Digital Commons Network^™

Effective Strategies For Hospital Leaders To Increase Employee Retention, Lionso Gomez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee retention remains a critical challenge for hospital leaders because high turnover can contribute to workforce instability, increased organizational costs, and poor patient care quality. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore effective strategies that hospital leaders in Texas use to increase employee retention. The participants were six former hospital leaders in Texas's eastern and southern regions who had successfully implemented employee retention strategies. This research project was grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and publicly available documents. The data were analyzed utilizing Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic …

The Experiences Of Deaf American Muslims In Their Pursuit And Retention Of Employment, Shukry Mahmood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Deaf American Muslims in the United States face high levels of unemployment. They often experience compounded marginalization at the intersection of disability, religion, and cultural identity, which often leads to exclusion and underrepresentation in employment contexts. The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences while pursuing and retaining employment in the United States of deaf Muslims in United States workplaces. In this qualitative study, a self-designed, semistructured interview protocol with open-ended questions was used to explore these experiences. The sample of 12 participants was selected based on their self-identification as deaf American Muslims with at least 30 …

Childcare Center Administrators’ Leadership Practices To Foster Childcare Worker Retention In Non-Residential Childcare Centers, Rebecca Dececco

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Though staff retention is essential for children's stability and security in childcare settings, there remains a gap in knowledge about the leadership practices in childcare that have implications for retaining staff. The problem addressed in this study was the need for information about the influence of leadership practices on childcare teacher retention in the United States. Grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the leadership practices of childcare center administrators who retain childcare staff. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 childcare center administrators who worked directly …

Maintaining Excellence Under Pressure: The Stress–Performance Paradox In A Multi-Campus State University System, Rico D. De Asis Dr.

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This study examines how multiple stress dimensions (levels, sources, effects, and coping mechanisms) relate to teaching performance in resource-constrained Southeast Asian public higher education, addressing the geographic concentration of faculty stress research in Western contexts.

Methods: Using multiple regression analysis with 80 permanent faculty members across three campuses of a state university system, I assessed relationships between stress factors and teaching performance. The study employed validated stress assessment instruments examining stress levels, sources (student, teacher, environment, work-related), effects (self, family, work), and coping mechanisms.

Results: Self effects of stress demonstrated the strongest negative relationship with teaching performance (R² …

Time Series Analysis Of Temperature And Pollen Exposure On Asthma Outcomes In Atlanta, Georgia, Victoria Okereke-Viktorsson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The effects of climate change contribute to volatile temperature changes, which coupled with pollen exposure pose a significant threat to asthmatic people, potentially impacting methods for asthma management. The purpose of this ecological time-series study was to use the carbon dioxide theory of climate change, Dutch hypothesis, and social ecological model to estimate the relationship between average temperature and average pollen concentrations on average asthma morbidity outcomes for adults living in metropolitan Atlanta from 2020 to 2022 (N = 37,913). Results varied in terms of years, socioeconomic status (SES) vulnerability, gender, and racial group. Overall, a linear regression model revealed …

Effectiveness And Ethics Of Biometrics In Homeland Security, Aaron Akintayo Akindiya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homeland security agencies increasingly deploy biometric technologies, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, to enhance identity verification and threat detection at airports and borders. However, these technologies raise ethical concerns regarding privacy, algorithmic bias, data protection, and civil liberties. Limited research captures the perspectives of frontline professionals who implement these systems. This study explored how homeland security professionals perceive the balance between effectiveness and ethics. Guided by the technological determinism theory, semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 professionals from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: effectiveness in enhancing …

Exploring Successful Change Strategies For Small Business Owners To Remain Competitive, Omari Akuamoah Boateng

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses are vital to the U.S. economy but face significant challenges in implementing organizational change to remain competitive due to resource constraints. This problem is important to small business owners because ineffective change strategies limit growth, sustainability, and broader economic contribution. Grounded in the resource-based view of the firm and entrepreneurship theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project is to explore the evidence-based organizational change strategies used by some small business owners in the United States to achieve and sustain a competitive advantage. The participants were 6 leaders from small businesses with fewer than 100 employees located …

Risk Factors For Metabolic Syndrome Among U.S.-Born And Non-U.S.-Born Hispanics In The United States, Banessa Maldonado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current knowledge regarding risk factors for metabolic syndrome (METS) among Hispanic individuals of Mexican descent remains limited. Using data from NHANES 2017–2020, this study compared factors contributing to METS and included U.S.-born and non-U.S.-born Hispanic adults of Mexican descent aged ≥ 18 years living in the USA (N = 949) with assessed METS. Grounded in the social ecological model and social determinants of health, this research evaluated dietary habits, lifestyle patterns, and acculturation processes using multivariate logistic regression and stratified analyses. Educational attainment was associated with METS, but the association was not statistically significant in adjusted models p = 0.528. …

Secondary English Teacher Experiences Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching With Black Students In Maryland, Angela James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite state mandates requiring culturally responsive teaching (CRT) implementation, the problem addressed by this study was that urban high school teachers are not consistently integrating CRT practices with Black students in Reading/English language arts (RELA) courses. Guided by the CRT framework, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of urban high school teachers with incorporating CRT practices with Black high school students in RELA courses in Maryland. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 RELA teachers. Through open coding, the following three themes emerged: the need for increased and targeted professional development, structured opportunities …

Global Humanitarian Aid Sector Leaders’ Perceptions Of Leadership Development Programs To Support Humanitarian Aid Workers, Stephen J. Thomspon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study is that current leadership development programs for global humanitarian aid sector (GHAS) leaders fail to adequately address the unique circumstances of humanitarian aid work. Grounded in trauma-informed care and adaptive leadership, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore GHAS leaders' perceptions of the essential components and opportunities for improving leadership development programs, as well as their recommendations on how to address the unique contexts of humanitarian aid workers. Semistructured interviews with eight GHAS leaders who had at least 10 years of sector experience were conducted. Through qualitative content analysis with a …

Proposal For A Comprehensive Workplace Violence Program In An Acute Care Facility, Christin V. Timmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace violence (WPV) in healthcare is a growing threat to caregiver safety, workforce stability, and patient outcomes. At a newly opened acute care facility, the absence of a comprehensive WPV prevention program posed a gap in practice, creating safety risks and regulatory vulnerability. A literature search was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed/ MEDLINE, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health collection, and Google Scholar. A total of 50 articles were identified with 11 articles meeting all inclusion criteria. Collectively, findings supported comprehensive, multicomponent WPV prevention programs to integrate leadership engagement, structured governance, staff education, environmental controls, and continuous data monitoring to improve safety …

Ai Vs. Licensed Psychologists: A Comparative Analysis Of Treatment Plan Quality For Treating Psychological Distress, Michael Edward Maloney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study was conducted to investigate whether statistically significant differences exist in the quality of treatment plans developed by artificial intelligence (AI) platforms versus treatment plans generated by licensed psychologists, with a focus on intervention specificity and clinical appropriateness. Given the rapid proliferation of digital mental health technologies and the persistent shortage of licensed mental health professionals, empirical evaluation of AI-driven clinical tools has become a critical area of inquiry. Grounded in dual process theory (DPT), which conceptualizes decision making as the product of both intuitive and analytical cognitive systems, the study employed a quantitative, between-groups design. Sixty-six licensed psychologists …

Association Between Resource Availability And Wellbeing Of Autism Patients In Ghana, Kwabena Aduse-Poku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that presents significant challenges for children and families in Ghana, where resources remain limited. Grounded in the social ecological model, this quantitative cross-sectional study examined the associations between autism management programs and wellbeing, defined briefly as independent functioning in daily life and learning of autism patients enrolled in selected institutions in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Data were collected from N=122 autism patients using structured questionnaires that were completed by caregivers and program staff. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess relationships between program type, regional location, and years of enrollment and …

Leadership Role In The Formation Of Leadership Qualities, Culture Of Business Communication, And Emotional Intelligence Of Future Higher Education Professionals, Larysa Hren, Arseniy Khaziyev, Kostiantyn Kachailo, Ivan Kirsanov, Mykola Chebotarev

Higher Learning Research Communications

Introduction/Aims: The study was conducted among 2nd- and 3rd-year undergraduate students and 1st-year master’s students majoring in three specialties: psychology, social security, and medicine. The research examined the influence of leadership qualities on professional training, emotion management, and business communication skills of students in higher education institutions. It explored how these competencies collectively enhance adaptability and preparedness for professional activities in fields such as psychology, social work, and medicine, addressing gaps in educational methodologies.

Methods: We employed a comprehensive, four-stage methodology with content analysis as the primary data collection method. The study involved 63 participants from the National …

Health Literacy And Diabetes Self-Care Behavior, Eucharia Amaefule

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited health literacy is a significant barrier to effective diabetes self-management among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet nationally representative evidence using comprehensive health literacy measures remains limited. Guided by the health belief model, the purpose of this quantitative, secondary data analysis using cross-sectional data was to examine the relationship between health literacy and diabetes self-care behaviors among U.S. adults with T2DM and determine whether education level moderated this relationship. Data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed for U.S. adults (N = 9, 535) with self-reported T2DM. Diabetes self-care behaviors included blood glucose monitoring, …

African American Women Counselors’ Lived Experiences Of Burnout Due To Microaggressions, Anquitra Walton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Within the counseling profession, African American women navigate unique challenges in the workplace, often experiencing microaggressions that contribute to stress, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion. While systemic racial issues drive workplace microaggressions, counselor educators and supervisors remain ill-equipped to support African American women through the resulting burnout. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of African American women counselors to understand how microaggressions can lead to burnout and affect their psychological well-being. Guided by a transcendental-phenomenological qualitative framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted to capture participants’ experiences, exploring the lived experiences of African American women counselors who …

Grit And Psychological Well-Being As Predictors Of Job Persistence Among K–12 Teachers In The United States, Tina Marie Sheppard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Throughout the United States, K–12 public school teachers are leaving the profession, contributing to teacher shortages and instability in classrooms and schools. Teacher persistence is critical to student success, yet little was known about the nature of the predictive relationship between grit and psychological well-being on job persistence among K–12 public school teachers in the United States. Guided by the framework of positive psychology, the purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental correlational study was to investigate the nature of the predictive relationship between the independent variables grit, as measured by the 12-Item Grit Scale, and psychological well-being, as measured by the …

The Lived Experiences Of The Flint Water Crisis And Its Psychological Effects, Joe W. Glenn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Flint, Michigan, water crisis of 2014, with lead contamination of drinking water, adversely affected predominantly Black, socioeconomically disadvantaged residents. However, no research has investigated residents’ experiences, especially their trust in local and state government leaders. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of the Flint water crisis and its psychological effects. Rawls’s theory of justice provided the framework for the study. Three research questions guided this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study. Information from eight Flint residents was collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis followed Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological steps. Five strong themes emerged: understanding individual perceptions, views …

Residual Effects Of Childhood Sexual Victimization On Black Caribbean Immigrants’ Adult Functionality, Sophia Elaine Profit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood sexual victimization is associated with long-term psychological, emotional, and functional challenges that may persist into adulthood. Despite a growing body of literature on childhood trauma, limited research has explored its residual effects on adult functionality among Black Caribbean immigrants. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the residual effects of childhood sexual victimization on adult functionality among Black Caribbean immigrants. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit 9 participants through social media platforms. Rational choice theory served as the conceptual framework to examine how trauma-related and sociocultural factors shaped participants' decision-making processes. Data were collected …

General And Special Education Teachers’ Experiences With The Implementation Of Inclusive Education, Katie Chardoussin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some elementary special education and general education teachers in New Jersey struggle to implement inclusion programs. The purpose of this study was to explore special and general education teachers’ experiences with the challenges they encountered teaching in inclusion classrooms. The conceptual framework for this study was Anderson’s ecology of inclusive education, which highlighted the importance of students having meaningful relationships with their peers. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 19 participants, of whom eight were special education teachers, and 11 were general education teachers. Through inductive coding, the following three themes emerged: Special education and general …

Administrative Discharge Strategies To Decrease Readmission Rates Of Black Patients In Acute Care Hospitals, Patricia Cummings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High 30-day hospital readmission rates among Black patients remain a healthcare administration problem associated with high costs and poor care quality. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify evidence-based discharge planning strategies to reduce hospital readmissions among Black patients. The review question was used to examine strategies healthcare administrators can implement to enhance discharge planning for Black patients. Donabedian’s structure-process-outcome model guided the review. A literature search yielded 87 relevant articles; 27 articles published from 2021 through 2026 were appraised using the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model, and 25 were used in this review. Thematic analysis resulted in …

Perceived Level Of Preparedness For A Terrorist Event Between State, Local And Tribal Law Enforcement Officers, Herbert Henderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this quantitative cross-sectional study, differences in perceived preparedness among state, local, and tribal law upon Kingdon’s multiple streams approach and Baumgartner and Jones’ punctuated equilibrium theory to explain administrative changes in law enforcement following the September 11, 2001, attacks. Data were collected from 53 full-time police officers across state, local and tribal agencies using a web-based survey instrument measuring enforcement officers in a northern border region were examined. Officers’ perceived preparedness to identify, prevent, and respond to future terrorist threats were evaluated. Whether perceived preparedness differed by agency type and whether officers with military experience or advanced homeland security …

Food And Drug Administration Audit Outcomes And Their Association With Class I And Class Ii Food Recalls, Mark Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Foodborne illness and food recalls remain major public health concerns in the United States. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, the purpose of this quantitative secondary analysis was to examine whether Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection classifications, warning letters, and prior 24-month inspection frequency were associated with facility involvement in a subsequent Class I or Class II food recall. Question-specific analytic files were created from publicly available FDA administrative records. Eligible records included FDA-regulated food facilities with qualifying inspection or warning letter events and sufficient data to assess recall involvement within a 12-month follow-up period. The final analytic …

Principals' Perceived Leadership Training For Inclusive K-12 Education, Lettie E. Webster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adequate training and professional development enhance school principals’ effectiveness in leading inclusive K-12 schools. The problem addressed in this study was the gap in the literature on K-12 principals’ perceptions of the essential elements of preparation and ongoing professional development needed for effective leadership in inclusive educational settings. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore K-12 school principals’ perceptions of essential components of preparation for effective leadership and the role of ongoing professional development in enhancing their effectiveness as leaders in inclusive educational settings. Beard’s engaged school leadership theory served as the conceptual framework. For this basic qualitative …

The Perceived Professional Impact Of Exposure To Stress Experienced By Mental Health Therapists During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Bianca J. Reaves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

COVID-19 changed the methods in which therapy was traditionally delivered. Mental health therapists switched from in-person to virtual sessions during the pandemic. There was a gap in research related to stress levels of mental health therapists in the telehealth field. Adaptations were made by mental health therapists to provide services and as a result virtual platforms were used to connect with the community served. This qualitative research study was an exploration of mental health therapists perceived responses to stress or burnout in relation to a global pandemic. The theoretical foundation used to assess perceived stress is the Stress Theory. The …

Bahamian Human Resource Practitioners' Perceptions Of Public Service Performance, Lanisha Tamar Rolle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Strong, capable public service systems are essential to meeting society's needs, and perceptions of public-service performance indicate how people ultimately respond to and value public sector systems and performance. While the literature documented the perspectives of public service employees and citizens, and found that they generally believed that public service was inefficient and ineffective due to excessive bureaucracy, autocratic leadership, and political influence, little was known about the perspectives of other stakeholders who participate in or are affected by the public service performance process. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to bridge the knowledge gap by gathering Bahamian …

Staff Education To Decrease Workplace Violence Through De-Escalation Training In The Emergency Department, Tyrani Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace violence remains a significant issue in healthcare settings, particularly in emergency departments where psychiatric patients may present with aggressive behaviors. Nurses and healthcare staff are frequently exposed to verbal threats, intimidation, and physical aggression, which negatively impact staff safety, job satisfaction, and patient care quality. Despite workplace violence prevention policies, gaps remain in staff preparedness when managing escalating patient behaviors. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to implement an evidence-based de-escalation training program to improve staff knowledge about managing aggressive psychiatric patients in the emergency department. The practice- focused question was: Can staff education on …

An Exploration Of Factors Affecting Investments In Productivity Improvement, Gregory Springate

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Canada has exhibited lower productivity growth since 1990, resulting in substantially reduced gains in citizens’ standards of living despite the importance of sustainable productivity to economic prosperity. Understanding the primary factors that influence productivity growth is a critical concern for Canadian government leaders, as it is a key indicator of the nation’s economic vitality, competitiveness, and citizens’ quality of life. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the factors that influenced the investment in productivity improvement of organizations in the energy sector in the Edmonton region of Alberta, Canada. The COSO internal control framework guided this …

Community Health Workers’ Experiences Distributing Harm Reduction Supplies During Covid-19 In The Barren River Area Development District, Angel Nichole Shoemake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community health workers (CHWs) distributing sterile injecting equipment help reduce infectious disease transmission among people who inject drugs; however, limited research exists regarding their experiences delivering harm reduction services during public health emergencies in rural areas. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore CHWs’ experiences and perceptions of health risks, operational barriers, and social influences affecting harm reduction service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Barren River Area Development District. The health belief model guided this study, emphasizing perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy. Data were collected through semistructured Zoom interviews with eight purposively sampled CHWs …

Examining Hiv Testing In Black Americans In The Southern United States: Association Between Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Healthcare Access, And Hiv High-Risk Behaviors, Shavon Wolfe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Examining factors that affect HIV testing in the Black/African American population is important because socioeconomic hardship, stigma, and restricted access to healthcare all lead to gaps in early diagnosis and prevention treatment to prevent further spread of infection. However, most studies have focused on these factors separately, leaving less understanding of how they work together to influence HIV testing behavior. Guided by the health belief model, this study examined the relationship between sexual orientation, gender identity, healthcare access, and HIV high-risk behaviors. The study examined the relationship between sexual orientation, gender identity, healthcare access, and HIV testing, and the influence …