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Examining Psychosocial Characteristics Of Female Serial Murderers, Rachael Strebel Jan 2023

Examining Psychosocial Characteristics Of Female Serial Murderers, Rachael Strebel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous studies of serial murderers have focused primarily on male serial murderers.The reason for this is unknown, but is primarily reflective of media patterns, gender roles, and social norms that often exclude females from conversations surrounding female serial murder. This study focused on the psychosocial characteristics of female serial murderers. Both solo female serial murderers and serial murderers who worked with one partner were studied. Using a grounded theory approach, based on the review of 11 secondary data case studies, 12 female serial murderers were studied; six who murdered individually and six who murdered within a team. Six main themes …


Parenting From Juvenile Confinement: Adults’ Reflections On Their Juvenile Experience, Lakeasha R. Moore Jan 2023

Parenting From Juvenile Confinement: Adults’ Reflections On Their Juvenile Experience, Lakeasha R. Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMass incarceration in the United States has resulted in an estimated 19.7 million youth living in fatherless homes. Incarcerated juvenile fathers are contributing to that number. Juvenile fathers who are incarcerated is a socially pertinent topic with significant implications, yet child developmental scholars understudy it. This phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to fill this gap by exploring the lived experiences of adults who, as juveniles, were incarcerated fathers and how they coped with social and emotional stressors while attempting to balance adolescence and defining fatherhood. Five adult males were interviewed and asked a series of four demographic and 18 semistructured …


Assessing The Impact Of Domestic Violence Upon The Lives Of African American Women, Meleh Duarto Jan 2023

Assessing The Impact Of Domestic Violence Upon The Lives Of African American Women, Meleh Duarto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence is a public health problem in the United States. It can be associated with physical, mental, emotional, and psychological problems for the victims. African American (AA) women experience this type of violence more than any other ethnicity or race. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to identify and report AA women’s lived experiences of domestic violence. Even though research devoted to understanding domestic/intimate partner violence’s consequences is limited, this problem has devastating consequences for AA women. This problem needs immediate attention. Likewise, there is limited empirical research done on the topic: Why do African Americans experience …


Help-Seeking Behavior Of African American And Non-African American Victims Of Elderly Abuse, Tesfaye Yigletu Wosene Jan 2023

Help-Seeking Behavior Of African American And Non-African American Victims Of Elderly Abuse, Tesfaye Yigletu Wosene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elderly abuse is a pervasive public health problem in the United States. Most abuse and neglect go unreported due to barriers including fear for safety, concerns about the consequences, culture, lack of knowledge about elder abuse, shame, and self-blame. However, there is limited research on how race and ethnicity impact help-seeking behaviors of the elderly. This cross-sectional quantitative study examined the difference in reporting and help-seeking behavior between African American and non-African American victims of elderly abuse. Applying the behavioral model of health services use, this study involved a secondary data analysis using the Nation Elderly Mistreatment Study Wave II …


The Lived Experiences Of Civilian Review Board Members, Vereen Charmaine Barton Jan 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Civilian Review Board Members, Vereen Charmaine Barton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this transcendental phenomenological research was to describe the lived experiences of investigative civilian review board (CRB) members. The central research question of the study examined the lived experiences of investigative civilian review board members as it related to recruitment and selection, training, and support. Eight participants from two CRBs in the Northeast and Midwest formed a random sample of six females and two males. Three data collection instruments were used in this research (in-depth interviews, writing prompts, and personal narratives) to elicit information. The instruments were designed to prompt information about CRB members' experiences based on the …


An Evaluation Of Community-Based Juvenile Firesetting Programs Through The Custodial Lens, Peter William Blaich Jan 2023

An Evaluation Of Community-Based Juvenile Firesetting Programs Through The Custodial Lens, Peter William Blaich

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Using general strain theory and social learning theory as the foundation, this generic qualitative study addressed whether interventions and prevention services for juvenile firesetters in the City of Charlotte–Mecklenberg County met needs from the perspectives of critical stakeholders. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 12 parents/guardians of justice-involved adolescent fire offenders. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a six-step procedure for thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke. The study's results revealed that the current juvenile firesetters intervention and prevention program is perceived as inadequate when applied without input from the adolescent’s parent or guardian. The participants perceived the need …


Occupational Burnout Factors Among Correctional Mental Health Providers, Morgan Gruhot Jan 2023

Occupational Burnout Factors Among Correctional Mental Health Providers, Morgan Gruhot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout rates of correctional employees are higher than employees in the general public. The purpose of this study was to identify how occupational factors impact burnout rates among correctional mental health workers. Grounded in the job-demands theoretical model, this study compared burnout rates among mental health staff within county jails and state prisons. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Occupational factors were measured using the Areas of Work life Survey and Pandemic Experience and Perception Survey. Data was analyzed using IBM SSPS software to address multiple a priori directional research questions. Research questions considered how occupational factors …


Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On Referring Black Students For Disciplinary Action, Adriuna Johnson Jan 2023

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On Referring Black Students For Disciplinary Action, Adriuna Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Schools have reported disparities in the use of discipline on a nationwide scale. The problem for this study was that early childhood teachers referred Black students for disciplinary action or exclusionary discipline at higher rates than their peers.The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives of referring Black students for disciplinary action. Weinstein, Curran, and Tomlinson-Clarke’s model of culturally responsive classroom management formed the conceptual framework that guided this study. The research question focused on teacher perspectives about referring Black students for disciplinary action. A basic qualitative design was used to capture the insights …


The Impact Of Gender On Relationship Satisfaction In Law Enforcement, Carole Ann Presson Jan 2023

The Impact Of Gender On Relationship Satisfaction In Law Enforcement, Carole Ann Presson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Relationships have been identified as a critical component of mental wellness. Law enforcement has been recognized as a profession with high divorce rates and relationship failure, contributing to reduced mental health in law enforcement. By addressing and identifying relationship concerns, issues of suicide, use of force, productivity, and reduced tenure can be addressed. This quantitative study aimed to identify areas of stress contributing to relationship dissatisfaction. The study’s initial focus was to identify if gender impacted satisfaction outcomes. Male and female officers participated equally in completing surveys to identify organizational and operational police stress, romantic partner conflict, and relationship assessment. …


Mainstreaming Hate: An Analysis Of The Rebranding Of White Supremacy, Lowell Smith Jan 2023

Mainstreaming Hate: An Analysis Of The Rebranding Of White Supremacy, Lowell Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative dissertation was to examine the feasibility of white supremacist and white nationalist organizations’ abilities to alter their appearance and gain increased support in White American society. Nationalist agendas pushed by mainstream political platforms have been used by white supremacist and white nationalist organizations to alter their appearance and embed themselves into a political environment that has seen the former President of the United States Donald Trump and congressional representatives openly associating with known and self-proclaimed white nationalists. The research question included the understanding the perspectives of two civil rights organizations who work to address white …


The Prison Reentry Experience Of Justice-Involved Veterans, Latta Roosevelt Thomas Jr. Jan 2023

The Prison Reentry Experience Of Justice-Involved Veterans, Latta Roosevelt Thomas Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prison reentry programs attempt to equip justice-involved veterans with life skills necessary for their transition out of prison. This qualitative study addressed the scant understanding of the impact pre-released prison reentry programs have on justice-involved veterans’ transition and reintegration back to the community. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the perceptions of justice-involved veterans regarding prison reentry programs that have impacted their transition out of prison. The well-being development model and Castro’s military-to-civilian transition model provided the conceptual framework for this qualitative study, using semistructured questions to interview 11 justice-involved veterans regarding their participation in prison reentry …


Discrepancies In Race, Occupational Prestige Score, Socioeconomic Index, Income/Wealth, And Social Class Between Blacks And Whites, Queensley Udofia Jan 2023

Discrepancies In Race, Occupational Prestige Score, Socioeconomic Index, Income/Wealth, And Social Class Between Blacks And Whites, Queensley Udofia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An argument that has gained prominence recently is that race is/will no longer be a significant factor in explaining any Black - White gaps. The argument is that in the post-Civil Rights era, the implementation of affirmative action and antidiscrimination policies at local, state, and federal levels has closed, if not almost erased, the gaps between Blacks and Whites. Research, however, has disputed the claims of proponents of color-blindness that issues of race are on the decline and will no longer be a factor in explaining racial inequalities between Blacks and Whites. This study used General Social Survey 2021 data …


Understanding Experiences Of Racial Microaggressions Among African American Women In Cross-Racial Supervision, Nicole Daley Jan 2023

Understanding Experiences Of Racial Microaggressions Among African American Women In Cross-Racial Supervision, Nicole Daley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Racial microaggressions are statements that occur in everyday life that are regarded as instances of subtle or unintentional discrimination against members of a racial or ethnic minority. For African Americans, racial microaggressions are feelings of denigration and exclusion. Racial aggressions experienced by African American women in clinical counseling profession (counseling, psychology, social work, mental health) supervision have not been well-studied. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used in this qualitative study to explore African American women supervisees' experience of racial microaggressions in cross-racial supervision. Intersectionality theory and identity negotiation theory were used to guide the development and analysis plan. Semistructured, audio-recorded interviews …


The Lived Experiences Of Homelessness Of Former Foster Youth Navigating Their Way Into Adulthood, Debra B. Hampton Jan 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Homelessness Of Former Foster Youth Navigating Their Way Into Adulthood, Debra B. Hampton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractYouth exiting the U.S. foster care system can experience a complicated process as well as lack of support and resources to help in their transition. Also, despite federal policies in place, these youth can face socioeconomic challenges that lead to homelessness. The purpose of this qualitative, hermeneutic, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of homelessness of adults who age out of the foster care system without continued support when they turn 18. Social capital theory provided a theoretical foundation for the study. Participants were 10 individuals 18 years of age and over who exited out of foster care …


Relationships Between Racial Diversity Of Counties And Police Departments And Disproportionate Minority Contact At The Referral-Level In The State Of Georgia, Jacquelyn D. Johnson Jan 2023

Relationships Between Racial Diversity Of Counties And Police Departments And Disproportionate Minority Contact At The Referral-Level In The State Of Georgia, Jacquelyn D. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The existence of disproportionate minority contact (DMC) is a serious problem throughout the juvenile justice systems in every state in the United States. The DMC phenomenon is well documented in the 159 counties in the State of Georgia juvenile justice system. Although numerous researchers have investigated the role of county-level variables in the creation of these racial disparities, these researchers have not discovered any explanations for differences in outcomes from one county to another county within the same state based on the diversity of the county population or police departments in each county. The purpose of this quantitative study was …


Disenfranchisement Laws Affecting Voting Rights Of Black Americans In Mississippi, April Masha Jones Jan 2023

Disenfranchisement Laws Affecting Voting Rights Of Black Americans In Mississippi, April Masha Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

From Black individuals being enslaved and freed to being incarcerated in modern-day society more frequently than White individuals, the desire to have a voice in the decision-making process has been challenging. Black voters in Mississippi may be underrepresented because of felony disenfranchisement laws. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to examine the lived experiences of Black Mississippians about felony disenfranchisement laws and voting rights. The first research question addressed perceptions of Black Americans in Mississippi regarding the felony disenfranchisement laws. The second research question addressed the experiences related to any political implications among the electorate in Mississippi. The …


The Experience Of Compassion Fatigue In School Counselors, Melissa Lynn Manganaro Jan 2023

The Experience Of Compassion Fatigue In School Counselors, Melissa Lynn Manganaro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School counselors play a crucial role in U.S. education. In recent years, their student caseloads have increased as more students are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. With additional stressors from providing social/emotional counseling, school counselors are vulnerable to secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue; however, research was limited on counselors' experiences of these conditions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain understanding of school counselors' experiences of compassion fatigue and strategies for coping. Ten school counselors from public schools in Arizona, who had scored in the moderate- to high-risk range on the Compassion Fatigue Self-Test, …


Victim Advocates' Experiences Of Challenges And Opportunities In Supporting Children Of Homicide Victims, Ed Rahkeem Simmons Jan 2023

Victim Advocates' Experiences Of Challenges And Opportunities In Supporting Children Of Homicide Victims, Ed Rahkeem Simmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homicide is a preventable public health issue that has detrimental effects for victims, witnesses, and the broader society. Although a number of studies have substantiated the adverse effects on children when a parent dies by homicide, few studies have addressed how critical the support of victim advocates is in minimizing the adverse effects. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine victim advocate professionals' experiences of challenges and opportunities in delivering services to children of homicide victims. Policy feedback theory was the theoretical framework for the study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 victim advocate professionals who were members …


Utilization Of An Opioid Antagonist And Comprehensive Medication-Assisted Treatment In Correctional Settings, Amanda K. Trent Jan 2023

Utilization Of An Opioid Antagonist And Comprehensive Medication-Assisted Treatment In Correctional Settings, Amanda K. Trent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many people brought into the U.S. criminal justice system have substance abuse problems that served as the primary or secondary catalyst for offending. To treat substance use disorder in these individuals, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is being evaluated as a viable option in the criminal justice system. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a MAT treatment program by reviewing existing data regarding offenders who were receiving the opioid antagonist naltrexone, other supplemental medications, and cognitive behavior therapy in a therapeutic community inside a correctional setting. Biological and social learning theoretical frameworks guided the study. Secondary …


Differences In Criminal Behavior Based On Experiences Involving Parental Incarceration, Brooke Bowie Fitzgerald Jan 2023

Differences In Criminal Behavior Based On Experiences Involving Parental Incarceration, Brooke Bowie Fitzgerald

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parental abandonment, a form of abuse and neglect, can be experienced due to various factors, including incarceration. When parents are incarcerated, children may face factors such as housing instability, financial strain, behavioral problems, mental health issues, and criminal justice involvement. Due to little research that is available, there are challenges in terms of providing programs to children in this position that could focus on preventing negative impacts of parental incarceration in order to combat substance abuse and criminal behaviors, promote better adjustment to stressors, and support mental health treatment. The attachment theory, developed by Bowlby, Ainsworth, and Blatz was used …


Effect Of Detention Facilities Toward Juvenile Delinquency And Exposure To Criminalization, Calvin Clark Jan 2023

Effect Of Detention Facilities Toward Juvenile Delinquency And Exposure To Criminalization, Calvin Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDetention facility settings present opportunities and risks in relation to violent extremism. Criminalization as the main concern would increase the crime rates in the United States while allowing the formation of terrorist groups on U.S. soil. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between juveniles’ experiences in detention centers and their exposure to criminalization. The study was guided by social control theory, narrative theory, and differential opportunity theory. Data were collected using a survey of 15 juvenile detention officers. Results of correlation analyses indicated a significant relationship between detention experience and increased exposure to criminalization …


Sex Offenders’ Risk Assessment Process And Effects On Jurisdiction Transitioning, Lonnie Keith Grabowska Jan 2023

Sex Offenders’ Risk Assessment Process And Effects On Jurisdiction Transitioning, Lonnie Keith Grabowska

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe Adam Walsh Act created sex offender notification and registration requirements to encourage state compliance toward federal guidelines and assigned threat levels to registered sex offenders using mandated assessment processes. Researchers have pointed out that the transition by states using tiered assessment processes to the federally mandated guidelines has led to operational changes to state registration procedures. The purpose of this quantitative study was to understand the effects and impacts on jurisdictions transitioning the designation of registered sex offenders’ threat assessment levels from a formal risk-based assessment process to the mandated Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act conviction-based assessment tool …


The Lived Experiences Of Young Adults Moving From Juvenile Detention Centers To Employment Or Education, Tramyna B. Harris Jan 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Young Adults Moving From Juvenile Detention Centers To Employment Or Education, Tramyna B. Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are not many young adults who experience a successful turnaround after they leave a juvenile detention center. Many young adults who leave juvenile detention centers are at risk of reoffending and returning to the system due to a paucity of resources. It is vital to recognize the positive and successful experiences of those young adults who do not re-enter the criminal justice system. The purpose of this research study was to understand (a) the different experiences of certain young adults involving their successful turnaround story, (b) why the young adults engaged in criminal activity, and (c) what interventions worked …


The Linear Evolution Of Local Emergency Management Training In Response To Domestic Terrorism, Jeffrey Januchowski Jan 2023

The Linear Evolution Of Local Emergency Management Training In Response To Domestic Terrorism, Jeffrey Januchowski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis paper presents a research study in the field of emergency management. The study aims to identify training or educational needs for the emergency manager at the local level of government to effectively handle disasters. The study uses phenomenon theory with semi-structured interviews that gather data from emergency managers that have experience with major disasters and training requirements. Participants were experts in the emergency management profession with the ability to speak appropriately about the phenomenon. Research questions identified the training methods that produce the best results along with the specific hazards emergency managers may encounter. The research design used questionnaires …


Auto-Theft Coverage In New Jersey-Based Online News Articles From 2017–2022, Tyler Michael Johnson Jan 2023

Auto-Theft Coverage In New Jersey-Based Online News Articles From 2017–2022, Tyler Michael Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

News organizations at both the local and national level report current events through many platforms, including print media, online news media, television programming, and social media posting. All these mediums have virtually unlimited reach as the internet, social media, and smartphones have proliferated globally. A popular topic reported by the media is crime. This study was focused on how crime, specifically auto theft, has been reported on by New Jersey web-based news organizations and public officials in the past 5 years. To obtain a local perspective, three news organizations were randomly selected from the News Bank archive, and all articles …


The Reconciliation Of Cognitive Dissonance Among Social Workers In Substance Use Treatment Settings, Miranda Ashley Kieler Jan 2023

The Reconciliation Of Cognitive Dissonance Among Social Workers In Substance Use Treatment Settings, Miranda Ashley Kieler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although harm reduction (HR) and abstinence-based treatment approaches are both useful in addiction treatment, the former is less accepted and integrated into practice. Social workers who embrace an HR approach but who work at substance abuse treatment facilities that are abstinence based may experience cognitive dissonance because they perceive their work role to be incompatible with social work practice values and education. Little was known regarding how practitioners with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree experience and reconcile cognitive dissonance related to their HR education and abstinence-only practice in substance use treatment centers. To address this gap in the …


Gang Diversion Programs In The Success Of Reducing Youth Gang Membership, Francis Songtiib Laari Jan 2023

Gang Diversion Programs In The Success Of Reducing Youth Gang Membership, Francis Songtiib Laari

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe rate of youth involvement in gang membership and crime has become a problem in Fairfax County, Virginia. It has increased violent crimes, drug trade, and incarceration rates for youths and decreased child school graduation rates. Youth gang membership is a significant public issue with broad mental and psychological implications for the child, family, and community because of the potential to commit a crime. Early exposure to gangs and violent neighborhoods can profoundly and negatively impact the residents. Researchers have explored why many children join gangs, but none have examined gang diversion programs' success in reducing youth gang membership. In …


The Lived Experiences Of Stress For People With Alcoholism Striving Toward Recovery, Gerald Okeke Jan 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Stress For People With Alcoholism Striving Toward Recovery, Gerald Okeke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recovery from alcohol is an individualized process, therefore, effective treatment necessitates an understanding of the phenomenon from the perspective of individuals in recovery. This study involved an exploration of the lived experiences of stress of 10 individuals with alcoholism in their first year recovery journey, particularly with respect to access resources (e.g., helpfulness and availability). Pearlin et al.'s stress process theory and Bandura's social learning theory constituted the study's theoretical foundation; the key concepts of social stress and social learning informed the development of the research questions and the analysis of data. The major themes that emerged were spirituality, hitting …


Local Leadership Strategies To Mitigate The Effects Of The Public Charge Rule And Covid-19 Among Undocumented Immigrants, Amos Onyango Oketch Jan 2023

Local Leadership Strategies To Mitigate The Effects Of The Public Charge Rule And Covid-19 Among Undocumented Immigrants, Amos Onyango Oketch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractScholars have focused on the effects of implementing the federal-level Public Charge Rule (PCR) and COVID-19 on undocumented immigrants' health and socioeconomic well-being. Researchers have demonstrated that many federal assistance programs that benefit the general population in the wake of the pandemic exclude undocumented immigrants due to PCR restrictions; thus, they are disproportionately affected and suffer social and socioeconomic disparity. Researchers have yet to establish consensus strategies and interventions at the local and state levels to fill the gap and support disadvantaged communities during the pandemic to ensure equitable care and mitigate harm. Thus, this study aimed to identify the …


Postsecondary Education, Self-Efficacy, And Organizational Commitment Impact On Previously Incarcerated Employee Job Satisfaction, Elizabeth Sadler Roney Jan 2023

Postsecondary Education, Self-Efficacy, And Organizational Commitment Impact On Previously Incarcerated Employee Job Satisfaction, Elizabeth Sadler Roney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A study was conducted to determine if previously incarcerated employee age, postsecondary education (PSE) attainment, prior incarceration status, and assessed self-efficacy predict job satisfaction. It also considered if organizational commitment had a moderating effect on the predictors ability to forecast the criterion. Two underlying theories considered in this study are Bandura’s social learning theory and Vroom’s expectancy theory. The obtained sample of 22 participants included seven previously incarcerated individuals. Demographic data used as predictors were employee age, PSE attainment, and prior incarceration status. Three instruments used included the New General Self-Efficacy Survey to assess self-efficacy as a predictor, the Job …