Digital Commons Network^™

Former Youth Care Workers' Experiences In Residential Treatment, Sonja Yvette Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAs juvenile crime increases across the United States, so do the costs to support incarceration programs. Youth care workers play a pivotal role in supporting the rehabilitation of youth. The effectiveness of a youth residential program is critical for the long-term employment of a youth care worker. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to obtain the lived experiences of young and departed youth care workers in residential settings about leaving employment. Pragmatism was the ontology that helped to guide this study with the aim of understanding how individuals’ reality was shaped by relational dynamics that contributed to …

Counseling System Documentation And The Relationship Between Treatment Plans And Client Outcomes, Moraima N. Frangiosa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide a method for evaluating counseling services delivered to patients during treatment. The evaluation of the study required the use of methods that are repeatable and effective that would allow a clinic to continue using them over time to grow a database of valuable information about counseling and patient outcomes. The new database would allow the clinic to change counseling methods and approaches of delivery to promote organizational change. The evidence-based practice (EBP) for counseling therapy would encourage the connection between public administration and public policy in the health care system. Public …

Crisis Management Strategies For Sustaining Organizations During A Crisis, Parisnicole Payton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public relations directors often lack crisis management strategies to maintain an organization's reputation following a crisis to ensure continued profitability. Public relations directors who better understand crisis management strategies may benefit their organizations by improving crisis prevention and recovery while maintaining organizational reputation and profitability. Grounded in situational crisis communication theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore crisis management strategies that some public relations directors use to maintain an organization's reputation following a crisis to ensure continued profitability. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with three public relations directors from Upper Manhattan, New York, supporting …

The Relationship Between External Influences And State Education Policy Processes, Jessica Chrystal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Political agendas and political attention often change based on media attention and business influence, ultimately impacting policies. Elementary and secondary education policies have evolved to improve academic rigor and increase global competitiveness. Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were established based on state-level elementary and secondary education student needs. The purpose of this quantitative content analysis was to explore how external factors influenced state-level policy actors during the formulation and implementation of one state’s CCSS. All policies follow the policy process, which often includes various actors influencing various phases. Agenda-setting and political embeddedness are two critical components in the policy process …

Parental Involvement And Academic Achievement Of Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Marie Myrlene Dupont-Krommie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have persistently encountered academic difficulties resulting from their struggles to cope with educational standard rules hindering their academic achievement. Parental involvement significantly provides an optimistic effect on students' academic achievement; however, there is sparse literature that focuses on the effect of parental involvement on the academic achievement of children with ADHD. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the involvement of parents of children diagnosed with ADHD through their academic life, explore those parents' perceptions of themselves as contributors in their children's academic lives, report their views as influential participants in …

Nonprofit Resource Development From Individual Donors For General Operating Expenses, Zanetta Ford-Byrd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Virginia Community Action Agency (VCAA) provides several programs to meet the needs of low-income families and individuals. There are 31 community action agencies in Virginia. Each agency is independently governed to meet the needs identified within its respective community. For example, if food insecurity is an issue, low-cost food subsidy programs are provided for local community constituents. Since 1965, the mission of the organization, has been to provide the means necessary to enable those who have fallen on hard times to receive assistance and lead quality lives. The purpose of the agency is to provide this assistance, and the …

Export Success And Sustainable Strategies For Cameroonian Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises, Christian N. Bikai

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAccording to the Cameroon Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute 99.8% of companies, employ over 70% of the active population, and contribute significantly to economic growth and development. However, less than 25% of new SMEs in Cameroon survive beyond 3 years. Sustainability is essential to small business owners in exporting coffee from Cameroon as an indicator of economic growth and job creation. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study guided by the transaction cost economics theory was to explore strategies owners of small businesses exporting coffee from Cameroon use to sustain business beyond …

Primary Care Physicians’ Attitudes, Beliefs, And Actions Toward Geriatric Treatment, Andrea Renee Holzner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn the United States, an estimated 49.2 million older adults seek specialized geriatric medical treatment from a primary care physician (PCP). Due to a nationwide geriatrician deficit resulting from significant aging population growth, PCPs now manage specialized geriatric issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive assessments, and physiological impairments, such as Parkinson’s, due to non-normative aging. Although PCPs may take geriatric courses, geriatric specialization is beyond a normative primary care medical practice. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore primary care physician attitudes, beliefs, and actions, toward geriatrics and to expand the understanding of primary care physicians’ geriatric …

African American Males’ Unemployment And Their Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy Level: A Correlational Examination Of An Exceptional People, Devin J. Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American males possess the highest unemployment rates compared to all racial and gender demographics in America, which has persisted since the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics began measuring unemployment. Consequently, African American males are more likely to live in poverty and less likely to own businesses. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental correlational study was to ascertain relationships and predictions between African American males’ unemployment and their entrepreneurial self-efficacy level. The theoretical frameworks of this study employed the critical race theory, institutional/systemic racism, and the entrepreneurial self-efficacy theory. Accordingly, using random, convivence, and snowball sampling, 558 African American …

Reentry Services For Individuals Wrongfully Convicted And Exonerated, Karlene Patsy Blackman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite research summarizing the causes of wrongful convictions, there are limited works on factors influencing exonerees’ reintegration into society. Although reentry services are provided to ex-offenders, the problem is that reentry services are not provided to individuals who are wrongfully convicted and exonerated. This study used state harm as a theoretical foundation. The general qualitative study determined if support or reentry services, if any, would have enhanced or increased the chances of a successful transition into society for individuals wrongfully convicted and exonerated. Specifically, it was an investigation of how a lack of reentry services associated with life, employment, shelter, …

Camp Quest Leader Perspectives On Virtual Summer Camps Options During Pandemics, Timothy James Cummings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summer overnight camping, a noteworthy childhood leadership growth opportunity, has suffered greatly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Camp Quest, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides federated support services and governance to 12 independent nationwide camping organizations, was forced to cancel all of its in-person sessions. Hence, they now face an existential crisis that perhaps virtual camping sessions (i.e., camping activities performed remotely and online using computer equipment) can mitigate. Accordingly, this generic qualitative professional administrative study sought to understand and describe the perspectives of the camping leaders related to their experiences with virtual camping so that their mission …

Academic Agenda, Goal Setting, And African American Male Student Persistence At A Predominantly Black Institution, Hamilton Jb Raymond

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low African American male student graduation rates in the United States have been a concern for higher education administrators, and more strategies to address their challenges are needed. This basic qualitative study addressed the experiences of African American male students who persisted to graduation at a predominantly Black institution in the northeastern United States. The institutional departure model and goal setting theory formed the conceptual framework for the study. Nine African American males who graduated from the institution described their experiences with academic goal setting and a graduation agenda, through one-on-one interviews. Key findings included the challenges of financial concerns, …

Self-Efficacy, Motivation, And Academic Success: Learners With Adhd In Online Universities, Kareta Lewin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on traditional or brick and mortar universities suggests that there is an association between self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation (IM), extrinsic motivation (EM), and academic success in higher education. What is not yet clear is whether self-efficacy and motivation (IM and EM) are associated with academic success in online universities. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is an association between self-efficacy, motivation (IM and EM), and academic success for learners with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who attend online universities. The possible role of self-efficacy in mediating the relationship between IM and EM and academic success was …

Exploring The Strategies English As A Second Language Teachers Use To Teach Students, Unika Lasha Felton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn the local school district under study located in southern United States, English as second language (ESL) students are experiencing lower than expected standardized testing scores according to expectations set forth by the state Department of Education. The purpose of this project study was to explore the strategies ESL teachers use to teach ESL students. The conceptual framework was Gagne’s conditions of learning theory, which is used to assess students’ lack of preparation for future academic and career success. The research question asked what strategies ESL teachers use to teach ESL students. A qualitative exploratory case study with purposive sampling …

Integrating Tf-Cbt And Play Therapy: Promoting Resilience In Child Sexual Assault Survivors, Shayla Polk

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Licensed social workers and counselors provide services to children who experience child sexual assault (CSA), which disrupt their normal childhood developmental processes. Trauma outcomes include symptoms related to somatization, inability to cope, feelings of helplessness, decreased self-esteem, difficulty expressing proper emotions, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) combined with play therapy can be helpful for CSA survivors. Still, it is not yet fully understood how therapists perceive the combined approach or how it fosters resiliency in children who experience sexual assault. The purpose of this action research study was (a) to explore the experiences and perspectives …

Social Exclusion And Community Severance In Impoverished Neighborhoods, Melissa Kerry Stickel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transportation infrastructure, such as highways and interstates, creates a barrier that can physically limit access to those living in adjacent neighborhoods, a phenomenon known as community severance. In addition to creating a physical disconnect, these infrastructures can leave residents feeling socially isolated and excluded from the rest of the community. This qualitative single-case study focused on social exclusion and community severance and problems arising from the U.S. transportation network, addressing the development of the interstate system and its possible impacts on communities. The exclusionary effects of transportation-related severance were well supported in the literature. However, most of research had been …

Predictors Of Recidivism For Offenders With Substance Use Disorders, Yvonne Cheeks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractRecidivism is a substantial problem in the United States due to the number of paroles/probationers reoffending. The U.S. prison system has become the new asylum and a revolving door for individuals, which is even more true for those with substance use disorders (SUDs). Once these individuals leave prison, they are likely to end up reoffending at some point in the future due to substance use/abuse (i.e., committing crimes to support substance use, selling substances, etc.). Scholarly literature lacked studies examining the predictors of recidivism for offenders with SUD in North Carolina. . The purpose of this quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study …

Social Networking As A Motivator For Social Gathering, Henrietta Abeley Abbey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn the United States, many activists use social media platforms to interact with protesters to organize demonstrations and protests rapidly. Some politically motivated social gatherings are organized online without the knowledge of government or law enforcement personnel. Gatherings can become violent and result in chaos. The purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which a variety of social media platforms contribute to New York City protesters and activists’ participation in demonstrations that potentially pose a threat to the community. The study involved a qualitative methodology explicitly focused on a phenomenological understanding of responses provided by activists and …

The Successful Road Of Reentry After Conviction, Coretta Paula Butts

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractA problem exists for ex-convicts who are undergoing re-assimilation: their career options are limited once the label of ex-convict is applied to them. Labeling, which has created a gap between unsuccessful prisoner reentry and successful prisoner reentry, is a prevalent issue in the United States. Although research is available on the effects of labeling, limited information is available regarding the social effects labeling has on ex-convicts during their reentry process. The purpose of the study was to examine the current policies and procedures of Hillsborough County reentry programs in the state of Florida to investigate why they are failing to …

Influencing Factors On A Nurse's Decision To Remain A Bedside Nurse, Diane Marie Hulsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract The loss of the experienced bedside nurse is a current health care problem. New nurses are moving into other areas of nursing or leaving the profession within 6 months of graduation. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are vital at the bedside. Patients’ and families rely on the nurse to be their support and educational source. In this study, the possible implications of why a registered nurse remains at the bedside throughout their professional career although offered different positions and work environments was examined. The theoretical framework of Patton and McMahon identifies the holistic nature of career development through …

The Effect Of Social Media Use On Physical Isolation In Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder, Davena Limitless Longshore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience extreme interpersonal conflict, crippling their ability to sustain successful relationships. Consequently, clinicians within the psychological field face difficulty in devising treatments plans which can assist these individuals with suffering minimal relationship loss. The purpose of this study was to understand how current technological methods of social interaction affect individuals who suffer from BPD to improve treatment outcomes. This research was guided by the principles of attachment theory and social baseline theory. A quantitative correlational design using social network analysis and multiple regression analysis was used to examine data from surveys. Participants were solicited …

Underrepresentation Of African American Male Nurses In Leadership Development, Moses Tucker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractUnderrepresentation in nursing is a major concern for the African American community. Presently, racial, and ethnic minorities are underrepresented in the nursing workforce and other healthcare occupations. Having a more diverse workforce may help meet both current and future healthcare needs of the population being served. This quantitative study explored how African American male nurses are underrepresented in leadership in the Delaware Valley in Pennsylvania. Secondary data from the National Nursing Workforce Survey was used to obtain relevant data. The study highlighted how the movement into leadership for African American nurses is impeded by (a) a lack of mentors, (b) …

Lived Experiences Of Parents With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Transitioning To Adulthood, Jane Havens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractCurrently, there is little known about the parent experiences of transitioning their child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to adulthood from a qualitative perspective. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore parents’ lived experiences as their ASD children transition to adulthood. This study was grounded in symbolic interactionism, which includes tenets of how interactions with others provide a catalyst for meaning development and subsequent human action. A phenomenological design was used with a purposeful sample of 10 parents of children with ASD transitioning to adulthood. Interviews were conducted through phone calls to explore participant perspectives transitioning their …

The Impact Of Media Representation Of Police Use Of Force On Minority Students' Intentions To Pursue Criminal Justice Degrees, Stacey Shawn White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In recent years, reports of police use of force incidents have proliferated across traditional and social media. The extent and nature of the impact of these reports on the relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve have received significant attention from scholars and researchers. In addition, a growing body of literature examining the impact of the media on communities of color and their relationships with and perspectives on law enforcement also exists. However, there is a gap in the research on the effect of media coverage of police use of force incidents on minority criminal justice students. In …

The Exploration Of Clinical Supervision For Substance Abuse Social Workers In Bermuda, Steva Aria Bean

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As specialists who bridge the gap between the social work and substance abuse treatment fields, substance abuse social workers are expected to develop themselves as social workers by designation, substance abuse counselors by occupation, and deliver competent therapeutic services that align both professions seamlessly. As documented in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, their support in achieving this feat is clinical supervision. Despite this documentation, a review of the social work literature revealed an absence of information on clinical supervision between the social work and substance abuse fields, their supervisory alliance, and outcomes. Accordingly, this project was …

Missionary Kids And Trauma, Lindsay Elizabeth Stone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMissionary Kids and Trauma by Lindsay E. Stone

MA, Walden University, 2019MA, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2010 BS, Charleston Southern University, 2006

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services

Walden University February 2021 Abstract Missionary kids (MKs) around the world are more exposed to trauma than non-MKs. MKs often struggle with grief, loss, and stressors of cross-cultural living. Childhood trauma leads to short-and long-term effects of trauma, often into adulthood. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore adult, Christian MKs’ perceptions of external trauma on …

Qualitative Examination Of Noncustodial African American Fathers’ Involvement In Their Children’S Education, Christy Ann Wallace

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractParent involvement in children’s school experience has been shown to be important to academic success. Although African American parents approach their parenting in culturally unique ways, these have not been adequately explored or described. Many African American children grow up in a household with a single mother and an involved but nonresident father; the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of these fathers with their grade school children’s schools and education. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory underpinned the research. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, data was collected from a sample of 10 nonresident African American fathers using …

Discharge Instructions To Decrease Copd Readmissions, Randee S. Marinaro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the US. A 301-bed rural hospital in the Midwest had experienced excessive 30-day hospital readmissions with their COPD patients. Two gaps in practice were identified: a lack of uninterrupted time to plan and execute discharge instructions and inconsistent discharge instructions provided to these patients as. The purpose of this project was to educate staff nurses on the importance of implementing a protected time, evidence-based discharge plan for patients diagnosed with COPD. The project explored whether a discharge education program nurses would decrease the 30-day readmission rate for …

African American Male Ex-Felons' Perspectives Regarding Felon Disenfranchisement, Tymesha Alegra Whitehead

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The tradition of disenfranchising those convicted in the United States of felony crimes has profound historical racial roots that have persisted for decades in the United States. The persistent practice of felon disenfranchisement in the 21st century challenges the essence of democracy, with over six million people disenfranchised. The need for major reform efforts to restore voting rights to ex-felons has been exposed due to this issue. The literature revealed no studies have been undertaken regarding this phenomenon in terms of those directly affected by it. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the effect of …

Faculty And Staff Mentors’ Experiences Supporting Academic Success With At-Risk Undergraduates, Francis Ellison Howard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Differences in student persistence remain between at-risk students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those less challenged in college. There is a need to understand the perceptions of faculty and other professionals whose primary role does not focus on mentoring but who serve as mentors to low income and minority students, in order to understand how they construct their experiences as mentors as well as what promotes and impedes their success with the students they mentor. This basic qualitative study addressed the reflections of such mentors who have mentored at-risk students for at least two years at a public university that …