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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Parents’ Sustained Recovery From Substance Use During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Amanda Antis Nov 2025

Parents’ Sustained Recovery From Substance Use During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Amanda Antis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents in recovery from substance abuse rely on social support and programs to maintain their sobriety consistently. However, specific programs crucial for their social and mental well-being, such as most 12-step groups and recovery centers, were shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some research on the impact of substance abuse during the pandemic, little attention has been given to sustained recovery. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore how parents maintained recovery from substance use amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Schlossberg’s transition process model served as the theoretical framework for this study. Semistructured interviews with nine …


Interpersonal Violence Within Same-Sex Relationships: Survivors’ Perspectives Of Counselor Competency, Cheryl Ann D' La Rotta Nov 2025

Interpersonal Violence Within Same-Sex Relationships: Survivors’ Perspectives Of Counselor Competency, Cheryl Ann D' La Rotta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Survivors of same-sex intimate partner violence (IPV) face negative mental health consequences. A lack of research exists on how social support, emotional and coping regulation, and counselors’ behaviors, knowledge, and skills affect the help-seeking behaviors and therapeutic outcomes of survivors of same-sex IPV. Addressing the gap is important because recent studies report an increase in same-sex IPV but low levels of help-seeking behaviors in response. If unaddressed, IPV can affect the well-being and safety of those partnered individuals. The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of same-sex IPV survivors who received therapeutic counseling. The …


Integrating Successful Advanced Technology Adoption Strategies In Organizational Human Resource Management, Darnetta P. Franklin Nov 2025

Integrating Successful Advanced Technology Adoption Strategies In Organizational Human Resource Management, Darnetta P. Franklin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human resource (HR) leaders in medium- to large-sized organizations across the Northeast United States continue to experience challenges when adopting advanced HR technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, blockchain, and cloud-based systems. HR leaders are concerned about employee resistance to change, limited training resources, and financial constraints, which hinder employee engagement and operational efficiency. Grounded in diffusion of innovations theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies HR leaders implement to successfully integrate advanced HR technologies while maintaining workforce engagement and performance. The participants included six HR leaders from diverse industries with successful experience in …


The Experiences Of African Americans Seeking Health Care Services, Sandy Latreice Sullivan Nov 2025

The Experiences Of African Americans Seeking Health Care Services, Sandy Latreice Sullivan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care experiences are shaped by life events and cultural background, making engagement with providers individualized. African Americans have historically reported distrust of health professionals due to targeted mistreatment. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of middle-aged African American adults receiving care from non-African American health care providers. Rosenstock’s health belief model was the framework for the study. Nine participants were recruited from social media using purposeful sampling. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews held on Zoom. Saldana’s four-step qualitative data analysis process was utilized to analyze the data. The results of the data …


The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of German Volunteers Aged 55 Or Older In Development Service In Tanzania, Barbara Wohanka Nov 2025

The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of German Volunteers Aged 55 Or Older In Development Service In Tanzania, Barbara Wohanka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As global aging trends and longer life expectancy encourage many seniors to seek meaningful engagement through volunteering, this research examined how such activities influence their perceptions and experiences. While much of the existing literature on volunteering in later life has concentrated on individuals involved in local community service, little research has addressed what motivates seniors to volunteer abroad. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions and lived experiences of German volunteers aged 55 or older in development service in Tanzania and the influence of these experiences on their lives. The theoretical framework examined the guiding approaches …


Reduce Readmission Among Patients Within 60 Days Of Discharge In A Behavioral Health Unit, Iretioluwa Emmanuella Adeniran-Adetoye Nov 2025

Reduce Readmission Among Patients Within 60 Days Of Discharge In A Behavioral Health Unit, Iretioluwa Emmanuella Adeniran-Adetoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project focused on a staff education initiative to reduce 60-day readmission rates in a behavioral health unit within a hospital. The project was staff focused, emphasizing the provision of training to the nursing staff to effectively design the discharge planning of patients by actively involving them in the discharge plans. The purpose was to provide nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to strengthen discharge planning and directly influence patient outcomes. Addressing the practice problem was an urgent need because patients in the behavioral health unit were at increased risk of readmission. The main factors …


Child Poverty: Understanding The Emotional Labor Of Social Work Professionals, Aamir Terry Nov 2025

Child Poverty: Understanding The Emotional Labor Of Social Work Professionals, Aamir Terry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child Poverty: Understanding the Emotional Labor of Social Work Professionals by Aamir Terry MSW, Walden University 2019 BS, Central State University 2008 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Social Work Walden University November 2025


African Americans’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of Childhood Community Violence And Historical Oppression On Parenting, Iyabo Adediran Nov 2025

African Americans’ Perceptions Of The Impact Of Childhood Community Violence And Historical Oppression On Parenting, Iyabo Adediran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have detrimental impacts on lifelong functioning. Although African Americans experience disproportionately higher rates of community violence, one type of ACE, the potential long-term impacts of exposure to such violence and of historical oppression on their parenting practices in adulthood, was little understood. In this qualitative study, an ethnographic approach was used to explore African American parents’ perceptions of how early exposure to community violence (before age of 18) and the intergenerational transmission of historical oppression influenced their current parenting practices. The conceptual framework, which integrated Engel’s biopsychosocial model and Bowen’s family systems theory, provided a …


Middle-Class Black Women, The Strong Black Women Role, And Seeking Treatment For Depression, Kendra Griffin Nov 2025

Middle-Class Black Women, The Strong Black Women Role, And Seeking Treatment For Depression, Kendra Griffin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study explored how middle-class Black women perceive seeking mental health treatment for depression while identifying with the Strong Black Woman (SBW) role. This study investigated how middle-class Black women perceive seeking mental health treatment for depression while identifying with the Strong Black Woman role and how they interpret this role in relation to coping with depression. Guided by a social constructionist framework, the study used a qualitative design. Eight women who identified as middle-class, experienced depression, and endorsed the SBW role participated in semi-structured interviews. Braun and Clarke’s six phase thematic analysis revealed six themes: therapy as cultural …


Faculty Perceptions Of Efforts To Address The Underrepresentation Of Minority Full-Time Faculty In U.S. Nursing Programs, Akua Oxendine Nov 2025

Faculty Perceptions Of Efforts To Address The Underrepresentation Of Minority Full-Time Faculty In U.S. Nursing Programs, Akua Oxendine

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem for this study is that, despite longstanding efforts to promote diversity in higher education, faculty from racial and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in nursing programs in the United States. Guided by critical race theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore nursing faculty perceptions of the effectiveness and challenges of institutional efforts to address underrepresentation. Using purposive sampling, 12 nursing faculty members with knowledge of or experience with diversity initiatives were recruited as participants. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Through a six-phase thematic analysis, nursing faculty identified five critical insights: (a) diversity messaging often …


Implementation Strategies For Microservice Architecture In The Banking Sector, Gururaj Achar Nov 2025

Implementation Strategies For Microservice Architecture In The Banking Sector, Gururaj Achar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Information technology (IT) leaders in regulated banking face significant risks related to system complexity and cybersecurity when implementing large-scale systems. Although microservice architecture (MSA) offers enhanced scalability and agility, IT leaders lack specific strategic guidance for its effective adoption within highly regulated banking environments. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, the purpose of this qualitative, pragmatic study was to explore effective MSA adoption strategies for IT architects and managers transitioning legacy systems to support risk and compliance management. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with seven banking IT leaders and were analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: adoption drivers …


Stigma Associated With Using Mental Health Services Among The Igbos In Nigeria, Emmanuel Okoye Sr Nov 2025

Stigma Associated With Using Mental Health Services Among The Igbos In Nigeria, Emmanuel Okoye Sr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study addressed the impact of stigma and cultural beliefs on help-seeking behaviors among the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. The importance of this issue lies in its potential to increase access to mental health services and foster well-being among Igbo community members who might be harmed by stigma and cultural barriers. The study's theoretical framework was the cultural theory of mental illness, which emphasizes how cultural values and beliefs influence how people perceive and express their mental health. This study aimed to offer guidance for interventions and programs that address mental health disparities in the Igbo community by comprehending the …


Food Insecurity, Educational Attainment, And Type 2 Diabetes In African Americans In Rural Southern Us, Dana Elaine Lowe Nov 2025

Food Insecurity, Educational Attainment, And Type 2 Diabetes In African Americans In Rural Southern Us, Dana Elaine Lowe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Rural African Americans experience a higher prevalence of Type 2 diabetes compared to their White counterparts, yet little research has explored the roles of food insecurity and educational attainment in this disparity. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine whether food insecurity and educational attainment were associated with the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among African Americans aged 18 to 65 years in rural Southern United States, using the World Health Organization’s social determinants of health framework. Data from the 2019-2022 IPUMS National Health Interview Survey (N=793) were analyzed both descriptively and using multiple logistic regression …


Effect Of Workplace Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Programs On Black Women Leaders At Nonprofit National Associations Of Regulatory Boards, Alba Gisel Ayala Nov 2025

Effect Of Workplace Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Programs On Black Women Leaders At Nonprofit National Associations Of Regulatory Boards, Alba Gisel Ayala

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a critical knowledge gap among clinical staff regarding the application of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) within a local health department. Although SDOH screening tools and the statewide NCCARE 360 referral system were in place, inconsistent use hindered integration into patient care and limited efforts to advance health equity. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model and the ADDIE instructional framework, an educational intervention was developed and implemented to enhance staff knowledge, confidence, and integration of SDOH principles into workflow. Thirty-five clinical staff members participated in pre- and post-intervention assessments. Data …


Staff Education To Improve Clinical Staff Knowledge Of The Social Determinants Of Health In A Public Health Setting, Alba Gisel Ayala Nov 2025

Staff Education To Improve Clinical Staff Knowledge Of The Social Determinants Of Health In A Public Health Setting, Alba Gisel Ayala

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a critical knowledge gap among clinical staff regarding the application of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) within a local health department. Although SDOH screening tools and the statewide NCCARE 360 referral system were in place, inconsistent use hindered integration into patient care and limited efforts to advance health equity. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model and the ADDIE instructional framework, an educational intervention was developed and implemented to enhance staff knowledge, confidence, and integration of SDOH principles into workflow. Thirty-five clinical staff members participated in pre- and post-intervention assessments. Data …


Secondary Teachers’ Instructional Strategies And Challenges In Teaching English Language Learners In Mississippi, Megan Cara Morgan Nov 2025

Secondary Teachers’ Instructional Strategies And Challenges In Teaching English Language Learners In Mississippi, Megan Cara Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mainstream high school teachers in a district in the state of Mississippi have struggled to consistently implement research-based strategies that address the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs). Guided by Echevarría et al.’s sheltered instruction observation protocol (SIOP), the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the instructional practices implemented by mainstream high school teachers at a Title I high school in a Mississippi district that are aligned with research-based practices and the challenges they reported in improving ELL student achievement in mainstream classrooms. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with nine teachers from a Title I high …


Educating Staff On Hourly Rounding Toward Fall Prevention In A Long-Term Care Facility, Princess Aminata Kanu Nov 2025

Educating Staff On Hourly Rounding Toward Fall Prevention In A Long-Term Care Facility, Princess Aminata Kanu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The identified problem at the project site facility was rising incidences of patient falls, which was attributed to insufficient staff knowledge of evidence-based strategies for preventing falls, including purposeful hourly rounding (PHR). Research has demonstrated that PHR effectively reduces the risk of falls among patients by allowing clinicians to proactively address patient needs. The purpose of this staff education project was to enhance healthcare providers’ knowledge of PHR and its role in fall prevention. The practice-focused question that guided this project was: For staff in a long-term care facility, will training on hourly rounding increase knowledge toward the goal of …


Beyond The Headlines: Exploring The Mental Health Impacts Of Police Brutality On Social Media In Black Americans, Kai'annica Walters Nov 2025

Beyond The Headlines: Exploring The Mental Health Impacts Of Police Brutality On Social Media In Black Americans, Kai'annica Walters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies show Black Americans face high police brutality, leading to mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of Black Americans who have been exposed to police brutality on social media and how it impacts their racial identity and emotional well-being. This study employed critical race theory as both a theoretical lens and a conceptual framework to examine how race and systemic inequalities shape legal systems and societal narratives. I used IPA to explore how people interpret their experiences and the meanings they assign. This study …


Staff Education For Catheter-Related Urinary Tract Infection Prevention In Intensive Care, Ascar Boinett Nov 2025

Staff Education For Catheter-Related Urinary Tract Infection Prevention In Intensive Care, Ascar Boinett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) staff education project was conducted to address inconsistent adherence to catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention bundles in an adult intensive care unit (ICU). CAUTIs remain a leading cause of morbidity, extended hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. The project aimed to improve nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding CAUTI prevention through structured education and the integration of daily catheter reassessment checklists into practice. A quantitative pretest–posttest design was used to measure changes in participants’ knowledge and attitudes following two 45-minute educational sessions. Forty-two ICU nurses participated in the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive …


Male Veteran Sexual Trauma Survivors' Experiences Of Military Culture And Institutional Betrayal, Karen James Lewis Nov 2025

Male Veteran Sexual Trauma Survivors' Experiences Of Military Culture And Institutional Betrayal, Karen James Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The phenomenon of Military sexual trauma (MST) among male survivors is significantly underreported and lacking in scholarly research. The purpose of this qualitative generic study was to explore male veteran MST survivors’ perspectives on military culture and institutional betrayal. Cultural spillover theory provided the framework, emphasizing that a culture that legitimizes violence to achieve its goals has the potential to foster illegitimate violence within that culture. The primary research question in this study was: What are the perceptions and experiences of male veteran MST survivors on military institutional culture and MST? Six semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with male …


Strategies To Improve Employee Retention And Organizational Performance In Healthcare, Paula Faye Guillory Nov 2025

Strategies To Improve Employee Retention And Organizational Performance In Healthcare, Paula Faye Guillory

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of effective strategies to improve employee retention and organizational performance is a concern for healthcare leaders. Without such strategies, organizations may incur costs through recruitment and training, reduce productivity due to workflow disruption and knowledge gaps, damage employee morale by increasing workloads for remaining employees, and harm the organization’s reputation, potentially affecting patient relationships, hindering growth, and eroding any competitive advantage. Grounded in Penrose’s resource-based view theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore the effective strategies healthcare leaders use to improve employee retain and organizational performance. Participants were six leaders of healthcare organizations located in …


Younger African American Men’S Beliefs And Attitudes Toward Prostate Cancer Screening, Linda Teemer-Baker Nov 2025

Younger African American Men’S Beliefs And Attitudes Toward Prostate Cancer Screening, Linda Teemer-Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prostate cancer screening has been a focus of scholars since the late 20th century, as researchers have sought to address persistent disparities in early detection and mortality rates among African American men. Researchers have demonstrated that cultural beliefs, mistrust of the medical system, and limited access to healthcare significantly influence prostate cancer screening behaviors within this population. However, researchers have yet to establish how younger African American men specifically interpret prostate cancer risk and how their beliefs and attitudes shape decisions regarding screening participation. The purpose of this study was to explore the beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes of younger African …


Staff Education Program To Improve Nurses' Knowledge Of Diabetes Self-Management Education (Dsme) Toward Reducing Readmissions, Vivian Adaora Okechukwu Nov 2025

Staff Education Program To Improve Nurses' Knowledge Of Diabetes Self-Management Education (Dsme) Toward Reducing Readmissions, Vivian Adaora Okechukwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project was a staff education program to enhance nurses' knowledge and skills in Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) in reducing hospital readmission. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs as a direct result of the body's inability to produce enough insulin or the inability to utilize insulin in the bloodstream effectively, consequently accounting for life-threatening health complications. At the local organization, where diabetes is the third leading cause of hospitalization, evidence shows that it critically affects about 25% of the patient population. Also, some care providers at the organization do not have the distinctive competencies to give DSME …


Staff Education Project To Improve Management Of Depression, Maryjane Henshaw Nov 2025

Staff Education Project To Improve Management Of Depression, Maryjane Henshaw

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

I designed this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project to enhance the ability of primary care nurses at a mental health outpatient clinic to manage depression in patients who are non-compliant with treatment. Currently, nurses lack structured training in recognizing and addressing depression, which contributes to inconsistent care, increased relapse and readmission rates, lower patient satisfaction, and greater healthcare utilization. This project aimed to provide evidence-based education to close a critical gap in practice that affects care quality, continuity, nurse confidence, and patient outcomes. The guiding practice-focused question was: In primary care nurses at a mental health outpatient clinic, …


Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies For Falls Prevention, Gregory Njong Nov 2025

Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies For Falls Prevention, Gregory Njong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Older adults are particularly susceptible to post-fall injuries and loss of independence. This project was implemented to decrease the number of resident falls within a long-term care setting by enhancing the knowledge and daily routine of direct-care personnel. Falls remain one of the most frequent and severe safety concerns. Although policies on fall prevention are in place, workers often inconsistently incorporate risk evaluation and fail to identify all the causes of a fall. The purpose of this project was to determine whether a structured educational program could raise the level of knowledge about fall-prevention and provide safer care practices. The …


Strategies To Provide Organizational Support To Neurodivergent Employees On Work Teams, Keila Yaremis Molina González Nov 2025

Strategies To Provide Organizational Support To Neurodivergent Employees On Work Teams, Keila Yaremis Molina González

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective strategies for supporting neurodivergent employees can lead to decreased productivity, talent loss, and stifled innovation, ultimately harming a company's operational efficiency. Industry training managers who struggle to improve productivity, retention, and innovation may find their businesses facing instability as a result. . Grounded in attribution theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore effective strategies used by industry training managers to support neurodivergent employees to increase productivity, talent retention, and innovation. The participants were nine industry training managers who had implemented supportive strategies. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, public websites, and …


Executive Summary: Multi-Departmental Resilience And Stress Reduction Program, Joy Adeyemi Nov 2025

Executive Summary: Multi-Departmental Resilience And Stress Reduction Program, Joy Adeyemi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Background: Primary care nursing faces an escalating burnout crisis threatening patient safety and organizational sustainability. Internal data reveals 68% of primary care nurses report high emotional exhaustion scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), significantly exceeding the national average of 45%. Annual voluntary turnover of 28% results in direct replacement costs exceeding $750,000, with associated increases in absenteeism (15% higher) and overtime costs (22% higher) compared to regional benchmarks. Purpose: This quality improvement project implemented a comprehensive multi-departmental resilience and stress reduction program to reduce nurse burnout, improve retention, and enhance patient safety outcomes in a primary care setting serving …


Hospital-Acquired Infections Evidence-Based Standards Of Hand Hygiene, Terry Hosch Nov 2025

Hospital-Acquired Infections Evidence-Based Standards Of Hand Hygiene, Terry Hosch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a challenge for healthcare organizations despite being preventable. Implementing and monitoring evidence-based hand-washing standards can help reduce the spread of germs and HAIs. The cost of HAIs continues to rise, affecting finances, patient length of stay, and outcomes. HAIs add $28 billion to $45 billion annually to U.S. healthcare costs. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine and evaluate HAIs (dependent variable) and hand hygiene compliance (independent variable), as well as the impact on healthcare organizations' financial performance, patient length of stay, and outcomes. The study employed Donabedian's theoretical framework, which comprises …


Effects Of Experiences Of Widowhood Practice On Young Widows’ Well-Being In Southeastern Nigeria, Ijeoma Josephine Edinoh Nov 2025

Effects Of Experiences Of Widowhood Practice On Young Widows’ Well-Being In Southeastern Nigeria, Ijeoma Josephine Edinoh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Nigeria long-standing sociocultural norms dictate widowhood practice, which widows are expected to undergo when they lose their husbands. The impact of this ancient culture, which has continuously been encouraged from generation to generation to date, has been devastating for widows. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to investigate the effects of widowhood practices on the well-being of young widows in southeastern Nigeria. Feminist theory was the conceptual framework. Through semistructured, audio-recorded interviews conducted via Zoom, data were collected from 10 young widows between age 18 to 45 in the southeastern Nigeria. After the data were collected, Braun …


Thirty-Day Hospital Readmissions For Medicare Patients In Urban And Rural Counties Of North Carolina And Wisconsin Based On Gender And Race, Narda J. Rogers Nov 2025

Thirty-Day Hospital Readmissions For Medicare Patients In Urban And Rural Counties Of North Carolina And Wisconsin Based On Gender And Race, Narda J. Rogers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Thirty-day hospital readmissions continue to be an increasing problem for healthcare administrators due to quality and costs. This study was conducted to examine whether gender and race were related to 30-day readmissions in urban and rural counties of North Carolina and Wisconsin. Research questions included the dependent variable of 30-day acute hospital readmissions and the independent variables of race (Black and White) and gender (male and female). The framework was Donabedian’s quality of care model consisting of three components: structure, process, and outcomes. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services secondary data were gathered in 2022 from 595,294 patients in …