Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year

Articles 541 - 570 of 2585

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Examining Psychosocial Characteristics Of Female Serial Murderers, Rachael Strebel Jan 2023

Examining Psychosocial Characteristics Of Female Serial Murderers, Rachael Strebel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous studies of serial murderers have focused primarily on male serial murderers.The reason for this is unknown, but is primarily reflective of media patterns, gender roles, and social norms that often exclude females from conversations surrounding female serial murder. This study focused on the psychosocial characteristics of female serial murderers. Both solo female serial murderers and serial murderers who worked with one partner were studied. Using a grounded theory approach, based on the review of 11 secondary data case studies, 12 female serial murderers were studied; six who murdered individually and six who murdered within a team. Six main themes …


Assessing The Impact Of Domestic Violence Upon The Lives Of African American Women, Meleh Duarto Jan 2023

Assessing The Impact Of Domestic Violence Upon The Lives Of African American Women, Meleh Duarto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence is a public health problem in the United States. It can be associated with physical, mental, emotional, and psychological problems for the victims. African American (AA) women experience this type of violence more than any other ethnicity or race. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to identify and report AA women’s lived experiences of domestic violence. Even though research devoted to understanding domestic/intimate partner violence’s consequences is limited, this problem has devastating consequences for AA women. This problem needs immediate attention. Likewise, there is limited empirical research done on the topic: Why do African Americans experience …


Perceptions Of Active Social Media Adults’ Mental Health After Participating Online With Uncivil Political Discourse With Out-Group Members, Bridgette Eastman Jan 2023

Perceptions Of Active Social Media Adults’ Mental Health After Participating Online With Uncivil Political Discourse With Out-Group Members, Bridgette Eastman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Online incivility that occurs in the comment sections of social media sites has become increasingly prevalent. Much of this incivility occurs in the context of political debate. Previous research has indicated that heated political debates online can lead to increased levels of emotional distress and that individuals have the capacity to become addicted to a variety of activities that take place on the internet. Using the theoretical lens of the social identity model of individuation effects, this study explored the impact of online political incivility on the mental health of individuals who engage in this type of behavior. This study …


Organizational Leadership Culture And Gender Inequality In The C-Suite, Rocelia Hornbuckle Jan 2023

Organizational Leadership Culture And Gender Inequality In The C-Suite, Rocelia Hornbuckle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women in the automotive industry often struggle to advance into top leadership positions. More specifically, culture and gender inequality affect senior-level and higher women leaders trying to achieve a position in the C-Suite in automotive manufacturing organizations. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of senior-level and higher women seeking a C-Suite position. The research questions addressed the lived experiences of women who strive to be promoted to C-Suites positions. Three sub-questions were used to evaluate participants' perceptions, leveraging them to increase awareness of the cultural and gender inequality affecting the representation of women …


An Evaluation Of Community-Based Juvenile Firesetting Programs Through The Custodial Lens, Peter William Blaich Jan 2023

An Evaluation Of Community-Based Juvenile Firesetting Programs Through The Custodial Lens, Peter William Blaich

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Using general strain theory and social learning theory as the foundation, this generic qualitative study addressed whether interventions and prevention services for juvenile firesetters in the City of Charlotte–Mecklenberg County met needs from the perspectives of critical stakeholders. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 12 parents/guardians of justice-involved adolescent fire offenders. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a six-step procedure for thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke. The study's results revealed that the current juvenile firesetters intervention and prevention program is perceived as inadequate when applied without input from the adolescent’s parent or guardian. The participants perceived the need …


Teacher Perceptions About Using Collaborative Inquiry In Professional Learning Communities, Linda Maria Armwood Jan 2023

Teacher Perceptions About Using Collaborative Inquiry In Professional Learning Communities, Linda Maria Armwood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A large suburban school system in the mid-Atlantic United States identified the Data Wise Improvement Process (DWIP) as a systemic strategy to achieve the district-wide goal of student achievement for college and career readiness. Elementary science teachers marginally participated in school-based instructional team meetings to analyze student data. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand teacher perceptions of working with colleagues in a collaborative learning environment focused on shared student data. Adult learning theory, social constructivist theory, and collaborative inquiry practices served as the conceptual framework for this study. Data were collected through an electronic web-based survey …


Public-School Superintendents’ Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed School Assumptions And Principles, Denise Gay Presnell Jan 2023

Public-School Superintendents’ Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed School Assumptions And Principles, Denise Gay Presnell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research shows that trauma-informed practices in schools can increase student performance and well-being. School social workers are well-suited to bring these practices to their system but are most successful when partnering with public-school superintendents. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to understand public-school superintendents’ perceptions of trauma-informed school assumptions and principles. The study was guided by four assumptions for trauma-informed care, six principles for trauma-informed schools, ecological systems theory, and empowerment theory. Research questions were designed to ask participants about their experiences of trauma in their schools, their perceptions of the assumptions and principles, the benefits and challenges …


Mainstreaming Hate: An Analysis Of The Rebranding Of White Supremacy, Lowell Smith Jan 2023

Mainstreaming Hate: An Analysis Of The Rebranding Of White Supremacy, Lowell Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative dissertation was to examine the feasibility of white supremacist and white nationalist organizations’ abilities to alter their appearance and gain increased support in White American society. Nationalist agendas pushed by mainstream political platforms have been used by white supremacist and white nationalist organizations to alter their appearance and embed themselves into a political environment that has seen the former President of the United States Donald Trump and congressional representatives openly associating with known and self-proclaimed white nationalists. The research question included the understanding the perspectives of two civil rights organizations who work to address white …


The Prison Reentry Experience Of Justice-Involved Veterans, Latta Roosevelt Thomas Jr. Jan 2023

The Prison Reentry Experience Of Justice-Involved Veterans, Latta Roosevelt Thomas Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prison reentry programs attempt to equip justice-involved veterans with life skills necessary for their transition out of prison. This qualitative study addressed the scant understanding of the impact pre-released prison reentry programs have on justice-involved veterans’ transition and reintegration back to the community. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the perceptions of justice-involved veterans regarding prison reentry programs that have impacted their transition out of prison. The well-being development model and Castro’s military-to-civilian transition model provided the conceptual framework for this qualitative study, using semistructured questions to interview 11 justice-involved veterans regarding their participation in prison reentry …


Discrepancies In Race, Occupational Prestige Score, Socioeconomic Index, Income/Wealth, And Social Class Between Blacks And Whites, Queensley Udofia Jan 2023

Discrepancies In Race, Occupational Prestige Score, Socioeconomic Index, Income/Wealth, And Social Class Between Blacks And Whites, Queensley Udofia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An argument that has gained prominence recently is that race is/will no longer be a significant factor in explaining any Black - White gaps. The argument is that in the post-Civil Rights era, the implementation of affirmative action and antidiscrimination policies at local, state, and federal levels has closed, if not almost erased, the gaps between Blacks and Whites. Research, however, has disputed the claims of proponents of color-blindness that issues of race are on the decline and will no longer be a factor in explaining racial inequalities between Blacks and Whites. This study used General Social Survey 2021 data …


Psychological Manipulation And Cluster-B Personality Traits Of Cult Leaders, Jennifer Henderson Jan 2023

Psychological Manipulation And Cluster-B Personality Traits Of Cult Leaders, Jennifer Henderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cults, thousands of which exist in the United States, present a societal problem due to their ability to rob followers of free will, sever familial ties, and even incite violence, such as the case of the Manson Family. Their leaders' manipulation of followers can be dangerous, resulting in emotional and physical abuse. There is a lack of meaningful literature on how personality traits may affect cult leaders’ abilities to recruit and maintain members. The purpose of this study was to examine how Cluster-B personality traits (narcissism, borderline, antisocial, and histrionic) relate to cult leaders’ abilities to manipulate. The qualitative case …


The Lived Experiences Of Black Women With Hysterectomy For Benign Fibroids, Clarise M. Jackson-Hall Jan 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Black Women With Hysterectomy For Benign Fibroids, Clarise M. Jackson-Hall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black women are more likely than women of any other race in the United States to undergo an abdominal hysterectomy instead of a less invasive and less damaging laparoscopic or robotic procedure for benign fibroids. Although Black women are the population most disparately affected by benign fibroids, as evidenced by higher morbidity and mortality rates due to complications, they are often excluded in clinical research. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black women who decided to undergo an invasive abdominal hysterectomy for benign fibroids. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 Black women, …


Perceptions Of Leadership Effectiveness: An Exploratory Case Study Of Three Cameroonian School Principals, Prudence Avwontom Kono Jan 2023

Perceptions Of Leadership Effectiveness: An Exploratory Case Study Of Three Cameroonian School Principals, Prudence Avwontom Kono

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the school principal selection process in Cameroon where the political appointment of school principals with no plan for formal training was practiced. The purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to explore and describe school principal perceptions of leader behaviors in urban Cameroon schools. Goldring’s learner-centered leadership approach was the conceptual framework that guided this study. Research questions were focused on school principals’ perceptions of behaviors, standards, and cultures that they believed are critical to effective leadership in urban Cameroon schools. A multiple case study design was used to capture insights and perceptions of three purposely …


Lived Experiences Of Female Executives Leading During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jane Loya Ryan Jan 2023

Lived Experiences Of Female Executives Leading During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jane Loya Ryan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis basic qualitative study was conducted to explore the authentic leadership experiences of women as they navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the challenges they faced, the decisions they made, the lessons learned, and what they would do differently in the future. The conceptual framework used in this study was the role congruity theory of prejudice toward female leaders and humanistic motivation theory, which were used to examine the gender disparities that pose challenges for female leaders. The research involved conducting online conference interviews with nine individuals. Volunteers met the following selection criteria: identified as a female with five or …


Utilization Of An Opioid Antagonist And Comprehensive Medication-Assisted Treatment In Correctional Settings, Amanda K. Trent Jan 2023

Utilization Of An Opioid Antagonist And Comprehensive Medication-Assisted Treatment In Correctional Settings, Amanda K. Trent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many people brought into the U.S. criminal justice system have substance abuse problems that served as the primary or secondary catalyst for offending. To treat substance use disorder in these individuals, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is being evaluated as a viable option in the criminal justice system. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a MAT treatment program by reviewing existing data regarding offenders who were receiving the opioid antagonist naltrexone, other supplemental medications, and cognitive behavior therapy in a therapeutic community inside a correctional setting. Biological and social learning theoretical frameworks guided the study. Secondary …


Self-Efficacy Facilitated Sleep, Physical Activity, Towards Regulating Bmi Of Permanent 12-Hour Shift Registered Nurses, Veronica Brock Jan 2023

Self-Efficacy Facilitated Sleep, Physical Activity, Towards Regulating Bmi Of Permanent 12-Hour Shift Registered Nurses, Veronica Brock

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Shift workers with obesity-related comorbidities have reduced health and lifespan. Registered nurses (RNs) are ranked fifth among the most obese professionals in the United States, according to recent studies. Researchers have not examined the relationship between self-efficacy, physical activity, sleep, and 12-hour night shift RNs despite demonstrating that self-efficacy inspires confident health habits in the general population. For this quantitative study, the social cognitive theory was applied to study the interrelationships among the independent variables, sleep self-efficacy, self-efficacy for physical activity, and body mass index (BMI), with multiple dependent demographic variables, quality and quantity of sleep, and the level and …


Low-Income Workers’ Perception Regarding Wage Theft And Barriers To Addressing Prevention In Southeast Florida, Marcia Carvlho-Donaldson Jan 2023

Low-Income Workers’ Perception Regarding Wage Theft And Barriers To Addressing Prevention In Southeast Florida, Marcia Carvlho-Donaldson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many low-income workers are vulnerable to becoming victims of wage theft. Studies have shown that even when these workers know their rights, they still face certain obstacles should they complain or report such theft. Extensive research has been conducted at the federal level to establish the impact and consequences of wage theft, but few researchers have examined wage theft at the state and local level in states such as Florida. The experiences and perceptions of low-income worker participants in Southeast Florida were investigated in this phenomenological study, and rational choice theory was the conceptual framework used to investigate this phenomenon. …


Glass Ceiling Encountered By Female Chief Executive Officers As They Advance To C-Level Positions In International Nonprofit Sports Organizations., Eric Edokpaigbe Idehen Jan 2023

Glass Ceiling Encountered By Female Chief Executive Officers As They Advance To C-Level Positions In International Nonprofit Sports Organizations., Eric Edokpaigbe Idehen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women are underrepresented as chief executive officers (CEOs), executive-level officers, board directors, and national sports organization board chairs in 45 countries. Despite social movements, laws, and practices supporting equal employment opportunities and workplace equality, women in top senior-level positions are still lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges women face in terms of obtaining CEO leadership roles in international nonprofit sports organizations. The study involved exploring limitations eight women faced when aspiring to CEO positions in terms of leadership development, talent management, and policies involving international nonprofit sports organizations. This study employed a qualitative descriptive phenomenological …


Effect Of Detention Facilities Toward Juvenile Delinquency And Exposure To Criminalization, Calvin Clark Jan 2023

Effect Of Detention Facilities Toward Juvenile Delinquency And Exposure To Criminalization, Calvin Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDetention facility settings present opportunities and risks in relation to violent extremism. Criminalization as the main concern would increase the crime rates in the United States while allowing the formation of terrorist groups on U.S. soil. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between juveniles’ experiences in detention centers and their exposure to criminalization. The study was guided by social control theory, narrative theory, and differential opportunity theory. Data were collected using a survey of 15 juvenile detention officers. Results of correlation analyses indicated a significant relationship between detention experience and increased exposure to criminalization …


Colorism And Women Who Self-Identify As Black In Leadership Roles, Alyse Poitier Gardner-Kennedy Jan 2023

Colorism And Women Who Self-Identify As Black In Leadership Roles, Alyse Poitier Gardner-Kennedy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractWomen who self-identify as Black in executive director leadership roles in a nonprofit agency are still experiencing colorism in the workplace. Color-based bias, also called colorism, within the Black community centers on advantages and disadvantages for people of the same race. Colorism typically allows more benefits for lighter-skinned individuals who self-identify as Black than darker-skinned individuals who self-identify as Black. This study explored the lived experiences of women who self-identified as Black in executive director leadership roles in nonprofit agencies and who have experienced colorism (i.e., intragroup discrimination) in the workplace. The research question investigated the emotional effect on women …


The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Disparities In Alabama Hospitals And Patient Experience, Phillimena Ashley Hopkins Jan 2023

The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Disparities In Alabama Hospitals And Patient Experience, Phillimena Ashley Hopkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPatient satisfaction has been utilized to measure healthcare quality and outcomes, which affects reimbursement. Some claim such measures could be biased as they do not consider the patient’s socioeconomic status. Measuring the quality of care, Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and patient experience has been captured and publicly reported; and the measuring indicator Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCHAPS), however, hospitals serving patients in low ADI areas generally score poorly. Grounded in the theory of Donabedian, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between patient experience associated with socioeconomic disparities and how patients …


The Lived Experiences Of Stress For People With Alcoholism Striving Toward Recovery, Gerald Okeke Jan 2023

The Lived Experiences Of Stress For People With Alcoholism Striving Toward Recovery, Gerald Okeke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recovery from alcohol is an individualized process, therefore, effective treatment necessitates an understanding of the phenomenon from the perspective of individuals in recovery. This study involved an exploration of the lived experiences of stress of 10 individuals with alcoholism in their first year recovery journey, particularly with respect to access resources (e.g., helpfulness and availability). Pearlin et al.'s stress process theory and Bandura's social learning theory constituted the study's theoretical foundation; the key concepts of social stress and social learning informed the development of the research questions and the analysis of data. The major themes that emerged were spirituality, hitting …


Colonial Legacy, Education, And Employment Opportunities: The Case Of Cameroon, Frantz Batoh Jan 2023

Colonial Legacy, Education, And Employment Opportunities: The Case Of Cameroon, Frantz Batoh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe history of colonialism is one of the most powerful factors affecting the development of newly independent African states and limiting their chances for successful evolution. This research involved Cameroon and employment and educational issues associated with colonialism. The division between France and Britain contributed to the establishment of bilingualism within its territories, which is a source of multiple problems today. The study involved investigating the current situation in Cameroon through the lens of colonialism and its influence on countries. Theoretical foundations for this study were the colonial and postcolonial theory, neocolonialism, and concept of postcolony. They are used to …


Generational Cohort Membership And Career And Organizational Commitment Among Law Enforcement Officers, Erinn Elizabeth Vranches Jan 2023

Generational Cohort Membership And Career And Organizational Commitment Among Law Enforcement Officers, Erinn Elizabeth Vranches

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Career and organizational commitment are topics of interest in multiple fields, including law enforcement. With the exodus and transition of generational cohorts, there is a need to understand generational differences to address the recruitment, training, and retention of officers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between generational cohort membership, career commitment, and organizational commitment among law enforcement officers. Two theories were used for the foundation of this study: Manheim’s theory of generations and Super’s developmental self-concept theory. The study method was quantitative and the design, correlational. A survey containing demographic questions and items from the Occupational …


The Role Of Mistrust In African American Organ Donation, Gina M. Williams Jan 2023

The Role Of Mistrust In African American Organ Donation, Gina M. Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican Americans (AAs) who suffer from life-threatening organ failure often need an organ transplant to sustain or to improve their quality of life. The shortage of donor organs, and AAs willing to become organ donors, limits the number of organs available for transplant. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of AAs regarding the role of mistrust and to understand its influence on their organ donation decision-making. Social cognitive theory guided this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study designed to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of the AAs related to the role of mistrust in their …


The Examination Of Servant Leadership Style On Employee Empowerment And Employee Resistance, Michael J. Ojeda Jan 2023

The Examination Of Servant Leadership Style On Employee Empowerment And Employee Resistance, Michael J. Ojeda

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is little known about the impact of servant leadership style on organizations and limited research examining social exchange theory related to employees’ perceptions. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational research study was to examine social exchange theory related to employees’ perceptions of servant leadership style, employee empowerment, and employee resistance within small businesses. The general management problem is employees' perceptions of servant leadership style, employee empowerment, and employee resistance that these perceptions could decrease employee engagement in small businesses. Because influencing employees’ perceptions could lead to positive work outcomes and attitudes, this study addressed the relationship between employees’ perceptions …


Veteran K–5 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Implementing Blended Learning As An Innovation For English Language Art Instruction, Faith Lajoy Roberts-Graham Jan 2023

Veteran K–5 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Implementing Blended Learning As An Innovation For English Language Art Instruction, Faith Lajoy Roberts-Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The phenomenon of interest in this study was veteran K–5 English language arts (ELA) teachers’ perceptions of blended learning as an educational innovation setting and how they perceived the implementation of blended learning into their instructional routine. Blended learning is normally used in higher-level education but is now also used in the K–5 setting. Blended learning requires students to learn in a brick-and-mortar class setting and through online instruction using technology. Existing research on blended learning primarily focuses on the technological aspects and not veteran K–5 ELA teachers’ implementation of blended learning in public elementary schools. The purpose of this …


Ai Usage In Development, Security, And Operations, Maurice Ayidiya Jan 2023

Ai Usage In Development, Security, And Operations, Maurice Ayidiya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a growing field in information technology (IT). Cybersecurity managers are concerned that the lack of strategies to incorporate AI technologies in developing secure software for IT operations may inhibit the effectiveness of security risk mitigation. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to explore strategies cybersecurity professionals use to incorporate AI technologies in developing secure software for IT operations. The participants were 10 IT professionals in the United States with at least 5 years of professional experience working in DevSecOps and managing teams of at least …


Public Policy And African American Victims Of Inner-City Violence, Michael Andrew Benson Sr. Jan 2023

Public Policy And African American Victims Of Inner-City Violence, Michael Andrew Benson Sr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The effects of being victimized or being a witness to a violent traumatic event without the support of public institutions, such as criminal justice, social service agencies, and mental health care clinics has led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers and success factors for victims of inner-city violence as it related to access to public administration institutions to address their victimization. Self-efficacy theory was used as the theoretical foundation, and the study’s research question focused on victimization and access to public policy institutions. The study used a qualitative design with 10 …


Nurses' Lived Experiences Caring For Covid-19 Patients In The United States, Cynthia Rose Rodriguez Jan 2023

Nurses' Lived Experiences Caring For Covid-19 Patients In The United States, Cynthia Rose Rodriguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected healthcare services and delivery and may leave unprecedented effects on nurses’ physical and mental health. Research is sparse on the pandemic’s effects on nurses, but studies have identified the stressful factors that may contribute to nurses’ health and well-being. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in the United States and discover how their experiences impact them on a personal and professional level. Hans Selye’s general adaptation theory served as the theoretical basis for this study with Edmund Husserl’s life worldview used …