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Satisfaction And Use: Comparing First-Time Victims And Victims Of Multiple Sexual Assaults, Julie Lindahl
Satisfaction And Use: Comparing First-Time Victims And Victims Of Multiple Sexual Assaults, Julie Lindahl
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Sexual assault advocacy services are intended to support and empower victims during the aftermath of an assault. This study's purpose was to identify sexual assault victims' use and satisfaction with victim advocacy services, and to compare those outcomes in first-time victims and victims of multiple sexual assaults. The goal was to determine if victims of multiple sexual assaults would seek services again due to satisfaction after receiving prior sexual assault advocacy services. Guided by empowerment theory, this study purported that victim satisfaction and seeking additional services would promote coping and empowerment for the victims and result in positive social change. …
The Relationship Between Final Grades And Tutoring Methods Of At-Risk College Freshmen, Valeria A. Russ
The Relationship Between Final Grades And Tutoring Methods Of At-Risk College Freshmen, Valeria A. Russ
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Without academic intervention, such as tutoring, at-risk students may not pass their courses. This study examined differences between the final grades of at-risk students and tutoring methods, such as self-determined tutoring, academic advisor scheduled tutoring, group tutoring, one-to-one tutoring, peer tutoring, and professional tutoring. This study drew from cognitive learning theory and humanistic theory for its conceptual framework. A quantitative, ex post facto research design was used. Archived data supplied by the Registrar's Office and the Academic Enrichment Coordinator included records of 95 male and female students conditionally enrolled at Methodist University in the Academic Enrichment Program during the 2007 …
Social Disorder And Level Of Engagement Of Small Business Owners In The Virgin Islands, Saul Santiago
Social Disorder And Level Of Engagement Of Small Business Owners In The Virgin Islands, Saul Santiago
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The U.S. Virgin Islands is experiencing an economic recession, manifested through social disorders such as abandoned and vandalized houses. Research points to social disorders and lack of community engagement as key factors inhibiting community development efforts. In order to strengthen these struggling communities, research has highlighted the need for public-private partnerships. Guided by Ajzen's theory of planned behavior, which posits that attitudes can predict behaviors, this study examined the relationship between social disorder and engagement of small business owners in community development. Small business owners in the U.S. Virgin Islands received an Internet or paper survey; a total of 79 …
Nitrate In Private Wells:Knowledge, Oppinions,And Perceptions Of Stakeholders, Augustus D. Jaja
Nitrate In Private Wells:Knowledge, Oppinions,And Perceptions Of Stakeholders, Augustus D. Jaja
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine data describing nitrate concentration and cases of congenital cardiac defects. Residents with private wells and other stakeholders need data to make informed environmental decisions about the adverse health implications of nitrate contamination of private well water. Researchers have examined the exposure of nitrate in contaminated groundwater, but they have not examined nitrate levels in unregulated water systems. This gap in the literature highlighted the need to provide nitrate data for future research and private well users. Guided by the social ecological model, a quantitative, cross-sectional, nonexperimental design was used to survey …
School District Stress Prevention Practices In A Southern U.S. State, Stephen Field Keohane
School District Stress Prevention Practices In A Southern U.S. State, Stephen Field Keohane
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The growing recognition that stress is a risk factor for youth health problems has spawned research on school-based stress prevention programs and services. While such programs and services are now available for adoption by schools, there is an absence of data on their use in U.S. schools systems. In the current study, Everett Rogers's diffusion of innovations model provided the theoretical framework for the investigation of school district stress prevention practices in one southern U.S. state. The sample for this quantitative descriptive study consisted of 135 out of 136 active public districts, and 72% of school systems completed and returned …
The Effect Of A State Legitimation Process On Child Support Payments And Father-Child Relationships, Chalonda L. Smith
The Effect Of A State Legitimation Process On Child Support Payments And Father-Child Relationships, Chalonda L. Smith
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
For noncustodial fathers, having legal rights and leaving an inheritance to their child or children are important aspects of being an active father. Georgia state law sees a difference between paternity and legitimation, and for some noncustodial fathers, although paternity is established and they are responsible for supporting that child financially and medically as deemed through child support enforcement, they have no legal rights to their children, nor can they petition the courts for visitation until legitimation is established. This correlational study examined the impact that the legitimation policy has on noncustodial fathers and their relationship with their child, as …
Nonattendance Rates And Barriers To Health Care In Outpatient Clinic Settings, Susan Louise Geiger
Nonattendance Rates And Barriers To Health Care In Outpatient Clinic Settings, Susan Louise Geiger
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Lower socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and race are associated with reduced health care use in the United States. Patients who continually miss their appointments suffer significant negative results, including a disruption in continuity of care, complications with their chronic illnesses, and an increase in hospital readmissions. The health belief model was used as the theoretical support for this project that investigated the underlying causes of no-shows at an urban hospital-based outpatient clinic in the United States. It used a quantitative, descriptive design and examined a minority, underserved, and underinsured population that was receiving care at the research site and had a …
Diabetes Among Hispanic Immigrants: The Impact Of Age At Migration, Nancy Hahn
Diabetes Among Hispanic Immigrants: The Impact Of Age At Migration, Nancy Hahn
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Diabetes is a disease that affects the Hispanic population in disproportionate numbers. With larger numbers of immigrants coming to the United States who are of Hispanic origin, the individual risk and health burden of this disease will have a major impact on the quality of life and the health care system. Research into the influence of the timing of changes in lifestyle suggested an association between specific levels of socioecological exposures and certain health conditions. This study examined that possibility. The use of the National Health Interview Survey, 2005-2011, provided adequate data for examining whether age at migration was associated …
The Impact Of Implementing Bedside Report To Transition Patients Across Units, Tonya Johnson
The Impact Of Implementing Bedside Report To Transition Patients Across Units, Tonya Johnson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Evidence supports bedside report as a mechanism to improve communication, patient safety, quality of report, and nurse and patient satisfaction when implemented in a closed unit. The purpose of this project was to examine the impact of implementing a bedside report process to transition patients from the emergency department to a medical-surgical unit. Specifically, the goal was to analyze the impact of a bedside- reporting process on patient progression and on nurse and patient satisfaction. Lewin's change model provided the theoretical framework for this quasi-experimental study. Patient progression data consisted of 706 patient transitions from the emergency department to the …
Best Predictors Of A Person's Long-Term Success With Quitting Tobacco, Nhu-Tam P. Villar
Best Predictors Of A Person's Long-Term Success With Quitting Tobacco, Nhu-Tam P. Villar
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Smoking relapse rates among tobacco users remain high after quit attempts, with or without interventions. Though researchers have examined stress-related factors contributing to high relapse rate, little empirical research has concentrated on variables predicting long-term quit maintenance. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictability of stress management tools, including exercise motivation, eating behaviors, social support, and self-compassion, as well as the significant combined variance of these variables, in a person's long-term maintenance with tobacco use abstinence. Bandura's social cognitive theory was used to highlight the factors contributing to health behavior such as tobacco use. This study involved …
Spiritual Transcendence And Burnout Rate Among Psychologists And Social Workers Working With Severely Mentally Ill Patients, Cynthia Fuhrer Cameron
Spiritual Transcendence And Burnout Rate Among Psychologists And Social Workers Working With Severely Mentally Ill Patients, Cynthia Fuhrer Cameron
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Burnout is a psychological syndrome caused by occupational stress, which often manifests in mental health professionals who experience demanding and emotionally charged relationships with clients. Guided by the equity theory, this study examined the relationship between spiritual transcendence and burnout in psychologists and social workers who work with severely mentally ill patients after accounting for specific personality traits. Constructs were measured via the Spiritual Transcendence scale (STS), Maslach Burnout inventory (MBI), and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Sixty eight psychologists and social workers were selected from psychiatric hospitals, community centers, and private practice in Nevada to participate in the study. …
Clinical Significance Of Response Shift In A Spine Interventional Clinical Trial, Robin Carlson
Clinical Significance Of Response Shift In A Spine Interventional Clinical Trial, Robin Carlson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The effectiveness of treatments for degenerative spine conditions, where the primary symptom is back pain, is typically determined using patient-reported quality of life (QoL) measures. However, patients may adjust their internal standards when scoring QoL based on factors other than their health. This response shift phenomenon could confound the interpretation of study data and impact effectiveness conclusions. In the current study, response shift was examined using structural equation modeling (SEM) and previously collected clinical trial data comparing 2 minimally invasive medical devices in lumbar spinal stenosis patients through 1 year postintervention. In subject QoL results, reprioritization shift between 3 months …
Steps To Reducing Heart Failure Hospital Readmissions Through Improvement In Outpatient Care, Paticia Laubach Dunn
Steps To Reducing Heart Failure Hospital Readmissions Through Improvement In Outpatient Care, Paticia Laubach Dunn
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The outpatient care of the heart failure (HF) patient is fragmented due to the lack of evidence-based practice guidelines use. The primary goal of this project was to improve the care of the HF patient in the outpatient arena through use of clinical pathways using the logic model as the project framework. The intervention was carried out over a 4-week period on a convenience, random sample of patients (n = 80) attending a cardiology practice. The patients were recruited from 2 physicians' patient populations and were selected based on an adult diagnosis of HF, reduced ejection fraction of <40% at some point in time, and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-V. Comparisons were made in the documentation of care between patients on or off the pathway. The intervention included documentation of patient education, care follow-up, medications, NYHA functional class, and symptom exacerbation, documented in the electronic medical record. The quality of care data were evaluated based on 3 of the Joint Commission core measures for outpatient care of the HF patient. Additional data were collected regarding use of the clinical pathway based on provider and week of implementation. Data were analyzed via a Chi-square test of independence comparing pathway use by provider and use of pathway as study progressed. The comparative results show statistically significant differences in use of the pathway by provider and a statistically significant increase in use during the project . The quality of care results varied in statistical significance. The pathway utilization increased over time and provided a method for standardizing documentation of care for the HF patient in this outpatient clinic, a benefit for HF patients and providers in this cardiology practice and beyond.
The Effect Of An Online Coping Skill Application On Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers, Jennifer H. Garrison
The Effect Of An Online Coping Skill Application On Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers, Jennifer H. Garrison
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Many individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are classified as having relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), a form of the illness that requires constant symptom management for suffers to achieve optimum outcomes. There are only a few community-based educational programs that exist to help RRMS sufferers cope with their illness; the effectiveness of those that have been fielded has not yet been adequately assessed. The research questions of this study were to determine if an online training development module would increase the coping skills of those affected by RRMS and if the online educational module would be more effective at improving the coping …
Business Governance Best Practices Of Virtual Project Teams, William James Hamersly
Business Governance Best Practices Of Virtual Project Teams, William James Hamersly
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The steady increase in project failure rates is leaving businesses searching for better integration techniques to virtualize their project environments. Through virtualization, organizations may have positive impacts on communities across geographical boundaries and resource constraints. The focus of this phenomenological study was to explore, via the experiences of successful project management practitioners, best practice strategies for integrating virtual project teams through data analysis. The conceptual framework included von Bertalanffy's general systems theory, decomposition model of business process and project management frameworks, and the recomposition approach. Twenty-two senior project managers with more than 5 years of experience managing virtual project environments …
Centering Pregnancy Implementation And Its Effect On Preterm Birth And Low Birthweight, Carole Ann Moleti
Centering Pregnancy Implementation And Its Effect On Preterm Birth And Low Birthweight, Carole Ann Moleti
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Preterm birth (PTB) and low birthweight (LBW) babies are the source of a large burden of infant, neonatal, and childhood morbidity. The purpose of this project was to expand the use of the CenteringPregnancyTM Group Prenatal Care Model as an evidence-based intervention for management of both medical and psychosocial risk in low-income, ethnic and racial minorities in New York City. The standardized model developed by Schindler Rising decreases the incidence of preterm birth and low birthweight and increases the rate of breastfeeding. A CenteringPregnancyTM program implementation plan, customized to meet the needs of a multisite urban hospital system, …
Financial Statement Disclosure Of Carbon Footprint Costs In The Airline Industry, Carol Anne Tuck-Riggs
Financial Statement Disclosure Of Carbon Footprint Costs In The Airline Industry, Carol Anne Tuck-Riggs
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Unaccountable corporate polluters profit short term at the expense of global economic sustainability. The purpose of the study was to determine if carbon dioxide (CO2) penalties on the airline emissions would result in financial statement disclosure and emission mitigation. Contributing to environmental accounting, the study was based in corporate social responsibility with a conceptual framework based on economically-centered CO2 studies. A random sample of 69 global airlines, taken from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) memberships, was stratified between EU bound and non-EU bound airlines. The research questions explored (a) the frequency mean …
Relationships Between Specific Health-Related Fitness Components And Standardized Academic Achievement Tests, Tona Wilson
Relationships Between Specific Health-Related Fitness Components And Standardized Academic Achievement Tests, Tona Wilson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In an attempt to meet monetary-driven mandates to improve student achievement test scores, administrators are replacing physical education activities with subject matter classes in many American schools. This practice negates the positive contributions of physical activity to academic performance and student fitness. Guided by self-efficacy theory, this study assessed the impact of optimal versus minimal physical fitness state on student academic achievement. The study sample included 5,416 9th grade students from the same school district who completed a minimum of 5 of the 6 components of the FITNESSGRAM tests, and who also completed the math and English language arts (ELA) …
Perceptions Of Discipline Policy, Practices, And Student Incivilities Related To Senge's Five Disciplines, Nkoh Lovonne Gaston
Perceptions Of Discipline Policy, Practices, And Student Incivilities Related To Senge's Five Disciplines, Nkoh Lovonne Gaston
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
High occurrences of student incivilities are a growing concern in the K-12 education system. This problem may be directly impacted by systems thinking and inconsistent school policy enforcement. At a local high school, this problem affected student learning outcomes and teacher-student interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this case study was to explore the perceptions of teachers and administrators regarding consistency in discipline policies and practices, as well as student incivilities as they related to Senge's 5 disciplines. The conceptual framework for this study was Senge's 5 disciplines of organizational learning: systems thinking, mental models, team learning, shared vision, and personal …
Interpersonal Safety Of Active Duty Women In The Deployed Environment Of Bagram Afghanistan, Cynthia Tara Ferguson
Interpersonal Safety Of Active Duty Women In The Deployed Environment Of Bagram Afghanistan, Cynthia Tara Ferguson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
In the United States Armed Forces, 30% of women in the military suffer physical assault each year; in 2009, there were 22 reported cases of sexual assault in the U.S. Central Command. Aggravated assault, gang violence, sexual assault, homicide, and suicide can damage the morale of military personnel at a deployed site and collectively cost millions of dollars over time. Interpersonal violence in the United States military is destructive to the military system and directly diminishes mission readiness. This study was designed to illuminate the environmental, cultural, and political influences that affect interpersonal safety among military women in the deployed …
Vocabulary Strategies In An Elementary Classroom In A Third World Country, Laurie Johnson
Vocabulary Strategies In An Elementary Classroom In A Third World Country, Laurie Johnson
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Second and 3rd grade Honduran students in a Christian school are not performing at grade level in vocabulary. Students who lag in vocabulary development may not comprehend what they read and are likely to perform poorly in their course work, which may result in repeating the grade. As a result of the students' poor performance, the school implemented vocabulary squares strategy instruction to improve vocabulary development. Guided by the theory of constructivism, the purpose of this casual comparative study was to determine if vocabulary squares strategy instruction resulted in greater word mastery for 2nd and 3rd grade Honduran students than …
Glioblastoma Multiforme: Geographic Variations In Tumor Size, Treatment Options, And Survival Rate, Susan Rebecca Nohelty
Glioblastoma Multiforme: Geographic Variations In Tumor Size, Treatment Options, And Survival Rate, Susan Rebecca Nohelty
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a destructive brain cancer that results in death 12 to 15 months after diagnosis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if variations in tumor size at diagnosis, treatment options, and survival rate occur in GBM patients living in urban and rural areas of the United States. Using the behavior model of health services as the theoretical framework, this study used secondary data sets of GBM cases reported from 1988 to 2011 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. Tumor size was measured in millimeters; treatment was evaluated by ascertaining the number of …
Neighborhood Risks And Resources Correlated With Rates Of Successful Reentry Of Youth Returning From Detention Centers In Massachusetts, Nokuthula Sibanda
Neighborhood Risks And Resources Correlated With Rates Of Successful Reentry Of Youth Returning From Detention Centers In Massachusetts, Nokuthula Sibanda
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Youth delinquency is a major social problem in the United States with approximately 29% of youths aged 18 to 21 reoffending within the first year of release in Massachusetts. Given the amount of state resources used for youth corrections, the factors that encourage the youth to reoffend become important to understand. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study was to examine whether community and environmental risks and resources are related with successful reentry of youth returning from detention centers in Massachusetts. Using the collective efficacy and routine activities theory to explain the motivations to reoffend, the study sought to …
Exploring Knowledge Management Practices In Service-Based Small Business Enterprises, Orlando Skelton
Exploring Knowledge Management Practices In Service-Based Small Business Enterprises, Orlando Skelton
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Small business enterprises (SBEs) are significant contributors to business growth and employment in the United States, but despite governmental support, the failure rate of SBEs is high. Some small business leaders lack the critical management skills to detect or discover when underperformance in revenue-generation is due to gaps in organizational knowledge or business practices associated with managing knowledge assets. Guided by the knowledge-based view of the firm, the purpose of this multiple case study was to address that gap by exploring the skills needed by leaders to understand how deficiencies in their knowledge management practices contribute to underperformance. Semistructured interview …
Identifying And Mitigating Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking In An Urban Community, Anne Ellen Gresham
Identifying And Mitigating Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking In An Urban Community, Anne Ellen Gresham
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Human trafficking, domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST), and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) are complex and multifaceted occurrences in the United States. As the numbers of youth ensnared in sexually exploitive situations increase, organizations and communities are called upon to address the ramifications of this abuse; little research was located, however, that examined collaborative networks and partnerships that address victim identification and mitigation of DMST and CSEC. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to determine whether strategic partnerships existed within the community under investigation. The theoretical framework was environmental theory, as first described by Florence Nightingale; …
Improving The Quality Of Care In An Acute Care Facility Through Reeducating Nurses About Managing Central Lines, Jacqueline Raffaele
Improving The Quality Of Care In An Acute Care Facility Through Reeducating Nurses About Managing Central Lines, Jacqueline Raffaele
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Central line-associated bloodstream infections continue to be some of the most deadly hospital-associated infections in the United States. Guided by Lewin's change theory which focuses on prior learning, rejection, and replacement, the purpose of this study was to improve the quality of care patients receive in an acute care facility by reducing life threatening central line infections. The research question examined whether additional education using Venous Access Nurse (VAN) customized newsletters and manager coaching of nurses in an acute care setting would improve the quality of care for patients with central lines. This was a quantitative nonexperimental descriptive retrospective study …
Employee Wellness Model For Obesity, Barbara Siebold
Employee Wellness Model For Obesity, Barbara Siebold
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Obesity, a condition of having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, is a universal epidemic with the greatest prevalence in the United States. The greatest concern with this epidemic health problem is that it presents with many comorbidities and is a risk factor for other chronic diseases. Employee wellness programs (EWP) have been in place for years and incorporate programs on weight management, nutritional education, and smoking cessation to reduce risk factors associated with chronic diseases. These programs utilize the concept of empowerment, often guided by Pender's self-management theory, to encourage employees to take onus for their health …
The Effect Of Bullying Prevention Programs On The Perceptions Of Bullying Among Female Youth, Karen Tokarick
The Effect Of Bullying Prevention Programs On The Perceptions Of Bullying Among Female Youth, Karen Tokarick
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Bullying has become a widespread social issue. Previous research has focused on both genders and various grade levels; it has shown that programs reduce bullying and improve social climates and attitudes toward academics. The effect of these programs, specifically on female youth, has not been studied. This study addressed the effect of bullying prevention programs on perceptions of bullying among female youth in Grades 5-7 in 2 schools in rural eastern Pennsylvania. One school utilized a prevention program while the other did not. Teachers and administrators were also interviewed to gain insight regarding their perceived effectiveness of the program. The …
Understanding Faith Leaders' Perspectives On Breast Health Interventions In The Church, Marsha Ladonna Marshall
Understanding Faith Leaders' Perspectives On Breast Health Interventions In The Church, Marsha Ladonna Marshall
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The prevalence and incidence of breast cancer is an important issue that is affecting all women, but African American women have the lowest survival rates after breast cancer diagnosis. Historically, the Black church and faith leaders have been essential in promoting health in the African American community. Moreover, faith-based interventions have become more common within the African American community in addressing factors that affect survival rates such as early detection, cultural barriers, and education. Currently, there is not clear information on the perspectives faith leaders have on their experiences with implementing breast health interventions in their places of worship. This …
A Comparative Analysis Of Mississippi Rural Schools' Abstinence-Only And Abstinence Plus Programs, Alonzo Jeffrey Williams
A Comparative Analysis Of Mississippi Rural Schools' Abstinence-Only And Abstinence Plus Programs, Alonzo Jeffrey Williams
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The predominately rural state of Mississippi responded to high teenage pregnancy rates by enacting a 2011 law requiring school districts to choose between an abstinence-only and an abstinence-plus program for their high schools. However, there is limited extant research on Mississippi's sex education policies, creating a research gap that inhibits developing successful programs to reduce teenage pregnancy rates. There is specifically a need to compare the two types of allowed programs with a focus on rural areas. This study compared programs by examining students' abstinent sexual attitudes, social norms, self-efficacy, sexual abstinence behaviors, and perceived effectiveness of sexual education and …