients, Annette Carol Kestner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have an excessive risk of mortality and experience ongoing inequities in end-of-life (EOL) planning. This basic qualitative study, informed by Sulmasy's biopsychosocial-spiritual model, explored social workers' perspectives about approaches that consider the interplay of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects for mitigating barriers to EOL planning among Black dialysis patients. Data were obtained from semi structured interviews with 10 licensed dialysis social workers in Virginia and Maryland. Thematic analysis with descriptive coding, reflexive journaling, and peer debriefing was employed to analyze qualitative data to ensure trustworthiness. Six themes were identified: (a) building trust …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Relationship Between Parent Demographics And Attitudes About Their Child’S Diabetes In Nigerian Parents Who Live In The United States, Vivian Obioma Nwankwo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Relationship Between Parent Demographics and Attitudes About Their Child’s Diabetes in Nigerian Parents who Live in the United States by Vivian Obioma Eluwa Nwankwo MA, Walden University, 2018 BA, University of Nigeria, 1992 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services Walden University August 2025

Resources And Strategies Needed To Address The Problem Of Child Labor In Erbil, Kurdistan Region Of Iraq, Evan Faiq

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child labor is an international practice that has been on the rise in some parts of the world including Erbil, the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the different resources needed but not available for the victims, how child labor has impacted the community, and how the criminal justice system can better approach the child labor issue and reduce it in Erbil, Kurdistan region of Iraq. Social conflict theory was used to guide the study. Data were collected from 15 interviews with individuals from different areas of the criminal justice department, local organizations …