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The Examination Of Servant Leadership Style On Employee Empowerment And Employee Resistance, Michael J. Ojeda

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is little known about the impact of servant leadership style on organizations and limited research examining social exchange theory related to employees’ perceptions. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational research study was to examine social exchange theory related to employees’ perceptions of servant leadership style, employee empowerment, and employee resistance within small businesses. The general management problem is employees' perceptions of servant leadership style, employee empowerment, and employee resistance that these perceptions could decrease employee engagement in small businesses. Because influencing employees’ perceptions could lead to positive work outcomes and attitudes, this study addressed the relationship between employees’ perceptions …

Veteran K–5 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Implementing Blended Learning As An Innovation For English Language Art Instruction, Faith Lajoy Roberts-Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The phenomenon of interest in this study was veteran K–5 English language arts (ELA) teachers’ perceptions of blended learning as an educational innovation setting and how they perceived the implementation of blended learning into their instructional routine. Blended learning is normally used in higher-level education but is now also used in the K–5 setting. Blended learning requires students to learn in a brick-and-mortar class setting and through online instruction using technology. Existing research on blended learning primarily focuses on the technological aspects and not veteran K–5 ELA teachers’ implementation of blended learning in public elementary schools. The purpose of this …

New Leader Mentorship Program Preparing Frontline Nurse Leaders For Success, Melanie S. Smith-Fortney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A new nurse leader often enters their role with minimal training. The absence of a structured orientation leaves new leaders without the advanced knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this complex role, increasing the risk of stress and burnout. This staff education project addressed whether providing the educational framework found within the American Organization for Nurse Leaders (AONL) nurse manager competencies would improve nurses’ knowledge to lead departmental operations and personnel for the new nurse leader. Duchscher’s stages of transition theory focused on the emotional aspects of transitioning into a new role. The AONL Nurse Leader Competency Assessment Tool: …

Lived Experiences Of African American Women Encountering Barriers In Executive Level Advancement In The Business Services Industry, Sheriley Yvonne Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is unknown how African American Women (AAW) perceived experiences involving the experience of the barriers faced when attempting to advance to executive levels in their corporate jobs. Existing literature showed that AAWs experienced several forms of discrimination, including racism, oppression, and limitations which were critical to examining their work experience and progressing up the corporate ladder. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to develop an understanding of lived experiences of AAWs when they apply for and fail to reach executive positions in the business services industry. The glass ceiling theory (GCT) and intersectionality theory (IT) were used …

Preincarceration Collaborative Religious Coping Strategies Of Black Males With A History Of A Criminal Offense, Pearlette E. Springer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans are 56% of the incarcerated population in the United States. Black males spend an average of 13.4% of their working lives incarcerated and 82.6% of their working lives addressing the stigma and restrictions associated with incarceration. The purpose of this study was to address a gap in research by exploring the preincarceration collaborative religious coping strategy experiences of Black males with a history of criminal offenses. Pargament’s theory of collaborative religious coping strategy guided the research, interview questions, and data analysis. The qualitative narrative approach with purposeful and snowball sampling was used to recruit and collect data from …

Strategies To Retain Employees In The Mental Health Workplace, Chauncey Janielle Strange

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover continues to be an issue in the mental health community as mental health business leaders lack strategies to retain employees. Retention strategies are essential to promote continuity, funding, and profitability for mental health agencies and quality service care for patients. Grounded in Bass’s transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies mental health business leaders use to retain employees. Participants comprised three mental health center managers from a state agency in northern Louisiana who contributed to employee retention. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of organization performance evaluations, …

Strategies For Diverse Membership Recruitment And Retention In Nonprofit Organizations, Portia G. Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Incorporating diversity is essential to the survival of nonprofit organizations. This qualitative single case study was important to membership-based nonprofit organization leaders because recruitment and retention strategies contribute to organizational diversity. Grounded in critical multicultural marketing theory, the study was conducted to explore the strategies that nonprofit organization leaders used to recruit and retain a diversified membership. Data were collected from three participants, who were nonprofit organization leaders in the eastern United States, through semistructured interviews, and review of organizational documents and reports, social media, and internet reports. The data were thematically analyzed and two themes emerged: (a) recognition and …

Exploring Barriers To Accessing Funding For Individuals With Dementia Who Reside In Long-Term Care Facilities, Gwendolyn Cox Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMedicare and Medicaid are the most used funding sources for long term care (LTC); however, they are insufficient to pay for all social activities needed by individuals with dementia who reside in LTC facilities in the United States. Barriers in accessing funding to provide social activities for these individuals were explored though the theoretical lens of a logic model related to funding. A qualitative exploratory case study design was used to find not only the barriers of accessing funding but also the type of available funding and the eligibility criteria for receiving funds for social activities for those with dementia …

Veterans’ Experience With Social Acceptance After Beginning Civilian Employment, Dr. Mike Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractWhen an individual feels excluded from a group that they seek to be a part of, they experience negative physiological and psychological outcomes. The innate human need to be socially accepted is identified and described in elements of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and McClelland’s human motivation theory. Social acceptance has also been shown to play an integral role in areas of communication, organizational commitment, performance, and team cohesiveness. However, it is not known if social acceptance directly impacts a veteran’s ability and desire to maintain civilian employment after transitioning from active-duty service. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study …

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

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

Educating Providers And Nurses On Human Trafficking, Valerie Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human trafficking is a global public health problem. Victims of human trafficking experience higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive damage, sexual violence, infertility, and mental and behavioral issues. To help end human trafficking, which is potentially deadly, raising awareness about this topic is essential for victim survival. A gap in practice among staff at a community health center regarding recognition of victims of human trafficking and procedures for potential victims was identified. An education program focused on increasing knowledge and awareness was developed to close this gap. Guided by Watson’s theory of human caring, a 30-minute educational session followed …

An Exploration Of The Lived Experiences Of Special Education Teachers Engaged In Mentoring Programs For Novice Teachers, Donna M. Sowerby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Beginning special education teachers often leave the field within the first 3–5 years of employment. There is ample research available on mentoring programs for beginning teachers. However, limited research exists on mentoring programs for beginning special education teachers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of novice special education teachers in urban schools to broaden the current understanding regarding their perceptions of mentoring. Self-determination theory was the conceptual framework for examining the mentoring relationships and the participants’ perceptions. Using a phenomenological approach, in-depth face-to-face interviews were used with a purposeful sample of 10 novice …

Medication Versus Mindfulness Meditation On Symptoms Of Adhd In Adult Women, Maria Skoulidas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractA recent spike has occurred in women diagnosed with less common and often overlooked ADHD symptoms. Using the mindfulness to meaning theory as the foundation, this study was conducted to explore how mindfulness meditation (MM) and medication affected three related factors commonly found in women with ADHD, self-concept, risky behaviors, and familial relationships. The research questions were formulated to determine if there was a difference in subscale scores of each variable based on the type of treatment the participant was using, either mindfulness meditation (MM) or prescription medication, to deal with ADHD symptoms. A pre-experimental static group comparison design was …

Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Instructional Strategies For Reading, Erin Sponaugle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated in this study was decreasing annual reading proficiency among students in intermediate elementary grades (Grades 3-5). Deficiencies in reading proficiency can negatively impact overall student achievement. The purpose of this study was to investigate intermediate elementary teachers’ perceptions of their instructional strategies to improve students’ reading proficiency and potentially increase Generalized Summative Assessment scores. The conceptual framework was Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development theory. The key research questions were about elementary reading teachers’ perceptions of effective instructional practices used to increase students’ reading proficiency and elementary reading teachers’ perceptions about teachers’ instructional strengths and challenges associated with …

Race As A Predictor Of Co-Rumination In Friendship Among Adolescents, Jendayi A. Stafford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Co-rumination refers to the excessive and extensive discussion and revisiting of problems and negative feelings within dyadic relationships. Differences in friendships concerning co-rumination have found that girls co-ruminate more than boys, however, researchers have not examined the relations between the racial composition of friend dyads and co-rumination in the friendships of adolescents. Theoretical frameworks included response styles theory and fictive kin theory. The study involved secondary analyses of an archival data set in which adolescents responded to surveys about co-rumination and their same-sex friendships. The population used for the study consisted of 265 adolescent friend dyads from a town in …

Theoretical Orientation Beliefs Among Adventure Therapy Professionals, Edward Spaulding

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adventure therapy as a therapeutic model for the treatment of mental health has been a growing area of psychology for more than 50 years. This quantitative study was conducted to explore the theoretical orientation beliefs to clarify the theoretical framework of this therapeutic approach using Coleman’s theoretical evaluation self-test (TEST) to gather data on self-identified adventure therapy practitioners’ theoretical beliefs. Data were collected from 150 participants recruited through their membership or affiliation with adventure therapy professional organizations or social media groups. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test to determine if adventure therapy professionals have higher scores on the cognitive, …

Clinical Research Principal Investigators’ Perspectives Of Improving The Diversity Of Clinical Research Participants, Nadine Hyacinth Spring

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinical trials are needed to make new medications, devices, and diagnostic tools available. Participants in these clinical trials have historically come from a homogeneous group, and there is a recognized need for increased diversity and representation in these clinical research studies. The absence of diversity in clinical trials makes it difficult for clinicians and researchers to know which medications and devices are safe and effective for specific populations. This basic qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to explore the experiences of clinical research principal investigators regarding diversity in clinical research studies and how to improve it. The theoretical framework for this …

Black/African American Men’S Lived Experiences Of Workplace Colorism Bullying, Dr. Benjamin K. Spady Ph.D

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bullying in the U.S. workplace is an ongoing issue that transcends industry boundaries due to perpetrators’ ineffectiveness in viewing all coworkers as equals. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis study was to explore the lived experiences of Black/African American men who endure workplace colorism bullying. Critical race theory provided the conceptual framework, which labeled racism as an omnipresent systemic force. Semistructured interview data were collected from six Black/African American men who resided in the United States and who were bullied in the workplace within the past 20 years. Data were coded via open coding to discover themes. The …

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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

Moral Injury Themes Involving Criminal Recklessness Among Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder, Sandra Starch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Moral injury (MI) can emerge following transgressive acts against one’s deeply held moral beliefs. Its symptomology involves individual psychological, spiritual, behavioral, and social spheres. It has primarily been studied within the military and in a few select civilian populations. This descriptive phenomenological study involved exploring MI themes among adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who had engaged in criminally reckless acts. Data collected from semi-structured interviews with eight participants were coded and analyzed, leading to six major themes revealing the symptomology of MI. Responses from study participants supported Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance via their descriptions of alcohol abuse cycles …

Incorporating Mind-Body Therapies In Behavioral Health To Improve Patient Outcomes, Silvia Stark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMental health disorders are a global epidemic that continue to drain society of money, resources, and overall human life expectancy. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to analyze how a behavioral health organization that provides mind body therapies, such as yoga and meditation, in conjunction with clinical interventions to treat mental health disorders contributed to providing quality care and better patient outcomes. Currently, the behavioral health organization included mind body therapies within a clinical session and their goal was to separate yoga and meditation from a clinical session as reimbursable and evidence-based treatment for individuals with mental health …

Mental Health Professionals’ Perceptions Of Referrals To School-Based Mental Services Among Elementary Students, Dr. Adrienne L. Stephens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractBarriers exist to the referral process for mental-health services among elementary-school students from the perspective of school-based mental-health service professionals. The problem addressed in this study was that lack of mental-health referrals can delay or prevent treatment of mental-health issues, causing those mental-health problems to worsen over time. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of school-based mental-health service professionals regarding these barriers to mental-health referrals. Pescosolido’s theory of the revised network model was the guiding conceptual framework for this study. The study was guided by research questions focused on how school-based mental-health professionals perceived …

Middle School Teacher Perceptions Of The Use Of Serious Games For Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Latoyia R. Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood neurodevelopment disorder, and digital serious game use has recently shown significant promise in this psychotherapeutic area. Digital serious games have also been used as an innovative teaching and learning approach. The purpose of this study was to explore middle school teachers’ perceptions of the use of digital serious games for students with ADHD. The conceptual framework for this study was Sherry’s model of game engagement. The two research questions for this basic qualitative study focused on middle school teacher perceptions regarding the benefits and challenges related to the use of …

Examining Psychosocial Characteristics Of Female Serial Murderers, Rachael Strebel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous studies of serial murderers have focused primarily on male serial murderers.The reason for this is unknown, but is primarily reflective of media patterns, gender roles, and social norms that often exclude females from conversations surrounding female serial murder. This study focused on the psychosocial characteristics of female serial murderers. Both solo female serial murderers and serial murderers who worked with one partner were studied. Using a grounded theory approach, based on the review of 11 secondary data case studies, 12 female serial murderers were studied; six who murdered individually and six who murdered within a team. Six main themes …

Exploring Care Recipients’ Health Conditions Influence On Caregivers And Caregivers’ Meaning Of Care Dependence, Yolanda Suarez-Calvo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little is known about the ways in which caregivers are affected or influenced by their care recipients’ health conditions. Additionally, the meaning of care dependence for caregivers is also understudied. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to examine caregivers’ affection/influence due to the physical and psychosocial health conditions of the individuals for whom they care. Further, the meaning of care dependence, from the perspectives of the caregivers, was sought. The theoretical framework to further this research was Montgomery and Kosloski’s (2009) caregiver’s identity theory The research question addressed the ways caregivers are affected or influenced by the care …

Understanding Teachers’ Perceptions Of Pedagogy In Teaching Mathematics To English Language Learners, David Suh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of socially and linguistically varied students at two local high schools in a southwestern state located in the United States has greatly increased. Since the 2018-2022 school years, English language learners (ELLs) scored low on the state achievement mathematics test scores. The problem was teachers were challenged to support the mathematics achievement of Grade 9-12 ELLs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of the teachers’ challenges in supporting the mathematics achievement of Grade 9-12 ELLs. The conceptual framework for this study was Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, which helped to inform the study in giving …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Their Role In Novice Teacher Retention In Title 1 Schools, Kassia Sutton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current research suggests that retaining novice teachers, teachers with less than 5 years of teaching experience, in Title 1 elementary schools in the Southeastern United States is a problem for principals. Prior research on Title 1 elementary principal’s perceptions of their role in retaining novice teachers is limited. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine six Title 1 elementary school principals’ perceptions of their role in retaining novice teachers in the Southeastern United States. The conceptual framework for this study was the job demands-resources theory, which defined working conditions through job demands and job resources. Purposeful random …

How Elementary Teachers Implement The Eureka Mathematics Curriculum To Improve Mathematics Outcomes, Shannell A. Swan-Clarke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many states use research-based mathematics curricula as an instructional tool to improve mathematics performance outcomes on state assessment scores. The problem was that despite the implementation of a research-based curriculum, students at XYZ Elementary School (pseudonym) had underperformed on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers standardized mathematics tests since 2018. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to discover the implementation practices of teachers using the Eureka Mathematics Curriculum to improve student outcomes at XYZ Elementary School. Dewey’s experiential learning theory was used to support and explore ideas involving the influences of curriculum implementation on …

Relationship Between Length Of Nicu Stay And Mothers’ Trauma And Self-Efficacy For Childcare Post-Nicu Discharge, Suzanne Switzer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent research has shown that having an infant admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a traumatic experience for parents. However, less is known about whether this trauma is related to later parenting self-efficacy for childcare after NICU discharge and whether that relationship is affected by the length of NICU stay. This quantitative study, guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory and Ehlers and Clark’s cognitive model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), examined the relationship between mothers’ trauma of having had a child in the NICU and maternal parenting self-efficacy related to childcare post-NICU discharge, with length of NICU …

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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