Digital Commons Network^™

Stories Of Me: Disability Identity Development In Persons With Adhd, Andrea R. Johnson

Dissertations

Theoretically, developing a strong sense of ADHD identity, adolescents can combat anxiety and stigma. Combatting anxiety and stigma can support student’s postsecondary success. How can teachers help? The study aims to explore the narratives of disability identity from the adult reflective perspective to identify potential recommendations for teachers. This mixed-methods study collected data through two semi-structured interviews of adults with ADHD, a focus group, and survey data from social media communities. The stories were analyzed for evidence of a sense of identity, pride, and self-esteem. The emerging themes provided recommendations for educators which included the need to foster relationships (teachers …

An Autoethnographic Journey To Critical Consciousness: How A White Faculty Member At A Hispanic Serving Institution Moves From Ally To Accomplice By Learning Student Struggles, Benjamin Mercer Drury

Dissertations

This study serves to document my transition into critical consciousness – or conscientização – through interactions with my students. I utilize narrative autoethnographic methods, content analysis, qualitative interviewing, and personal reflection to document my transformation from objectively interested faculty member to accomplice by learning about how the life of my students outside of school affected their performance inside of school. Significant findings fall into two categories: personal and professional. Personally, this study was cathartic. By using a scholarly lens to analyze and reflect on my experience, I was able to process my experience in the context of existing research and …

The Dark Side Of Leadership: Mid-Level Managers And Their Experience With Hubristic Behaviors Of Executives, Leili Sadaghiani

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to identify the emotional reactions of mid-level managers to executives’ hubris behaviors in a corporate setting.

Methodology: This leadership study uses qualitative phenomenological methodology was executed to explore the lived experiences of mid-level managers with past executives who practiced hubristic behavior.

Findings: The findings of this research on the lived experiences of mid-level managers with hubristic behaviors of executives suggest that the lack of support lessens the mid-level manager’s confidence; with little support; the mid-level manager was either afraid to fight the executive or gave up trying; the mid-level manager faced stress even …

A Middle-Class Mother's Journey On Navigating The Educational System: The Impact Of Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, And Class In Schools, Amy A. Hunter

Dissertations

This is a qualitative autoethnographic study of a Black mother in the Midwest region as she navigates the educational system for her children. This is a research document that informs the reader of the impact of racism and the intersectional identity of race, gender, and motherhood. The importance of intersectionality is highlighted in this research, and so it is that the mother is middle-class to articulate that poverty, access to resources, or the educational attainment of the mother are not necessarily mitigating factors for the treatment she receives within the educational setting. Moreover, is serves as a guide for other …

Cognitive Dysfunction In Older Breast Cancer Survivors, Adele Crouch

Dissertations

Up to 75% of the more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors (BCS) living in the United States report cognitive dysfunction. However, little is known about cognitive dysfunction among older BCS, who may be at greater risk. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to characterize cognitive dysfunction in older BCS. Specific aims included:

(1) synthesize the literature regarding cognitive dysfunction in older BCS

(2) examine the relationships between a) objective cognitive function (immediate memory, delayed memory, attention, executive function-working memory, verbal fluency) and subjective cognitive function (attention); b) demographic factors, medical factors, treatment factors, and cancer-related symptoms (depressive symptoms, …

Improving Outcomes Through Patient Empowerment At Transition Of Care: A Fall Prevention Program For Stroke Survivors, Tiffany M. Hoke

Dissertations

Stroke survivors fall 7 times more annually than same-aged healthy adults; and most fall within the first 2 to 6 months post stroke after transition of care home from the acute setting. These falls cause hip fractures and other bodily injury, further compounding post-stroke mobility, fear of falling, social isolation, and social dependence while collectively yielding poorer outcomes at greater financial burden.

To date, no fall prevention program has targeted stroke survivors as they prepare for transition of care home from the acute setting.

The purpose of this practice inquiry is to develop an evidence-based fall prevention program aimed at …

By The Grace Of God: The Lived Experience Of Mothering An Infant While Recovering From Chemical Dependency, Kathy R. Higgins

Dissertations

What is it like to mother an infant while recovering from chemical dependency? That question is answered by this research into one of our country's major public health issues. Research and literature related to drug use by women is generally lacking. Both members of the mother-baby dyad begin their relationship in a vulnerable state and are at great risk for problems. The predominant qualitative method used by nurse researchers has been grounded theory. This method results in describing a process; however, understanding the process and its meaning to those who live it every day is required to better deal with …

Individual Perceptions Related To Fall Risk Among Older Adults In Acute Care Setting In A Saudi Arabian Hospital, Zuhar S. Altaymani

Dissertations

Despite a plethora of research examining fall risk, including numerous fall prevention strategies, falls remain the most common adverse event among the elderly. Frail older adults are at higher risk for falls. With the increase in the geriatric population and their risk for frailty, it is imperative to address the limitations of both diagnosis and treatment of frailty, and the concurrent fall risk for older adults in Saudi Arabia by examining self-perception of fall risk. In older Saudi Arabian adults, falls are a serious health issue affecting up to 49.9% of elderly people, often resulting in fractures, traumatic brain, and …

Educational Intervention To Mitigate The Effects Of Bullying In The Student Nurse Population, Dawna E. Rutherford

Dissertations

Bullying behaviors are an unfortunate part of the nursing profession. Prominent organizations condemn behavior such as bullying, because of potential harm it could have upon nurses and healthcare. Researchers established the potential detriment of bullying to nurses and have investigated prevention interventions yet limited information regarding interventions for the student nurse population exists. Though complete eradication of bullying from the nursing profession is unlikely, nursing students need to have the appropriate skills to mitigate bullying behaviors.

The goals of the study were to: (1) analyze the state of the science regarding bullying interventions in the nursing profession, (2) evaluate the …

Capturing The Advanced Practice Nursing Voice For Implementation Of Preventive Services, Eva A. Meyers

Dissertations

The United States of America, as the richest nation in the world, must determine how to allocate more resources toward health promotion, prevention, and the public health of its citizens. This exploratory study investigates the phenomenon of the advanced practice nurse as healthcare clinician for improved implementation of clinical and community preventive services. Multiple case study is the qualitative method used to examine the voice of nurse practitioners in three practice settings, and to hear the national perspective from six nurse members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. A nursing—health services research (N-HSR) paradigm became the foundation for a …

Objective Physical Activity And Sleep Characteristics Measurements Using A Triaxial Accelerometer In Eight Year Olds, Susan A. Harrington

Dissertations

Secular trends demonstrate that young children are less active and sleep less. Inequity in an individual's energy balance is known to have poor health outcomes. Academic achievement, academic behavior, and weight status are proxy indicators for health and psychosocial outcomes in this study. Current guidelines in place for sleep and physical activity in childhood are the result of data collected in the form of self-reports. Quantification and qualification of physical activity dimensions and sleep characteristics are essential not only for the purpose of clearly establishing parameters but also for the intent of verifying optimal health outcomes and evaluating interventions related …

Disease Risk Of Reintroducing Primates Confiscated From The Illegal Wildlife Trade, Ana Patricia Mendoza Becerra

Dissertations

Zoonotic infections are easily shared between human and other primates, and thus primate trafficking poses a high risk of introducing zoonotic pathogens into urban environments as well as spreading human-associated diseases into natural environments when infected primates are released. The magnitude of these risks has not been thoroughly studied in the context of primate trafficking and rehabilitation of Neotropical primates. In this dissertation, I address some knowledge gaps in disease risk analysis of reintroducing trafficked primates. In chapter 1, I describe the dynamics, diversity, and composition of live wildlife trafficking in urban markets in Peru. I found these markets are …

See Me From Behind The Screen: Workplace Ostracism In A Remote Environment, Quiméka Nicole Saunders

Dissertations

Workplace Ostracism is a common social phenomenon that impacts individuals of diverse backgrounds, across various industries, and cultural experiences. Literature to date highlights direct and indirect relationships of workplace ostracism, concerning the psychological and behavioral outcomes an individual may experience and the impact to organizational goals. Of existing literature, studies have focused on acts of ostracism conducted in face-to-face (F2F) environments or in F2F workplace situations. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, many companies were forced into teleworking situations, where work continues to be conducted outside of the central work office or facility (remote). With the shift in working environments, the prevalence …

Nurse Educators' Lived Experiences With Student Incivility, Myrna M. Williamson

Dissertations

Incivility is currently a topic of concern in nursing and higher education. There is a serious and growing concern on college campuses across the United States as many forms of incivility are occurring, ranging from offensive language and rude behavior to hostility and violent behavior.

The problem this study addresses is the need for specific information from nurse educators about their experiences with student incivility, and the subsequent impact of those experiences on teaching practices, job perception, and interactions with students. This study also addresses the problem by asking nurse educators their thoughts on contributing factors, warning signs, prevention and …

Workplace Violence Prevention Training: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Home Healthcare Workers, Tamara F. Small

Dissertations

HHCWs are at increased risk for WPV due to working alone in unsupervised, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous work environments. Similar to healthcare workers employed in institutionalized settings, HHCWs primarily experience Type II, verbal abuse from patients. Little is known about how HHCWs promote personal safety while at work. Guided by Haddon's Matrix, the purpose of this manuscript option dissertation was to estimate WPV exposures and identify interventions and resources used by HHCWs to promote personal safety and mitigate and prevent WPV. For this manuscript option dissertation, there are three distinct projects, all related to HHCWs and exposure to WPV.

A Descriptive Study Examining The Correlation Of Emotional Intelligence And Leadership Styles To Conflict Management Styles Of Nursing School Administrators, Vicki A. Welch

Dissertations

The study aimed to identify whether a correlation existed among academic nurse administrators emotional intelligence, leadership styles, and conflict management styles. There has been extensive research on emotional intelligence and leadership style in business. However, little research has been conducted about academic nurse leaders. This quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational design utilized convenience sampling.

A Comparison Of Perceptions Of Incivility Among Nursing Students And Faculty In Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs, Karen Aul

Dissertations

This study used a mixed method approach to examine the frequency and types of perceived and experienced uncivil behaviors among nursing students and faculty. The Incivility in Nursing (INE) Survey that was developed by Clark in 2004 was administered to a convenience sample of nursing students and faculty from four nursing programs. The sample included 159 senior pre-licensure nursing students and 14 faculty members within diploma, associate, and baccalaureate nursing education programs. Stress was mentioned in all program types as a contributing factor to student and faculty incivility. The analysis of the quantitative data found variability between nursing program types …

It's More Than Nursing: The Experience Of Psychological Safety Of Pre-Licensure Nursing Students Who Identify As Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color, Melissa M. Anozie

Dissertations

The healthcare environment mandates its staff are able to communicate freely and openly to provide high quality patient care leading to positive patient outcomes. As the largest healthcare profession and those who are at the bedside most often with patients, registered nurses play a vital role in ensuring these outcomes. As advocates for the most vulnerable, nurses must communicate often but before doing so, they must feel psychologically safe. Psychological safety is how one perceives the benefits, risks, and consequences of asking a question, sharing an opinion, reporting an error, or revealing one's true self to others. It is a …

The Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On What Teachers Want From A Principal To Be Successful: A Study On Teacher Perception, Erika Niles, Kristen Pelster

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if COVID-19 has shifted what teachers perceive they want from a principal. In addition, the researchers sought to find what post-COVID-19 teachers want from a principal for them to succeed. Success is defined as feeling supported emotionally, having the proper resources, and maintaining a desire to stay in the profession.

Researchers used a concurrent mixed-methods design to collect data. Because data were not collected before the pandemic, researchers used a retrospective design to gather pre-COVID-19 data. The survey instrument had nineteen pairs of Likert-based questions, aligned with 19 qualities that are historically …

The K-5 Teacher Experience Of Distance Instruction During School Closures Due To Covid-19, Rose Jenkins

Dissertations

The worldwide health emergency agency due to COVID-19 caused confinement of people and, with it, the closure of schools and the transfer of face-to-face instruction to distance instruction. With a lack of guidance from school crisis management plans, teachers had to adapt to new methodological approaches in confinement at a rapid pace. This study aims to gain knowledge of the experiences of K-5 teachers adopting online instruction during COVID-19 to assist in crisis planning.

A quantitative research design was used to collect and analyze data anonymously through an online survey of K-5 teachers. After statistical data analysis, there was a …

The Relationship Among Perfectionism, Perceived Stress, And Coping In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Amanda Finley

Dissertations

Perfectionism in nursing students is an understudied problem that may affect student and workforce success. Perfectionism has been linked to increased stress and less effective coping styles, as well as depression, anxiety and other psychological alterations. However, it has rarely been studied in nursing students. Studying perfectionism in this population is important because it may increase the likelihood that new nurses will struggle with the stress of practice and it could be a significant factor in early career attrition. The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to gain a better understanding of the incidence of perfectionism in a nursing …

Undergraduate Nursing Student Experiences With Faculty Bullying, Jason D. Mott

Dissertations

Incivility and bullying in nursing education has become an area of increased interest. Incivility literature has focused primarily on student-to-faculty incivility. Less focus has been placed on faculty-to-student bullying. This study examined the lived experiences of undergraduate nursing students with faculty bullying. Using descriptive phenomenology, this study discovered what these lived experiences are. The lived experiences of participants led to the development of themes including: bullying is an emotional experience, in order to gain respect, respect must be given, resilience and persistence are key in overcoming, the environment is everything, and that perception is reality.

Establishing A Student-Centered Culture: A Case Study Identifying Leadership Skills Of Exemplary School Principals, Katie Booth

Dissertations

Purpose: The phenomenological study identifies and describes how elementary school principals who have been recipients of the Terrel H. Bell Award develop a student-centered school culture.

Methodology: This qualitative study identifies and describes an elementary school principals’ ability to build guided coalitions and form strategic visions to ensure a student-centered culture. Participants were purposefully chosen based on specific criteria. The researcher collected data through semi-structured interviews, observations, and artifacts. Data was coded and themes were identified allowing the researcher to analyze findings and draw conclusions.

Findings: Analysis of data from 13 participants led to 10 major findings on how …

The Influence Of Practice Experiences On Feelings Of Role Proficiency In Emergency Nurse Practitioners: A Phenomenological Study, Daniel Monk

Dissertations

The evolution of this research emerged from experiences in the researcher's clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in a variety of urgent care facilities, and the personal queries raised regarding the consistency of the level of practice and evidenced competency of clinical staff in emergency and unplanned care using the title ";practitioner";. These realities are apparent as at present in the UK no legislative requirement exists for nurse practitioners (NPs) to gain formal preparation or qualification. Guidance and direction have been seen in The Advanced Care Practice framework (HEE,2017), yet legislative protection remains absent. Such legislative protection is however seen …

Impact Of Food Distribution Sites In Rural Neighborhoods At Risk For Food Insecurity In San Bernardino County, Lydia Garcia-Usry

Dissertations

Food security is an important element in the lifespan of individuals, and access to healthy food is important to the quality of life in communities. The significance of food insecurity is reflective of a community that does not have the resources to provide a consistent and stable intake of healthy and nutritious meals. Food insecurity has been linked to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and the level of poverty in a community. The United States of America reports that 50 million people suffer from food insecurity, and it is reported as an urgent public health problem. …

An Exploratory Study To Shape A Disaster Nurse Practitioner Scope Of Practice, Frances Dunniway

Dissertations

The impact and devastation from national disasters pose imminent risk to large populations. If trained in disaster response and following evidence-based practice standards, the Nurse Practitioner (NP) could be prepared to adapt to any setting or surrounding, utilizing their full educational and health care training. Currently there are no written guidelines during disasters to manage the various clinical conditions. Using a Delphi technique, this exploratory study investigated the multidisciplinary understanding about the disaster NP role. Key findings included: 1. Across four groups of disaster responders, there was confusion about the disaster NP role, indicating a need for role clarity. 2. …

Improving Depression Screening In Rural Transitional Care Facility, Stephanie Macon-Moore

Dissertations

Mental health screening may facilitate possible identification of depression and referrals to mental health care. At the project site, depression screening were not standardized or implemented standardly. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to determine if the implementation of Pfizer's PHQ-2 depression screening tool would impact the identification of problem symptoms related to mental health disorders and referrals to mental health providers among adult patients in a transitional care facility in rural Idaho over four weeks.

Prevalence Of Abuse And Risk Factors Of Homicide In Elder Women, Jean Dowling Dols

Dissertations

A criterion-referenced measurement framework was used to determine the prevalence, frequency, severity, and perpetrator of abuse in elder women, define the characteristics of the elder women who were identified as abused/not abused, and ascertain their risk factors for homicide. The Abuse Assessment Screen (Parker & McFarlane, 1991) was used to describe the distribution of abuse in a population of women, 65 years and older, who sought healthcare in a large southwestern city's public sector emergency center. The Danger Assessment (Campbell, 1986) was used to describe the risk factors for homicide. Personal interview within 3-4 hours of admission to the emergency …

Self-Compassion And Experiential Avoidance: Potential Pathways To Posttraumatic Growth, Julia Sager

Dissertations

Social support has been identified as one of the most consistent predictors of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Although the role of social support in the process of PTG is informative, social support is intrinsically reliant on other people. Identifying internal, potentially malleable, factors that are associated with PTG is essential for developing preventative interventions to improve trauma-related outcomes and increase levels of PTG among trauma survivors. Internal processes such as self-compassion and experiential avoidance may promote, or interfere with, deliberate processing and the subsequent development of PTG; however, this has not yet been examined in the literature. Thus, the primary aims …

Grit And Leadership: How Exemplary Middle School Principals Use The Principles Of Grit To Accomplish Extraordinary Results, Gabriela Aldana

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe how exemplary middle school principals use the five principles associated with grit (courage, conscientiousness, long-term goals, resilience, and excellence versus perfection) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organization.

Methodology: This phenomenological study described the lived experiences of exemplary middle school principals in Los Angeles and Orange County. The participants were selected through nonprobability purposeful sampling and met the criteria for exemplary middle school principals. As a member of a thematic research team of nine peer researchers and three faculty advisors, we developed a semistructured interview protocol for data …