Digital Commons Network^™

Utilization Of Mental Health Services For Caregivers Of Hemophiliacs, Anna Maria Bell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The utilization of mental health services for caregivers of hemophiliacs is an underserved area. Andersen’s behavioral model of utilization was the conceptual framework in this generic qualitative study. I used surveys and semi-structured interviews to obtain 20 participants’ information for nonprobability sampling, specifically purposive sampling. Narrative analysis was used as the foundation of the coding process The study findings revealed seven themes: cultural impact/stigma of mental health services; normalizing mental health services in the hemophilia community (national impact); inconsistencies in hemophilia treatment centers’ (HTCs’) service delivery; clarity of the role of the HTC social worker; member organizations emphasis on mental …

Strategies Hotel Leaders Use To Improve Employee Engagement, O'Neil Orlando Dacres

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee engagement is a significant factor that drives performance and productivity in many organizations. Hotel leaders are typically concerned with the negative impact of disengaged employees, which reduces profitability. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies hotel leaders use to improve employee engagement. The participants were five hotel leaders in Jamaica who have successfully implemented strategies to improve employee engagement. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and a review of organizational documents. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and five themes emerged: staff engagement, communication, rewards and recognition, employee training and …

Learning Developers As Writers: The Four Tendencies Framework To Get Writing, Alicja Syska, Carina Buckley

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

Although writing is a key element of scholarly activity, Learning Development positioning within the third space means that Learning Developers expectations for writing may be internal as much as external, or a combination of the two, or neither. All too often, the lack of time is cited as a reason to not write, yet developing strategies to overcome this particular barrier does not give the whole story. Rather, it is necessary to understand our relationship with writing, our needs and proclivities, and also our inhibitions. This chapter presents a framework for understanding our writing tendencies, so we can then identify …

Aspirational Laws In Action: A Field Experiment, Ben Depoorter, Stephan Tontrup

Faculty Scholarship

This article examines aspirational laws in a randomized field experiment. We analyze the impact of an unenforced public smoking ban on individual behavior and attitudes. The findings indicate that aspirational laws, like public smoking bans, can make rights holders sensitive to behavior that violates their rights, irrespective of the material consequences of infringements and their personal views about the law. The results present a mixed position in the debate between rights-based social movement lawyering and critics of hollow rights. On the one hand, aspirational laws can create unforeseen social frictions when rights are declared, but their implementation and enforcement are …

Scientific Guidelines For Evaluating The Validity Of Forensic Feature-Comparison Methods, David L. Faigman, Nicholas Scurich, Thomas D. Albright

Faculty Scholarship

When it comes to questions of fact in a legal context— particularly questions about measurement, association, and causality—courts should employ ordinary standards of applied science. Applied sciences generally develop along a path that proceeds from a basic scientific discovery about some natural process to the formation of a theory of how the process works and what causes it to fail, to the development of an invention intended to assess, repair, or improve the process, to the specification of predictions of the instrument’s actions and, finally, empirical validation to determine that the instrument achieves the intended effect. These elements are salient …

The Dog That Didn’T Bark: Looking For Techno-Libertarian Ideology In A Decade Of Public Discourse About Big Tech Regulation, Jodi L. Short, Reuel E, Schiller, Susan Sibley, Noah Jones, Babak Hammatian, Lee Anna Bowman-Carpio

Faculty Scholarship

The internet was built on the techno-libertarian ideology that “information wants to be free,” and that ideology has played a prominent role in academic and policy debates about regulating the internet and the big technology companies that dominate it.2 Techno-libertarian ideology has generated a constellation of claims about tech and regulation—from the suggestion that regulation will stifle innovation in the complex, dynamic tech sector, to the assertion that the large platform companies are literally not regulable. In this article, we explore how much traction such claims and ideologies have in the broader public discourse about big tech and regulation. We …

Regulatory Managerialism As Gaslighting Government, Jodi L. Short

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Parental Attachment And Cyberbullying Within The Homeschooling Community, Jason King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cyberbullying has been a focus of research and societal concern since the advent of the internet. Both perpetrators and victims of cyberbullying experience significant adverse effects including depression, anxiety, internalizing and externalizing problems, suicidal ideation, and suicide. Despite the broad understanding of the impact of cyberbullying on mental and physical health, research has not prioritized the exploration of cyberbullying within the homeschooled population. The purpose of this quantitative survey design was to identify the characteristics and relationships between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, attachment security, and religiosity in homeschooled adolescents. Using a framework of Bowlby’s attachment theory, the Parental Attachment Questionnaire, …

Strategies For Proper Security Practices In Small Financial Institutions, Adam Leffell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial institutions remain high targets for threat actors because of potentially lucrativefinancial gains from security breaches. Information technology (IT) security professionals in financial institutions are concerned about weak security strategies that could lead to security breaches. Grounded in the technology acceptance model (TAM), the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies IT security professionals use to implement proper security practices to prevent security breaches. The participants were three IT security professionals from three different financial institutions that oversee the implementation of security policies and procedures. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews and public documents. Through thematic …

Intersectionality Of Black Women Managers' Experiences With Gendered Racism In Corporate Finance, Venessa Marie Perry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Experiences of Black women with gendered racism remain a challenge in corporate America. Limited studies explore how Black women experience gendered racism due to the intersectionality of their dual identities. Black women experience chronic stress, burnout, and racial trauma. Disparities among Black women in management positions have gained traction and increased awareness; however, they remain underrepresented in corporate America. This qualitative study involved understanding Black women managers’ experiences with gendered racism in corporate finance. The generic qualitative study used intersectionality theory to illuminate the challenges of the intersecting identities of being a Black woman in corporate finance. Thirteen participants were …

Strategies To Reduce Employee Turnover In The Insurance Industry, Ebony Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover continues to increase in the insurance industry because no minimum skill or education level is required to enter the U.S. insurance industry. Insurance leaders are concerned with reducing employee turnover, as it creates a risk to employee productivity and profitability. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies five insurance leaders from central Kansas used to reduce employee turnover. Data were collected using semistructured virtual interviews and a review of company records. Data were analyzed using Yin’s five-step approach, and three themes emerged: (a) supportive leadership, (b) incentives/benefits, …

University Interdisciplinary Linked Block Schedules And Developmental Student Success, Linda S. Reeves-Wymer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Developmental education is the starting point for many 1st-year college students, especially from underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation populations. One such 1st-year program linked block-scheduled academic skill-development courses with a required interdisciplinary general education science course where instruction was provided simultaneously in a lecture format to college-ready nondevelopmental students and developmental students in three skill-development courses: reading, writing, and combined reading/writing. Although this program had existed for over 20 years, the effectiveness of the program, meaning whether the linked skill-development courses were associated with academic success, had not been assessed. Guided by Tinto’s integration theory, a causal comparative design with the …

Strategies For Promoting Inclusion And Employee Engagement To Improve Remote Teams’ Performance, Bruce Edward Richardson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

External factors such as the pandemic have forced organizational leaders to embrace flexible work structures. Differences in remote versus collocated workplaces escalate the importance for company leaders to uncover strategies to maintain employee engagement and performance. Grounded in the organizational support theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies leaders of remote, diverse teams with high engagement and inclusion use to achieve high team performance. Data were collected using semistructured interviews from a purposeful sampling of five nationally distributed managers. A thematic analysis uncovered three themes: flexible leadership behavior, fair execution of human resource policy and …

Teacher And Administrator Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Instructional Coaching, Judith Salazar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Instructional coaching focuses on increasing the effectiveness of instructional practices. However, little is known concerning the perceptions of teachers and administrators regarding the role of instructional coaching related to student performance. This basic qualitative study was conducted to analyze the perceptions of administrators and teachers within one region in Texas. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 participants—eight administrators and eight teachers—using a researcher-designed questionnaire regarding the effectiveness of instructional coaching in addressing achievement gaps among African American, Hispanic, and European American students. Fullan’s coherence framework provided the basis for data analysis. Data collected from the interviews were analyzed and four …

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 …

Role Of Racially Concordant Patient-Physician Relationships In Health Outcomes Among African American Women, Joy Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract There are gaps in the literature regarding how patient-physician racially concordant relationships affect African American women’s health. This quantitative study evaluated the effects of non-minority physician influence on the perceptions of medical mistrust, racial discrimination, and healthcare-specific racial discrimination on African American women. The behavioral model for vulnerable populations guided the study. Two research questions involved understanding the relationship between trust in the physician scale and medical mistrust and the association between racial discrimination and perceived healthcare-specific racial discrimination among African American women living in a Southern U.S. state. A stratified random sampling strategy was used to obtain a …

Enrollment In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math Courses After Enactment Of Texas' House Bill 5, Carlana Cla'shette Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Student participation and performance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) have been an education concern in the United States for years. In 2013, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 5 (HB5) to support increases in STEM awareness, particularly among ethnic minority and female students. To date, no studies have been conducted on the impact, if any, of HB5 on Texas high school students’ course selections in STEM areas. Further, it is unknown whether the impact that does exist is equally distributed across socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, and gender groups. The purpose of this nonexperimental correlational quantitative study was to determine …

Help-Seeking And Stigma Experienced By Arab American Immigrant Parents Of Children With Autism, April Demasters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Because of cultural and religious norms and associated stigma, some parents of a child with a mental illness or developmental disorder are hesitant to seek help for their child. The purpose of the study is to better understand how religious and ethnic culture reinforces stigma and its impact on a parent’s decision to seek help. This phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with Muslim Arab American immigrant parents, including first and second generations, in the United States who had a child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the last 15 years. Semistructured interviews were conducted to gather data exploring …

Interpersonal Conversations In The Restaurant Industry, Erik Michael Ivey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Managers in the restaurant industry continue to struggle with workplace engagement and turnover at a rate of 31.8% greater than other industries. The general problem is that interpersonal relationships between employees and managers is a leading cause of issues related to job turnover and employee engagement. The specific problem is that some hospitality managers lack strategies to establish appealing interpersonal relationships with employees that reduces turnover and improves employee engagement. The purpose of this qualitative critical instance case study was to explore strategies hospitality managers use to establish appealing interpersonal relationships with employees that reduces turnover and improves employee engagement. …

The Effectiveness Of The Ethics Officer’S Influence: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Exploration, Cheryl K. Douthitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The position of ethics officer was created to watch over corporate behavior. However, scandals have continued to demonstrate unethical leadership involving government officials, sports heroes, religious organizations, and corporate leaders. The research problem was that despite the adoption of corporate ethics programs and government oversight, there is a lack of understanding of ethics officers’ experiences, perceptions of effectiveness, and whether they effectively influence executive-level ethical conduct. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of ethics officers regarding their interactions with executives. Shaped by Brown and Treviño’s ethical leadership theory, the research question concerned the …

Treatment-Seeking Experiences Of Ethiopian Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Frehiwot Derso

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a gynecological health issue that negatively affects women’s lives globally and specifically in countries like Ethiopia where health care-related resources and infrastructures are limited. In remote areas of Ethiopia, women lack basic knowledge of POP and do not have the resources to access care and treatment that might be available. As a result, seeking treatment typically happens after years of suffering. Using a qualitative phenomenological method, this study addressed the treatment-seeking experiences for POP among women aged 30-60 in North Ethiopia. Fifteen women with POP were selected using purposive sampling at the University of Gondar …

Associations Between Mindfulness Meditation, Health Status, And Activity Limitation Among United States Armed Forces, Bettie J. Dubose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A ready military force is essential for the safekeeping of the United States and the well-being of United States Armed Forces personnel. Today, healthcare professionals report disproportionately high rates of chronic disease and substance abuse among United States Armed Forces personnel and disabling mental health disorders that often go untreated. This quantitative research aimed to determine if there was a relationship between United States Armed Forces personnel using mindfulness meditation and their health status. The study used Bandura's social cognitive theory as its framework and theoretical foundation. Also, a quantitative experimental research design examined the causal relationships between the predictor, …

Post-School Transition Experiences Of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Christine Marie Lindh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The post-school transition phenomenon has been examined using educational and vocational viewpoints. However, despite evidence-based practices and policies, individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) often experience unfavorable outcomes. This population needs a voice in existing literature because it tends to be aggregated with other participant groups. This qualitative study involved understanding how young adults with mild to moderate ID described their lived experiences regarding the post-school transition to adulthood, specifically in terms of their personal expectations of employment and functional independence. The social cognitive career theory was used to explore individual and environmental factors related to adulthood transitions. Semi-structured interviews were …

The Lived Experiences Of Elders’ Age-Related Changes In Emotional And Social Factors, Sheneze Thiffiny Valencia Madramootoo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a need for more studies examining elderly’s perspective of age-related changes in emotional (anxiety, depression, hope and optimism) and social (interpersonal relationships, social support and level of engagement or activity) factors. There is an increase in psychological needs for older adults, and it is important to explore and enhance knowledge in this field to better serve this population. The purpose of this qualitative research was to describe the lived experiences of elders’ age-related changes in emotional and social factors. The theories and concepts that grounded this study included the activity theory of aging and the continuity theory of …

Improving Access To Diagnostic Medical Services For Children With Autism: Caregiver Perspective, John Nkemakolam Nkwocha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe rising prevalence of autism among children in the United States has remained a challenge to caregivers, researchers, and healthcare providers. Medical diagnostic services struggled with inaccurate outcomes, misdiagnosis, inaccessibility, long waitlists, poor coordination, and a lack of expertise and knowledge for early intervention. There are limited studies on problems associated with diagnosing children with autism and the caregivers’ perspective on improving the services. In this qualitative phenomenological study, 10 caregivers’ perspectives on barriers to accessing medical diagnostic services, treatment, and management of children with autism and possible improvement of the services were explored. Resilience and health utilization models provided …

Self Care Education For Nurses Following An Assault, Barbara Lynn Schwarz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSelf-Care Education for Nurses Following an Assault by Barbara Lynn Schwarz MS, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 2008 BS, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 2004

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University August 2023 Abstract Every day, 1 in 4 nurses experience physical and/or verbal assault, surpassing the rates among police officers and prison guards. This issue is particularly widespread among nurses working in mental health settings. The local practice problem for this project was the absence of self-care education for nurses following workplace assaults. The literature revealed that such assaults have traumatic …

African American Experiences Of Racism When Operating A Small Business, Sheliza Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the racism that African Americans experienced when operating a small business. African Americans are more likely to start a business than members of other minority groups. However, African Americans are also less likely to succeed. Low success rates relate to the racial inequities that contribute to systemic racism. The racism that African Americans experience is deeply rooted in societal constructs that have been ingrained for many years. General racism and systemic racism are societal constructs that work against the socioeconomic status of African Americans and their communities. The purpose of this phenomenological study …

How To Support Secondary School Teachers After Emergency Remote Teaching, Julia Howard Tortorice

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe forced use of emergency remote teaching (ERT) during COVID-19 school closures was sudden, disruptive, and difficult for teachers, leading to a minimal understanding of how to support secondary school teachers’ use of online educational technology after the ERT experience. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how to support secondary school teachers’ use of online educational technology after the ERT experience. The technology acceptance model was the framework used in this study. The research questions explored the framework by asking about teacher perspectives of support, usefulness, and ease of use of online educational technology. The data collection …

Social Worker Perspectives On Implementation Of Harm Reduction Into Abstinence-Based Substance Abuse Programs, Susan Woomer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Opioid addiction is a growing epidemic in the United States and was declared a public health emergency by the Department of Health and Human Services in October of 2017. There is a growing recognition that the current treatment for heroin and opioid addiction, abstinence-based treatment programs, is not readily available and has minimal success in addressing the epidemic. Harm reduction therapy is recognized as an effective way to address the opioid epidemic. This study aimed to develop further insight and understanding of how to integrate harm reduction therapy in abstinence-based treatment programs. The theoretical framework for this study was the …

Impacts Of Error Rate And Therapist Appearance On The Accuracy Of Fidelity Data Collection, Marisela A. Aguilar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Procedural fidelity is the extent to which a procedure is implemented as designed. Analyzing procedural-fidelity data can improve treatment outcomes. Fidelity data are generally collected by a supervisor or trained data collector using a checklist that operationalizes each component of the procedure and accounts for errors in implementation of the components. However, little is known about variables that may affect the accuracy of supervisor-collected data generally, and even less is known about variables that may affect the accuracy of procedural-fidelity data. Therefore, the current studies explored the extent to which Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) accurately detected programmed fidelity errors …