Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experiences Of Visually Impaired Professionals, Robert Anthony Hoyt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of visually impaired professionals (VIPs) as they navigate workplace inclusion, identity, and systemic accessibility. Drawing on Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological psychological method, the study analyzed in-depth interviews with eleven purposefully selected participants across diverse professions. The research aimed to address a gap in disability studies by centering on the psychological meanings embedded in the narratives of VIPs; voices that are often underrepresented in organizational research. Through rigorous thematic analysis, three essential themes emerged: (1) the silent erasure of competence, reflecting the emotional labor required to assert professional legitimacy in ableist environments; (2) resilience …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Black Males Successfully Reintegrating Post Incarceration, Ashley Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black males remain incarcerated at higher rates than any other race. Those individuals trying to reintegrate into society face many challenges with little mental and emotional rehabilitation support. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to improve the understanding of what contributes to successful reintegration and the mental health and emotional needs of formerly incarcerated Black males. Critical race theory (CRT) was used as a secondary lens to examine how race, systemic racism, and structural inequities shaped participants' experiences. This study examined the following research question: What are the experiences of Black males who were previously incarcerated and have …

Strategies For Reducing Fraud In Corporate Organizations, Tarshall Horton Mccauley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial statement fraud has been a persistent problem that poses risks to corporations globally. Business leaders are concerned about financial statement fraud due to its potential to weaken financial stability, erode stakeholder confidence, and create conditions that may lead to significant financial distress or organizational collapse. Grounded in the fraud triangle theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research was to explore internal control strategies corporate leaders use to reduce financial statement fraud risk. The participants were 11 financial leaders in North Carolina, the District of Columbia, and Virginia who practiced effective internal controls to minimize financial fraud. Data …

Colorism And The Black Family: Effects Of Colorist Messages Among Black Women, Carolyn Frink

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem examined in this study is how colorism affects Black families. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the lived experiences of Black women and the colorist messages they received from family members, how those messages were internalized, and the messages perceived effects. The conceptual framework for this study was based on the colorist-historical trauma framework, and data were obtained through individual interviews with Black women ages 22–70, from various socioeconomic backgrounds and selected through purposeful sampling. A multiple case study approach was used to examine similarities and differences among the participants. A thematic analysis was …

Secondary Students’ Mental Health And Absenteeism Post-Covid-19: School Social Workers’ Perspectives, Tiffany Hines Sutton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School social workers practice in a post-COVID-19 educational context where anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation are closely associated with chronic absenteeism among middle school students. This practice problem is central to clinical social work because distress-based avoidance is often misinterpreted as defiance, resulting in punitive responses that intensify disengagement. The purpose of this doctoral project was to explore how school social workers perceive and respond to the interconnected dynamics of student mental health and chronic absenteeism following COVID-19. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory guided the inquiry. A qualitative descriptive design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 10 middle school social workers …

Work-Life Balance And Occupational Stress: Moderating Factors Among African American Telecommunication Workers, Robert Charity

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

After the COVID-19 pandemic, remote call center employees faced intensified challenges in maintaining work-life balance (WLB) while experiencing elevated occupational stress (OS) levels. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to investigate the relationship between WLB and OS among African American (AA) call center professionals employed in the telecommunications industry, moderated by resilience (RS), gender, and generational age (GenAge). The theoretical framework included boundary theory, the job demands-control model, and resilience theory. The participants comprised 103 AA telecommunications call center professionals aged 28 to 65 in the southwestern United States. They completed the work-life balance scale, perceived occupational stress …

Staff Education To Improving Patient Safety Outcomes Through Structured Staff Education, Imuetinyan Phillipa Ehondor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This staff education doctoral project was implemented to address inconsistent staff knowledge of patient safety principles, disproportionate adherence to safety practices, and underutilization of standardized educational resources in an acute care clinic setting. It was important to address this issue in the context of nursing practice because patient safety is foundational to high-quality health care, directly influencing patient outcomes, regulatory compliance, organizational performance, and workforce morale. The practice-focused question was the following: In an acute care clinic, how does the implementation of a standardized safety protocol education program, compared to existing practices, impact staff knowledge regarding a culture of safety? …

North Dakota Emergency Medical Personnel’S Perceptions Of Human Trafficking, Jessica Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human trafficking is an abhorrent human rights violation, and victims experience a myriad of health disturbances while being exploited. Victims often seek emergency medical care, but research consistently shows that emergency medical personnel (EMP) are largely unprepared to screen, identify, and respond to them. However, there has been no research exploring their preparedness to screen, identify, and respond to victims of human trafficking, the barriers and challenges to identification of human trafficking victims, and training needs to improve screening, identification, and response to human trafficking victims in North Dakota. This study employed a generic qualitative approach grounded in constructivism. The …

Factors That Contribute To Lone-Wolf Terrorist Attacks In The United States, Kevin Klatte

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Within the United States, current strategies aimed to prevent terrorism focus on terrorist organizations and international terrorism. The predominant literature on lone-wolf terrorism has focused mainly on quantitative data, and the qualitative studies that have been conducted do not uncover all factors that led to the individual committing the attack. Lone-wolf terrorism, while less frequent than international terrorism, has a significantly higher number of victims per attack and is extremely difficult to predict and prevent. The existing qualitative literature has heavily focused on the mental state, emotional status, and cognitive ability of the offender. This study explored why an individual …

Incarceration’S Impact On Young Adults’ Psychological Development, Well-Being, And Reintegration Into Society, Monica Murrell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how individuals who experienced incarceration during emerging adulthood understood and made meaning of their developmental, emotional, and psychosocial experiences. Emerging adulthood, defined as ages seventeen through twenty-five, is a critical developmental stage, and incarceration during this period may disrupt identity formation and emotional maturation. The purpose of the study was to examine the perspectives and coping mechanisms of individuals incarcerated during this stage to better understand how early adult imprisonment shapes trauma responses, identity development, and reintegration. Social learning theory served as the conceptual framework. Data was collected through interviews with six formerly incarcerated adults …

Determinants Of Big Data Analytics Adoption Among Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises In Ghana, Seth Owusu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Big data analytics (BDA) has the potential to drive sustainability through improved decision-making, innovation, and competitiveness; however, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana face significant challenges in adopting this technology. The specific research problem is whether technological readiness, organizational support, and external pressures influence SMEs’ adoption of BDA in Ghana. Grounded in the technology-organization-environment framework, the resource-based view, and institutional theory, the purpose of this descriptive survey study was to examine whether technological readiness, organizational support, and external pressures influence SMEs’ adoption of BDA in Ghana. The participants comprised 120 SMEs registered with the Ghana Enterprise Agency. They completed …

Citizen Perceptions Of Law Enforcement Use Of Facial Recognition Technology, Helena Raye Weiskittel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in criminal investigations is potentially controversial in terms of privacy rights. This study involved examining public perceptions regarding police officers’ use of FRT in criminal investigations. A qualitative research method and descriptive design were used to explore participants’ perceptions of FRT. The procedural justice theory and a pragmatic paradigm guided this general qualitative research. The target population for the study was 10 participants from the United States. Results of this study showed privacy concerns involved a lack of public anonymity and the risk of data breaches due to facial recognition. This shows use of …

The Stories Of African American Mothers Working Part-Time Without Mandated Job Protections, Chantelle Sharese Yancy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides unpaid, job‑protected leave only for eligible workers, and rules tied to hours, tenure, and employer size often exclude mothers working part-time. Research on U.S. family and medical leave has documented inequities in access to job protections. The lived experiences of African American/Black mothers navigating this gap remain underrepresented. The purpose of this narrative qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of African American/Black mothers who worked part-time without mandated job protections, with specific attention to FMLA. General systems theory provided the theoretical framework, and an Afrocentric paradigm centered African/African American/Black voice …

Relationship Between Perceived Leadership Styles And Millennial Membership Growth In Nonprofit Churches, Larry Latham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the widespread decline in church membership and attendance among all mainline denominations, there was a particular concern about retaining the millennial generation. Church leaders need to understand this concern as a key indicator of millennial retention in nonprofit churches. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between millennial membership growth and perceived leadership styles, including authoritative, partnership, democratic, team oriented, relationship oriented, serving, people oriented, task oriented, and goal oriented leadership. The social exchange theory and resource-based view theory grounded this study. The archival data from 2011 to 2022 comprised 17,012 Millennial participants from 665 …

Prevention, Consultation, And Advocacy, Terrance Mcclellan

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement

My goal is to prevent depression among single mothers ages 20–30 in low-income areas of Southeast Missouri by expanding access to community-based emotional support, parenting resources, and skills training that strengthen coping and resilience.

Significant Findings

Young single mothers in Southeast Missouri, especially those in their twenties, often carry the emotional and financial weight of raising children on their own, which puts them at higher risk for long-term stress and depression when support is limited (Tafet & Nemeroff, 2016; NAMI Missouri, 2025). Many face persistent barriers such as high childcare costs, reduced access to mental health providers, transportation …

Fathers, Futures, And Fragile Contexts: Men’S Intergenerational Perspectives On Pregnancy In A Low-Income South African Setting, Urlridge A. Thompson, Johanni Beukes, Michelle Leal, Stephanie Alcock, Stephen Lye, Shane A. Norris, Catherine Draper

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Men’s involvement in their partner’s pregnancy in low-income South African settings is influenced by a complex interplay of contextual factors that influence the nature and extent of their participation. The confluence of these factors contributes to limiting men’s adoption of an intergenerational perspective of their partner’s pregnancy. The adoption of an intergenerational perspective by men may enhance outcomes for maternal and child health, but it remains understudied. This qualitative study explored intergenerational perspectives of men in Soweto, South Africa, regarding their partners’ pregnancies. An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach was employed. We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 19 male partners (fathers …

Use Of Innovative Methods In The Creation Of Testing And Assessment Materials For Future Computer Science Teachers, Gulzhan Mazhibayeva, Serik Kenesbayev, Salamat Idrissov, Indira Salgozha, Zhanel Akhmetova

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives:This study aims to examine the effectiveness for future computer science teachers of employing innovative methods when creating innovative testing and assessment materials.

Methods:The methodology for this study involved analyzing survey data using statistical methods, such as descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression, and factor analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative methods in computer science education. Additionally, this study incorporated virtual labs, learning management systems, interactive quizzes, and artificial intelligence–based assessment tools to enhance learning outcomes and student engagement. We collected survey responses for this study from 56 student participants. We then developed a …

Strategies To Reduce The Physician Documentation Burden In Adult Primary Care, Glenda Cascalla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Primary care physicians face high rates of burnout, with electronic health record (EHR) documentation identified ass a significant contributing factor. EHR systems consume substantial physician time, diverting attention from meaningful patient interactions toward administrative tasks and increasing documentation burden. The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate best practices for minimizing the documentation burden on primary care providers. The review question centered on how best practices can be implemented by healthcare administrators to reduce the physician documentation burden in primary care. This integrative review used the sociotechnical systems theory framework to identify and evaluate effective strategies to alleviate …

The Lived Experience Of Gay Men In The Generation Jones Cohort, Thomas Stacy Helton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Existing research lacks examination of the interplay between life histories and gay identities within the Generation Jones cohort, hindering our understanding of how individuals navigated the challenges of aging Specifically, we lack understanding of how identity formation, stigma, and historical trauma in light of sociocultural events—including the criminalization of homosexuality, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and the rise of digital connectivity—shaped self-concept, relationships, and resilience. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of gay men in the Generation Jones cohort, defined as those born between 1954 and 1965. Grounded in social identity theory, it asked how gay men in this cohort …

Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake And Continuation Among 15-24-Year-Old Women In Mulago, Uganda, Dithan Kiragga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Young women in Uganda face disproportionately high HIV risk compared to the general population. While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstrates proven effectiveness, poor uptake and nonadherence limit its potential impact. This study examined the relationship between perceived HIV susceptibility, PrEP benefits, behavioral risk factors, service delivery models, and PrEP uptake and continuity among young women aged 15–24 in Uganda, guided by the health belief model. Data were ed from surveillance records at Mulago National Referral Hospital’s STI clinic from January 2024 to September 2025. Of N=23,765 young women screened (median age 21 years; 98.9% single or separated; 48.7% with primary education), …

Psychological Experiences Of Law Enforcement Officers Responding To Critical Incidents Alone And With A Partner, Lydia Abernethy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The role of law enforcement officers is to restore peace and safety when chaos occurs, which can be life-threatening and stressful as officers respond to the critical incidents unfolding. For this study, a qualitative approach and phenomenological framework were utilized to gain insight into the first-hand psychological experiences of officers responding to critical incidents. Police officers work in demanding environments that can lead to mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Peer support and communication among coworkers have emerged as a potentially important factor, as officers would share traumatic events with other officers. Therefore, my research focused …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Lgbtq+ High School Graduates’ Perspectives On Lgbtq+-Related Legislation, Thomas James Foley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) students’ social, emotional, and academic experiences and outcomes are not on par with their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Understanding how LGBTQ+ young adults experienced high school in a state with LGBTQ+-affirmative education legislation provides insight for counselors and educators to identify policies and practices that support positive outcomes for LGBTQ+ students. This qualitative phenomenological study explored how LGBTQ+-identifying high school graduates made meaning of their experiences in school as they related to LGBTQ+-affirmative education legislation. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used for the research methodology and data analysis process. Results included four themes: (a) …

Cancer Literacy And Social Determinants Of Health: An Epidemiological Analysis Of Trust, Digital Engagement, And Healthcare Utilization In Cancer Information Seeking, Kimberly Leeann Hazel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rise of online health information has increased access to cancer resources but also amplified misinformation, creating trust gaps that threaten prevention, treatment, and health equity. This study examined how trust in cancer information sources, online information-seeking, and healthcare perceptions relate among U.S. adults. Guided by the health information seeking behavior, the socioecological model, and the structural influence model of health communication, data from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey (N = 6,197) were analyzed with logistic regression, mediation, and moderation modeling, controlling for demographics. Trust in government agencies predicted greater cancer information seeking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.94, …

A Caregiver’S Perspective Of Caring For Children With Intellectual Disabilities, Lajoy Johnson Law

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current estimates reported by the National Institute of Health suggest that between 1.4 and 2.2 million children in the United States have some form of intellectual disability. These children need caregivers, yet in the literature there is a lack of studies focusing on the experiences of caregivers raising children with intellectual disabilities. Further, there is a lack of public policies and programs for Washington, D.C. caregivers. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of these caregivers in Washington, D.C. and to identify what policies, programs, and services are needed to support them. Guided by …

Female Military Sexual Trauma Survivors’ Experiences With Seeking Treatment From The Veterans Health Administration, Sherry Sophia Bolden Rivers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides free healthcare related to those who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST); however, many female veterans either go without or delay accessing such care. This generic qualitative study was conducted to answer the research question about the reasons behind female veterans’ decisions to seek or not seek VHA services following the experiences of MST. The framework for this study was Wollstonecraft’s feminist theory. An additional question was how, if at all, the stigma of MST and the military’s male-dominated culture play a role in the reporting of these incidents. Data were collected through semistructured …

Circumciser Type And The Type Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Prevalence For Girls Ages 0-14 Years In Ethiopia, Jean-Pierre Ramazani Abedi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite ongoing eradication efforts, female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) remains a major public health and human rights concern in Ethiopia. This quantitative study was conducted to examine how circumciser type (traditional cutter, birth attendant, or health professional) influences FGM/C prevalence and severity among girls ages 0–14, considering the moderating effects of residence and mothers’ FGM status, while controlling for age and income. Guided by the social ecological model and using 2016 E Ethiopian Demographic Health Surveys data, analysis indicates a significant association between circumciser type and FGM/C type (χ² (2, N = 1,553) = 6.86, p = .032), which …

Perceptions Of Juvenile Justice Professionals Regarding The Effectiveness Of Juvenile Reentry Programs And Recidivism In The Southwest Region, Lei Anne Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juvenile recidivism persists in the U.S. justice system, highlighting the need for effective reentry programs. However, limited research exists on juvenile justice professionals’ perceptions of program success. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore these professionals’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of juvenile reentry programs in reducing recidivism. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, the study examined how observation and modeling influence youth behavior during reentry. The research questions focused on professionals’ perceptions of program effectiveness and how these perceptions impact recidivism reduction efforts. A qualitative phenomenological design involved semi-structured interviews with 13 juvenile justice professionals in the southwest …

Social Construction Of Female-Headed Households Participating In Hud Public Housing Programs, Emma Forks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this study addressed involved factors associated with long-term program involvement of female-headed households living in public and vouchered housing. The literature indicated a significant gap regarding the reasons women who received federal housing assistance stayed in government housing. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to examine the experiences of female-headed households living in public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) housing in a Central Texas region, specifically to identify the factors that limited their ability to leave these programs. Using Schneider and Ingram’s social construction of target populations theory, the data was collected from eight participants …

Effective Strategies For Minimizing Employee Turnover To Enhance Profitability In Micro, Small, And Medium Enterprises, Catherine Nyambura Mbugua

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Employee turnover in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is a persistent business problem that can negatively impact financial performance. Business owners are concerned about employee turnover because it disrupts operations, weakens customer relationships, and reduces profitability. Grounded in social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies that business owners use to minimize employee turnover and enhance profitability. The participants were six business owners of MSMEs who successfully implemented practices that reduced employee turnover. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and a review of organizational documents related to employee management and retention. …

Effective Leadership Strategies For Aligning Vision And Mission To Drive Sustainability, Nyree Price

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizational leaders often struggle when ambitious innovation outpaces the systems, structures, and leadership practices needed to support consistent operational performance. When leaders fail to implement effective resolution strategies to align the organizational vision and mission with operational effectiveness, it impacts long-term operational effectiveness, productivity, and long-term sustainability. This qualitative single case study was an exploration of the strategies used by some business leaders in a mid-sized, for-profit telecommunications firm in the Midwest United States. The study applied the Baldrige Excellence Framework as the conceptual lens. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with executive leaders and through an analysis of internal …