Digital Commons Network^™

Public Health Nurses’ Perceptions Of High School Dropout Rates As A Public Health Issue, Maria Wallace

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Education is one of the strongest predictors of health, and well-being. Early termination of education can lead to poorer health, shorter lifespans, and increased stress on the healthcare system. Improving overall high school graduation rates has been debated and discussed by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Ministry of Education, however, there is a paucity of research on increased graduation rates as they relate to public health in the Canadian context. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of liaison public health nurses (PHNs) who worked directly with the TDSB regarding their roles …

Exploring Regulatory Framework Guiding Bank Employees' Career Advancement In Nigeria, Adenrele Jonathan Adegbite

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current global labor market tends to be knowledge based and workers are consistently required to develop new competencies and adapt to changing environments. Bank employees in Nigeria do not have training that sustains future employment in other sectors, largely as a result of regulatory requirements that impede the development of soft skills and life-long learning opportunities. Little attention has been given to the lived experiences of these bank employees who are currently faced with the challenges posed by globalization and technology adoption. Guided by institutional analysis and development theory (IAD), this exploratory study examined the regulatory framework guiding bank …

Corporate Money And Direct Democracy Measures: A Case Study, Dena M. Hester

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Direct democracy was adopted by states to balance the influence and power of corporate

interests. Although corporate money has always been a part of American democracy,

dark money expenditures have increased significantly since the Citizens United v. FEC

case. Corporate money in elections poses a problem because it inconsistent with the

tenants of direct democracy. Little published literature addresses the influence of

corporate money on direct democracy measures. Using Kingdon's multiple streams

approach as the foundation, the purpose of this case study was to investigate the

perceived influence of corporate money on the 2018 ballot initiative and referendum

measures in …

Effect Of Access To Health Services On Neonatal Mortality In Uganda, Imelda Atai Madgalene Musana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 2006, Uganda has experienced a nonchanging neonatal mortality rate of 27 out of 1,000 live births, which is higher than the global average of 19 deaths for every 1,000 live births. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to determine factors affecting access to health services and their impact on newborn deaths in Uganda. Mosley and Chen's model for child survival in developing nations provided the framework for the study. Secondary data from the 2016 demographic and health survey (UDHS) collected by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOs) was used. A total of 7,538 cases were used and …

Effectiveness Of Yoga Therapy On Pain And Related Depression, Anxiety, Perceived Stress, And Quality Of Life, Karen Romani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals are becoming more dependent on medication for conditions such as chronic-pain, anxiety, and depression. It is reported that patients are often overprescribed medication while health outcomes do not improve. The medicalization of society is distracting attention from the possibility of other therapies such as complementary or alternative medicine (CAMs) that can improve health outcomes if they were as supported as pharmacological research and better received by the medical community. Yoga and meditation, the components of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and yoga therapy, have been shown as effective CAMs for cases of anxiety and depression related to chronic illness …

Local Nongovernmental Organization Intervention Approaches In Nigeria's Communities Experiencing Continuous Trauma, Rashid Babalola Raji

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found an overlap of psychological symptoms in victims of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Continuous Traumatic Stress. Although the circumstances inducing the psychological reactions are different, the symptoms mimic one another without a clear cut demarcation, calling for practitioners to be cautious of contexts inducing psychopathology that is triggered through re-experiencing of past trauma when they are assessing and intervening with ongoing trauma-exposed communities. This study explored the subjective experiences of 15 local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) administrators in Nigeria across 5 states, including the federal capital Abuja, about the intersectionality of their clients' persistent trauma experiences and their program …

Exploring Data Security Management Strategies For Preventing Data Breaches, Michael Samuel Ofori-Duodu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Insider threat continues to pose a risk to organizations, and in some cases, the country at large. Data breach events continue to show the insider threat risk has not subsided. This qualitative case study sought to explore the data security management strategies used by database and system administrators to prevent data breaches by malicious insiders. The study population consisted of database administrators and system administrators from a government contracting agency in the northeastern region of the United States. The general systems theory, developed by Von Bertalanffy, was used as the conceptual framework for the research study. The data collection process …

Rebellious Reflection: Supporting Community Lawyering Practice, Monika Batra Kashyap

Faculty Articles

This Article contends that lawyers who are trained in the skill of reflection are better equipped to engage in a social change-oriented approach to law practice called community lawyering. By conceptualizing reflection as a contemplative pedagogy, this Article will reveal a profound connection between community lawyering, reflection, and the contemplative law movement. The Article offers specific “rebellious” reflection-based pedagogies that can help practitioners and future lawyers: strengthen their capacity for deep self-awareness; interrogate the traditional lawyer-client relationship; sharpen their analysis of race, class, and power; and cultivate an understanding of how social change occurs. By presenting testimonials from new lawyers …

Recasting Intellectual Property In Light Of The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals: Toward Knowledge Governance, Margaret Chon

Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Acculturation, Body Dissatisfaction, Anxiety, And Depression In Latino Males, Ana Eugenia Varay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Western culture has set unrealistic norms for physical appearance which can lead individuals to be dissatisfied with their bodies. Extensive research on body dissatisfaction and its psychological implications reveals this problem has increased in men, with the added dimension of acculturation. The level of acculturation and its relationship to body dissatisfaction in Latino men need further exploration because this population is projected to double by 2050. The purpose of this research study was to explore the relationship between the different levels of acculturation, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression among Latino men. Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory is applicable to this study …

Adaptation Of Heart Failure Education Materials For The Middle Eastern Population, Nadine A. Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, is the leading cause of death among male and female Middle Eastern Americans. In 2016, a medical center located in the northeastern region of the United States had an estimated 35% of heart failure patients readmitted within 30 days of discharge, 10% of these readmitted patients belonged to the local Middle Eastern community. The gap in nursing practice noted by nursing staff, patients, and their families was that the patient education materials on heart failure were not tailored to the cultural beliefs and customs of this high-risk population. The purpose of this project was to …

Expert Perspectives On How The Islamic State Potentially Shaped The Future Of Islamic Transnational Terrorism: An Exploratory Study, Richard Bryant Culp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) declared its caliphate in June 2014, there has been an unprecedented amount of terrorist attacks conducted in the West by individuals either inspired by jihadist ideology or linked to ISIS. As evidenced by the number of ISIS-related attacks throughout Europe and North America, the West faces an ongoing and persistent transnational threat from Islamic terrorism. There is an extensive amount of literature on terrorism and ISIS. However, there is a gap in literature on the potential impact of ISIS on the future of Islamic terrorism. This qualitative case study explored how …

Achieving Improved Glycemic Control Among Hispanic Type 2 Diabetic Adults, Morenike Oyegbami

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes is a major chronic health disease in the United States. A main concern of clinicians treating patients with Type 2 diabetes is poor glycemic control. The goal of this project was to improve glycemic control in Type 2 diabetic Hispanic adult patients in a private family practice clinic through the implementation of biweekly telephonic intervention focused on diabetes management by an advanced practice nurse/nurse practitioner. The project was guided by the chronic care model as a framework. The intervention was conducted over a 12-week period with 50 patients, ages 18 to 65. Data were collected from chart …

The Effects Of Sexual Education On Sexual Behaviors Of Adolescents In Rural Jamaica, Deborah Simmonds

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adolescent pregnancy and the sexual behaviors of adolescents continue to be robust public health and social problems in Caribbean countries such as Jamaica. Numerous researchers have conducted studies on the impact of sex education on sexual behaviors and pregnancy patterns among adolescents with mixed results (i.e., a lack of knowledge) especially in rural communities. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the impact of school- or home-based sex education on sexual behavior and pregnancy patterns of adolescents aged 15 —19 years in the rural community of St. Thomas, Jamaica. The parental expansion of the theory of planned behavior and …

Factors For Parent-Reported Adhd Diagnosis In Hispanic Elementary School-Aged Children, Maria Elva Diaz-Garcia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects a sizable number of children ages 4 to 17 and can be impairing into adulthood. Genetics are partly responsible, but research shows that psychosocial disparity and the interaction of select demographic factors significantly influence ADHD prevalence. There is limited research on the primary factors for an ADHD diagnosis in Hispanic elementary school-aged children. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional survey research was to determine the impact of disparity and interaction of psychosocial factors on an ADHD diagnosis. The research questions asked whether there was a relationship between the independent variables (mother's marital status, family income, …

Hispanic Parents' Perceptions Of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination For Male Children, Christy Dubuisson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hispanic Americans experience a disparate burden of human papillomavirus vaccination (HPV)-related cancers. Despite vaccine availability, HPV vaccine uptake amid Hispanic American adolescent males in the United States is under the national goal. Furthermore, childhood vaccination compliance is driven by the parents; yet, there is little research on parents' perceptions of HPV vaccination of male children. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the attitudes, beliefs, concerns, and decision- making factors of Hispanic American parents of male children aged 11- to 13- years-old surrounding HPV vaccination. The health belief model provided the framework for the study. Face-to-face interviews were …

Bioterrorism Hardening: An Exploratory Study Of Emts Preparedness And Practices, Ndubuisi Chinemerem Ejike

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The 2001 anthrax attacks heightened awareness of the possibility of weaponizing biological agents such as Ebola, anthrax, and smallpox and hence, the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 to prevent biological attacks and reduce bioterrorism threats and vulnerabilities. However, the 2014 Ebola epidemic raised concerns about unpreparedness for bioterrorism within the healthcare community and about secondary infections from healthcare workers. Using Kingdon's conceptualization of multiple streams as the foundation, the purpose of this case study was to explore the nature of bioterrorism threats and the level of preparedness of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who were involved in the 2014 Ebola epidemic in …

Prostate Cancer Screening Rates For Haitian Men Based On Demographic Characteristics, Wilgyms St-Hilaire

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cancer screening is useful for improving survival rates and treatment outcomes, which is why there are screening recommendations for the most prevalent types of cancer. Despite gains in the reduction of cancer-related mortality rate worldwide in the past few years, the Haitian community continues to experience high mortality rates due to cancer. The prevalence of prostate cancer in the Haitian population is among the highest worldwide at 767 per 100,000, with a mortality rate of 403 per 100,000. One of the causes may be the low prostate cancer screening rate in the Haitian community; however, no studies have been focused …

Comprehending Support Decisions Of Undergraduates Who Experienced Anxiety And Depression, David Vera

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A West Coast university has had an increase of students who have experienced anxiety or depression over the last few years and have not sought professional assistance. Students have stated that multiple factors contributed to their anxiety or depression, including difficulty adjusting to their new college environment. This challenge has disrupted students' academic performances and often left them without professional help to deal with their anxiety or depression. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to increase understanding of factors that lead undergraduate students to experience anxiety and depression and factors that led to their decision to seek or …

Patient Safety Problems, Procedures, And Systems Associated With Safety Reporting And Turnover, Grace Hilario

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has shown that 400,000 people die every year due to preventable medical errors. Medical error reporting and safety is a responsibility of all members of a health care organization. Creating an environment that addresses and prevents potential or actual safety problems can help reduce the incidence of medical errors made by nurses in the workplace. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine if nurses' perceptions of safety problems and error-preventing procedures and systems affected their comfort in reporting safety problems and intent to leave. High-reliability theory was the theoretical foundation for this study. Data were obtained …

Strategies For Preventing Financial Fraud In Church Organizations In Ghana, Albert Rockson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial fraud in church organizations is increasing rapidly, which can affect the reputation, donation appeal, future funding, and ability of church organizations to meet their planned organizational goals. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies for preventing financial fraud in church organizations. The conceptual framework for the study was Cressey’s fraud triangle theory. Twenty participants who utilize strategies for preventing financial fraud in their organizations were purposively selected from 5 church organizations in Ghana. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analysis of organizational financial policy documents. Interview data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed with Saldaña’s …

African American Parents' Perceptions Of Childhood Obesity In Broward County, Kenol Aris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children may become overweight or obese for different reasons, and childhood obesity may have health consequences such as Type 2 diabetes and asthma. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the perceptions of African American parents of elementary-age children with obesity living in Broward County, Florida about the causes and consequences of childhood obesity. The health belief model (HBM) guided this study. Interview data were gathered from 9 participants who met the criteria of being African American parents of elementary-age children with obesity living in Broward County, Florida. Moustakas- steps to analyze the data collected led to …

Negative Appraisal Correlation To Ptsd Symptoms Among Law Enforcement Officers, Ginger Lee Jenkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Law enforcement officers are exposed to traumatic events through their daily work responsibilities. Traumatic events have increased within recent decades and can have long-term and critical outcomes on officers such as health concerns, long-term psychological issues, social impairment, and work performance. Thus, this quantitative study was conducted to explore negative appraisals of cumulative traumatic events and their relation to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in law enforcement officers. Based on the theoretical framework for the study, Ehlers and Clark's cognitive model, negative appraisals involve how an individual interprets a situation, negative appraisals of traumatic events lead to maladaptive behavior and …

The Role Of The Physicians' Assistant In Trinidad And Tobago's Healthcare System, Martha Ann Pamponette

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The profession of physicians' assistant was introduced in the 1960s to assist with physician shortages in the United States of America. Since then, some countries have introduced this profession to fill the gaps that exist in the physician shortages problem in their health care system. Yet, in many countries like Trinidad and Tobago, this role remains absent from the health care system. The objective of this study was to assess how professionalization supports the introduction of the physicians' assistant role in Trinidad and Tobago. Using the theory of profession as a theoretical framework, and through an evaluation of institutional, regulatory, …

Resilience Building In Biracial And Multiracial, Bisexual Adults: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Melissa Gale Swartz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Until recently, society and science often ignored, erased, and avoided bisexual women and men and individuals with biracial and multiracial identities, and rarely considered these identities simultaneously. Prior research has shown that some lesbians and gay people of color exhibit resilience against sexual minority stress due in part to an inoculating effect of exposure to racism earlier in life. However, little is known about the lived experience of thriving, resilient bisexual multiracial individuals. In the tradition of positive psychology and context of intersectionality theory, this qualitative study explored how multiracial bisexual individuals develop and maintain flourishing well-€being despite sociocultural factors …

Improving Interdepartmental Care Collaboration For Pregnant Patients, Michelle Anne Ott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Communication is vital to improve patient care outcomes, especially with high acuity patients. Pregnant patients differ from other patient populations because their care involves 2 entities: the patient (mother-to-be) and her unborn fetus. There has been a noted gap in communication and care collaboration between the emergency department (ED) and obstetric (OB) teams at the project site, resulting in delays for patients and lack of appropriate maternal/fetal assessment and contributing negatively to patients' experiences. Using transitions theory and the Rosswurm and Larrabee model, a clinical practice guideline (CPG) inclusive of an obstetrically focused algorithm was developed and presented for use …

The Coping Strategies Of Alpha-1 Deficient Patients And Their Family Caregivers, Nicolette Bruscino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, for which there is no cure, is one of the most lethal genetic diseases among the European White population. Early and proper diagnosis is challenging, as understanding how both alpha-1 antitrypsin deficient patients and their family caregivers cope with their related stressors on a daily basis. This qualitative phenomenological study incorporated the biopsychosocial approach, the Bowen family systems theory, and the family systems model of illness to examine the experiences of Alpha-1 patients and their family caregivers related to living with the disease and coping strategies. Participants were recruited with the assistance of a national organization that …

Impact Of Temporary Assistance For Needy Families On Poverty Rates In Kansas, Carla Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The impact of the length of time that Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients receive benefits on their path out of poverty is not clear. The purpose of this qualitative study with a phenomenological design was to increase understanding of the comparative experiences of TANF recipients who reached their lifetime limit of 60 or 24 months to determine the impact of time limits on their path out of poverty and the fulfillment of the TANF goal and second purpose. Human capital theory provided the framework for the study. Using a purposive, homogenous sampling method, 6 social service professionals were …

Health Care Leaders' Strategies To Reduce Nursing Turnover, John Clayton Phelps

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care leaders who lack effective nurse turnover strategies can negatively affect patient quality of care, productivity, and profitability. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies health care leaders used to reduce nursing turnover in a health care organization. The conceptual framework for this study was Herzberg's 2-factor theory. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 4 health care leaders in the West Texas region who had a history of reducing nurse turnover for a minimum of 5 years from the date of hire, and from review of organizational documents related to the strategies to reduce …

Juvenile Detention Center Effects On Futures Of At-Risk Youth, Jennifer Lynn Zitterkopf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juvenile Detention Center Effects on Futures of At-Risk Youth

by

Jennifer L. Turner

MS, Walden University, 2014

BS, University of Maryland University College, 2011

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Forensic Psychology

Walden University

August 2019

Many juvenile offenders return to the justice system after serving their incarceration sentences. Detaining youth has a negative impact on their mental health, education, employment, and ability to secede from a criminogenic life course. Identifying detention center effects on youths' futures can provide further insight on why the current approach does not successfully deter youth from …