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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In The Forensic Population, Amanda Joanne George

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are overrepresented in the forensic population, but there is a lack of research explaining this phenomenon. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to investigate if higher levels of ADHD symptoms result in higher levels of criminal thinking or reasoning and whether gender influences levels of criminal thinking when controlling for levels of ADHD symptoms. Lastly, this study was designed to determine if higher levels of ADHD symptoms correlate with higher numbers of incarcerations across the general adult population. Gestalt versus feature intensive processing theory was used in this study to better …

Familial Challenges Of Women Emergency Managers For No-Notice Activations, Linda Josephine Gonzalez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women employed as emergency response personnel have faced familial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goals of this research were to identify the perceived underlying causes of work-life conflict for women serving in emergency response roles and how such work-life conflict can be addressed. In-depth interviews were used to collect data in this qualitative research study. The snowball method was used to recruit the nine study participants; inclusion criteria focused on a distinct group of emergency response professionals. Transcription analysis was applied to the data collected from the interviews. Thematic analysis uncovered five themes from the data: (a) more women …

Evaluating The Role Of Health Care In Mexico In Undocumented Immigration To The United States, Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Undocumented immigration has been a major social and political problem for the United States with an estimated 11 million immigrants living presently in an undocumented status. In Mexico, 73% of the population live below the poverty line and face challenges in meeting basic needs let alone purchasing private health insurance. In May 2003, the government of Mexico established the Segura Popular (popular healthcare) to extend health insurance to underinsured and uninsured communities to address healthcare access inequities. In depth phenomenological interviews were used to explore the lived experiences of formerly undocumented Mexican immigrants living in Hidalgo County, Texas, regarding the …

Lived Experiences Of Reintegration Of Malaysian Nonviolent Ex-Offenders In Singapore, Hendrika Wilhelmina Vosselman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractNonviolent ex-offenders in Singapore of Malaysian descent face many challenges with reintegration into the community following incarceration. The Malaysian ethnic group comprises a small part, only 14%, of the Singaporean population, but they are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, which creates challenges for the Singapore government. The Malaysians face challenges such as the lack of support, academic underachievement, and economic and socioeconomic disparities. There is a literature gap regarding the Malaysian nonviolent ex-offenders who are experiencing problems with reintegration into society and have more limitations than other ethnic groups in Singapore. There are currently no studies focusing on clarifying …

African American Male Exonerees' Reintegrating Into The Spousal/Intimate Partner Role In The Family System, Loretta A. Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Wrongfully convicted individuals are abruptly taken from their traditional roles and positioned in new roles prematurely. Without adequate preparation, exonerees struggle to reintegrate back into roles they once strived in. This study aimed to understand the experiences of African American male exonerees' reintegrating into the spouse/intimate partner role in the family. Schlossberg's transition theory served as the theoretical foundation to examine how exonerees might navigate these stages to promote successful reintegration in society and intimate relationships. The research questions sought to understand how African American male exonerees perceive their transition from an inmate role into an intimate role while trying …

Juvenile Justice And The Criminalization Of Mentally Ill Individuals, Michael Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juvenile justice systems in the United States are using incarceration as a solution to the problem of youths with mental health disorders who commit violent crimes. Juvenile justice systems across the United States have a revolving door effect that arrests, adjudicates, and incarcerates youth offenders but fail to address the factors that contribute to recidivism. The purpose of the qualitative case study was to identify which treatment procedures were most appropriate for juvenile offenders who committed violent offenses in an effort to reduce recidivism for this offender population. For this study, an ecological psychology theory was used as a lens …

Reluctance To Seek Mental Health Treatment Among African Americans Living In Generational Poverty, Myisha Boulware

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans are 20% more likely to experience mental health issues but are the least likely group to seek professional mental health treatment. In addition, African Americans are more likely to experience severe mental health conditions than other races due to a greater risk of homelessness and being exposed to violence. This research study used a phenomenological qualitative methodology to explore the attitudes and lived experiences of 10 African Americans living in generational poverty in inner-city Chicago. The participants provide detailed accounts of their lived experiences with generational poverty, mental health, and the attitudes their family lineage had shared with …

Witnessed Intimate Partner Abuse And Later Perpetration: The Maternal Attachment Influence, Kendra Lee Wiechart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Witnessing intimate partner abuse (IPA) as a child is linked to later perpetration as an adult. Questions remain regarding why some men who witnessed abuse go on to perpetrate, while others do not. The influence maternal attachment has on IPA perpetration after witnessed IPA has not been thoroughly researched. Maternal attachment is a complex variable grounded in attachment theory and may explain why some men fail to relate to their victimized mothers. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence maternal attachment has on men who witnessed IPA as a child and later perpetrated IPA as an adult. …

Multiple Case Analysis Exploration Of Prenatal Substance Exposure On Juvenile Adjudicative Competence, Danielle Leigh Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research into the neurological and cognitive factors influencing juveniles’ adjudicative competence psycholegal abilities is needed to ensure their due process rights and help inform qualified forensic mental health examiners offering their opinions on adjudicative competence in courts. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of prenatal substance exposure on neurological factors related to juveniles’ abilities to understand the charges against them and participate in legal proceedings. Jean Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory was the theoretical framework for this study. Concrete operational and formal operational stages of cognitive development were addressed to help frame juveniles’ factual and rational understanding …

Relationships Among Residential Instability, Poverty, And Index Crimes In Rural New York, Justine Case-Fitzgerald

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of empirical literature on rural crime limits the ability to fully understand the driving force behind criminality in nonmetropolitan areas. Predominantly urban theories such as social disorganization theory have been used as a general description for crime causation; however, most social disorganization research has been conducted in urban settings without reference to the mediating rural characteristics present. This simplified view of crime, which does not reflect existing variables within the areas studied, has weakened the ability to identify the most efficient and effective crime-control strategies. The research questions in this study addressed the need to understand how unique …

Administrator And Practitioner Perspectives On Trauma-Focused Interventions For Incarcerated Male Juvenile Offenders, Tatrina Bailey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe juvenile justice system of the United States has about two million adolescents under the age of 18 years, of which 85% are male. Seventy to ninety percent of juvenile offenders were exposed to some type of trauma, causing the U.S. Department of Justice to a call for instituting trauma-informed procedures in the juvenile justice system. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore facility administrators’ and practitioners’ perceptions of their roles in administering and choosing to administer trauma-focused treatment interventions to incarcerated male juvenile offenders. Using the theory of social construction of policy, the research questions focused on …

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Within Risk-Needs-Responsivity In Treatment Of Sex Offending Psychopaths, Delita Gourdine Welch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Debate exists that supports the integration of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) within risk-needs-responsivity (RNR) in treatment when managing the behaviors in diagnosed sex-offending psychopaths. Although sex offending psychopaths are challenging, they are not immune to managing their behavior and maintaining a positive lifestyle and they can benefit if they can be retained in treatment. Guided by the cognitive behavioral theory, the purpose of this study was to examine how therapists manage the behaviors of diagnosed sex-offending psychopaths when integrating CBT within RNR. Therapists in practice who integrate CBT within RNR with sex offending psychopaths, answered questions about several aspects of CBT …

Sentencing Length Disparity Across Gender And Race For Drug Offenses, Alexis Griggs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on sentencing outcomes have concentrated on disparities between gender and race with a range of influences in legal decision making. This study was an examination of whether the same form of sentencing inconsistency is found with offenders who were convicted of drug offenses. A quantitative method (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the difference in sentencing outcomes. Data from the United States Sentencing Commission from 2016 fiscal year were used to investigate the role of gender and race in sentencing disparity and examine whether an offender’s prior sentencing history and drug amount influences sentencing outcomes. The results of this study …

The Effects Of Exposure To Appropriated Slurs On Stereotype Threat, Charles Mason Guthrie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Appropriated slurs are refurbished forms of derogatory terms that originate from an outgroup but are adapted by the target group as ingroup terms with specific contextual and application norms. However, the use of appropriated slurs is often debated within the appropriating social group. Within the Black American community, one side of the argument views appropriated slurs as empowering while the other side holds that the underlying slur in its appropriated form causes harm to the integrity of the Black American culture and psyche. Recent survey research supports the perspective that appropriated slurs may have some social benefits; however, social science …

Predictors Of Recidivism For Offenders With Substance Use Disorders, Yvonne Cheeks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractRecidivism is a substantial problem in the United States due to the number of paroles/probationers reoffending. The U.S. prison system has become the new asylum and a revolving door for individuals, which is even more true for those with substance use disorders (SUDs). Once these individuals leave prison, they are likely to end up reoffending at some point in the future due to substance use/abuse (i.e., committing crimes to support substance use, selling substances, etc.). Scholarly literature lacked studies examining the predictors of recidivism for offenders with SUD in North Carolina. . The purpose of this quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study …

Traumatic Experiences, Gang Involvement, And Psychopathic Traits Among Juvenile Offenders, Tamika Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychopathy is associated with serious criminal behavior, behavioral control issues, and recidivism among juvenile offenders. The identification of risk factors associated with psychopathic behavior is critical for treatment and intervention planning. Childhood trauma and delinquent peer associations are important psychosocial risk factors to consider for juvenile offenders. Research on the relationships between affective psychopathic traits and risk factors is extensive. There is a significant lack of literature concerning antisocial psychopathic traits. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between psychosocial risk factors and Psychopathy Checklist -Youth Version antisocial traits. The integrated psychosocial model of criminal social identity …

Social Influences On Citizens' Attitudes Toward The Police In A Public Assistance Role, Raymond Griego

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Much research is based on the experience of participants in crime-related situations where they have contact with police. It is significant, however, that researchers have documented that 70 to 80% of calls requesting police service are not related to criminal activity. Despite this little is known about how police interaction with citizens in noncriminal and nonemergency situations impacts public perception of law enforcement. The aim of this phenomenological study was to explore the thoughts and perceptions of individuals who experienced a noncriminal police-citizen interaction as a result of receiving nonemergency assistance from the police. The conceptual framework for this study …

Evidence-Based Programming During Post-Conviction Supervision And Recidivism Outcomes, Vanessa Leia Starr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recidivism plagues the criminal justice system, specifically, in the field of community corrections; therefore, it is a societal concern. The goal of community supervision is the successful reintegration of offenders and the reduction of recidivism. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine the efficacy of evidence-based programming in a district in the northeastern United States to examine recidivism among federal offenders to fill a gap in the literature on real-life applicability. The risk-needs-responsivity model was the theoretical framework for this study, based on contemporary associations with evidence-based practices within judicial and correctional agencies. The statistical information for …

Impact Of Gender Of The Offender On Perceptions And Criminal Sentencing Of Child Sexual Abuse Cases In Puerto Rico, Sigrid Enid Vázquez-Tirado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The gender of the adult offender may influence perceptions and criminal sentencing of child sexual abuse (CSA) cases in Puerto Rico. Extralegal factors such as culture and stereotypes may impact how CSA crimes are perceived and handled. The traumagenic dynamic model and the focal concerns theory of sentencing provided the theoretical frameworks for the study. Data were gathered by convenience sampling. To measure perceptions and sentencing decisions, 525 participants were asked to read a hypothetical case of CSA by a teacher with a minor student. Point-biserial correlational analyses were used to assess the influence of the independent variable (sex of …

The Cbt Program "Thinking For A Change"And Its Impact On Offenders, James Wesson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe CBT Program “Thinking for a Change” and its Impact on Offenders By James Wesson

Forensic Psychology MS, Walden University, 2014Criminal Behavior MS, Tiffin University, 2012 Criminal Justice Administration BS, Tiffin University, 2011

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy General Studies –Criminal Justice with a specialization in Law and Public Policy

Walden University May 2021

Abstract One of the major problems that the United States criminal justice system faces regarding corrections is an exceedingly high rate of recidivism. The state of Ohio has been highly proactive in trying to address this …

Delinquent Behavior And Recidivism Among Juveniles In The Southeastern United States, Anthony Bernard Essix Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, juvenile delinquent behavior has continued to rise despite attempts by the legal system and policymakers. Much of the research contributing to the understanding of juvenile delinquency and recidivism has been focused on risk factors believed to push an individual to show signs of delinquency. Limited research has been conducted to explain how policies affect juvenile behaviors. The current study examined risk factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency to determine if a factor may have been overlooked in prior juvenile studies. Based on anomie and strain theory, a qualitative method of general inquiry was used to gain …

Corruption In Togo's Land Registration And Its Impact On Real Estate Development, Gbati Kakaye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract:Researchers have asserted that following malaria and AIDS, land-related conflict, exacerbated by rampant real estate corruption, is the third-largest problem and leading cause of death in Togo. The current study provided a means of gaining better understanding of the impact of corruption on real estate development in Togo by addressing the following research questions: How is corruption manifested in Togo’s land registration process and how has corruption in land registration process impacted real estate development? Theoretically, the study was underpinned by the cultural and neo-institutional economics framework. Data were collected through individual interviews and a focus group discussion with 15 …

The Lived Experiences Of Black Youth Who Recidivate In Diversion Programs, Justin Richards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are high rates of recidivism among U.S. Black youth when compared to other races, such as Whites and Hispanics. The purpose of the study was to examine the lived experiences of Black youth in the juvenile justice system and in diversion programs. Using a phenomenological qualitative method, twelve Black adults between the ages of 18 to 40 were interviewed about their lived experiences while participating in mental health courts and in-home probation as youth. The conceptual framework of the study was based on the risk, need, and responsivity model. The primary research question examined the lived experiences and perceptions …

The Implementation Of David’S Law To Address Cyberbullying In Texas Public School Districts, Helene Marie Topping

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSince the advent of the internet and the proliferation of social media in recent decades, a new form of bullying, cyberbullying, has emerged with serious repercussions for the physical and mental health of many persons, especially youth. In response, legislation was passed in all 50 states, including Texas, where the mandate to address all bullying, including cyberbullying, behaviors in schools was formalized by David’s Law in 2017. This law requires that policy and procedures be put in place in Texas public school districts. The problem is that it has not been determined whether David’s Law has been implemented in all …

The Relationship Between Programming After Critical Incidents, Shootings, And Resilience In Police, Michelle Lise Vincent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine whether there was a relationship between resilience, posttraumatic growth, and reintegration programming after a critical incident and/or line of duty shooting through the cognitive, self-efficacy and resiliency theoretical lenses. The research aimed to determine if police officers, who participated in reintegration programming, specifically in this study, Edmonton Police’s Reintegration After Critical Incident programming, produced higher scores in resilience as measured on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and posttraumatic growth, as measured on the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory scale (PTGI), with Canadian police officers compared to police officers who do not participate in …

The Successful Road Of Reentry After Conviction, Coretta Paula Butts

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractA problem exists for ex-convicts who are undergoing re-assimilation: their career options are limited once the label of ex-convict is applied to them. Labeling, which has created a gap between unsuccessful prisoner reentry and successful prisoner reentry, is a prevalent issue in the United States. Although research is available on the effects of labeling, limited information is available regarding the social effects labeling has on ex-convicts during their reentry process. The purpose of the study was to examine the current policies and procedures of Hillsborough County reentry programs in the state of Florida to investigate why they are failing to …

Florida’S Veteran Treatment Courts, John Rocco Capra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Following the terror attacks on the United States, an increasing number of veterans are returning to civilian life after having experienced service in active combat zones. As a result, many of these veterans are returning from their military service suffering from serious mental health issues and other injuries that include posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and major depression. Since the early 1990s, several specialized therapeutic courts have been developed as part of an effort to address a specific population within the state criminal justice systems. One of these recent court systems is the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), created first …

Examining Correctional Education Programs: The Lorton Prison College Program, William Sylvester Hacker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractOver the years, there has been an ongoing debate regarding the purpose or goal of correctional institutions. Due to public outcry for harsher sentences due to the appearance of a light sentences imposed on those convicted of crimes, the goal of punishment has often won. Many offenders enter correctional institutions with low academic skills and low employability. Correctional education programs can be viewed as a form of rehabilitation that can assist with the reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals. Correctional education can help reduce recidivism and increase the employability of ex-offenders as they reintegrate. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study …

Five Years Of The Ferguson Effect: An Officer Perspective, Darrin Neil Wilcox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

De-policing or pulling back from proactive policing existed before the shooting death of Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014. Shortly after this incident, de-policing was blamed for alleged increasing national crime rates and this connection came to be called the “Ferguson Effect.” Since then, most Ferguson Effect research has focused mainly on this connection, with little research into officer perceptions. This nonexperimental quantitative study examined officer perceptions of the Ferguson Effect 5 years after the incident and compared it with their views of government oversight of local law enforcement, legal liability, and officer …

Impact Of Incarceration On The Maternal Identities Of African American Women, Shameka Roshe Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are minimal studies that have analyzed the impact and consequences of multiple incarcerations among African American mothers regarding their maternal identity and relationships. With this study, how African American women perceive the impact of their multiple incarcerations, relationships with their children, ability to parent their children, and how they negotiate their own maternal identity was examined. This study was completed in Las Vegas, Nevada and involved a multiple case study format and sample of 12 African American women who have experienced multiple incarcerations and have already been released from prison. Perspectives of participants were examined through a sequence of …