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Perceptions And Role Of Cultural Competency In Clinical Social Work Practice, Vivian Adelaide Aba Dadzie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In practice, social workers are expected to translate cultural competency skills and knowledge they have acquired to handle diverse clients whose gender, racial, ethnic, religious, and personal beliefs and orientations can conflict. Using a qualitative research approach, the study addressed perceptions and roles of cultural competence in social work practice. Three research questions guided the study. The Campinha-Bacote framework of culturally competent healthcare was used for this study. The study involved employing thematic analysis to analyze research questions. It was determined that social workers must meet clients where they are culturally, respecting and learning from them to adapt interventions accordingly. …

Jamaican Tertiary Education Lecturers’ Perceptions Of Repurposing Paper Instructional Materials For Blended Learning, Bobsie Sophia Levy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transitioning from paper-based instructional methods to blended learning has rapidly been implemented across higher education institutions in Jamaica. The problem that was addressed through this study was that little is known about the perceptions of Jamaican lecturers regarding their experiences towards repurposing instructional materials for blended learning. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of Jamaican tertiary education lecturers regarding the experience of repurposing paper instructional materials into digital form for blended learning. The framework for the study was Davis’s technology acceptance model. For this basic qualitative study, seven semistructured interviews were conducted, and a thematic …

Social Media Influence On African American Women Mental Health And Self-Image, Terressa Sanchez Gamble

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women’s perspectives on the influence of social media content on their mental health (i.e., moods, thoughts, and behaviors) and self-image were explored in this qualitative study. The theoretical framework chosen for this study was Festinger’s (1954) social comparison theory, which was used to examine whether there was a logical connection between the study topic and the framework presented. Data were collected through semistructured interviews that were conducted via Zoom. The data from 10 participants’ interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach, resulting in the following two emergent themes: (a) pressure to compare and emulate and …

University Counselor Perceptions Of Safety And Safety Coping Strategies After On-Campus Mass Shootings, Tonya Sims

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For over 2 decades, mass college campus shootings have been a problem in the United States. College counselors are required to assist and support others on campus after mass shootings and coping with their own concerns and safety. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore coping strategies and perceptions of safety of college counselors in response to the potential risk of gun violence on campus. The framework was based on Figley’s principles of stress theory. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of eight university counselors. Narrative data were collected and analyzed manually for emerging themes. …

The Lived Experience Of Leaders With Work-Related Unresolved Grief, Jennifer Harden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unresolved grief within organizational contexts has remained an underexplored area in literature, with most research focusing on grief related to personal loss rather than unique challenges leaders face during organizational transitions. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological hermeneutic study was to explore and understand the leaders’ lived experiences with unresolved grief for addressing intricate emotions, perceptions, and coping mechanisms within the context of organizational change. The grief model, the dual process model, and the sensemaking theory grounded this study. Ten human services industry leaders were participants in semistructured interviews. The thematic analysis revealed four themes: the emotional and physical toll …

Nurse Educators’ Experiences With Medical Cannabis Education, Rachel Ann Parmelee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medical cannabis is legal in more than half of the United States, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing has provided guidelines indicating that nurses need to know about medical cannabis. However, most nurses report a lack of knowledge and education but believe that cannabis has therapeutic potential. The problem addressed in this study was the limited research on nurse educators’ experiences with medical cannabis education and its meaning for nursing education. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study, supported by an emergent framework, patterns of knowing, was to explore nurse educators’ experiences with medical cannabis education …

Perinatal Mental Health Providers’ Perceptions Of Medicaid Expansion, Chelsea Desiree Walls

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many women will experience a mood disorder at some point during the perinatal period, which begins at conception and extends to at least the 1st birthday of their child. With the expansion of Medicaid in the U.S. state of North Carolina in 2023, many new women of childbearing age have coverage that includes mental health services. However, despite this huge surge in newly insured women there is no notable increase in the number of mental health providers (social workers, clinical mental health counselors, etc.) in the state who accept Medicaid. The purpose of this study was to determine what service …

Factors Related To Employment Of Previously Incarcerated Individuals, Toni Victoria Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employment amongst previously incarcerated individuals is a concern of the criminal justice system because being employed is considered a mitigator of reincarceration. While there is research about the stigma of incarceration in gaining employment, little is known about the factors associated with individuals being able to find employment. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to identify whether there is a direct correlation between individual demographic features and employment status of individuals after 1 year or more of previously being incarcerated in North Carolina. General strain theory was the theoretical framework. The key research question focused on how release …

Understanding Grief Experiences Of Pet Loss Among African Americans, Michele Lisa Whitney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disenfranchised grief responses and associated stigma from pet loss have been documented among researchers; however, the unique lived experiences of African American adults facing pet bereavement have been underrepresented in research. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to deepen the understanding of grief responses after pet loss, specifically focusing on African Americans’ experiences of human–pet bereavement. Grounded in the dual process model of coping with bereavement, which emphasizes the oscillation between loss- and restoration-oriented coping strategies, this study explored how African American pet owners experience and make meaning of grief following pet loss. A phenomenological design was employed with a purposeful …

Understanding Grief Experiences Of Pet Loss Among African Americans, Michele Lisa Whitney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disenfranchised grief responses and associated stigma from pet loss have been documented among researchers; however, the unique lived experiences of African American adults facing pet bereavement have been underrepresented in research. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to deepen the understanding of grief responses after pet loss, specifically focusing on African Americans’ experiences of human–pet bereavement. Grounded in the dual process model of coping with bereavement, which emphasizes the oscillation between loss- and restoration-oriented coping strategies, this study explored how African American pet owners experience and make meaning of grief following pet loss. A phenomenological design was employed with a purposeful …

The Experience Of Help Seeking For African American Pastors In Personal Crises, Jason Leon Hanna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. population faces enormous challenges coping with disease, financial stress, failure, and general mental health concerns. Rather than seeking care from psychotherapists, increasing numbers of people in religious communities seek help from clergy, who must then balance the needs of their constituents while navigating their own personal crises and need for support. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of help-seeking for African American clergy during personal crises, guided by Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 African American senior pastors of congregations in the United States. Study participants defined help-seeking …

Southern Californian Clinicians’ Perspectives Of Online Treatment For Adolescents With Eating Disorders, Sandra Mcintyre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Treatment for eating disorders in adolescents is constantly changing and improving. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a major transition to telehealth treatment. Studies on the efficacy and experience of telehealth have mainly focused on clients and families, leaving out clinician perspectives. Little research has also been done on how telehealth can be improved on now that it is more commonly used. Lewin’s field theory formed the framework for this qualitative study to explore clinicians’ suggestions to improve telehealth treatment for eating disorders. Ten specialized mental health clinicians provided data collected using two sequenced questionnaires. Analysis of the …

The Experience Of Help Seeking For African American Pastors In Personal Crises, Jason Leon Hanna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. population faces enormous challenges coping with disease, financial stress, failure, and general mental health concerns. Rather than seeking care from psychotherapists, increasing numbers of people in religious communities seek help from clergy, who must then balance the needs of their constituents while navigating their own personal crises and need for support. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of help-seeking for African American clergy during personal crises, guided by Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 African American senior pastors of congregations in the United States. Study participants defined help-seeking …

Southern Californian Clinicians’ Perspectives Of Online Treatment For Adolescents With Eating Disorders, Sandra Mcintyre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Treatment for eating disorders in adolescents is constantly changing and improving. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a major transition to telehealth treatment. Studies on the efficacy and experience of telehealth have mainly focused on clients and families, leaving out clinician perspectives. Little research has also been done on how telehealth can be improved on now that it is more commonly used. Lewin’s field theory formed the framework for this qualitative study to explore clinicians’ suggestions to improve telehealth treatment for eating disorders. Ten specialized mental health clinicians provided data collected using two sequenced questionnaires. Analysis of the …

Experiences Of Law Enforcement In Workplace Violence Threat Investigations, Heather Folkestad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant social problem affecting law enforcement investigations into workplace violence is the lack of threat assessments and threat management programs performed in workplace investigations. Collaboration with law enforcement early in workplace violence investigations has significant benefits within the corporate sector. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the experiences of law enforcement officers/agents involved in targeted violence workplace investigations. Areas of focus were the collective perspectives of participants regarding the use of threat assessments, inclusion of law enforcement, and the barriers to an effective investigation within the workplace and by community law enforcement. This study utilized …

Experiences Of Law Enforcement In Workplace Violence Threat Investigations, Heather Folkestad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant social problem affecting law enforcement investigations into workplace violence is the lack of threat assessments and threat management programs performed in workplace investigations. Collaboration with law enforcement early in workplace violence investigations has significant benefits within the corporate sector. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the experiences of law enforcement officers/agents involved in targeted violence workplace investigations. Areas of focus were the collective perspectives of participants regarding the use of threat assessments, inclusion of law enforcement, and the barriers to an effective investigation within the workplace and by community law enforcement. This study utilized …

Examining Nationality, First Generation Status And Academic Identity Status As A Lens Into Student Achievement, Jennette Allen-Mccombs

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study investigates the relationship between academic identity statuses and academic achievement at a U.S. northeastern college where 55% of the population is first-generation students. Using Was and Isaacson’s (2008) Academic Identity Measure, I assessed four identity statuses (achieved, foreclosed, diffused, and moratorium) among 424 students. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that achieved identity status had the strongest positive effect on grade-point average (GPA), while diffused identity status showed the most significant negative impact. Additionally, birthplace and mother’s educational status emerged as significant demographic predictors of academic achievement. The findings suggest that students with foreclosed or diffused identities struggle with …

Perceptions Of Coping Capacity And Burnout Among Psychiatric Social Workers, Akia Sheree Pittman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. mental health social workers practicing in psychiatric settings are susceptible to developing burnout. Burnout is a prominent and enduring social problem faced by many helping professionals, but especially among licensed mental health social workers. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the role coping capacity plays in mental health social workers developing burnout while employed in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The conceptual framework was sense of coherence, a core construct of the salutogenic theory of health. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 clinical social workers employed in inpatient psychiatric settings in North Carolina. Data …

Student Perceptions Of Black Professors In College Programs, Michelle D. Dartis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This transcendental, phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experiences of students and their perceptions of how Black faculty behaviors and interactions impact them in a college program, shedding light on the importance of supportive connections and the role of race in these dynamics. In this study, the terms Black or African American were used interchangeably. The results from this study provide an awareness of how students perceive their Black professors and how the student-professor relationship develops among students and their Black professors, particularly when it comes to perceived caring and support. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were used to explore 10 …

Perceptions Of Coping Capacity And Burnout Among Psychiatric Social Workers, Akia Sheree Pittman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. mental health social workers practicing in psychiatric settings are susceptible to developing burnout. Burnout is a prominent and enduring social problem faced by many helping professionals, but especially among licensed mental health social workers. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the role coping capacity plays in mental health social workers developing burnout while employed in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The conceptual framework was sense of coherence, a core construct of the salutogenic theory of health. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 clinical social workers employed in inpatient psychiatric settings in North Carolina. Data …

Relationship Between Racial Trauma, Microaggression, Cultural Coping Behaviors, And Resilience Among Black Counseling Students, Chrismathe Lindsay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black students in counseling programs face many challenges stemming from racial trauma and microaggression; for instance, they are at greater risk for mental health problems and degree incompletion. Grounded in critical race theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlation study was to examine whether racial trauma, the experience of microaggression, and cultural coping behaviors were significant predictors of resilience and whether cultural coping behaviors mediated the relationship between racial trauma, microaggression, and resilience among Black counseling students. A convenience sample was used to anonymously survey 80 Black counseling students. The results of the multiple regression mediation analysis showed a statistically …

Relationship Between Racial Trauma, Microaggression, Cultural Coping Behaviors, And Resilience Among Black Counseling Students, Chrismathe Lindsay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black students in counseling programs face many challenges stemming from racial trauma and microaggression; for instance, they are at greater risk for mental health problems and degree incompletion. Grounded in critical race theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlation study was to examine whether racial trauma, the experience of microaggression, and cultural coping behaviors were significant predictors of resilience and whether cultural coping behaviors mediated the relationship between racial trauma, microaggression, and resilience among Black counseling students. A convenience sample was used to anonymously survey 80 Black counseling students. The results of the multiple regression mediation analysis showed a statistically …

Improving Staff Knowledge Regarding Culturally Competent Care And Implicit Bias, Angela Woodfaulk-Trent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health staff in the project site outpatient office lacked knowledge of cultural competence and the risk for implicit biases. This staff education project was implemented to improve their knowledge related to cultural competence and implicit bias in an outpatient mental health setting. Nursing theories and frameworks are imperative for bettering the health outcomes of diverse patient populations, and the nursing theory that informed this project was Leininger’s transcultural nursing framework. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed staff knowledge regarding cultural competence specifically implicit bias towards diverse mental health populations in an outpatient setting. The project was designed …

Improving Staff Knowledge Regarding Culturally Competent Care And Implicit Bias, Angela Woodfaulk-Trent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health staff in the project site outpatient office lacked knowledge of cultural competence and the risk for implicit biases. This staff education project was implemented to improve their knowledge related to cultural competence and implicit bias in an outpatient mental health setting. Nursing theories and frameworks are imperative for bettering the health outcomes of diverse patient populations, and the nursing theory that informed this project was Leininger’s transcultural nursing framework. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed staff knowledge regarding cultural competence specifically implicit bias towards diverse mental health populations in an outpatient setting. The project was designed …

Accessible Mental Health Chicago, Guadalupe Cuevas

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: My prevention-focused goal statement for Accessible Mental Health Chicago is to create a program that focuses on providing mental health resources for all in all areas of Chicago. This is by having community based low-cost or no-cost mental health services throughout the city, in the local languages that are of that community.

Significant Findings: While there are some limited resources in the areas with the highest calls for mental health crisis, they are not accessible for most of the city. While there are mental health centers throughout the city there aren’t many low or no cost resources. This …

A Mother's Understanding Of Her Adolescent: A Social Anxiety Study, Cheronda Pinkard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) affects 1% to 13% of adolescents, often placing significant demands on their caregivers. Mothers frequently adapt their behaviors to accommodate their child’s anxiety, which may impact their well-being and the parent-child relationship. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of mothers accommodating adolescents with SAD to understand better the emotional and relational toll of this caregiving role. The problem addressed is the limited understanding of how maternal accommodation affects mothers. Mental health practitioners, educators, and policymakers may benefit from this research by gaining insight into these families' challenges and informing family-centered interventions and support services. Guided …

A Mother's Understanding Of Her Adolescent: A Social Anxiety Study, Cheronda Pinkard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) affects 1% to 13% of adolescents, often placing significant demands on their caregivers. Mothers frequently adapt their behaviors to accommodate their child’s anxiety, which may impact their well-being and the parent-child relationship. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of mothers accommodating adolescents with SAD to understand better the emotional and relational toll of this caregiving role. The problem addressed is the limited understanding of how maternal accommodation affects mothers. Mental health practitioners, educators, and policymakers may benefit from this research by gaining insight into these families' challenges and informing family-centered interventions and support services. Guided …

A Comparative Analysis Of The County-Level Covid-19 Lockdown’S Impact On Child Sexual Abuse Rates, Aunastasia Fantasia Marie Zsidiewicz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

National reported rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were significantly lower than expected. This quantitative study explored rates of CSA before and after the lockdown for 22 Michigan counties by considering socioeconomic status (SES) demographics to isolate the lockdown’s specific impact on reported CSA rates. The SES of the counties was measured using the Kuppuswamy scale, a numerical compilation of the mean occupation, education, and income of households within a given county. The Social Determinants of Health framework provided a blueprint for understanding the impact of exploring the different socioeconomic variables. This framework also helped …

A Comparative Analysis Of The County-Level Covid-19 Lockdown’S Impact On Child Sexual Abuse Rates, Aunastasia Fantasia Marie Zsidiewicz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

National reported rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were significantly lower than expected. This quantitative study explored rates of CSA before and after the lockdown for 22 Michigan counties by considering socioeconomic status (SES) demographics to isolate the lockdown’s specific impact on reported CSA rates. The SES of the counties was measured using the Kuppuswamy scale, a numerical compilation of the mean occupation, education, and income of households within a given county. The Social Determinants of Health framework provided a blueprint for understanding the impact of exploring the different socioeconomic variables. This framework also helped …

Racism, Depression, And The Superwoman Schema: A Narrative Inquiry With Fourth-Grade Black Girls, Athena Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, racism has been labeled a public health emergency. Amid rising rates of racism reported in schools, many Black girls aged 5 to 12 have severe and persistent symptoms of depression. Although Woods-Giscombé’s Superwoman Schema (SWS) is an acknowledged coping mechanism that Black women and adolescent girls can use to fight and transcend interconnected systems of racial and gender oppression, it has rarely been studied among pre-adolescent girls. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the lived experience of the SWS among fourth-grade Black girls in Detroit, Michigan. The theoretical framework was the SWS. …