Digital Commons Network^™

Services For Homeless Veterans: A Study Of Access To Benefits, Sheryl Maddox Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHomelessness among veterans in the United States is a multifaceted social and health concern that has continued to increase despite immense efforts to minimize and eliminate this issue. Numerous organizations have dedicated resources; however, many veterans do not use benefits and resources that are available to them, and homelessness remains a health and social concern. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how individual and interpersonal barriers, community factors, organizational structure, and existing policies for assistance are perceived by support staff that work with veterans with mental disorders who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. …

How Transformational Leaders Increase Nurse Retention And Decrease Attrition, Charlie Henry Middlebrooks Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem of nurse attrition, which negatively impacted the lives of nurses, decreased patients’ perception of their healthcare, and increased the cost of healthcare. Facility administrators who lack strategies to decrease nurse turnover may lose their ability to provide quality nursing services in their facility and control their costs of care. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the strategies private medical treatment facility administrators use to decrease nurse attrition. Five private medical treatment facility administrators located in Southern Texas completed semistructured, open-ended interviews, and three …

Improving Nurses Knowledge Of Hypertension & Self-Care In Va Telehealth Patients, Rochelle Windley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractManagement of hypertension (HTN) is essential to nursing practice. Clinical care home telehealth (CCHT) nurses should be assertive and competent to help patients self-manage high blood pressure in the comfort of their homes. Locally, it was noted that there was a gap in knowledge and skills of the CCHT nurses to deliver evidenced-based and consistent patient education to home telehealth patients. To address the gap, an online training program was developed to increase staff knowledge and skills in hypertension management to improve their ability to coach patients in self-care strategies. The online training program was based on the Eighth Joint …

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Pessimism–Optimism Scale As A Predictor In Depression Change After Medication Treatment And Placebo, Donna J. Winsor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The field of positive psychology has included research on the personality traits of optimism and pessimism and how they predict depression; however, there has been limited investigation on whether these characteristics can predict treatment outcomes. This study used a quantitative nonexperimental design with archived data provided by Summit Research Network, to evaluate whether pessimism or optimism, as measured by the Pessimism–Optimism (PSM) scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, had an effect on depression and somatic symptom change in 98 adults with depression who were randomized into imipramine, alprazolam, or placebo treatment. Seligman’s explanatory style theory was used to guide …

Exploring Early Childhood Teachers’ Experiences When Teaching Phonics With The Letterland Program, Laura A. Winters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2015, a small school district in a mid-Atlantic state implemented Letterland, a phonics-based early reading program, to increase early reading levels. The problem investigated in this study was that, despite district implementation of the Letterland phonics program, early childhood students continued to struggle with mastery of phonics and phonemic awareness skills, suggesting that improvements might be needed in program implementation. The purpose of this project study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of early childhood teachers who teach phonics and phonemic awareness using the Letterland program. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the constructivist theory. The …

Veteran Reintegration And Compliance Strategies Used By Financial Services Industry Hiring Managers, Adriann R. Wolfe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hiring managers in the private sector have limited experience applying veterans’ preference policies in hiring decisions. Veterans and their advocates care about the ongoing challenges they face seeking employment because they desire to continue contributing to their local community and gain gainful employment while doing so. Grounded in the modified disability model, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies used by hiring managers at financial service organizations to apply veterans' preference policies in hiring decisions. The participants were five hiring managers in a southwest Texas financial services organization who successfully used veterans' preference policies in …

Effective Workplace Stress Reduction Strategies In For-Profit Higher Education, Erin Kendall Woods

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The idea that business leaders experience stress in the workplace has resulted in a demand for understanding the negative impact stress has on business. Business managers in for-profit higher education lack strategies to reduce employee workplace stress. Grounded in the job demands-resources model, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore how business managers in for-profit higher education in Arizona reduce employee workplace stress. The participants comprised of three business leaders at a for-profit higher education institution in Arizona who have successfully implemented strategies to reduce employee workplace stress. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with three …

Opioid Naloxone Education Clinical Practice Guideline, Tat'yana Sahleem Alethia Worthy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As a result of an institution-wide campaign to train providers on the administration of opioid reversal agents within a large medical center in the northeastern United States, the practice problem emerged that there was no patient/family education document for healthcare providers to use as a guide to educate patients on opioid risk and proper administration of naloxone to prevent opioid overdose in the outpatient setting. This scholarly project used an interprofessional team to develop comprehensive opioid naloxone education guidelines to close the gap in clinical practice. The purpose of this project was to develop a patient education clinical practice guideline …

Teachers' Perceptions And Experiences Related To Preparing English Language Arts Students For American Literature End-Of-Course Exams, Felicia Wynter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students in the local school district have continued to score below the state average on the standardized American Literature end-of-course (EOC) assessment. It was unclear what 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-grade teachers in the district were doing to prepare students for success on the American Literature EOC. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine teachers’ perceptions of the reason for the low assessment scores and their experiences implementing instructional strategies to prepare students for the American Literature EOC. The conceptual framework for the study was Hunter’s model of mastery learning and explicit instruction. The research questions focused on …

Subnational Data To Inform Measles Vaccination Campaigns In Children Under 5 Years In Tanzania, Tracie Jean Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases ever known, infecting as high as 90% of susceptible persons encountering the virus, and globally is one of the main causes of disability and death among children. Measles remains an avoidable disease that can be prevented by receiving a measles containing vaccine using supplemental immunization activities (SIA) implementation strategies. Because national-level measles data may not reflect geographic differences, program capacity, or localized outbreaks, SIAs prompted by and geared toward the subnational level may have a greater impact than a nationwide SIA. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to examine the …

Assessment Of Multidrug Resistance Among Tuberculosis Patients In Lesotho, Jerry Yakubu Yahaya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) jeopardizes the tremendous efforts in the fight against tuberculosis in Lesotho. To understand the occurrence of MDR-TB, it is important to identify the associated risk factors and how to address them. There is a literature gap on the sociodemographic risk factors associated with MDR-TB in Lesotho. This study assessed whether there is any significant association between age, employment, income, sex, education, place of residence and MDR-TB. The association between HIV and MDR-TB was also evaluated. Guided by the health belief model and social cognitive theory, a retrospective case-control study design and a proportionate stratified …

Treatment-Seeking Behaviors And Malaria Prevalence Among Under-5 Children In Niger, Aissa Yaye Habi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Malaria is a deadly vector-borne disease that mainly affects children in Africa, especially in Niger. Although public health efforts in malaria prevention have been successful in many parts of the world, malaria remains a significant public burden in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among children. Despite the numerous studies conducted on individual factors influencing the prevalence of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and Niger, there is little knowledge about the collective influence of treatment-seeking behaviors and malaria prevalence among under-5 children in Niger. This study was a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design guided by the social-ecological model (SEM) that used secondary data …

Women Veterans’ Benefit Application Experiences In South-Central Texas, Wendy B. Yeldell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Female veterans are increasing and are anticipated to make up 20% of all veterans; however, they are less likely to apply for and use their veterans’ benefits, such as medical, mental health counseling, educational, and other programs that can benefit warriors and their family. South-Central Texas Veteran Service Organization (SCTVSO) has outreach initiatives to reach female veterans and assist during the veterans’ benefits application process. The study’s overarching question centered on obtaining insights from female veterans on their familiarity with SCTVSO and experiences with the benefit application process. This study focused on the largest population of women veterans in the …

Childhood Anxiety And Roles Of Parents, Educators, And Pediatric Healthcare Providers In Addressing Protective Factors, Gabriela Zamora-Ahlstrom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractChildhood anxiety affects over 32% of youth in the United States, and when left untreated, contributes to poor school performance, social difficulties, truancy, school dropout rates, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, and family and community difficulties. Preventing childhood anxiety by implementing effective protective factors for children can eliminate many of these outcomes. Using the biopsychosocial theory and social work systems theories, this study involved exploring the beliefs and attitudes of parents, educators, and pediatric healthcare providers in an affluent suburban community of Detroit (Rochester/Rochester Hills, MI), regarding their roles in providing protective factors against childhood anxiety. A generic qualitative research design …

Exploring The Significance Of Digital Skills Training For Accountants, Limin Zhu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Accounting firm leaders face a challenge with employees who lack digital skills. Employees without relevant digital skills put the accounting firm at a competitive disadvantage. Grounded in human capital theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies regional accounting firm leaders used to help employees improve digital skills. Data were collected from six semistructured interviews with partners, directors, and managers with three years or more of experience who participated in the training and professional development process at four regional accounting firms in the Houston, Texas area. The review of company documents and company website postings …

The Use Of Social Media For Disaster Information In Houston-Galveston, Tx, Erik Phillip Zugner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDisasters, natural or human-caused, have the ability to inflict catastrophic economic and physical damage to communities around the world. As social media is becoming more widespread in the use of information sharing, it is not being used to its full potential to communicate with the communities in the greater Houston-Galveston, TX region. The purpose of this study was to address the use and implementation of social media for disasters and large-scale events in the Houston-Galveston, TX region. I used the transformative framework as outlined by Creswell as the theoretical framework for this study. The qualitative research questions focused on social …

Bank Management Compliance Strategies To Avoid Regulatory Sanctions, Henry Emetseme Akiotu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Fines and penalties assessed against a bank for failure to comply with regulatory sanctions result in loss of revenues and reputation. Bank managers who fail to implement effective strategies to prevent sanctions compliance could experience reduced bank profitability, reputational loss, and possible bank failure. Grounded in Goldratt’s theory of constraints, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore compliance strategies bank managers use to avoid regulatory sanctions. The participants were three senior bank compliance managers from the Dallas, Texas, metropolitan area with a minimum of 5 years of experience who have successfully implemented strategies to avoid regulatory …

Gestational Weight Gain, Level Of Education, And Infant Mortality Among African American Women, George Lee Amanambu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

African American (AA) women in Mississippi have a higher burden of infant mortality, especially those with low income and educational levels, as compared to other regions of the country. However, it is unknown if abnormal gestation weight gain (GWG) is contributing to this increased burden. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined the association between GWG (25-35lbs), level of education, income, and infant mortality among AA women with normal prepregnancy body weight who were between 30 to 47 years old in the state of Mississippi from 2016 to 2018. Biopsychosocial and ecosocial models were used as the theoretical foundation to design …

Strategies Of Successful Project Managers Leading Virtual Teams, Allison Harris Bean

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some project managers lack strategies to effectively lead virtual project teams, which can result in a lack of clear project direction, collaboration and communication, and empowerment to solve problems within the team. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies project managers use to lead virtual teams effectively. The participants were three project managers in. the United States who worked exclusively with virtual teams and had a minimum of one year of experience leading a virtual project team. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: …

Educators’ Perceptions Of The Implementation Of The Team Model Of Transformational Leadership, Lucas Gomez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem of this project study was that middle school teachers in a public schooldistrict in southwestern United States did not understand the principals’ expectations for implementing the team model and its effect on their relationship with administrators the team model regarding the relationship between administrators and teachers. The purpose of this basic qualitative project study was to investigate the perceptions of school principals and middle school teachers regarding the team model and the principals’ expectations for classroom instruction. The conceptual framework for this project was the team model of transformational leadership. The research site was a public school district …

Developing A Tai Chi Education Module For Nurses, Edna Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. population is living longer, which leads to challenges with chronic conditions that attack their health and well-being. Chronic diseases also cost $ 3.8 trillion dollars every year in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are four behaviors that cause many of the chronic preventable diseases: lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol, smoking, and diet. Alternative strategies including physical activity like Tai Chi can improve health outcomes for older adults with chronic disease. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to develop a Tai Chi education module for nurses who provide …

Case Managers’ Perspectives Of Hospital Postdischarge Services For Patients Diagnosed With Coronary Artery Disease, Brian Alexander Grant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States lacks postdischarge services, which can negatively impact hospital readmissions within 30 days. It is important for case managers to effectively leverage outpatient services to enhance patient care and reduce readmission rates. Grounded in the practice change model framework, this qualitative single case study explores the perspectives of case managers involved with postdischarge services for patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). Participants included 13 case managers from two metropolitan hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia. To address the research problem and study purpose, data collection techniques included semi-structured interviews, case management discharge summaries, and reflective journal notes. The thematic …

The Impact Of Telemedicine Availability On Fatal Opioid Overdose Rates In Texas, 2020, Cara W. Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSubstance use disorders (SUDs) and fatal overdoses are a significant problem in the United States. A viable and effective method for treating SUDs is through telemedicine (tele-SUD) visits. Tele-SUD visits are an effective means of meeting with patients virtually, especially in the post-COVID-19 environment; however, a problem in health care exists concerning the availability of tele-SUD services in middle America. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of tele-SUD availability on rates of opioid overdose deaths in the state of Texas. Donabedian’s model of health care quality evaluation was used as the theoretical framework. A quantitative, independent …

Staff Education For Identifying, Assessing And Managing Pain In Patients With Dementia, Nadia S. Handspike

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pain is a common symptom in healthcare settings, especially among patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). AD patients have cognitive and communication impairment making it difficult or impossible for them to communicate their pain to their caregivers or healthcare practitioners. The purpose of this project was to implement a staff education program for healthcare professionals on evidence-based practices for assessing, recognizing, and managing pain in patients with AD. The practice-focused question explored if a staff education program on identification, assessment, and management of pain in patients with AD improves the staff's knowledge, skills, and attitude towards timely and effective pain assessment …

Mental Health Professionals Working In Prisons: Their Perspectives On The Quality And Availability Of Treatment And Therapy For Mentally Ill Inmates, Tara Harvey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The perspectives of mental health professionals who work with inmates who have serious and persistent mental illnesses is largely unknown. Prisons, law enforcement, and the courts may all benefit from understanding these perspectives regarding how to treat the mentally ill in the criminal justice system (CJS). Many studies (mostly quantitative) have been conducted to address the increase of mentally ill inmates and have focuses on different areas of this phenomenon. However, to date, no qualitative studies have been located that depict the perceptions of mental health professionals working in prisons and their viewpoints regarding this population’s access to quality and …

Integrated Care Impact On Postpartum Visit Compliance And Readmissions, Matthew Herrick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The specific research problem that was addressed through this study is the low rate of postpartum visits among Medicaid-enrolled women, leading to increased postpartum complications and readmissions. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate if hospital readmissions can be reduced by integrated care home visiting services relating to postpartum visit compliance. The research questions evaluated the relationships between postpartum visit compliance, hospital readmissions among Medicaid-enrolled women in Indiana, and an integrated care home visiting program. The Donabedian model for quality-of-care grounds this study and is based on structure, process, and outcome. Through this model, healthcare leaders can evaluate …

Policies That Support Emergency Department Staff In Providing Behavioral Health Care, Lizabeth Lepp Hennig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant portion of individuals with a behavioral health (BH) condition return to emergency departments (ED) seeking care, resulting in reduced quality of care, and contributing to disproportionate healthcare costs. Care can be improved and return visits to the ED reduced where behavioral health care and follow-up care planning are provided as part of their treatment. However, policies expected to create declines in ED use for behavioral conditions are typically in short duration or are difficult to use given other funding and policy constraints. With little known about how policy is supporting the engagement of ED staff who are critical …

The Influence Of Race And Ethnicity On The Prevalence Of Social Stigma For People With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Donielle Hyde

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Various studies attempting to evaluate the prevalence of health-related social stigma in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) identified themes that coincide with increased prevalence including anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, fear of judgement, anger, and feeling ashamed. This phenomenon is believed to be due to the lack of knowledge and understanding about the differences between the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for T1DM and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The Resilient, Empowered, Active Living intervention dataset (n=115) was utilized to further examine this phenomenon by determining whether race and ethnicity influence the prevalence of the following health-related social stigma …

Diabetes, Obesity, Geographic Location Of The Patient And Clostridium Difficile Infection In The United States, Mary (Maribeth) Greenway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractClostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major nosocomial threat to be reckoned with in the current health care setting in the United States. Advancing age, underlying chronic disease associated with inflammation (including Diabetes Mellitus Type I ([DMI]), Diabetes Type II ([DMII]), and obesity), trauma, immunodeficiency and other factors that diminish the overall health of an individual, and increase an individual’s susceptibility to CDI. The ecological framework was used to determine the relationship between geographic, chronic diseases and the occurrence of infectious diseases. To continue enhancing knowledge related to CDI susceptibility this quantitative study used the 2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey …

Former Female Sex Workers’ Perceptions Of Spirituality In Exiting Sex Work, Lisa Diane Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exiting sex work is extremely difficult. Women trying to exit sex work experience cycles of exit and reentry until they finally succeed. Spirituality has been identified as one of the factors that contribute to the exiting process or that help in the decision of not returning to sex work. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis was to explore former female sex workers’ perceptions of spirituality during the process of exiting sex work. The integrated model for exiting sex work constituted the theoretical basis for this study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 15 adult former female sex workers …