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A Phenomenological Study On Protective Factors Preventing College-Aged Criminal Activity During Cameroon’S Anglophone Crisis, Melvis N. Asongwed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Anglophone crisis, in which marginalization of the English-speaking regions in Cameroon began in October 2016 and has become one of the most prominent social problems in the nation’s history. It has led to loss of lives, infrastructure damage, displacement of families, incidents of mass violence, unemployment, and a rise in criminal activity in the Anglophone regions. Grounded in the phenomenological approach and guided by the general strain theory (GST), this qualitative inquiry explored the protective factors that have reduced or prevented criminal activity for college students in the Anglophone regions during the crisis. Semi structure interviewing guided participant responses. …

Mental Health Impacts Of Covid-19 And Clinical Services In Elementary Schools, Dr.Hannah Cobb

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on children, adolescents, and adults. Despite these effects, information about the nature of mental health concerns and services provided to address these concerns by elementary school counselors is unknown. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to examine mental health concerns elementary school counselors observed among kindergarten through fourth grade students in urban Oklahoma during the COVID-19 pandemic, how they described clinical services provided to address these concerns, and how they decided to provide these services. The study was grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development to explore …

Effect Of Managerial Conduct On Retention And Job Satisfaction In Criminal Justice Public-Sector Organizations, Alexis Makayla Mceady

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Managers who lack support and training can exhibit conduct that leads to low rates of employee retention and job satisfaction. It is common in the United States for employees working government public service jobs to earn low wages. Managerial conduct impacts day-to-day operations for these low-wage positions. The purpose of this quantitative, nonprobability, correlational study was to examine whether there was a statistically significant relationship between managerial conduct, employee retention, and job satisfaction. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, it was hypothesized that employees with bad managers were less likely to be retained and more likely to have low job satisfaction. …

Lived Experiences Of Technology-Based Legal Resources, Michael Ray Stanley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractLack of access to United States civil courts by individuals who cannot afford or are otherwise unable to retain legal counsel has attracted the interest of policy makers and members of the legal community in recent years. The literature revealed a wide range of efforts and public and private resources that have been employed to address the problem. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences, perceptions, and insights of individuals in a medium-size Michigan city who had utilized services that deliver legal resources by technology-based platforms. Social construction of targeted populations and the technology acceptance model …

African American Women’S Experiences Of Self-Care And Recidivism, Sandra Louise Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women face some of the highest incarceration and recidivism rates among their female counterparts within the United States. The purpose of this generic qualitative research was to explore African American women’s experiences of self-care amid multiple recidivism incidents and related health and psychosocial environmental challenges. The theoretical frameworks of Orem’s self-care and Gorski’s post incarceration syndrome theories were used for this study. Data were collected using semi structured phone interviews. The study participants included 16 formerly incarcerated African American women, ages 18 years and older, recruited through social media via Facebook postings. Data analysis included interview transcriptions, sentence …

Community Members' Motivations When Deciding To Attend A Police-Sponsored Public Meetings And Events, Lynn Vernon Venables

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractCommunity events sponsored by police organizations intend to promote communication and support for the police, but there is limited information on what would attract participants to these events. The current study explored what conditions were needed for community members to make their decision to attend. Social exchange theory was used in this research as the conceptual framework to understand participant behavior, positing that the rewards and the benefits affect an individual's decisions. Situational theory of publics also elucidates the understanding of the results, pointing out the differences between groups within a community when planning an event. Open-ended interview questions explored …

Current Practices For Forensic Assessments Of Offenders, Garet Bradford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractCurrent Practices for Forensic Assessments of Offenders by Garet Bradford MA, University of Cincinnati, 2017 BA, University of Nevada, 2014 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Forensic Psychology Walden University August 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 …

Comparative Study Of Risky Sexual Behaviors In African American Adolescents Who Use Drugs And Alcohol, Angela Matthew

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health problem in the United States. Adolescents are a high majority of these cases, with African American adolescents being affected disproportionally. Previous research has shown that risky sexual behaviors, such as non-condom use, multiple sexual partners, early initiation of sexual intercourse, and alcohol or marijuana use before sexual intercourse put adolescents at a higher risk of contracting an STI when they are sexually active. These behaviors can be observed through the theoretical framework of the problem behavior theory that describes the constructs of why individuals engage certain behaviors. How alcohol and drug …

Reducing Opioid Prescribing By Using The Center For Disease Control Guidelines, Christina Marie Peters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Opioid abuse is a serious national health crisis resulting in overdose and increased mortality in chronic pain patients. The purpose of this evidenced-based, quality improvement (QI) project was to improve primary care provider’s (PCP) awareness of The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) opioid prescribing guidelines to reduce opioid prescribing at this project site. The Donabedian model of structure, process, and outcome was used as the framework for this QI project. Lewin’s change management model of unfreezing and freezing was used as a guide to implement organization change by creating problem awareness, seeking alternative methods, and integrating the new …

Perceptions Of Law Enforcement Officers Regarding Their Interactions With Persons In Mental Health Crises., Monica Roundtree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Law enforcement officers are guided by principles to protect and serve the community in general; this includes persons with mental health illnesses. These officers are often the sole community resource responding to calls involving persons in mental health crises. However, many officers lack the knowledge and skills to effectively interact with this group. This quantitative study addressed how law enforcement officers perceive that a selected policy, procedure, or strategy is effective for interacting with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. The theoretical framework for this study is the procedural justice theory. A convenience sample of 100 sworn law enforcement …

Understanding The Lack Of Communication Between Communities And Law Enforcement Through A Community Policing Program, Patrick B. Skoczek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Inequitable treatment by law enforcement officers has deeply impacted minority communities in the United States. Public incidents of abuse of power, discriminatory treatment, and excessive use of force have received increased attention, creating increased community mistrust of law enforcement officers. To help bridge the gap between communities and law enforcement agencies, this qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to examine the use and impact of the Policing and Public Safety Problem-Solving Programs. Data were collected through interviews with 12 retired police officers and 12 community members. Interview questions were related to participants’ perceptions regarding a breakdown in trust between law …

Participant Perceptions Of Investigative Interviewing Utilizing Archival Pre And Post-Implementation Data, Shaun Michael Sylvester

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Scholars and practitioners have provided substantial literature and research into the efficacy of investigative interviewing as a method of police interrogation that mitigates false confession and coercion. This quantitative study examined archival data on participant perceptions of investigative interviewing before and immediately following an investigative course. Three areas representing principles of investigative interviewing and police investigator perceptions were examined: Confession and evidentiary testimony, confirmation bias, and deception detection through body language observation. Participants included sworn law enforcement officers, either newly employed or on the path to becoming an investigator. There were 206 responses for both the pre-test and post-test surveys. …

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 …

Homophobia In Jamaica And Its Impact On The Victimization Of Homosexual Adult Males In Montego Bay, St. James, Dr. Shahila D. Edwards-Grey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractJamaica has been listed among the most unfriendly nations for homosexual males. Previous research indicated that due to the biopolitical and sociocultural norms of the Jamaican society, homosexual males continued to be targets of various forms of discrimination based on their sexual orientation. However, research reflecting the lived experiences of homosexual males in Jamaica is sparse. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to provide details on the encounters of victimization due to homophobia of adult homosexual males in the parish of St. James, Jamaica. Data were collected through observations and in-depth interviews with eight men who identified as …

Employee Development And Workforce Engagement In A Behavioral Health Organization, Lakisha R, Brimage

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ongoing training at the targeted behavioral health organization is necessary to improve employee knowledge, skills, and abilities to drive engagement and overall organizational performance. The purpose of this case study was to determine what leadership practices and strategies are currently in place and what training modules improve employee development for the purpose of improving workforce engagement. The Baldrige Excellence Framework was used to guide the qualitative case study of the nonprofit organization, which provides social services to low-income families in the United States. Data sources included semistructured interviews with two behavioral health leaders at the organization and reviews of organizational …

Lockdowns During The Covid-19 Pandemic And Domestic Violence Among Virginians, Kenneth G. Gordon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe domestic violence (DV) dilemma spans millennia and has devastated individuals, families, and societies. DV prevalence rose between 20% and 50% worldwide and over 5% among Virginians since early 2020 during COVID-19. Abuse victims’ vulnerability increased during the lockdown periods due to the extended time spent with perpetrators. DV victims visited emergency departments for their nonfatal physical injuries. The purpose of the study was to examine COVID-19-related lockdown effects on DV prevalence, perpetrator characteristics, and hospitalizations among Virginians. Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model served as the theoretical foundation. Descriptive analyses showed that DV prevalence among Virginians rose from 37.5% in 2019 to …

African American Mothers’ Perceptions Of Trust Of Law Enforcement, Caisha Wilkes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractFor many years, African American mothers have endured negative experiences with law enforcement (LE) involving themselves, their children, or both. These personal experiences with LE contribute to the lack of trust African American mothers have in LE. The purpose of this study was to explore African American mothers’ perceptions of LE in terms of trust. Social conflict theory was used as the conceptual framework for this study. Eight African American mothers residing in the United States were recruited by means of snowball sampling to participate in semistructured interviews. The resulting interview transcripts were coded via the six-steps method, and the …

Comparative Study Of Risky Sexual Behaviors In African American Adolescents Who Use Drugs And Alcohol, Angela Matthew

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health problem in the United States. Adolescents are a high majority of these cases, with African American adolescents being affected disproportionally. Previous research has shown that risky sexual behaviors, such as non-condom use, multiple sexual partners, early initiation of sexual intercourse, and alcohol or marijuana use before sexual intercourse put adolescents at a higher risk of contracting an STI when they are sexually active. These behaviors can be observed through the theoretical framework of the problem behavior theory that describes the constructs of why individuals engage certain behaviors. How alcohol and drug …

Effects Of Supermax On Inmate Mental Health: Phenomenological Experiences Of Knowledgeable Professionals, Lea Michelle Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It may or may not be true that the conditions and practices associated with supermax sentencing are both creating and exacerbating psychological harm for the inmates who are exposed to them. To date, there is evidence that both supports and refutes the contention that supermax sentencing is psychologically harmful; thus, the literature necessitates additional research into this phenomenon. This qualitative study was conducted to add to the extant body of knowledge relevant to supermax prisons and populations by exploring the lived experiences of professionals who have worked with them. This research was conceptually based in the current understanding of social …

Male Sexual Offender Recidivism Impact On Sex Crime Investigations, Jessica Ann Muccione

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this research was to explore how male sexual offender recidivism impacted sex crime investigations. Recidivism is a widely recognized social problem that affects all of society. Understanding the influence that male sex offender recidivism may have on a sex crime investigation is key to recognizing its relationship to recidivism. The methodology used in this study was a basic qualitative inquiry to explore how male sex offender recidivism impacts sex crime investigations. Based on Hirschi’s social bond theory, the study addressed ways a sexual offender may conform to societal requirements through attachments and personal values. The application of …

Exploring Supervisory Experiences After The Legalization Of Recreational Marijuana In Colorado, Charles Daniel Mason

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractColorado became the first state to decriminalize recreational marijuana in 2014. This new public policy resulted in unproven regulatory changes in any population in the United States. The purpose of the study was to discover the core perspective and experiences of 12 supervisors who experienced this phenomenon in their professional occupations, through the lens of accountability. The risk perceptions of supervisors’ due to policy shifts regarding recreational marijuana in Colorado were analyzed using the Delve system and hand coding. Findings indicated employees’ use of marijuana had a direct impact on productivity, which decreased significantly over time. Employees displayed signs of …

Victim Advocates' Experiences Of Challenges And Opportunities In Supporting Children Of Homicide Victims, Ed Rahkeem Simmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homicide is a preventable public health issue that has detrimental effects for victims, witnesses, and the broader society. Although a number of studies have substantiated the adverse effects on children when a parent dies by homicide, few studies have addressed how critical the support of victim advocates is in minimizing the adverse effects. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine victim advocate professionals' experiences of challenges and opportunities in delivering services to children of homicide victims. Policy feedback theory was the theoretical framework for the study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 victim advocate professionals who were members …

Social Worker Perspectives Of Working With Aging African Americans With Depressive Disorders, Sherian Waite

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although there is a greater proportion of people living with depressive disorders within the African American older adult population compared to their White counterparts, fewer African Americans are engaging in mental health treatment when compared to the Caucasian community. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences and practices of social workers who are providing mental health care treatment to African American older adult patients (aged 65 and over) living with a depressive disorder. The study was framed using both the health belief model and critical race theory. To address the research questions, a generic qualitative design …

Role Of Racially Concordant Patient-Physician Relationships In Health Outcomes Among African American Women, Joy Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract There are gaps in the literature regarding how patient-physician racially concordant relationships affect African American women’s health. This quantitative study evaluated the effects of non-minority physician influence on the perceptions of medical mistrust, racial discrimination, and healthcare-specific racial discrimination on African American women. The behavioral model for vulnerable populations guided the study. Two research questions involved understanding the relationship between trust in the physician scale and medical mistrust and the association between racial discrimination and perceived healthcare-specific racial discrimination among African American women living in a Southern U.S. state. A stratified random sampling strategy was used to obtain a …

The Effectiveness Of The Ethics Officer’S Influence: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Exploration, Cheryl K. Douthitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The position of ethics officer was created to watch over corporate behavior. However, scandals have continued to demonstrate unethical leadership involving government officials, sports heroes, religious organizations, and corporate leaders. The research problem was that despite the adoption of corporate ethics programs and government oversight, there is a lack of understanding of ethics officers’ experiences, perceptions of effectiveness, and whether they effectively influence executive-level ethical conduct. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of ethics officers regarding their interactions with executives. Shaped by Brown and Treviño’s ethical leadership theory, the research question concerned the …

Social Worker Perspectives On Implementation Of Harm Reduction Into Abstinence-Based Substance Abuse Programs, Susan Woomer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Opioid addiction is a growing epidemic in the United States and was declared a public health emergency by the Department of Health and Human Services in October of 2017. There is a growing recognition that the current treatment for heroin and opioid addiction, abstinence-based treatment programs, is not readily available and has minimal success in addressing the epidemic. Harm reduction therapy is recognized as an effective way to address the opioid epidemic. This study aimed to develop further insight and understanding of how to integrate harm reduction therapy in abstinence-based treatment programs. The theoretical framework for this study was the …

Understanding The Lack Of Communication Between Communities And Law Enforcement Through A Community Policing Program, Patrick B. Skoczek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Inequitable treatment by law enforcement officers has deeply impacted minority communities in the United States. Public incidents of abuse of power, discriminatory treatment, and excessive use of force have received increased attention, creating increased community mistrust of law enforcement officers. To help bridge the gap between communities and law enforcement agencies, this qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to examine the use and impact of the Policing and Public Safety Problem-Solving Programs. Data were collected through interviews with 12 retired police officers and 12 community members. Interview questions were related to participants’ perceptions regarding a breakdown in trust between law …

Understanding Experiences Of Racial Microaggressions Among African American Women In Cross-Racial Supervision, Nicole Daley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Racial microaggressions are statements that occur in everyday life that are regarded as instances of subtle or unintentional discrimination against members of a racial or ethnic minority. For African Americans, racial microaggressions are feelings of denigration and exclusion. Racial aggressions experienced by African American women in clinical counseling profession (counseling, psychology, social work, mental health) supervision have not been well-studied. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used in this qualitative study to explore African American women supervisees' experience of racial microaggressions in cross-racial supervision. Intersectionality theory and identity negotiation theory were used to guide the development and analysis plan. Semistructured, audio-recorded interviews …

Effect Of Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System Access To Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Ana Y. Davies

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Drug addiction, mental health disorders, and homelessness has impacted communities nationwide increasing mortality and morbidity and is a public health threat. But access to substance use treatment has been a problem due to the lack of the ability by many to pay for services. This observational quantitative research design utilized administrative secondary data collected between July 2017 and June 2022. The key variables are Insurance Status, Number of Admissions, and Successful Discharges in outpatient substance use treatment. The purpose of the study and research questions involved evaluating the effects Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) Organized Delivery System program by analyzing program admissions …