Digital Commons Network^™

Program For Dementia Group Music Therapy In Long-Term Care, Alfonso Cruz Manuel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a need for evidence-based nonpharmacological nursing management skills fordementia that are low-cost and effective in managing common symptoms such as agitation. Music-based therapy is a nonpharmacological intervention shown by evidencebased studies to be effective in the management of dementia. The gap in practice is that there was no evidence-based group music therapy programs in this family-based long- term care setting for dementia patients. This project employed a multidisciplinary effort to formulate an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for implementing group music therapy program. The clinical practice question was whether a multidisciplinary team can agree on the guideline for implementing …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Human Resources Managers Hiring Applicants With Past Criminal Convictions, Semone Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Felony convictions leave ex-offenders searching for employment but are regularly denied jobs due to their status as past felons. Inability to obtain employment has been shown to increase recidivism. The research problem was that the hiring managers' perception of the applicants with past criminal convictions could distort their hiring decisions. This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experiences of seven human resources managers within New York City through random sampling. This study's conceptual framework was grounded in Durkheim's labeling and Goffman's social stigma theories. The research question asked what the lived experiences of hiring managers were when …

Designing A Standardized Workflow For Improved Contract Administration In Non-Profit Organizations, Shaneva D. Mcreynolds

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored a process that can help nonprofit organizations design and implement a new contract management system with a standardized workflow associated with administering their government contracts. The problem directly resulted in a decrease in efficiency and profitability for the organization. A mixed method study was conducted based on the business process reengineering (BPR) model. Previous studies have indicated that additional knowledge and development is required in the area of BPR implementation. Critical sources of evidence in the study included the partner organization’s stakeholders, its staff, including those of its subsidiaries, and peer-reviewed literature. Qualitative interviews with 10 participants …

Factors Influencing Burnout Among African American Clergy, Antoinette Moyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human service professionals such as clergy have taken part in the connection of community to public policy awareness through their leadership and advocacy especially in the Black community. Research has identified burnout in clergy; however, there is minimal research to offer insight on factors of burnout for African American clergy through exploring whether a relationship existed between burnout and transformational leadership. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to analyze the influencing factors of burnout among African American clergy. Effort–reward imbalance and person–environment fit theories were used as theoretical foundation to support the findings. An electronic survey was distributed …

Perspectives Of Law Enforcement Officers In A Suburban Community On Use Of Body Cameras, Todd Samuel Nagbe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

As law enforcement in the United States struggles to improve relationships with the communities they serve, especially in the wake of unprecedented police use of deadly force incidents, police community relations continue to deteriorate. With advancements in technology and the creation and introduction of the Internet, footage of police misconduct including the use of deadly force has been shared on social media in real time. This has made situations between the community and police fragile to a point where it sometimes results in rioting and other public disturbances. Many have asked if the introduction of police worn-body camera systems …

Lifestyle Modifications To Reduce Hypertension In Obese Patients: A Clinical Practice Guideline, Tiffany Lynn Oates

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States, obesity affects almost 50% of the population with estimates of 60–70% of hypertension in adults attributable to adiposity. The practice gap addressed in this project is a lack of standardized patient education on lifestyle modifications aimed at reducing hypertension in the obese patient, which is the recommended first line of treatment for these patients. The practice focused questions were answered when evidence from the literature supported the implementation of a clinical practice guideline developed from evidence-based literature focused on patient education about lifestyle modification as the initial treatment for the reduction of hypertension in the obese …

Predictors Of Medication Alternative Cost-Saving Strategies Among Adults With Type 2-Diabetes, Olaseni Solomon Oduwaye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the United States experience a significant financial burden in managing their condition due to prescription medication, higher out-of-pocket (OOP) costs, number of prescribed medications, and health insurance status to stay compliant with their medications. This study examined the association between the alternative medication cost-saving strategies, including obtaining free samples from doctors or patient assistance programs, splitting pills or changing dosage frequency, purchasing from other countries, purchasing over the internet, and the three independent variables among adults diagnosed with T2D. Reasoned action approach theory helped guide how external factors may influence an alternative medication …

Strategies For Hiring Candidates Who Can Pass A Drug Test In The U.S. Manufacturing Sector, Michael Olson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some manufacturing business leaders struggle to hire candidates due to drug usage, which negatively impacts profitability. Grounded in Vroom’s expectancy theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies manufacturing business leaders use to hire candidates who can pass a drug test in the southeast region of the United States. Participants included four manufacturing business leaders with at least 1 year of ownership or 5 years of managerial experience who implemented strategies for hiring candidates who could pass a drug test. Data were collected using semistructured audio interviews and documents, such as U.S. drug and alcohol policies …

Association Between Family Structure And Childhood Obesity In Essex County, Nj., Chima Tony Onyeagoro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders in children in the United States. There are many factors associated with childhood obesity, but there is limited information about the association between family structure and childhood obesity. This quantitative retrospective cross-sectional study, guided by the Social Ecological Model, was carried out to identify the effect of family structure on childhood obesity. For this study, the 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) of children 6-13 years old residing in the state of New Jersey was analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between family structure and obesity, …

Assessing Cancer And Heart Disease Occurrence From Groundwater Contaminated With Volatile Organic Compounds, Courtnie S. Owens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study examined the effects of the toxic chemicals contained in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on cancer occurrence and heart disease through occupational and environmental exposure to groundwater sources. This study was important because it provided critical insight for the public health community on the association between variations of past and current levels of VOCs in water sources and cancers and heart disease. The key research questions examined what proportion of occupational and nonoccupational individuals in southeastern North Carolina were diagnosed with cancer or heart disease and whether VOCs were associated with the long-term effects of cancer or heart disease …

Evaluation Of An Orientation Program For Graduate Nurses Transitioning Into Professional Practice, Kristy Patrick-Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transition from student nurse to practicing professional is extremely challenging. The local organization experienced increases in turnover among new graduate hires and determined that adjustments to their orientation program to better meet the needs of new graduates were warranted. The problem that this doctoral project addressed is the lack of evaluation of the effectiveness of the new orientation program. The practice-focused question examined the effectiveness of the new orientation program at reducing turnover and improving satisfaction with the quality of the orientation program among new graduate nurses. The framework used to guide this study was Patricia Benner’s novice to …

Children's Body Mass Index Before And After Covid-19 Related Childcare Center Closures, Ericka L. Peterson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prolonged childcare center closures due to COVID-19 restrictions have changed children’s health-related behaviors that may result in an increased risk in childhood obesity. Grounded in the social ecological model, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences in body mass index (BMI), physical activity, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and screen time among preschool aged children enrolled in the Merced County Office of Education Head Start program before and after COVID-19 related Head Start center closures. A quantitative, longitudinal study design using secondary data from ChildPlus was used. The paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to …

Faculty Perceptions Of Organizational Learning In Indian University International Partnership Programs, Thomas Puduppulliparamban Anthappan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the increase in international twinning programs in Indian higher education since the mid-1990s, there is little understanding of how institutions facilitate faculty learning or adopt organizational refinement strategies, or how organizational learning contributes to institutional capacity. The purpose of this study was to understand the perspectives of faculty regarding the organizational learning that may occur at Indian higher education institutions that participate in international twinning programs. Participants were recruited using purposeful and chain sampling for a total of eight Indian higher education faculty who were employed at an Indian higher education institution, had participated in the twinning programs, and …

Administrators’ Perceptions Of Mindfulness Practices In Southeastern, Racially And Ethnically Diverse Urban Elementary Schools, Sakima Romero-Chandler

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMindfulness practices are increasingly used in schools; however, there is a gap in practice when it comes to their use. The problem investigated through this basic qualitative study was the implementation of school mindfulness practice (SMP) of elementary school administrators in a large, urban area in the southeast United States. The purpose of this project study was to understand urban elementary school administrators’ perceptions of the implementation of SMP in predominantly racially and ethnically diverse, urban elementary schools. The conceptual framework was the instructional leadership model of Murphey, Hallinger, Weil, and Mittman that emphasizes the importance of understanding administrative functions, …

Influences Of 12-Hour Shifts On Unhealthy Eating Habits Of Acute Care Nurses, Ruth Sawdy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Shift work is a necessary part of a nurses’ work schedule to patients who need 24 hours of continuous care. Eating habits of nurses are influenced by working long hours, not having adequate time to take a meal break, and not having access to healthy food choices which can cause stress and exhaustion and results in weight gain and obesity. The purpose of this quantitative logistic regression analysis, guided by the health belief model and the theory of planned behavior, was to determine if there was a relationship between shift work and the unhealthy eating habits/obesity rates of acute care …

Effective Educational Leadership Styles, Capabilities, Best Practices, Capacities, And Sustainable Strategies In Caribbean Countries, Finan Herbert Sabaroche

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSecondary school leaders of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, a subgrouping of the Caribbean Community, were concerned with understanding and using effective leadership. The problem was that difficulties persisted in determining and applying the essential leadership features and related factors to influence and improve the learning outcomes. This generic qualitative study aimed to explore the features and leaders’ perceptions to understand and apply effective leadership to influence learning, school climate, and societal development outcomes in three Caribbean countries. The conceptual and empirical evidence and leaders’ perceptions of the features, factors, and archival data helped clarify the problem and guide …

The Moderating Role Of Emotional Intelligence On Remote Work-Related Stresses During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Devon Michelle Scherer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees were laid off, furloughed, and forced to work remotely with no time to prepare for the drastic shift in routine. Those working from home have sometimes found it challenging to maintain boundaries between work and family, often leading to decreased overall psychological well-being. Research suggests that individuals with high levels of emotional intelligence (EI) may be better equipped to regulate their emotions during stressful times. Informed by EI theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the potential for ability EI to influence work stresses associated with stay-at-home orders …

Hospital Leaders’ Strategies For Reducing Expenditures Of A Hospital Supply Chain, Anusorn Schneckenaichner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital leaders are challenged to reduce expenditures that contribute to the overall care for patients. Ineffective strategies to manage medical supply expenditures can increase costs for patient care. Guided by social cognitive theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies hospital leaders used to reduce medical supply expenditures to sustain the rising costs of overall healthcare in the United States. The participants comprised six hospital leaders in the United States who implemented successful strategies to reduce expenditures on medical supplies. Data were collected from documents and through semistructured interviews. Three themes emerged from a five-step …

Organizational Commitment As A Mediator Between Organizational Climate And Employee Silence, Jennifer Sherer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unethical organizational behavior negatively impacts organizations, and despite the benefits of whistleblowing, some employees are hesitant to report employee misconduct. The specific research problem examined factors that influence employee silence when confronted with employee misconduct. Prior researchers have explored how organizational climate and organizational commitment can contribute to or inhibit the decision to report misconduct. What remained unclear is how these factors may interact on their influence on employee silence. The purpose of this study was to examine whether organizational commitment mediated the relationship between organizational climate and employee silence. The theoretical foundations for this study were the social information …

Mental Health Counselors’ Use Of Complementary And Alternative Approaches For Treating Individuals With Anxiety Disorders, Jane Rose Simmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide. Traditional counseling approaches do not address the evolving needs of individuals with anxiety disorders, and information is scarce regarding counselors’ use of complementary and alternative approaches in treating anxiety disorders. The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to investigate whether counselors’ knowledge, perceptions, intentional practices, and openness predicted their use of complementary and alternative approaches in counseling individuals with anxiety disorders. The integrative mental health model for the conceptual framework guided this study. The research questions examined how five variables—spirituality, specialization, types of anxiety disorders treated, training, …

Treatment Outcomes And Associated Factors In Tb/Hiv-Coinfected Patients In Namibia, Esland Shilongo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHIV and TB have merged into a deadly co-epidemic in Namibia. Currently, though, TB and HIV data at the national, regional, and district level might be underreported and insufficient to understand the full burden and outcome rates of TB and HIV. Targeting the TB outcomes rate among TB/HIV-coinfected individuals is an effective strategy for decreasing future TB burden and furthering the gains in the control of both diseases. The objective of this study was: to assess the outcomes of patients registered for anti-TB treatment in //Karas Region which has the largests burden of TB in Namibia. A 5-year retrospective cohort …

Parental Involvement In College Application Decisions Of Low-Income Students, Felicia Nicole Simmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nearly 27% of free and reduced-priced meal (FARM) high school students in an eastern state graduated in 2016–2017. Of these students, about 50% enrolled in college within one year after high school graduation. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental correlational design study was to explore a possible reason for low college enrollment for FARM students by examining the relationship between parental involvement, FARM status, and low college application rates. The research question addressed the relationship between parental involvement, students’ FARM status, and the number of college applications. The theoretical framework was Epstein’s model of parental involvement, which is about how …

Lived Experiences Of African American Women Climbing The Corporate Ladder For Executive Positions In Healthcare Administration, Oriaku Hampton Sowell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The need for strong African American leadership and increased diversity remains a significant challenge in healthcare. While the issue of women in executive healthcare leadership has gained awareness, they remain underrepresented in the industry. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study collected data from 12 participants through semistructured in-depth interviews. In this study, the experiences and perceptions of African American women regarding the limited number of women being promoted to executive roles were examined. The glass ceiling and critical race theories were the theoretical foundation used to cultivate a voice for African American women who aspire to healthcare executive roles. However, findings …

Challenges Faced By Executive Leaders At Schools For The Deaf, Michelle Therese Tanner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hiring and sustaining qualified executive leaders at schools and programs for the Deaf continue to be challenging for board members and communities. More information is needed to understand issues contributing to the retention and recruitment of these executive leaders. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand factors that contribute to retention and recruitment in these positions and to learn possible solutions for overcoming challenges. An economic labor market theory for superintendents informed the study. Data were collected via interviews with 11 executive leaders from public and private schools for the Deaf from different regions of the United …

Strategies To Recruit Underrepresented Groups' To Middle And Senior Management Positions In Financial Services, Natalie Tavale

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Consumers may avoid financial institutions that lack representation of underrepresented groups, severely impacting profitability. Grounded in the human motivation theory, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore strategies to recruit underrepresented groups to middle and senior-level positions in the financial industry. The participants included six senior executives from the Eastern U.S. region financial institutions who implemented successful recruiting strategies for underrepresented groups to middle and senior-level positions. The data sources were semistructured interviews and a review of public organization documents. The three emerging themes from the thematic analysis were: mentoring programs, recruiting firms, and diversifying the pipeline. …

Foot Reflexology And Type 2 Diabetes: Analyzing Hba1c, Perceived Stress, Coping Ability, And Sense Of Coherence, Margaret A. Vance

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are 28.7 million people diagnosed with diabetes and 8.5 million undiagnosed, with another 96 million prediabetic in the United States. Diabetes health care cost in the United States is $327 billion in 2017. Type 2 diabetes constitutes 90-95% of those numbers. Type 2 diabetes has many psychosocial factors plagued by stress that advance this illness. Foot reflexology has addressed these psychosocial factors with other illnesses. The conceptual framework of this study were the stress and coping theory, cognitive activation theory of stress, and the sense of coherence theory. The purpose of this study was to analyze type 2 diabetics …

Millennial Motivation For Nonprofit Arts And Culture Organizations, Rebekah Wagenbach

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many arts-related nonprofit organizations rely on a volunteer labor force and often face difficulties fulfilling their missions without successful recruitment and retention efforts. Millennials make up almost a third of the volunteer force. This research focused specifically on members of the Millennial generation and their relationship with arts and culture-related nonprofit organizations in their communities for the purpose of helping these types of organizations recruit, retain, and manage volunteers from this age group. The theoretical foundation for this research consisted of public service motivation theory and generational cohort theory. The research question examined the primary motivations for Millennial adults born …

Enhancing Non-Profit Organizations To Reach Wider Audiences, Fredrick Wallace Sr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current study analyzed the Youth Service Center in a Southwest State’s marketing techniques and provided recommendations for change. The Youth Center in West Texas made use of all accessible marketing strategies and, their respective conversion rates were assessed. The theoretical framework of this study was based on Suchman's typology theory and a qualitative technique (online questionnaire) was used to obtain data using the Survey Hero software. Data were collected from 24 respondents including 14 stakeholders, five customers, four managers, and the CEO using simple random sampling. Data were collected from Youth Center in West Texas, a Texas-based nonprofit, for …

Veteran Social Justice Teacher Challenges And Retention, I'Asha S. Warfield

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractTeacher attrition disproportionately affects schools that have high populations of students who are socio-economically disadvantaged and/or high populations of students of color. The retention of social justice teachers is specifically important at high-needs schools because these teachers help to address both educational and social inequality. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how experienced teachers who identify themselves as social justice educators describe why they stay in the classroom despite perceived emotional challenges and what supports they recommend to keep social justice teachers in the classroom. The concepts of purpose, identity, and power, culture, and context from Hargreaves’s …

Faculty Perspectives On Quality Of Online Courses In Health Education And Promotion Programs, Dana Wawrzyniec

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The need to make quick transitions online due to COVID-19 challenged many Health Education and Promotion (HEP) faculty to identify how to create quality online HEP courses. A review of the literature identified the need for qualitative research on the quality of online courses from the faculty’s perspective. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of HEP faculty at multiple universities, in terms of the organization and facilitation of their online courses, communication between instructor and student, and assessment of students. The community of inquiry (COI) framework, which evaluates the teaching, social, and …