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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Perceptions Of Adulthood Preparation Among Individuals Who Aged Out Of The Foster Care System, Victor Torrez Dawson Sep 2025

Perceptions Of Adulthood Preparation Among Individuals Who Aged Out Of The Foster Care System, Victor Torrez Dawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This generic qualitative study was focused on the lived experiences of former foster care youth and their ability to acquire and retain self-sufficiency skills during their transition to adulthood. Using Bandura’s social learning theory as a framework, the research was focused on how interpersonal relationships with caregivers, mentors, and professionals influenced the development of these skills. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 10 former foster care youth. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, and three key themes and 13 subthemes emerged highlighting both support and barriers that youth encountered. The analysis of the data revealed that …


The Progressive Changes In Posttraumatic Symptoms And Posttraumatic Growth Associated With Traumatic Incident Reduction, Joseph L. Mcclory Sep 2025

The Progressive Changes In Posttraumatic Symptoms And Posttraumatic Growth Associated With Traumatic Incident Reduction, Joseph L. Mcclory

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many millions of people are suffering from symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Just in the United States, 13 million Americans had a PTSD diagnosis as of 2020. Through the theoretical lens of catharsis, analysis of variance was used to examine whether traumatic incident reduction (TIR) is associated with changes in posttraumatic symptoms and posttraumatic growth by comparing pre, mid, and post-TIR PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) scores. Regression was also used to test whether post-PCL-5 scores accounted for variance in the post-PTGI scores. Ninety-seven TIR cases from the mental health agency between 2017 and …


Social Service Supervisors' Perceptions Of Professional Development Training, Jaida Elaine Patterson Sep 2025

Social Service Supervisors' Perceptions Of Professional Development Training, Jaida Elaine Patterson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chafee Independent Living Skills and Goals Program (CILSGP) is a federally mandated program for public child welfare organizations that provide services to adolescents and young adults in the foster care system. The problem that was addressed through this study was that program administrators are unsure of the additional professional development (PD) needs of the social service supervisors at the study site, a foster care independent living program for youth. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate social service supervisors’ perceptions on the PD they receive; the influence the PD has on their self-concept as a learner, their …


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 …


Relationship Between Peer Support Services And Offender Reentry Organizations, Julie Megan Dixon Aug 2025

Relationship Between Peer Support Services And Offender Reentry Organizations, Julie Megan Dixon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study addressed the gap in understanding the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of peer support services (PSS) among two groups of reentry staff in North Carolina (NC): those in the community and those within the Department of Adult Correction (DAC). Both groups of reentry staff completed a web-based survey encompassing the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). The sampling strategy, response rate, and survey administration details are provided. Guided by ecological systems theory, this study examined how PSS can improve reentry outcomes and address insufficient public safety, social relationship deterioration, and …


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 …


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 …


Change For The Use Of Phenobarbital In Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Rylee J. Studiner Aug 2025

Change For The Use Of Phenobarbital In Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Rylee J. Studiner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a critical condition commonly encountered in hospital settings. If not properly treated, AWS can progress to seizures, delirium tremens, and death. Traditionally, benzodiazepines guided by the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar), have served as a mainstay of treatment. However, emerging evidence supports the use of phenobarbital as a pharmacologic alternative and the Severity of Ethanol Withdrawal Scale (SEWS) as a more objective and clinically practical assessment tool. This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project aimed to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the use of phenobarbital in managing severe …


The Meaning Of Academic Achievement For Fathers Of African American At-Risk Urban Female Youth, Shurise Telesford Aug 2025

The Meaning Of Academic Achievement For Fathers Of African American At-Risk Urban Female Youth, Shurise Telesford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Family dynamics, parenting styles, and the impact of parental involvement on children have long been studied, with much of the focus traditionally placed on the mother-child relationship. This study shifted that focus to explore the perceptions of African American fathers of at-risk female youth regarding academic achievement. Using a generic qualitative approach and guided by Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, a theory emphasizing how the marginalized learn through critical awareness and collaboration, I sought to understand how these fathers view their daughters’ educational experiences and barriers to success. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven fathers living in urban …


Canada’S Indigenous Social Workers’ Medicinal Plant Knowledge: A Land-Based Way Of Knowing For Indigenous Practice, Iris Kim Plain Eagle Aug 2025

Canada’S Indigenous Social Workers’ Medicinal Plant Knowledge: A Land-Based Way Of Knowing For Indigenous Practice, Iris Kim Plain Eagle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Canada’s Indigenous people of Treaty 7 region have experienced intergenerational trauma resulting from colonization perpetrated by the Canadian government. While the use of medicinal plants, are employed by Indigenous social workers, their integration into mainstream human services organizations remains limited. The gaps in Indigenous social work practice hinders client culturally competent care and the acknowledgement of Indigneous knowledge systems in colonial systems. This generic qualitative study explored the experiences of participants who integrate medicinal plant healing and ancestral knowledge into practice. Informed by indigenous wholistic theory, the study aimed to understand how Indigenous social workers navigate the challenges and opportunities …


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; …


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 …


Reconciling Harm Reduction Philosophy And Approaches Among Abstinence-Only Substance Abuse Treatment Professionals, Amy Rose Ashton-Williams Aug 2025

Reconciling Harm Reduction Philosophy And Approaches Among Abstinence-Only Substance Abuse Treatment Professionals, Amy Rose Ashton-Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in the United States has been firmly grounded in abstinence-only treatment approaches. Harm reduction as a treatment model has gained additional traction. With increased rates of opioid use, overdoses, and advancements in medications for SUDs, harm reduction treatment approaches are becoming more important to improve lives of people who use drugs. Little is known about how counselors who have been educated, trained, and deliver abstinence-based SUD treatment reconcile use of harm reduction into their practice. To address this gap in literature, a generic qualitative study was conducted using the social constructivism theory. A purposive …


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


The Lived Experiences Of Clinically Licensed Counselors During Covid-19, Deirdre F. Haynes Aug 2025

The Lived Experiences Of Clinically Licensed Counselors During Covid-19, Deirdre F. Haynes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be an equal opportunity crisis. There is substantial research to better understand how individuals have reacted to crisis experiences like the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the lived experiences of clinically licensed counselors during COVID-19. This gap in the literature is important because the increase in the number of individuals seeking counseling to deal with their fears and concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic may have put a strain on counselors that were also experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis was to bridge the …


Evidence-Based Intervention Proposal For Reducing Intimate Partner Violence Against Jamaican Women, Kimisha K. Campbell Aug 2025

Evidence-Based Intervention Proposal For Reducing Intimate Partner Violence Against Jamaican Women, Kimisha K. Campbell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence (DV) is a significant public health concern that negatively impacts women’s health, yet gaps in trauma-informed screening and referral processes persist within nursing practice. In Jamaica, DV remains underreported, highlighting the need for enhanced provider competency in identifying and supporting survivors. The doctoral project was used to examine how implementing the trauma-informed care (TIC) model and the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) program could improve healthcare staff’s ability to recognize, assess, and support DV survivors. Guided by the TIC framework and the IRIS program, a mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating pre- and posttraining assessments, staff surveys, …


Set Up For Success: The Lived Experiences And Perceptions Of Nonviolent Offenders And Their Challenges Of Successfully Reentering Society, Ciera Lee'nette Day Aug 2025

Set Up For Success: The Lived Experiences And Perceptions Of Nonviolent Offenders And Their Challenges Of Successfully Reentering Society, Ciera Lee'nette Day

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This dissertation firmly highlighted the critical necessity for effective diversion plans tailored to nonviolent offenders, presenting a compelling qualitative analysis of the lived experiences of 12 former nonviolent offenders and their views on diversion centers. The research employed in-depth interviews as the primary data collection method, engaging participants aged 18 and older who had committed nonviolent offenses, had no pending legal cases, and had been released from incarceration or probation within the past six months. To analyze the data, NVivo 15 and MAXQDA software were utilized, ensuring a rigorous and systematic approach to organizing and interpreting unstructured data, developing robust …


Prisoner Re-Entry Into Society And Criminal Justice Social Work Practice, Aleeyah S. Norvell Aug 2025

Prisoner Re-Entry Into Society And Criminal Justice Social Work Practice, Aleeyah S. Norvell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explores the challenges faced by social workers in supporting the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Social workers play a critical role in the U.S. criminal justice system, yet they often encounter systemic barriers that limit their ability to meet clients’ basic needs, such as housing, employment, and healthcare. Using a generic qualitative research design, the study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a sample of eight licensed social workers, using open-ended questions to gather rich, detailed accounts of their experiences. Guided by social learning theory and using thematic analysis, the findings reveal significant obstacles in adapting to …


Msw Degree Completion: Foster Care Alumni’S Perceptions Of Barriers, Resilience, And Success, Christa Martinez Aug 2025

Msw Degree Completion: Foster Care Alumni’S Perceptions Of Barriers, Resilience, And Success, Christa Martinez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This capstone research project involved examining foster care alumni who successfully graduated from Master of Social Work (MSW) programs as full-time students. The purpose of this study was to address resilience factors and this population’s perceptions of barriers, resilience, and success in terms of completing full-time MSW programs and career outcomes. The resiliency theory and a strength-based-perspective were frameworks for this research. This basic qualitative research study involved using purposive sampling, and 11 foster care alumni were interviewed who graduated from full-time MSW graduate programs in the United States. Through thematic analysis, themes emerged were lack of economic resources impacting …


Leadership Self-Efficacy: Exploring Social Workers’ Perceived Ability To Serve On School Boards, Jessica Zavalza Aug 2025

Leadership Self-Efficacy: Exploring Social Workers’ Perceived Ability To Serve On School Boards, Jessica Zavalza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The low representation of social workers serving on school boards is a social work practice problem because it limits their leadership ability to advocate for student mental health and influence policy change at the local and state levels of education. Therefore, addressing this practice problem within the context of clinical social work is crucial for improving student mental health outcomes and overall student well-being. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this qualitative study was conducted to explore the connection between social workers’ leadership self-efficacy and their willingness to pursue policymaking roles at the local and state school board levels. With the …


Coming Out And Social Acceptance: Understanding Lgbtq Veterans' Minority Stressors, Conrado Augustine Martin Aug 2025

Coming Out And Social Acceptance: Understanding Lgbtq Veterans' Minority Stressors, Conrado Augustine Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study explored the experiences of LGBTQ veterans residing in Ohio, examining the relationship between the coming out process, social acceptance, and minority stress. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) military veterans face higher rates of minority stressors, resulting in higher rates of suicidal ideation and mental health issues, which impact healthcare practices that affirm their identity. Discrimination, microaggressions, coming out, identity disclosure, and social belonging were identified as key contributing factors. Guided by Meyer’s minority stress theory, the study aimed to assess whether levels of outness, and identification with the LGBTQ community correlated with experiences of minority …


The Challenges Faced By Postrelease Offenders In Rural Mississippi, Whitney Starks Aug 2025

The Challenges Faced By Postrelease Offenders In Rural Mississippi, Whitney Starks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Reintegration after incarceration has long been a subject of scholarly inquiry, particularly regarding barriers to employment, housing, and mental health services. However, limited research addresses the reintegration experiences of postrelease offenders in rural regions, where access to essential resources is often restricted. This qualitative single case study is an exploration of the challenges and service needs of formerly incarcerated individuals living in rural Mississippi. Using purposive and snowball sampling, six participants were selected based on residency in rural counties, a nonviolent criminal history, and at least one year of successful community reentry. The conceptual framework was guided by the assess, …


Prediction Of Collegial Relationships And Teachers’ Commitment To Stay In A Compulsory Swedish School, Chermaine Clunie Aug 2025

Prediction Of Collegial Relationships And Teachers’ Commitment To Stay In A Compulsory Swedish School, Chermaine Clunie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the high annual teacher turnover rate of 30% in a Swedish compulsory school, which significantly exceeded national averages. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between the quality of collegial relationships, as measured by emotional support, task-related support, and feedback from colleagues which are subscales of the workplace social support (WSS) scale, and Swedish teachers’ commitment to stay in their current teaching positions in a Swedish compulsory school, measured on a continuous scale, using a 5 point Likert scale. The study was grounded in Blau’s social exchange theory, which …


Exploring The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of African American Women With Past Criminal Histories, Georgett Tracyann Kerr Jul 2025

Exploring The Perceptions And Lived Experiences Of African American Women With Past Criminal Histories, Georgett Tracyann Kerr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the reintegration experiences of African American women with prior criminal histories, focusing on how they navigated systemic barriers and demonstrated resilience. These women often face compounded challenges stemming from systemic racism, gender discrimination, and economic hardship, which hinder successful reentry into society following incarceration. Historical policies such as the War on Drugs and the Welfare Reform Act disproportionately impacted African American women, contributing to higher arrest rates and increased stigma within the criminal justice system. Upon release, many encounters significant barriers to employment, housing, mental health care, and social acceptance. Despite these adversaries, some African …


Fathers’ Experiences With Reunification With The Massachusetts Child Welfare System, Phernel Joseph Manigat Jul 2025

Fathers’ Experiences With Reunification With The Massachusetts Child Welfare System, Phernel Joseph Manigat

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study focused on fathers’ experiences with the Massachusetts child welfare system (MCWS) or the Department of Children and Families (DCF) during the reunification process with their children, particularly those fathers who received sole custody of their children during this process. Researchers have demonstrated that fathers are minimally engaged and mostly ignored in the child welfare system (CWS). A research gap was identified regarding the experiences of fathers who received sole custody of their children through the CWS. The purpose of this study was to explore these fathers’ experiences with the MCWS or the DCF during the reunification process with …


The Covid-19 Lockdown And Diabetes Self-Management In Esan Northeast Area Of Edo State, Esther Ehivbaun Rapu Jul 2025

The Covid-19 Lockdown And Diabetes Self-Management In Esan Northeast Area Of Edo State, Esther Ehivbaun Rapu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 lockdown impacted chronic diseases care globally, but there is limited research on how individuals in rural Nigerian communities managed diabetes during this period. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of self-management with diabetes during the COVID-19 lockdown among adults in Esan Northeast. The socioecological model (SEM) served as the guiding conceptual framework, allowing for the exploration of the impact of individual, interpersonal, community, and institutional factors on self-care behaviors. The research explored how cultural, social and economic factors impacted how adults with diabetes in Esan Northeast managed their condition during the COVID-19 lockdown. Semi-structured interviews via …


Kenyan Perspectives Of Trauma: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of Helping Professionals, Megan Flinn Jul 2025

Kenyan Perspectives Of Trauma: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of Helping Professionals, Megan Flinn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research addresses the critical gap in counseling literature regarding multicultural and trauma-informed training, particularly relevant given Kenya’s documented trauma and limited mental health resources, highlighting the need for incorporating lived experiences into research to equip counselors for increasingly globalized practice. The present hermeneutic phenomenological study aims to fill a gap in the literature by exploring the lived experiences of Kenyan helping professionals as they care for survivors of trauma in their country of origin. A previous data set was used, consisting of interviews from four Kenyan helping professionals in 2019, all whom worked actively with survivors of trauma at …


In-Home Supports For The Developmentally Disabled Population: A Heuristic Phenomenological Study Of Sc’ Experiences, Stephen Troy Davis Jul 2025

In-Home Supports For The Developmentally Disabled Population: A Heuristic Phenomenological Study Of Sc’ Experiences, Stephen Troy Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite occupying a central role in the developmental disabilities systems of 48 states, SC do not have a voice in program or policy development and are not well represented in the disabilities literature. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of SC who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in southeastern Pennsylvania. The theoretical lenses through which the study was viewed were Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Wolfensberger’s social role valorization. The study was guided by research questions aimed at illuminating the intensity of support coordinators’ experiences by uncovering how they experience and define their …


Relationship Between Indulgent Parenting, Household Composition, And Parental Efficacy In Managing Adolescents' Smartphone Use, Bernice Cook Jul 2025

Relationship Between Indulgent Parenting, Household Composition, And Parental Efficacy In Managing Adolescents' Smartphone Use, Bernice Cook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Smartphones have become an integral part of society, resulting in increased adolescent dependence on smartphone applications. This dependence poses challenges for parents in managing the risk of problematic smartphone use among adolescents aged 11-17 years old. Rapid technological advancements have significantly reshaped parenting practices, necessitating greater adaptability and impacting adolescent development. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this correlational study examines how indulgent parenting and household composition, including demographic variables such as race, gender, education, employment, and income, predict parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent smartphone use. A convenience sample of 238 U.S. parents, with at least one adolescent aged 11-17 years, …


Service Provider Practice And Dual Victimization Survivors Seeking Emergency Shelter, Lana Heinen Jul 2025

Service Provider Practice And Dual Victimization Survivors Seeking Emergency Shelter, Lana Heinen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Violence Against Women Act supports responses to the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. It does not provide a permanent or guaranteed pathway to safe and stable housing for those experiencing the dual victimization of domestic violence and human trafficking. Service provider practices can alleviate or aggravate barriers faced by this population. These practices are influenced by the education and training service providers receive before entering the field and throughout their career. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore service providers’ perceptions of structures and barriers contributing to the obstacles of accessing …