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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Strategies To Implement Employee Cybersecurity Awareness Programs, Felix Ngwese Aug 2025

Strategies To Implement Employee Cybersecurity Awareness Programs, Felix Ngwese

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lack of cybersecurity awareness among employees and end-users poses significant risks to organizations. This issue is critical because inadequate cybersecurity awareness increases organizational vulnerabilities, leading to financial losses and compromised data security. Grounded in the routine activity theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that IT security managers had implemented to enhance employee cybersecurity awareness. The participants were six IT security managers in Cameroon, West Africa, with strategies to implement employee cybersecurity awareness. Data were collected using semistructure interviews and a review of documents. Through thematic analysis, three themes were identified: (a) cybersecurity awareness …


Decision Making In Child Protection Services: Aftermath Of A Child Fatality, Kevin Marino Aug 2025

Decision Making In Child Protection Services: Aftermath Of A Child Fatality, Kevin Marino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child fatalities resulting from abuse and neglect have a residual effect on families, communities, and child protective services (CPS) professionals tasked with ensuring child safety. The purpose of the mixed-methods study was to examine how CPS professionals made decisions in high-risk and fatality cases by evaluating decision-making processes, identifying contextual and interpersonal influences, and addressing practice questions related to administrative data, case records, caseworker and supervisor perspectives, cost implications, and organizational supports. The theoretical framework of Simon’s theory of bounded rationality and near decomposability along with Fluke et al.’s ecology of decision-making model formed the study’s analysis. The study included …


Exploring The Service-Learning Volunteer Experience Of African American Male Educators In Urban Schools, Gia N. Paige Aug 2025

Exploring The Service-Learning Volunteer Experience Of African American Male Educators In Urban Schools, Gia N. Paige

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educators who self-identify as African American male educators are underrepresented in educational leadership and scholarship on service learning, despite the significant roles they play in shaping urban educational spaces. In this qualitative phenomenological study, the lived service experiences of five African American male educators who engaged in service-learning and volunteerism in urban schools were explored. The purpose was to examine how these educators narrated their service experiences and how those experiences intersected with their identity as African American males. African American male theory was used to frame the study, emphasizing cultural heritage, resistance to deficit perspectives, and the affirmation of …


Exploring Cybersecurity Strategies Used To Protect Personal Health Information From Cyberattacks When Using Telemedicine, Samara Torres Aug 2025

Exploring Cybersecurity Strategies Used To Protect Personal Health Information From Cyberattacks When Using Telemedicine, Samara Torres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The healthcare industry has been impacted by an increase in cybersecurity breaches because of cyberattacks when using telemedicine. It is crucial that information technology (IT) managers in the private healthcare industry protect personal health information (PHI) to uphold patients’ right to privacy, maintain their trust, prevent legal ramifications, and to comply with government regulations. This qualitative pragmatic research used the integrated system theory (IST) as a road map to explore effective cybersecurity strategies used to protect PHI in telemedicine. The participants were seven IT managers in the private healthcare industry within the United States who had experience with cybersecurity strategies …


Effective Employee Retention Strategies To Maintain Generation Y Employees, Patricia Joanna Straughn Aug 2025

Effective Employee Retention Strategies To Maintain Generation Y Employees, Patricia Joanna Straughn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee retention for Generation Y workers is still an ongoing challenge for human resource managers. To foster a stable and productive workforce, it is crucial for HR managers to understand and apply effective retention strategies. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor motivation theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study aims to identify effective employee retention strategies that human resources managers employ to retain their Generation Y employees. The targeted participants consisted of six human resource managers in the United States who had effectively utilized retention strategies to retain their Generation Y employees. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, five …


Opioid Overdose Bystander Assistance And Harm Reduction In Pennsylvania, Walkirya Peralta Aug 2025

Opioid Overdose Bystander Assistance And Harm Reduction In Pennsylvania, Walkirya Peralta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bystanders play a vital role in reducing opioid overdose deaths by administering naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of opioids when used promptly. With opioid-related fatalities considered a public health emergency in the United States, increasing public access to naloxone and education on overdose prevention has become a key strategy in harm reduction. Research shows that these efforts effectively lower overdose deaths in affected communities. As part of this public health approach, many states allow individuals to obtain naloxone without a prescription through standing orders at pharmacies and community programs. Additionally, legal protections such as Good Samaritan laws …


An Analysis Of Ex-Offender’S Perspectives On The Impact Of The Time Frame Of Reentry Programs On The Likelihood Of Recidivating, Angel Yates Aug 2025

An Analysis Of Ex-Offender’S Perspectives On The Impact Of The Time Frame Of Reentry Programs On The Likelihood Of Recidivating, Angel Yates

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this study explored is how the timing of when reentry services are provided to incarcerated individuals and the impact it will have on their reintegration process and recidivism rates. This qualitative study analyzed the timing of when reentry programs are provided to incarcerated individuals and the impact it has on reducing recidivism rates. This study’s flyer was posted on social media platforms and shared with reentry programs. A total of 20 interviews were conducted. All participants answered the requirement questions via email; for those who met the criteria, consent forms were then sent, and interviews were scheduled. Transcripts …


Successful Hiring Strategies Of Unmanned Aerial System Leaders In The United States, Gerald Evans Aug 2025

Successful Hiring Strategies Of Unmanned Aerial System Leaders In The United States, Gerald Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective hiring strategies in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry can result in performance deficiencies, increasing operational costs and reducing profitability, which hinders industry growth. UAS leaders are concerned about these impacts on organizational and economic outcomes. Grounded in Kristof-Brown’s person–organization fit theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore the strategies used by UAS industry leaders who successfully hired personnel capable of minimizing performance inefficiencies. The participants were six UAS industry leaders in the United States who had effective hiring practices. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Through thematic analysis, three themes were identified: importance …


Parent Roles Supporting Curriculum And Instruction With Virtual Learning During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Keli Louise Amprey Aug 2025

Parent Roles Supporting Curriculum And Instruction With Virtual Learning During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Keli Louise Amprey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic created an educational crisis when schools across the United States closed abruptly, requiring parents to assume new roles as facilitators of online learning without adequate preparation. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, the purpose of this retrospective basic qualitative study was to investigate parents’ perceptions of their roles as instructional and curriculum facilitators for elementary-level students during COVID-19 distance learning. Research questions examined how parents described their roles as online instructional facilitators, what challenges they faced in supporting curriculum and instruction virtually, and what types of support they needed to succeed in their new educational roles during …


Government Policies Influencing The Retainment Of Civil Engineers In Guyana's Public Sector, Gracelyn George Aug 2025

Government Policies Influencing The Retainment Of Civil Engineers In Guyana's Public Sector, Gracelyn George

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The low retention of civil engineers in Guyana’s public sector has impeded the execution of needed infrastructure projects in the country. The literature reviewed highlighted that there continued to be questions regarding why people leave engineering jobs. Moreover, there was a limited understanding of what societal attributes influenced the problem, while there continued to be a growing demand for civil engineers. The literature specific to government policies influencing the retention of civil engineers in the public sector was lacking, presenting an opportunity to expand the application of the policy feedback theory, which provided a lens for examining retention measures in …


Strategies To Mitigate Contractor Safety Noncompliance In The Construction Industry, Sallieann Wilson Aug 2025

Strategies To Mitigate Contractor Safety Noncompliance In The Construction Industry, Sallieann Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some contract managers lack clear communication channels with their contract stakeholders on construction safety noncompliance, which is a well-known industry challenge. Stakeholders, contractors, and workers of construction companies need to communicate more effectively with contract managers to ensure job-related injuries are minimized. Grounded in contingency theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research study was to explore the strategies contract managers use to mitigate contractor safety noncompliance with awarded contracts. Ten contract managers with more than 5 years of experience in contract or construction management participated in semistructured interviews guided by an interview protocol. Data were analyzed thematically, revealing …


Covid-19 Crisis: Contemporary Trauma Theory And Clinical Social Workers’ Perspectives Of Work-Related Secondary Trauma Post-Pandemic, Dr. Veronica Y. Griffin Aug 2025

Covid-19 Crisis: Contemporary Trauma Theory And Clinical Social Workers’ Perspectives Of Work-Related Secondary Trauma Post-Pandemic, Dr. Veronica Y. Griffin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global crisis that challenged clinical social workers’ traditional client-centered strategies and exposed some to secondary trauma. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore clinical social workers’ perspectives on work-related secondary trauma post-COVID-19 pandemic using the contemporary trauma theory as the theoretical framework. The research question involved exploring their perspectives of how this trauma affected their biopsychosocial functioning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants who were clinical social workers between 28 and 36. Using thematic analysis, themes were identified and grouped into the three functioning groups: personal, relationships, and career. Twelve themes …


Effective Strategies K–12 School Leaders Can Use To Improve Technology Integration In Classrooms, Shamila Ahmed Hashim Aug 2025

Effective Strategies K–12 School Leaders Can Use To Improve Technology Integration In Classrooms, Shamila Ahmed Hashim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With the rapid rise in demand for effective technology integration in K-12 classrooms, particularly in nonpublic schools, strong leadership is crucial. The absence of effective strategies can hinder student learning outcomes, posing a significant challenge for educators who are striving to improve academic success. This qualitative research project included a pragmatic inquiry design was to explore the strategies that some K–12 school leaders apply to improve classroom technology integration and enhance student learning outcomes. Grounded in the technology integration matrix framework, the study involved a purposive sample of five school leaders from nonpublic K-12 institutions in Maryland. Data were collected …


Travel Professionals’ Successful Strategies For Implementing New Products, Mary Ashley Switzer Aug 2025

Travel Professionals’ Successful Strategies For Implementing New Products, Mary Ashley Switzer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rapid introduction of new and innovative travel products presents challenges for travel industry professionals striving to stay competitive in a dynamic marketplace. This is a significant concern for travel professionals and industry leaders, as effectively implementing strategies can improve client satisfaction and support sustained business growth. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore the strategies used by travel industry professionals to successfully implement new, innovative tourism products to gain a competitive advantage. Grounded by the Red Queen effect competitive advantage model, six U.S.-based travel professionals with 5 years of experience and at least $1 million …


The Impact Of Digital Sexual Health Education Using Social Media On African American Undergraduate Students, Valora Reid Bishop Aug 2025

The Impact Of Digital Sexual Health Education Using Social Media On African American Undergraduate Students, Valora Reid Bishop

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite making up approximately 12% of the United States’ population in 2020, African Americans ages 15 to 24 years old comprised 32% of the reported sexually transmitted diseases. The purpose of this quantitative research was to examine the impact of digital sexual health education (SHE) information on sexual health behaviors among African American undergraduate college students aged 18 to 24 years. The two research questions explored if the use of digital SHE information reduced the risk of adverse sexual health behaviors among African American undergraduate college student ages 18 to 24 years old; and if there was a relationship between …


Strategies To Recruit And Retain Physicians In Rural Hospital Health Systems, Montoya Major Aug 2025

Strategies To Recruit And Retain Physicians In Rural Hospital Health Systems, Montoya Major

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physician shortages in rural areas represent a serious and escalating challenge in the United States, with approximately 20% of the population residing in these regions while only about 9% of physicians practice there. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify key underlying factors contributing to physician shortages in rural hospital health settings and identify potential strategies to recruit and retain physicians. The review question concerned strategies and practices administrators use to attract and retain physicians in underserved rural areas. Herzberg’s two-factor theory serves as the framework and offers a perspective on employee motivation and job satisfaction. A review …


Strategies For Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment And Retention, Teddy Gene Abbey Aug 2025

Strategies For Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment And Retention, Teddy Gene Abbey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Volunteer fire departments (VFDs) provide essential services in rural areas that cannot afford full-time staff, and they are negatively impacted by declining recruitment and retention. VFD administrators who lack strategies to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters risk reduced emergency services and increased costs for hiring paid firefighters. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore strategies some VFD administrators use to recruit and retain members and maintain necessary emergency services. Participants were six administrators from VFDs in Oklahoma and Arkansas with community populations of 1,500 citizens or fewer residents who …


Women Veterans' Use Of Gender-Specific, Online, Social Support Systems For Social Identity After Military Service, Katie M. Baillio Aug 2025

Women Veterans' Use Of Gender-Specific, Online, Social Support Systems For Social Identity After Military Service, Katie M. Baillio

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of women veterans serving in the military is growing. This qualitative study explored women veterans' perspectives and experiences with gender-specific online social support services, and how that contributes to their social identity after military service. A generic qualitative design was used, and data were collected through semistructured interviews for 10 women veterans who had transitioned out of the military within the last 5 years. Five themes emerged: (a) big picture: connecting with other women veterans was helpful; (b) veteran forums were used for federal or state benefits, but women used gender-specific forums for questions specific to women's issues; …


Effects Of Social Influences On Adult Male Politicians Who Engage In Sexually-Exploitative Behaviors, Rodshana M. Ulery Aug 2025

Effects Of Social Influences On Adult Male Politicians Who Engage In Sexually-Exploitative Behaviors, Rodshana M. Ulery

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexually-exploitative behaviors by adult male politicians is a significant societal concern that reflects deeper issues involving power misuse, gender inequality, and institutional failure. This qualitative research involved examining societal factors that were linked with this type of misconduct. Guided by the status characteristics theory, the study involved examining how status-related traits such as political power, public image, and institutional affiliation shaped social dynamics and fostered environments that enabled these behaviors. Using NVIVO, thematic content analysis was applied to 24 adult male politician cases. Five key themes emerged: early life and family influences, position and power, opportunity expectations, cultural and institutional …


A Content Analysis Of Podcasts Exploring The Experiences Of Nba Players And Mental Health, Joanna D. Hedin Aug 2025

A Content Analysis Of Podcasts Exploring The Experiences Of Nba Players And Mental Health, Joanna D. Hedin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black male athletes are at a greater risk of not seeking treatment for their mental health issues due to cultural stigmas and expectations. The purpose of this qualitative secondary data research study was to understand the experiences of Black NBA players regarding their mental health and the sociocultural factors that influence their decision making regarding participation in mental health services, as revealed through podcast appearances. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was applied in this study to suggest that learning is an integral part of the social process and that culture contributes to how and what one learns. This study asked about what …


Insights Regarding The Role Of Administrative Support And Teacher Retention In A Suburban Arizona School District, Kristen Louise Tiffany Aug 2025

Insights Regarding The Role Of Administrative Support And Teacher Retention In A Suburban Arizona School District, Kristen Louise Tiffany

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is that teachers are leaving the profession in an Arizona high school district (AHSD, a pseudonym), which might be due to a lack of administrator support. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of reasons they chose to remain in their positions as well as administrators’ perceptions on the support they provide to encourage teacher retention at AHSD. Grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory, semistructured interviews were conducted with six administrators and 10 teachers from AHSD. Saldana’s pattern coding was used with the following themes emerging: Teachers …


Adolescent Social Media Use During Covid-19 Isolation And Subsequent Loneliness, Anxiety, And Depression, Nadine Dalheim Aug 2025

Adolescent Social Media Use During Covid-19 Isolation And Subsequent Loneliness, Anxiety, And Depression, Nadine Dalheim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents spent time in social isolation from their peers due to periods of mandated lockdown. It was unclear how social media use during lockdown could have influenced adolescents’ mental health after the pandemic. Psychosocial development theory and self-socialization theory formed the theoretical framework for this study. This study examined 158 adolescents aged 13-17 who experienced lockdowns and movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The independent variables were a) the social media sites most frequented during lockdowns, and b) the purposes of their use. The RCADS and the UCLA Loneliness Scale provided participants’ levels of anxiety, depression, …


An Exploratory Examination Of Profiling Techniques In Criminal Cases, Marilou Verburg Erb Aug 2025

An Exploratory Examination Of Profiling Techniques In Criminal Cases, Marilou Verburg Erb

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Profiling is a vital process in criminal investigations that facilitates not only the proper identification of offenders in the fight against crime but also the quick apprehension of said individuals. Finding viable techniques to investigate criminal activity has been a significant focus of research on crime and related fields. The objective of this qualitative study was to examine the primary techniques involved in geographic profiling, crime scene profiling, suspect-based profiling, psychological profiling, and psychological autopsies in order to assist academics and professionals in the profiling field as well as law enforcement and criminal justice officials in identifying and apprehending offenders …


High School Teachers’ Experiences Using Data-Driven Decision Making To Implement Supplemental Accelerated Instruction, Stephen Courtney Smith, Sr. Aug 2025

High School Teachers’ Experiences Using Data-Driven Decision Making To Implement Supplemental Accelerated Instruction, Stephen Courtney Smith, Sr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed in this study was that high school teachers in a Texas school district struggle to use data-driven decision making (DDDM) to meet the requirements of Texas HB 1416, which mandates specific interventions to address instructional loss. Grounded in the theory of DDDM, by Mandinach et al., the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore high school teachers’ experiences using DDDM to implement supplemental accelerated instruction (SAI) for students who failed to demonstrate proficiency on state exams. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with 12 high school teachers from a Texas school district. Using …


The Lived Experience Of Bariatric Patients During The Pre-Surgical Evaluation, Nathan Paul Wharton Aug 2025

The Lived Experience Of Bariatric Patients During The Pre-Surgical Evaluation, Nathan Paul Wharton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patients undergoing bariatric surgery have no standard of care for the pre-surgical evaluation process (PSE). Often, these patients look at the PSE as just another hurdle to jump through before reaching surgery. The PSE, however, offers an opportunity for mental health professionals to prepare the patient for the challenging lifestyle changes necessary for weight loss maintenance in the long term. The problem being studied is whether patients feel they are prepared for the unique mental health challenges, eating disorder challenges, and strict lifestyle changes during the PSE. The study followed a qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis approach to explore the lived …


Role Of Perceived Social Support And Knowledge Of Postpartum Depression Among Women In Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria, Raphael Oluwasina Babatola Folorunsho Aug 2025

Role Of Perceived Social Support And Knowledge Of Postpartum Depression Among Women In Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria, Raphael Oluwasina Babatola Folorunsho

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Postpartum depression (PPD) is an increasingly pressing public health issue, particularly in low-resource settings like Nigeria, where maternal mental health tends to receive limited attention. This study explored the relationship between maternal awareness of PPD, perceived social support, and prevalence of depressive symptoms among postpartum women in the Nnewi North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State. Grounded in the social support theory, health belief model, and socioecological model, the study used a descriptive cross-sectional research design. A total of 406 postpartum women attending primary healthcare centers were surveyed using validated instruments, including the PHQ-9 and MSPSS. Statistical analyses included …


The Association Between Sunlight Exposure Duration, Region Of Birth And Skin Conditions Linked To Skin Cancer Risk Among Migrant Hispanic Farmworkers, Uchechukwu Fidelia Nnoruka Aug 2025

The Association Between Sunlight Exposure Duration, Region Of Birth And Skin Conditions Linked To Skin Cancer Risk Among Migrant Hispanic Farmworkers, Uchechukwu Fidelia Nnoruka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prolonged exposure to sunlight increases the risk of developing skin conditions linked to skin cancer. Migrant Hispanic farmworkers are especially at risk due to extended outdoor labor, limited access to preventive care, and minimal occupational protections. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the association between sun exposure duration and region of birth with the presence of skin conditions associated with skin cancer among migrant Hispanic farmworkers in the United States. This study was grounded by the Social Ecological Model, which provided a comprehensive framework for examining multilevel factors influencing skin health outcomes. Using a cross-sectional design, secondary …


Trade Association Leaders’ Successful Strategies For Increasing Racial Diversity Within Their Respective Industries, Nicole A. Singleton Norman Aug 2025

Trade Association Leaders’ Successful Strategies For Increasing Racial Diversity Within Their Respective Industries, Nicole A. Singleton Norman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, innovation thrives on diverse perspectives. Without effective diversity and inclusion strategies, AEC industry leaders may hinder innovation opportunities, which could result in reduced profitability and employee morale in a highly competitive market. Grounded in institutional theory and resource-based view theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore successful strategies AEC trade association leaders use to assist association members in enhancing their organizations’ performance through workforce diversity to increase innovation, profitability, and employee morale. Data were gathered from six participants from various AEC trade associations across …


Perspectives Of Black Male Administrators On Gaining Administrative Roles At Community And Technical Colleges, Marcusantonio Gunn Aug 2025

Perspectives Of Black Male Administrators On Gaining Administrative Roles At Community And Technical Colleges, Marcusantonio Gunn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed in this study is that there is a low number of Black male administrators at community and technical colleges (CTCs) throughout the United States, despite widespread organizational practices of adopting diversity and equity policies, implementing mentoring programs, and providing professional development. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Black male administrators’ perceptions of hiring barriers and their recommendations to improve the professional pathway to employment at CTCs. Guided by critical race theory in education, data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight Black male administrators who are serving or have served in …


Lived Experiences Of Newly Graduated Social Workers Transitioning Into The Field Of Child Protective Services, Chantrese Oliver Aug 2025

Lived Experiences Of Newly Graduated Social Workers Transitioning Into The Field Of Child Protective Services, Chantrese Oliver

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lived Experiences of Newly Graduated Social Workers Transitioning Into the Field of Child Protective Services by Chantrese Oliver MPhil, Walden University, 2024 MS, Walden University, 2014 AA, National Paralegal College, 2012 BS, Fayetteville State University, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University August 2025