Digital Commons Network^™

A Content Analysis Of Podcasts Exploring The Experiences Of Nba Players And Mental Health, Joanna D. Hedin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black male athletes are at a greater risk of not seeking treatment for their mental health issues due to cultural stigmas and expectations. The purpose of this qualitative secondary data research study was to understand the experiences of Black NBA players regarding their mental health and the sociocultural factors that influence their decision making regarding participation in mental health services, as revealed through podcast appearances. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was applied in this study to suggest that learning is an integral part of the social process and that culture contributes to how and what one learns. This study asked about what …

Reconciling Harm Reduction Philosophy And Approaches Among Abstinence-Only Substance Abuse Treatment Professionals, Amy Rose Ashton-Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the United States has been firmly grounded in abstinence-only treatment approaches. Harm reduction as a treatment model has gained additional traction. With increased rates of opioid use, overdoses, and advancements in medications for SUDs, harm reduction treatment approaches are becoming more important to improve lives of people who use drugs. Little is known about how counselors who have been educated, trained, and deliver abstinence-based SUD treatment reconcile use of harm reduction into their practice. To address this gap in literature, a generic qualitative study was conducted using the social constructivism theory. A purposive …

Lived Experiences Of Newly Graduated Social Workers Transitioning Into The Field Of Child Protective Services, Chantrese Oliver

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lived Experiences of Newly Graduated Social Workers Transitioning Into the Field of Child Protective Services by Chantrese Oliver MPhil, Walden University, 2024 MS, Walden University, 2014 AA, National Paralegal College, 2012 BS, Fayetteville State University, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University August 2025

The Lived Experiences Of Clinically Licensed Counselors During Covid-19, Deirdre F. Haynes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be an equal opportunity crisis. There is substantial research to better understand how individuals have reacted to crisis experiences like the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the lived experiences of clinically licensed counselors during COVID-19. This gap in the literature is important because the increase in the number of individuals seeking counseling to deal with their fears and concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic may have put a strain on counselors that were also experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis was to bridge the …

Evidence-Based Intervention Proposal For Reducing Intimate Partner Violence Against Jamaican Women, Kimisha K. Campbell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence (DV) is a significant public health concern that negatively impacts women’s health, yet gaps in trauma-informed screening and referral processes persist within nursing practice. In Jamaica, DV remains underreported, highlighting the need for enhanced provider competency in identifying and supporting survivors. The doctoral project was used to examine how implementing the trauma-informed care (TIC) model and the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) program could improve healthcare staff’s ability to recognize, assess, and support DV survivors. Guided by the TIC framework and the IRIS program, a mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating pre- and posttraining assessments, staff surveys, …

Evidence-Based Child Welfare Screening And Assessment Practices, Kristin V. Richards, Melissa A. Moyer

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

This action research project examined the screening and assessment behaviors of child welfare workers in the southwestern region of the United States. With the use of a focus group, the study addressed whether social workers’ knowledge of evidence-based practice influenced their implementation of evidence-based practice in child welfare screening and assessment, and whether the agency environment affects evidence-based practice implementation and use. The family systems theory was used to evaluate child welfare practitioner work and systems theory was used to evaluate the child welfare system in the region of the study. Social workers’ knowledge of evidence-based practices and the impact …

Helping Bipoc, Women, And First-Generation Students Maximize The Value Of Unpaid Internships, Ted Thornhill, Nicole Torres, Christina Van Wingerden

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Internships and practicums are a required component of nearly all degree programs in human services and its subfields—and most are unpaid. These unpaid positions often have a disproportionate impact for BIPOC and first-generation students, especially women—many of whom are economically disadvantaged and must work to support themselves and sometimes their families. Increased student activism, non-profit campaigns, and journalistic accounts show student frustration over their unpaid labor. Despite the righteousness of these students’ cause, the reality is that the implementation of an equitable, robust, and sustainable nationwide system of paid internships, in the near-term, is politically impracticable. Given that most human …

Set Up For Success: The Lived Experiences And Perceptions Of Nonviolent Offenders And Their Challenges Of Successfully Reentering Society, Ciera Lee'nette Day

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This dissertation firmly highlighted the critical necessity for effective diversion plans tailored to nonviolent offenders, presenting a compelling qualitative analysis of the lived experiences of 12 former nonviolent offenders and their views on diversion centers. The research employed in-depth interviews as the primary data collection method, engaging participants aged 18 and older who had committed nonviolent offenses, had no pending legal cases, and had been released from incarceration or probation within the past six months. To analyze the data, NVivo 15 and MAXQDA software were utilized, ensuring a rigorous and systematic approach to organizing and interpreting unstructured data, developing robust …

Prisoner Re-Entry Into Society And Criminal Justice Social Work Practice, Aleeyah S. Norvell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explores the challenges faced by social workers in supporting the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Social workers play a critical role in the U.S. criminal justice system, yet they often encounter systemic barriers that limit their ability to meet clients’ basic needs, such as housing, employment, and healthcare. Using a generic qualitative research design, the study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a sample of eight licensed social workers, using open-ended questions to gather rich, detailed accounts of their experiences. Guided by social learning theory and using thematic analysis, the findings reveal significant obstacles in adapting to …

Msw Degree Completion: Foster Care Alumni’S Perceptions Of Barriers, Resilience, And Success, Christa Martinez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This capstone research project involved examining foster care alumni who successfully graduated from Master of Social Work (MSW) programs as full-time students. The purpose of this study was to address resilience factors and this population’s perceptions of barriers, resilience, and success in terms of completing full-time MSW programs and career outcomes. The resiliency theory and a strength-based-perspective were frameworks for this research. This basic qualitative research study involved using purposive sampling, and 11 foster care alumni were interviewed who graduated from full-time MSW graduate programs in the United States. Through thematic analysis, themes emerged were lack of economic resources impacting …

Leadership Self-Efficacy: Exploring Social Workers’ Perceived Ability To Serve On School Boards, Jessica Zavalza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The low representation of social workers serving on school boards is a social work practice problem because it limits their leadership ability to advocate for student mental health and influence policy change at the local and state levels of education. Therefore, addressing this practice problem within the context of clinical social work is crucial for improving student mental health outcomes and overall student well-being. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this qualitative study was conducted to explore the connection between social workers’ leadership self-efficacy and their willingness to pursue policymaking roles at the local and state school board levels. With the …

Coming Out And Social Acceptance: Understanding Lgbtq Veterans' Minority Stressors, Conrado Augustine Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study explored the experiences of LGBTQ veterans residing in Ohio, examining the relationship between the coming out process, social acceptance, and minority stress. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) military veterans face higher rates of minority stressors, resulting in higher rates of suicidal ideation and mental health issues, which impact healthcare practices that affirm their identity. Discrimination, microaggressions, coming out, identity disclosure, and social belonging were identified as key contributing factors. Guided by Meyer’s minority stress theory, the study aimed to assess whether levels of outness, and identification with the LGBTQ community correlated with experiences of minority …

The Challenges Faced By Postrelease Offenders In Rural Mississippi, Whitney Starks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reintegration after incarceration has long been a subject of scholarly inquiry, particularly regarding barriers to employment, housing, and mental health services. However, limited research addresses the reintegration experiences of postrelease offenders in rural regions, where access to essential resources is often restricted. This qualitative single case study is an exploration of the challenges and service needs of formerly incarcerated individuals living in rural Mississippi. Using purposive and snowball sampling, six participants were selected based on residency in rural counties, a nonviolent criminal history, and at least one year of successful community reentry. The conceptual framework was guided by the assess, …

Prediction Of Collegial Relationships And Teachers’ Commitment To Stay In A Compulsory Swedish School, Chermaine Clunie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the high annual teacher turnover rate of 30% in a Swedish compulsory school, which significantly exceeded national averages. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between the quality of collegial relationships, as measured by emotional support, task-related support, and feedback from colleagues which are subscales of the workplace social support (WSS) scale, and Swedish teachers’ commitment to stay in their current teaching positions in a Swedish compulsory school, measured on a continuous scale, using a 5 point Likert scale. The study was grounded in Blau’s social exchange theory, which …

Formation Of Inclusive Competence Of Future Special Education Teachers, Gulbanu Ashimkhanova, Akbota Autaeva, Anar Rakhmetova, Gulmira Tussupbekova, Kanat Sadykov

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This study aims to explore the phenomenon of inclusive competence as an integral trait of today’s educators.

Methods: The scientific research involved surveying students from pedagogical universities as well as using methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization, systematization, comparison, and classification.

Results: The concept of inclusive competence is understood as the degree of skills and knowledge required to fulfil pedagogical responsibilities within an inclusive educational environment. Key elements of inclusive competence, such as cognitive, motivational, reflexive, and operational components, have been identified and have the following functions:

• · Cognitive elements enable teachers to develop a comprehensive understanding of pedagogical …

Exploring The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of African American Women With Past Criminal Histories, Georgett Tracyann Kerr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the reintegration experiences of African American women with prior criminal histories, focusing on how they navigated systemic barriers and demonstrated resilience. These women often face compounded challenges stemming from systemic racism, gender discrimination, and economic hardship, which hinder successful reentry into society following incarceration. Historical policies such as the War on Drugs and the Welfare Reform Act disproportionately impacted African American women, contributing to higher arrest rates and increased stigma within the criminal justice system. Upon release, many encounters significant barriers to employment, housing, mental health care, and social acceptance. Despite these adversaries, some African …

Fathers’ Experiences With Reunification With The Massachusetts Child Welfare System, Phernel Joseph Manigat

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study focused on fathers’ experiences with the Massachusetts child welfare system (MCWS) or the Department of Children and Families (DCF) during the reunification process with their children, particularly those fathers who received sole custody of their children during this process. Researchers have demonstrated that fathers are minimally engaged and mostly ignored in the child welfare system (CWS). A research gap was identified regarding the experiences of fathers who received sole custody of their children through the CWS. The purpose of this study was to explore these fathers’ experiences with the MCWS or the DCF during the reunification process with …

The Covid-19 Lockdown And Diabetes Self-Management In Esan Northeast Area Of Edo State, Esther Ehivbaun Rapu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 lockdown impacted chronic diseases care globally, but there is limited research on how individuals in rural Nigerian communities managed diabetes during this period. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of self-management with diabetes during the COVID-19 lockdown among adults in Esan Northeast. The socioecological model (SEM) served as the guiding conceptual framework, allowing for the exploration of the impact of individual, interpersonal, community, and institutional factors on self-care behaviors. The research explored how cultural, social and economic factors impacted how adults with diabetes in Esan Northeast managed their condition during the COVID-19 lockdown. Semi-structured interviews via …

Kenyan Perspectives Of Trauma: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of Helping Professionals, Megan Flinn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research addresses the critical gap in counseling literature regarding multicultural and trauma-informed training, particularly relevant given Kenya’s documented trauma and limited mental health resources, highlighting the need for incorporating lived experiences into research to equip counselors for increasingly globalized practice. The present hermeneutic phenomenological study aims to fill a gap in the literature by exploring the lived experiences of Kenyan helping professionals as they care for survivors of trauma in their country of origin. A previous data set was used, consisting of interviews from four Kenyan helping professionals in 2019, all whom worked actively with survivors of trauma at …

In-Home Supports For The Developmentally Disabled Population: A Heuristic Phenomenological Study Of Sc’ Experiences, Stephen Troy Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite occupying a central role in the developmental disabilities systems of 48 states, SC do not have a voice in program or policy development and are not well represented in the disabilities literature. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of SC who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in southeastern Pennsylvania. The theoretical lenses through which the study was viewed were Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Wolfensberger’s social role valorization. The study was guided by research questions aimed at illuminating the intensity of support coordinators’ experiences by uncovering how they experience and define their …

Relationship Between Indulgent Parenting, Household Composition, And Parental Efficacy In Managing Adolescents' Smartphone Use, Bernice Cook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Smartphones have become an integral part of society, resulting in increased adolescent dependence on smartphone applications. This dependence poses challenges for parents in managing the risk of problematic smartphone use among adolescents aged 11-17 years old. Rapid technological advancements have significantly reshaped parenting practices, necessitating greater adaptability and impacting adolescent development. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this correlational study examines how indulgent parenting and household composition, including demographic variables such as race, gender, education, employment, and income, predict parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent smartphone use. A convenience sample of 238 U.S. parents, with at least one adolescent aged 11-17 years, …

A Case Study In Evolving Academic Governance: Democratic Accountability And Academic Capitalism, William C. Schulz, Denise Dezolt

Higher Learning Research Communications

As the higher education market becomes both more competitive and fragmented (as well as controlled through uncertain and changing regulatory regimes), and as those whom the higher education market serves become more discerning as consumers who apply proven customer behaviors within the market, universities must re-evaluate their internal governance systems. Re-evaluation of customer behaviors and governance systems may allow universities to become more inclusive, responsive, and adaptive within an academic capitalism setting.

In this case study, we present a research-based and integrated “Shared, Informed, Stakeholder-Engaged Governance” model. We describe how a large online university developed and implemented a model that …

Service Provider Practice And Dual Victimization Survivors Seeking Emergency Shelter, Lana Heinen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Violence Against Women Act supports responses to the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. It does not provide a permanent or guaranteed pathway to safe and stable housing for those experiencing the dual victimization of domestic violence and human trafficking. Service provider practices can alleviate or aggravate barriers faced by this population. These practices are influenced by the education and training service providers receive before entering the field and throughout their career. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore service providers’ perceptions of structures and barriers contributing to the obstacles of accessing …

Understanding Georgia Child Welfare Case Manager’S Perspective, Practicum Experience, And Retention, Takierra Dawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child welfare workers have high turnover rates and low retention rates. While there is well-documented research on reasons for turnover, no research was found on how a case manager's practicum experience impacts turnover rates. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore child welfare case managers' perspectives on retention and to understand how their practicum and internship experiences influence retention. The theories that ground this research include systems theory by Bertalanffy and social constructivism by Vygotsky. The two research questions for this generic qualitative study were: What are the experiences of child welfare case managers during their internship and …

Examining Firefighters’ Perspectives On Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Olivia O'Hare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Firefighters are routinely exposed to critical incidents, potentially resulting in mental health consequences. Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is a common postcritical incident intervention used among fire departments in the United States to address these mental health impacts. Understanding the perspectives of firefighters’ experience with CISD can contribute information to the social work profession, may engage firefighters in the discussion surrounding their mental health needs, and could provide effective postcritical incident coping strategies. The purpose and research questions of this study were focused through a vicarious trauma lens was to understand firefighters’ perspectives and experiences of CISD, explore CISD trauma …

Examination Of Evidence-Based Practices Implementation And Perceived Job Satisfaction With Mental Health Providers, Rafael Montoya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Job satisfaction among mental health providers continues to be an important area of inquiry, particularly in relation to professional development and training. However, limited studies have evaluated whether training in evidence-based practices (EBPs) is associated with different levels of job satisfaction compared to traditional training models. The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to examine whether a statistically significant difference in job satisfaction exists between mental health providers trained in EBPs and those trained using traditional approaches. The study was guided by Spector’s multidimensional job satisfaction model, which categorizes job satisfaction into nine key domains. Data from 81 mental …

Non-Profit Mental Health Organization: Overcoming Employee Turnover With Retention Strategies, Navpreet Brar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This professional administrative study explored the root causes of employee turnover at a nonprofit mental health organization, where turnover had reduced treatment consistency, increased emotional distress among clients, and decreased staff morale. The purpose of this study was designed to develop effective strategies to enhance retention, improve employee engagement, and support high-quality patient care through an application of the social exchange theory. The study addressed four practice-focused questions: (a) What are the underlying causes of turnover at this organization? (b) How can effective strategies be developed and implemented to reduce turnover? (c) How can the organization enhance employee engagement to …

Probation Officers’ Perspectives Of Outside Services In Reducing Recidivism, Karla Murguia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has underscored the critical role of probation officers in improving rates of recidivism. However, the literature on the comprehensive impact of outside services on recidivism was sparse and underdeveloped. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how probation officers in court services and a community corrections agency in Garden City, Kansas perceived the utility of outside services in reducing adult recidivism for probationers. Ecological systems theory was used to guide the study. Eight probation officers recruited via purposive sampling participated in semistructured interviews. Transcribed data were analyzed using a six-step thematic analysis protocol. Findings revealed that probationers …

Predictive Study Of The Relationship Between Self-Care And Professional Quality Of Life Among Licensed Counselors Impacted By Covid-19, Maria G. Billings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for mental health professionals, significantly increasing burnout and secondary traumatic stress while reducing available resources and limiting opportunities for compassion satisfaction. The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative survey study was to determine whether self-care engagement predicts levels of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction among counselors. Grounded in Stamm’s theoretical framework on compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue, the Self-Care Assessment Worksheet (SCAW) was used to measure self-care engagement, and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-V) was used to assess burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction. The sample included 59 licensed …

Disability And Leadership: Barriers And Business Culture Perspectives, Ernest Edward Garrett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Persistent disparities in employment rates between people with disabilities (PWDs) and people without disabilities (PWODs) indicate that PWDs continue to face barriers and challenges to employment opportunities. The research problem is the underrepresentation of PWDs in leadership positions within business cultures and persistent barriers and challenges faced by human resource managers (HRMs) and leaders concerning their hiring and retention. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the varying perspectives of business leaders with disabilities (LWDs) and HRMs concerning the barriers and challenges associated with hiring and retaining PWDs for leadership roles. Critical realism, universal design, and human …