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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Perceptions Of Whole Plant-Based Diets And Weight Among Hispanics In Miami, Florida, Zoraida Powell Oct 2025

Perceptions Of Whole Plant-Based Diets And Weight Among Hispanics In Miami, Florida, Zoraida Powell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Being overweight or obese poses major public health concerns and contributes to the development of chronic illnesses. While researchers have explored how a total plant-based diet impacts excess body weight or obesity, there is still a lack of clarity about how Hispanics living in Miami, FL, perceive or understand this diet concerning overweight and obesity. Using a generic qualitative approach, this study was conducted on how Hispanics in Miami, FL, understand and view a whole plant-based diet (WPBD) for preventing and reducing overweight and obesity. Through interviews with 14 diverse Hispanic participants, the study revealed that they see WPBD as …


Rurality’S Impact On Alaska Native Elders’ Levels Of Physical Activity And Obesity, Jessie Doherty Oct 2025

Rurality’S Impact On Alaska Native Elders’ Levels Of Physical Activity And Obesity, Jessie Doherty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While there have been studies on obesity levels and physical activity levels across many populations and age groups, few studies have focused on Alaska Native Elders. The purpose of this study was to examine rurality (urban vs. rural counties), physical activity, and obesity level while controlling for sex, self-reported loneliness, and self-reported stress. The theoretical foundation for this study was based on the socio-ecological model (SEM), and the research questions in this study explored how rurality impacted obesity levels and how rurality impacted physical activity levels in Alaska Native Elders. The methodology of this study was a quantitative cross-sectional design …


Dieticians’ Perceptions Of Pediatric Obesity Education In Children’S Hospitals Located In Northeast Maryland, Constance Bartu Oct 2025

Dieticians’ Perceptions Of Pediatric Obesity Education In Children’S Hospitals Located In Northeast Maryland, Constance Bartu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dieticians play a vital role in the fight against pediatric obesity in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore dieticians’ perceptions of internal and external reinforcements and barriers to childhood obesity interventions in children’s hospitals within Northeast Maryland. The study was framed by the social cognitive theory described by Bandura. As applied to this study, the theory focuses on prevention and intervention strategies used by dieticians working in children’s hospitals while offering educational interventions and other health care services. Interviews were conducted with eight dieticians with a minimum of 4 years working in children’s hospitals …


Lived Experiences Of Obese Women In Mississippi Concerning The Role Of Psychosocial Factors In The Development Of Obesity, Temitope Olabode Oct 2025

Lived Experiences Of Obese Women In Mississippi Concerning The Role Of Psychosocial Factors In The Development Of Obesity, Temitope Olabode

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One of the highest rates of obesity in the United States is in Mississippi, where middle- aged obese women deal with a variety of social, cultural, and personal issues, including shame, discrimination, and stigma based on weight, mental anguish, cultural norms, financial limitations, and restricted access to healthcare. This study investigated the psychosocial factors that contribute to obesity in women aged 40- 60 years, and the effects of obesity on body image, self-esteem, health behaviors, and quality of life. A qualitative phenomenological study using the social ecological model (SEM) framework looked at the individual, interpersonal, and policy levels of the …


Staff Education Program To Increase Staff Knowledge On Evidence-Based Practices To Reduce Falls, Ariella Carrenan Oct 2025

Staff Education Program To Increase Staff Knowledge On Evidence-Based Practices To Reduce Falls, Ariella Carrenan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Falls among older adults in long-term care facilities constitute a pressing concern, affecting 30% to 40% of residents each year due to physiological changes associated with aging. Such incidents precipitated injuries, extended hospitalizations, elevated healthcare costs, and increased the potential for legal liabilities. This project investigated the effect of a structured educational intervention on nursing staff knowledge of fall prevention strategies in a long-term care facility where the fall rate of 3.4% exceeded the state average of 2.5% and the national average of 3.3%. The project explored the question: In a long-term care facility, does staff education increase staff knowledge …


Native Hawaiian Culturally Appropriate Substance Use Disorders Formative Program Evaluation, Kelly J. Penn Sep 2025

Native Hawaiian Culturally Appropriate Substance Use Disorders Formative Program Evaluation, Kelly J. Penn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance use disorders (SUDs) disproportionately affects Native Hawaiians, yet conventional treatments often overlook the cultural, spiritual, and relational foundations of well-being for Native Hawaiians. This gap represents a human services problem, as it perpetuates health disparities, limits recovery, and slows social change within Native Hawaiian communities. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to identify culturally relevant components for an SUD treatment program tailored to Native Hawaiians. The research question guiding this study was, what are culturally appropriate components for a SUD program for Native Hawaiians. The Nā Pou Kihi framework grounded the exploration of Indigenous approaches to …


Fathers’ Lived Experiences After Their Children Experienced Child Sexual Abuse, Joan Michelle Lucien Sep 2025

Fathers’ Lived Experiences After Their Children Experienced Child Sexual Abuse, Joan Michelle Lucien

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global health crisis with deleterious consequences that violates children’s safety worldwide. Exact rates of CSA prevalence vary, as most cases of CSA are not disclosed. Survivors delayed or nondisclosure impedes early interventions to alleviate documented adverse effects of CSA. CSA survivors have an increased risk of suicidal ideation. This phenomenological study involved examining the lived experiences of adult fathers after their children experienced CSA. Finkelhor and Browne’s traumagenic dynamics framework guided this study. Traumagenic dynamics influence children’s cognitive and emotional functioning and distort their self-esteem, identity, worldview, and affective capacities. Stigmatization has been associated …


Improving Staff Knowledge On Hourly Rounding Using The 4ps To Reduce The Fall Rate, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo Sep 2025

Improving Staff Knowledge On Hourly Rounding Using The 4ps To Reduce The Fall Rate, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

I designed this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project to develop an educational program that increases staff knowledge of hourly rounding using an evidence-based approach, specifically pain, position, potty, and possession (the 4Ps), to prevent falls among residents in a long-term care facility. According to facility leadership, the observed gap in practice was the nursing staff members’ lack of knowledge in performing hourly rounding. The facility’s fall records for the lockdown units indicated a surge in fall rate, with 32 falls among 62 residents per month, reflecting a need for action. The practice-focused question guiding the project was: For staff …


Enhancing Disaster Response Through Mental Health Resilience: A Force Field Analysis, Veronica Portillo-Bradford Sep 2025

Enhancing Disaster Response Through Mental Health Resilience: A Force Field Analysis, Veronica Portillo-Bradford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Having a post-disaster program in place can offer survivors and emergency responders support, resource navigation, and resiliency planning. Human services workers in the field aid in disaster recovery and crisis prevention. The problem is that rural Nevada is already limited on resources and workforce with respect to mental and behavioral health response and recovery services. The purpose of this study was to identify unknown gaps within mental and behavioral health services in rural and frontier Nevada, in order to focus on advocating to enhance community resilience-related services post-disaster and potentially bolster resilience and disaster response preparedness. The framework for the …


Postpartum Conversion Type 2 Diabetes In African American Women With Gestational Diabetes, Guerino Tondreau Sep 2025

Postpartum Conversion Type 2 Diabetes In African American Women With Gestational Diabetes, Guerino Tondreau

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a significant public health concern in the United States, with non-Hispanic Black women bearing a disproportionately high burden of the disease. Although this group has a lower overall prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), those who develop GDM face an increased risk of progressing to T2DM. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to explore the relationship between GDM, physical activity, weight status, and T2DM development among non-Hispanic Black women. Secondary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, collected from 2017 through March 2020, were analyzed. The health belief model served …


The Psychological Impact Of Systemic Factors On Maternal Mental Health Outcomes, V Johnson Sep 2025

The Psychological Impact Of Systemic Factors On Maternal Mental Health Outcomes, V Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal mental health disparities in the United States continue to impact reproductive-age women, especially those from underserved populations. In this quantitative study, how healthcare accessibility and socioeconomic status (SES) influenced psychological stress and maternal mental health outcomes was examined. Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model and critical race theory guided the theoretical framework. Secondary data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to analyze three research questions related to the predictive relationships between systemic factors and mental health outcomes, and differences in stress across age groups. Key variables included insurance coverage, access to a personal doctor, cost-related barriers, income, employment …


Radio And Television Media And Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women In Rural Northern Nigeria, Olufolake Akeju Sep 2025

Radio And Television Media And Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women In Rural Northern Nigeria, Olufolake Akeju

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor maternal health-seeking behavior (MHSB) has contributed to persistently high maternal mortality in rural northern Nigeria. Despite increasing access to health information via media platforms, little is known about the association between media exposure and MHSB in this region. In this study, the association between mass media exposure (radio and television) and MHSB was investigated using institutional delivery as a proxy. The health belief model was applied as the theoretical framework for this study and sought to answer two key questions focused on whether there is an association between media exposure and MHSB in rural northern Nigeria and what the …


Understanding White-Collar Worker Experiences In Using Worksite Wellness Programs To Achieve Weight Loss, Anna Nicole Hermanson Hartwig Sep 2025

Understanding White-Collar Worker Experiences In Using Worksite Wellness Programs To Achieve Weight Loss, Anna Nicole Hermanson Hartwig

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult obesity rates have increased from approximately 15% in 1980 to more than 40% of adults in 2018, and the rates continue to increase. White-collar workers are disproportionately impacted as a result of the sedentary work performed in a white-collar work environment. Increased levels of obesity result in elevated levels of psychological stress, chronic health conditions, and increased organizational costs. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of the obese white-collar worker who has used a worksite wellness program to lose weight and to understand what additional support was needed to achieve weight loss. …


Coping Self-Efficacy, Acculturation, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, And Perceived Discrimination As Predictors Of Depression Among Nigerian Immigrants In The United States, Olatunde O. Osibote Sep 2025

Coping Self-Efficacy, Acculturation, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, And Perceived Discrimination As Predictors Of Depression Among Nigerian Immigrants In The United States, Olatunde O. Osibote

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian immigrants represent one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States. Relocating to a new country can be a major source of stress, often increasing individuals’ vulnerability to mental health challenges. While considerable research has examined predictors of depression in the general population and among certain immigrant groups, limited attention has been given to these factors in the context of Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. This study aimed to address that gap by applying Berry’s acculturation theory to investigate predictors of depression within this population. A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational survey design was used to examine whether acculturation, socioeconomic …


Access Barriers To Early Childhood Development Surveillance And Screenings: Insights From Pediatric Office Providers, Pamela Russell Ledesma Sep 2025

Access Barriers To Early Childhood Development Surveillance And Screenings: Insights From Pediatric Office Providers, Pamela Russell Ledesma

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scholarly literature review found a gap in the identification of barriers experienced by pediatric office providers (POPs) for the provision of early childhood development (ECD) surveillance among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children under the age of three years. The barriers may inhibit access to recommended screenings at defined milestones during the state of neurogenesis, whereby a child’s life trajectory may be negatively impacted and further handicap society at large. This qualitative study aimed to explore the access barriers and remedial strategies identified in the reconstructed narratives of southeast Florida POPs. The research design was premised on the behavioral model …


Understanding The Impact Of Patient Engagement In Effective Management Of Chronic Conditions, Tracey Phillips Sep 2025

Understanding The Impact Of Patient Engagement In Effective Management Of Chronic Conditions, Tracey Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was developed to address the partner site's need for an evidence-based approach to improving patient engagement among elderly individuals managing chronic diseases. Low engagement, often driven by poor provider–patient communication, non-compliance, and limited use of healthcare technology, was identified as a barrier to effective self-management and optimal health outcomes. Guided by the social cognitive theory, behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors influencing engagement and self-efficacy were examined. Two practice-focused questions examined: identifying barriers to engagement and the impact of the provider–patient relationship on outcomes. The purpose of the project was to develop an evidence-based approach to enhance patient engagement. …


Families Experiencing Domestic Violence Related Homelessness, Brittany Miller Sep 2025

Families Experiencing Domestic Violence Related Homelessness, Brittany Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness in the United States remains a persistent issue despite legislative efforts to address it. Single parents navigating homelessness encounter unique challenges in accessing stable housing and essential services, with domestic violence often serving as a significant contributory factor. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of practitioners regarding the needs of single parents navigating domestic violence-related homelessness. The empowerment theory provided the framework for this study, and data were obtained from focus groups with leaders and administrators who work in the areas of homelessness, economic security, and family violence. The study’s findings revealed significant gaps …


Increasing Staff Knowledge In An Assisted Living Facility, Lindy Hilding Sep 2025

Increasing Staff Knowledge In An Assisted Living Facility, Lindy Hilding

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The practice problem I identified was a rising number of resident falls throughout the past 6-12 months at a 29-bed assisted living facility (ALF). The organization requested an education program on evidence-based practices on fall prevention in older adults. I used the project question to explore if an education program would increase the knowledge of the staff and caregivers at the ALF. Numerous sources of evidence supported the practice guidelines including fall risk assessment tools. During the facility monthly staff meeting, participants completed a six-question knowledge assessment on falls. The participants completed the same assessment after the education program, as …


Racial Moderation Of Infant Mortality Risk And Protective Factors In The United States, Temitope Oluwaseun Akinsola Sep 2025

Racial Moderation Of Infant Mortality Risk And Protective Factors In The United States, Temitope Oluwaseun Akinsola

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rate of infant mortality is a pressing health issue in the United States, as ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected. This study addressed how race controls the predictive power of demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors on infant mortality. Using a quantitative correlational design, secondary data from 181 individuals listed in the CDC-National Vital Statistics System database were used, which contains nationally aggregated data related to infant mortality rates. Bronfenbrenner’s social ecological model guided the study, and multiple regression and moderation models were used to examine socioeconomic status and access to healthcare on infant mortality outcomes. Results indicated that race significantly …


Staff Education On Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder, Mukisha Livingston Gunter Aug 2025

Staff Education On Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder, Mukisha Livingston Gunter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder (POUD) constitutes a significant public health issue with important ramifications for both mothers and their newborns. The gap in practice identified for this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project was the perinatal nurses’ lack of knowledge regarding POUD. The problem was the need for POUD education for the nurses. The practice focus questions were: Will there be a change in knowledge by perinatal nurses following the delivery of the education as shown by a pretest/posttest? Will the participants evaluate the education as having met the program objectives related to the curriculum presented? Guided by the …


The Association Between Malnutrition And Gingivitis Among Residents In St. Louis, Missouri, Alyssa Detrick Aug 2025

The Association Between Malnutrition And Gingivitis Among Residents In St. Louis, Missouri, Alyssa Detrick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Malnutrition and gingivitis are common diagnoses in primary medical and dental care. The purpose of this quantitative study was to understand the association between malnutrition and gingivitis among residents in St. Louis, Missouri. The study was based on the social ecological model (SEM). The cross-sectional design involved secondary data (N = 2,553) from a Federally Qualified Health Center in St. Louis, Missouri that included de-identified patient demographic and diagnosis information of St. Louis City residents with a medical and dental visit in 2024. This study examined the relationship between malnutrition and gingivitis while controlling for ethnicity, preferred language, race, and …


The Association Of Smoking, Education, And Income Level With Cancer In Mexican Migrants At The U.S./Mexico Border, Carlo Opont Aug 2025

The Association Of Smoking, Education, And Income Level With Cancer In Mexican Migrants At The U.S./Mexico Border, Carlo Opont

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cancer is a major public health problem in the United States and around the world. The condition is reported to be among the leading causes of death and has a significant impact on quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore the association of smoking, education, and income level with cancer in the Mexican migrant population at U.S./Mexico border while controlling for age and gender. This quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional study with a sample size of 988 used secondary data from the Mexican Migrant Project to explore the potential association between smoking, education and income level with cancer …


Premenopausal And Postmenopausal Malignant Cervical Cancer Diagnosis Among Disaggregated Subethnic Groups Of Asian American Women In The United States, Nilofar Haider Mirza Aug 2025

Premenopausal And Postmenopausal Malignant Cervical Cancer Diagnosis Among Disaggregated Subethnic Groups Of Asian American Women In The United States, Nilofar Haider Mirza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite being the United States' fastest-growing and diverse population, Asian Americans are often aggregated with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in prior research, resulting in masking disparities in cervical cancer screening/diagnosis among Asian American subethnic groups. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, the association between disaggregated subethnic groups and cervical cancer diagnosis among Asian American women aged 20+ in the United States was examined using binary logistic regression. How histology type/behavior and age at diagnosis moderate the relationship between disaggregated subethnic groups and cervical cancer diagnosis was also explored. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed using cases (N=1014) from the U.S. …


Educating Nurses On The Agency Of Healthcare Research And Quality Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program To Reduce The Rate Of Pressure Ulcers, Marie France Destaul Aug 2025

Educating Nurses On The Agency Of Healthcare Research And Quality Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program To Reduce The Rate Of Pressure Ulcers, Marie France Destaul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A staff development project was conducted to address the practice problem encountered in a healthcare setting. The identified gap in practice was related to a lack of knowledge of pressure ulcer injury prevention among inpatient staff. Leadership deemed it essential to address this practice problem in nursing care because the prevalence of pressure ulcer injuries in hospitalized patients was high. The following practice-focused question guided the project: For staff in an inpatient setting, will education on the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program increase knowledge toward the goal of decreasing the incidence of pressure ulcers? …


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 …


Cardiometabolic Outcomes In The Obese African American Population With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cecilia Jillo Walan Aug 2025

Cardiometabolic Outcomes In The Obese African American Population With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cecilia Jillo Walan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disproportionately impacts African American adults, particularly those with obesity, due to overlapping cardiometabolic risks and health care disparities. The intersection of RA, obesity, and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension underscores the need for targeted public health interventions. This study investigated the association between RA and cardiometabolic outcomes among African American adults with obesity, aiming to identify significant predictors within this high-risk population. This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design to analyze data from the 1999–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey undergirded by the social ecological change framework with N=23644 African American adults …


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


Staff Education Program On Medication Reconciliation In Primary Care, Virginia Ann Bloomer Aug 2025

Staff Education Program On Medication Reconciliation In Primary Care, Virginia Ann Bloomer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Medication errors represent a persistent threat to patient safety, particularly during transitions of care in outpatient settings. Despite recognition of the problem, standardized medication reconciliation practices among primary care physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs) remain inconsistent, hindered by varied workflows, unclear responsibilities, and knowledge gaps. To address these issues, a staff education program focusing on medication reconciliation was introduced to seven NPs and three physicians in a primary care clinic. Pre- and post-intervention surveys measured participants’ knowledge and confidence in conducting medication reconciliation and documenting medications in electronic medical records. The average test score improved from 68% to 92%, demonstrating …


Preventing Nurse Burnout Through Self-Care Strategies, Doris Iwuh Aug 2025

Preventing Nurse Burnout Through Self-Care Strategies, Doris Iwuh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project Preventing Nurse Burnout through Self-Care Strategies by Doris Iwuh MS, Walden University, 2022 BSN, Grand Canyon University, 2020 ADN, Radiance College, 2016 Executive Summary Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University August 2025 Summary An outpatient mental health clinic identified a rise in burnout among psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed therapists, and social workers. A gap in practice revealed that staff lacked knowledge of self-care strategies to manage burnout, leading to the project question: Does implementing an educational program for nurses and mental health specialists on …