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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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The Experiences Of Physical Therapists Trained In Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization For Self-Care, Edward Bezkor Aug 2025

The Experiences Of Physical Therapists Trained In Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization For Self-Care, Edward Bezkor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physical therapists and physical therapy students are susceptible to overuse and postural-related injuries related to computer work, lifting, and transferring patients. An effective technique for musculoskeletal dysfunction is instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) self-care. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to better understand the lived experiences of physical therapists and physical therapy students who are trained in IASTM self-care. The theoretical foundation for this study was the health belief model (HBM), which proposes that one’s beliefs strongly influence behavior change. In alignment with HBM, research questions related to the participants’ beliefs regarding the perceived threat of not …


Falls Risk And Prevention: Improving Staff Knowledge, Ashley Vargas Delarosa Aug 2025

Falls Risk And Prevention: Improving Staff Knowledge, Ashley Vargas Delarosa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Objective This project aimed to enhance nursing staff knowledge and engagement in evidence-based fall prevention strategies, addressing the practice problem of inconsistent staff education and the absence of a standardized fall prevention protocol, contributing to high patient fall rates in acute care settings. Design The project employed an educational session both in-person and online. A pre- and post-test education design, utilizing knowledge assessments (pre-test and post-test) and qualitative feedback to evaluate the impact of a structured education program on nursing staff knowledge related to fall prevention. The education module focused on risk assessment tools, including the Morse Fall Scale, and …


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

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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


Staff Education To Address Medication Noncompliance In Outpatient Behavioral Health Settings, Elmase Nicolas Toussaint Aug 2025

Staff Education To Address Medication Noncompliance In Outpatient Behavioral Health Settings, Elmase Nicolas Toussaint

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quality improvement project is a staff education initiative designed to address psychotropic medication noncompliance in an outpatient behavioral health clinic setting. The project arose from the identification of a significant gap in staff knowledge and confidence related to medication adherence strategies. Medication noncompliance in psychiatric care is associated with symptom exacerbation, increased hospitalization, and poorer patient outcomes, making it a critical issue in nursing practice. The practice-focused question guiding the project was: In an outpatient behavioral health clinic setting, does implementing a structured staff education program improve staff knowledge and confidence in addressing medication noncompliance? Analytical strategies included a …


The Association Between Unemployment, Income, Education, Healthcare Access, Mental Health And High-Risk Hiv Behavior In The United States, Tia Smith Aug 2025

The Association Between Unemployment, Income, Education, Healthcare Access, Mental Health And High-Risk Hiv Behavior In The United States, Tia Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High-risk HIV behavior remains a critical public health concern in the United States, particularly among socioeconomically and psychologically vulnerable populations. Despite extensive prevention efforts, a gap persists in understanding how structural and mental health factors jointly contribute to HIV risk. This study addresses that gap by examining the association between socioeconomic status (SES), including income, education, employment, and healthcare access, and mental health status (diagnosis of depression and days of poor mental health) on high-risk HIV behavior at the individual level. Guided by the social determinants of health (SDOH) theoretical framework, the study utilized secondary data for over 40,000 adults …


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

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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


Improving Medication Adherence Among Patients With Anxiety, Abong Miyeh Aug 2025

Improving Medication Adherence Among Patients With Anxiety, Abong Miyeh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Addres+D14sing medication non-adherence among patients with anxiety disorders is crucial in nursing practice due to its significant impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs. This doctoral project explores the effectiveness of staff education in enhancing nurses' skills in promoting medication adherence within this population. The practice-focused question for this project is "What evidence supports the effectiveness of a staff education program in increasing nursing staff knowledge about evidence-based strategies for improving medication adherence among patients with anxiety disorders?" The purpose of this doctoral project is to investigate the effectiveness of staff education interventions in improving medication adherence among individuals with …


Faculty And Administrators' Perspectives Of Generative Artificial Intelligence At An Online Higher Education Institution, Devon Edmund Aug 2025

Faculty And Administrators' Perspectives Of Generative Artificial Intelligence At An Online Higher Education Institution, Devon Edmund

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that faculty and administrators in higher education are not prepared to address the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) innovations in institutional policies and practices. The pace of advancement of GAI in higher education (HE) left institutions to determine policies and practices without industry best practices or guidelines established by accreditors or regulatory bodies. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of faculty and administrators at an online HE institution on how to respond to the emergence of GAI through institutional policies and practices. The theory supporting the study …


Staff Education To Improve Staff Knowledge On Preeclampsia, Doris Wanmban Fombo Aug 2025

Staff Education To Improve Staff Knowledge On Preeclampsia, Doris Wanmban Fombo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Preeclampsia is a disorder that usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can lead to serious adverse outcomes or death for the mother and fetus if not promptly diagnosed and managed. Hence, a staff education project was designed and implemented to enhance staff knowledge of preeclampsia. The practice problem was limited staff knowledge of preeclampsia a pregnancy complication that can affect both the mother and fetus. The practice-focused question explored whether a staff education project on preeclampsia affected office staff knowledge. The purpose of the project was to develop and implement a staff education program to improve staff knowledge …


Socioeconomic Determinants Of Depression And Anxiety Disorders In Puerto Ricans Living On The Island And The Mainland, Herman Alvarado Aug 2025

Socioeconomic Determinants Of Depression And Anxiety Disorders In Puerto Ricans Living On The Island And The Mainland, Herman Alvarado

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research shows that, among Hispanics, depression and anxiety disorders are the two most prevalent mental disorders, particularly for Puerto Ricans. The socioecological model approaches mental health conditions from a perspective where multiple levels in society influence health-related behaviors. Based on this approach, this quantitative study looked at how socioeconomic factors - marital status, education, employment, and residential status were related to a diagnosis of depression or anxiety in Puerto Ricans. This study also explored whether there were differences between two groups of Puerto Ricans: those living on the island compared to those living in the 50 states. Analysis was conducted …


The Impact Of Socio-Emotional And Provider Support On Hiv Testing In Southern United States, Ijeoma Onyinyechi Nwazuruokeh Aug 2025

The Impact Of Socio-Emotional And Provider Support On Hiv Testing In Southern United States, Ijeoma Onyinyechi Nwazuruokeh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV was first diagnosed over 40 years ago in the United States; however, HIV remains an epidemic. An understanding of how socio-emotional support, social isolation, and support from an individual's provider influence HIV testing in the Southern United States can be a key to increasing testing rates and ultimately reducing the incidence and prevalence of HIV in the Southern United States. The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to examine the relationship between HIV testing, socio-emotional support, and social isolation, and how these variables are further moderated by an individual having provider support in the Southern United States. The …


Staff Education Program To Improve Nursing Knowledge On Fall Prevention Strategies, Chioma C. Achonye Aug 2025

Staff Education Program To Improve Nursing Knowledge On Fall Prevention Strategies, Chioma C. Achonye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In nursing practice, falls among adults aged 65 and above are a critical concern due to their potential to cause serious injuries and complications. As a result, fall prevention has become a top priority for healthcare providers striving to ensure patient safety and quality. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was designed to address the issue of falls in long-term care facilities by implementing a staff education program focused on patient fall risk assessment, identifying intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing falls, and implementing evidence-based interventions. The DNP project practice-focused question was Does an education program on fall prevention strategies …


Perceptions Of Nonclinical Healthcare Executives On Advancing Physical Therapists Into Executive Healthcare Leadership Positions, Lindsey Johnston Aug 2025

Perceptions Of Nonclinical Healthcare Executives On Advancing Physical Therapists Into Executive Healthcare Leadership Positions, Lindsey Johnston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Healthcare professionals often aspire to transition beyond clinical roles into organizational leadership. In particular, physical therapists may seek executive leadership opportunities beyond rehabilitation departments. However, there is limited understanding of how nonclinical healthcare executives perceive physical therapists advancing into these roles. This qualitative study aimed to understand nonclinical healthcare executives' perceptions regarding physical therapists’ advancement to executive healthcare leadership positions. The study was guided by new institutional theory and Level 5 leadership theory and addressed four research questions to explore these perceptions in depth. A general qualitative methodology was employed, with data collected through semistructured, virtual interviews with eight nonclinical …


Enhancing Nursing Knowledge Of Sud Screening Tools In Va Primary Care, Marlene Joan Margerum Aug 2025

Enhancing Nursing Knowledge Of Sud Screening Tools In Va Primary Care, Marlene Joan Margerum

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a persistent public health concern among veterans. A recognized knowledge gap exists among Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care nurses regarding validated SUD screening tools—the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT-C), Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10), and Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)—limiting opportunities for early identification and coordination of care. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated if a structured staff education intervention improved primary care nurses’ knowledge, confidence, and preparedness to support interdisciplinary SUD screening practices. Guided by Patricia Benner’s novice to expert model and the analysis, design, development, implementation, and …


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

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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


Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Assessment, Josie Weber Aug 2025

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Assessment, Josie Weber

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was focused on a staff education initiative to enhance the proper use of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a validated depression screening tool, in an outpatient behavioral health (OBH) clinic. Despite its clinical utility, the PHQ-9 is often underused or inconsistently applied due to knowledge gaps among nursing staff. Inconsistent screening can delay diagnosis and treatment, negatively affecting patient outcomes. I conducted this project to address these gaps by implementing structured training to promote high-quality, patient-centered care. The practice-focused question was: Does a structured PHQ-9 training session improve staff knowledge in an outpatient behavioral health clinic, as …


Childhood Vaccination In Mozambique Pre- And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, Remy Mwamba Aug 2025

Childhood Vaccination In Mozambique Pre- And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, Remy Mwamba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2019, infectious diseases and other conditions claimed the lives of over 5 million children under 5. Global immunization coverage remains below prepandemic levels, leaving behind over 14 million zero-dose children in 2022, of whom 84% lived in low- and middle-income countries. This quantitative cross-sectional study aimed to examine, using two consecutive Demographic and Health Surveys, whether the most significant household characteristics and health service utilization risk factors associated with nonvaccination before the COVID-19 pandemic still hold postpandemic in Mozambique. Andersen's behavioral model of healthcare service utilization was the foundation for this investigation. The sample included N=2034 children aged 12-35 …


Educational Leaders’ Perceptions Of Disproportionality In The Identification Of Elementary Gifted Students, Vincent Corrigan Aug 2025

Educational Leaders’ Perceptions Of Disproportionality In The Identification Of Elementary Gifted Students, Vincent Corrigan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite years of research on best practices in gifted program identification, racially diverse, linguistically diverse, and socioeconomically disadvantaged student populations continue to be underrepresented in elementary gifted programs. Guided by Renzulli’s three-ring conception of giftedness and practical system for identifying gifted and talented students, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore local educational leaders’ perceptions of disproportionality in the identification of students for elementary gifted programs in a large public school system in the Eastern United States. For this basic qualitative design, data were collected through semistructured interviews with 18 educational leaders from the local elementary principal population. …


Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders And Anxiety, Alichia Lashawn Pecks Aug 2025

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders And Anxiety, Alichia Lashawn Pecks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project used a quality improvement approach to address the co-prescription of stimulants and benzodiazepines in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety in outpatient mental health settings. The project explored whether implementing a structured non-pharmacological staff education program for mental health staff could improve knowledge of safe, evidence-based treatment alternatives. The purpose of this staff education project was to improve provider knowledge of evidence-based, non-pharmacological treatment alternatives. To address this issue, a structured non-pharmacological staff education program was implemented to improve provider knowledge of safer, evidence-based treatment alternatives. Four participants completed pre- …


Patient Engagement Strategies In Weight-Loss Programs, Olufunmilayo M. Bishop Aug 2025

Patient Engagement Strategies In Weight-Loss Programs, Olufunmilayo M. Bishop

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Weight regain after pharmacological weight-loss interventions remains a pervasive challenge in primary care, with over 70% of patients reverting to baseline weight within six months. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance healthcare providers’ patient engagement skills to improve retention and long-term outcomes in weight-loss programs. A structured staff training program focusing on motivational interviewing, goal-setting, and barrier recognition was implemented among a multidisciplinary team. The program’s effectiveness was evaluated through a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative pre- and post-assessment scores and qualitative staff satisfaction surveys. Results demonstrated a significant increase in staff knowledge, with average scores rising from 68% to …


Socioecological Factors And Age Of Diagnosis For Autism Spectrum Disorder Among U.S. Children, Richline Wilson Aug 2025

Socioecological Factors And Age Of Diagnosis For Autism Spectrum Disorder Among U.S. Children, Richline Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As autism spectrum disorder (autism/ASD) diagnoses rise, understanding the influence of socioecological factors on the age of diagnosis among children in the United States is critical for timely intervention and improved quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine how socioecological factors influence the age at which children are diagnosed with autism/ASD. The quantitative causal-comparative design, which was informed by Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological model, involved analysis of secondary data from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health (N=1416). Ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that race and ethnicity moderated the relationship between socioeconomic status (caregiver educational and employment status …


Staff Education For Improved Diabetes Management: Enhancing Knowledge And Patient Outcomes, Carissa Martine Bolden Aug 2025

Staff Education For Improved Diabetes Management: Enhancing Knowledge And Patient Outcomes, Carissa Martine Bolden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An increase in patients’ hemoglobin A1c levels in a South Mississippi organization suggests that inadequate type 2 diabetes (T2DM) knowledge among the staff hindered them from delivering competent care. The gap in practice at the site revealed a deficiency in knowledge in nutrition education for healthcare providers and staff, which led to the practice question: Does educating providers and staff on nutrition for adults with type 2 diabetes improve knowledge, as evidenced by pre- and post-surveys? This educational initiative employed the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model, the John Hopkins evidence-based practice (JHEBP) model, the Walden University Doctor …


Staff Education To Enhance Nonmedical Staff Competency In Withdrawal Management, Katherine Hedrick Aug 2025

Staff Education To Enhance Nonmedical Staff Competency In Withdrawal Management, Katherine Hedrick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a significant gap in staff training at a behavioral health residential treatment facility. Nonmedical staff, including substance abuse counselors, lacked formal education in recognizing, assessing, and escalating symptoms of substance withdrawal. This lack of competency posed a risk to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and quality of care. The goal of the project was to evaluate the impact of a structured, simulation-based training program on nonmedical staff’s knowledge and confidence in using validated withdrawal assessment tools and monitoring vital signs. Six nonmedical staff participated in the training, which incorporated lecture, hands-on simulation, and …


Effective Strategies For Mitigating Skills Gaps Postpandemic In The Automotive Industry, Neil Shah Aug 2025

Effective Strategies For Mitigating Skills Gaps Postpandemic In The Automotive Industry, Neil Shah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inadequate approaches to filling employee skill gaps can seriously weaken workforce stability and organizational performance. Canadian automotive sector leaders are concerned about the risk of persistent employment shortages, high employee turnover, and decreased productivity. Grounded in Alderfer's existence, relatedness, and growth theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore the strategies employed by Canadian auto manufacturers to address skill shortages in their workforce in the wake of the pandemic and subsequent digitalization. Six senior executives from Canadian auto manufacturers who led successful skill-development and retention initiatives participated in semistructured interviews, complemented by a review of …


African American Men's Perceptions Of Law Enforcement, Dr. Dedrie Reshell Leonard-Francis Aug 2025

African American Men's Perceptions Of Law Enforcement, Dr. Dedrie Reshell Leonard-Francis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American Black men are more likely to report unreasonable, unnecessary, and unwarranted experiences with U.S. law enforcement than men of other racial groups, and they higher mistrust toward law enforcement than any other racial group. These experiences have been described as unjustifiable due to the level of force used by police. In some cases, excessive force by law enforcement has resulted in the death of Black men. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore Black men’s perceptions of law enforcement and to understand their distrust. The study centered on the facilitators and barriers to Black men trusting …


Staff Education To Enhance The Use Of Alternatives To Restrictive Interventions When Managing Aggressive Behaviors, Anthony Obinna Madu Aug 2025

Staff Education To Enhance The Use Of Alternatives To Restrictive Interventions When Managing Aggressive Behaviors, Anthony Obinna Madu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This is a DNP staff education project executive summary aimed at increasing staff knowledge on the use of alternatives to restrictive interventions when managing aggressive behaviors in an inpatient psychiatric unit.


How People With Borderline Personality Disorder Experience Addiction During The Process Of Treatment, Michael Paul Onesto Aug 2025

How People With Borderline Personality Disorder Experience Addiction During The Process Of Treatment, Michael Paul Onesto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the lived experience of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism during recovery, raising the question of whether recovery itself fosters comorbidity. The study was grounded on several theories, including Linehan’s biosocial model, the Cox and Klinger alcohol motivation model, the affect regulation model, and the self-medication hypothesis. These theories argue that substance use arises from emotional vulnerability, invalidating environment, and affect regulation efforts. The study employed a phenomenological qualitative approach to guide data collection and analysis. Interviews from 20 BPD patients and mental health care providers were completed. The thematic analysis …


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

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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


The Experience Of Living With Infertility Among Women Of Color, Claudia Calvario Aug 2025

The Experience Of Living With Infertility Among Women Of Color, Claudia Calvario

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Infertility affects individuals across all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; however, the lived experiences of women of color navigating infertility remain underrepresented in research, health care, and policy. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore the lived experiences of infertility among women of color. The specific aims of the study were to (a) understand the significance of cultural values in shaping these experiences, with a focus on cultural norms surrounding motherhood and fertility, and (b) gain insight on the ways in which women of color seek assistance. The conceptual framework integrated the biopsychosocial model, stress and …


Strategies To Reduce Waiting Times In A Hospital Emergency Department, Gillian Denise Browne-Farrell Aug 2025

Strategies To Reduce Waiting Times In A Hospital Emergency Department, Gillian Denise Browne-Farrell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders of the emergency departments (EDs) globally, especially in the United States face persistent challenges addressing staffing issues in the ED and increased wait times. The purpose and review question for this integrative review was to investigate strategies and best practices to decrease waiting times in a hospital ED. The Theory of Constraints framework served as the theoretical foundation for this review. An examination of the literature published within the past five years identified 101 relevant articles. From these articles, 30 empirical and non-empirical articles were selected for further analysis using the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model and six major …