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Impact Of A Workplace Wellness Program On Health Literacy And Type 2 Diabetes Management Among Blue-Collar Workers In South Carolina, Caitlin E. Townsend

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of chronic diseases and their management is significantly different between blue- and white-collar employees. Social determinants of health are determining factors of health for blue-collar manufacturing employees in South Carolina. Type 2 Diabetes is a complex chronic condition that has been associated with serious co-morbidities, but it can be managed and/or treated. Workplace wellness programs provide an ideal setting for health education and promotion efforts targeted toward population health management. While workplace wellness programs have been proven successful, there is limited research on the relationship and impact on health literacy. This quantitative, descriptive study used secondary data to …

Understanding African American Mothers’ Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Autism-Related Services For Their Autistic Children In Rural Communities, Brandi J. Treadway

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study aimed to address the gap in the literature related to understanding African American mothers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the available services provided to their children diagnosed with autism living in rural communities. The theoretical framework used for this study is the racial formation theory as a lens for completing this study. The research question explored African American mothers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of autism-related services provided to their children with autism in rural communities. The research design chosen for this study is a generic qualitative design using semi-structured interviews for data collection from 10 African American mothers …

Parent Perspectives On How The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected Symptoms Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Their Children, Desiree Marie Vanderlick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism is a disorder that is characterized by struggles with socialization anddevelopmental delays that often involve much guidance and support. The purpose of this study was to explain the experience of parents as they attempted to manage behaviors related to symptoms of autism during the worldwide quarantine prompted by COVID-19. This study aimed to close the gap in literature and explore to see if there were any concerns that could be addressed by future studies. The study was framed around Bowen’s theory, which addresses emotions within a family unit, and the interdependence theory, which addresses how humans thrive to be …

Career Progression: Narrative Study Of Impediments Affecting Army Female Officer Advancement From Major To Lieutenant Colonel, Jeremia M. Van

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractQualitative narrative inquiry was used to understand the accounts and experiences of female officers in the United States Army that were once stationed in South Korea, who did not advance to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In today’s military, female officers still face many challenges during their advancement from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, relative to their male counterparts. The specific problem is the underrepresentation of female majors in the Army who compete for promotion to the lieutenant colonel rank. The researcher explored the experiences of 14 female Army officers that served in South Korea and sought out promotions from the …

Examination Of The Association Between Poverty, Income, And Education Levels On Tuberculosis Prevalence In Nigeria: Rural Niger Delta Case Study, Nwinmene George Zarakpege

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the global decline in tuberculosis (TB) cases, the prevalence of TB in rural populations in Nigeria is rising. To date, poverty and low educational levels continue to affect treatment and other prevention strategies to eradicate the disease. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association between poverty, educational levels, household structure and vaccination status on TB prevalence in rural Niger Delta, Nigeria. The theoretical framework for this study was the socio-ecological model. Data were obtained from residents of rural Niger Delta in Nigeria attending a teaching hospital in southern Nigeria. The relationship between the stated demographic …

Experiences Of Elementary School Counselors Treating Anger Issues In Elementary School-Aged Foster Children, Dr. Clarissa Y. Alderman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study was to examine in detail the experiences of school counselors with treating anger issues in school-age children from foster care homes. In particular, the study determined the counselors’ experiences using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anger and whether the interventions were effective. The aim was to shape policy regarding handling children in foster care and overall child social services. Using two methods, the study employed a generic qualitative research design to cover the topic. One method was the narrative literature review, and the other was collecting data using interviews with five counselors adept at …

How Black Americans Accessed And Used Mental Health Services During The Covid-19 Pandemic, John K. Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic created barriers to accessing mental health services for the general population, but for Black Americans, it exacerbated systemic barriers that have historically influenced help-seeking behaviors. Drawing from the concept of obstructed use, this qualitative study explored those barriers and, using a narrative approach, explored how Black Americans described their experiences of accessing mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic The participants included six men and two women who identified as U.S.-born Black American adults who sought mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Narrative data were analyzed through thematic analysis, identifying themes and subthemes of the participants' …

Clinician Perceptions Of Female Sex Offender Treatment In Modern Society, Taylor J. Bryant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinicians are starting to see a higher population of female sex offenders enrolled in their treatment facilities. Current research indicates that both society and clinical professionals struggle with viewing women as sex offenders due to gender stereotypes and minimization of sex crimes committed by women. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine clinician perceptions of female sex offender treatment and how these perceptions may impact clinician engagement. The theoretical frameworks utilized in this study were the attachment theory and psychoanalytical theory. Data included clinician experiences with treating female sex offenders, exposure to professional trainings on this population, and …

Unvoiced Lgbt Individuals’ Perceptions And Experiences Of The School-To-Prison Pipeline, Dr. Deshaunt'e A. Burns

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies have shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals face discrimination, harassment, and bullying by different education and criminal justice system entities because of their sexuality. Research has also indicated that when it comes to the school-to-prison pipeline (STPP), children of color are often mistreated and face harsher penalties, and research must be done to see how LGBT individuals are treated because they are considered abnormal because of their sexuality. Little is known about the perceptions and experiences of LGBT individuals when they are punished for violating minor infractions in school. This study addressed the critical race theory …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Internalized Homophobia, Alcohol Use, And Suicide Ideation And Attempts Among Sexual Minority Msm Of Color, Odion Clunis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual minority men of color who engage in sexual activity with men (MSM) are twice as likely to experience a psychological episode contributing to suicide ideation or attempts when compared to White MSM. These MSM are underserved in health systems, underrepresented in research, and limited in their access to health care services and interventions. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine relationships between adverse childhood experiences, internalized homophobia, alcohol use, and suicide ideation and attempts while controlling for age, income, education, and employment among sexual minority men of color (Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, Native Hawaiian/Pacific islanders, …

Trauma-Informed Practices For Behavioral Health Leaders Serving Sex-Trafficking Survivors And Personnel, Evelyn Cordero Molina

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Trauma-informed practices are essential to successful treatment outcomes and employee wellness in the context of sex trafficking clinical intervention. This single case study described the trauma-informed practices developed in a residential program for biologically-female sex trafficking survivors in the Southwest United States. The Baldrige excellence framework and the trauma-informed framework informed the study to comprehend organizational key factors and principles in the context of the residential program. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with four leaders at the senior and middle management levels, and internal documentation such as procedures, protocols, strategic plans, and yearly reports were included in the analysis. …

Impact Of Resilience On Quality Of Life In Spinal Cord Injured Clients, Crystal D. Glover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Impact of Resilience on Quality of Life in Spinal Cord Injured Clients by Crystal D. Glover

MSM, Troy University, 2006BSN, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1995

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health

Walden University August 2023

Co-Rumination In The Friendships Of Black And White Adolescents, Andrea Renee Gourdine

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Co-rumination is the process of friends discussing challenges via a problem-focused dialogue that is excessive and involves dwelling on negative emotions. Co-rumination is related to higher friendship quality but also depression. The adjustment consequences of co-rumination have been studied, but racial differences in co-rumination have yet to be studied. The purpose of this non-experimental, correlational, quantitative study was to examine co-rumination among Black and White adolescents. Theoretical frameworks included the response styles theory and Africentric theory. Research questions included whether there were racial differences in the degree to which adolescents co-ruminate and in the relations of co-rumination with friendship quality …

Perceptions And Experiences Of Gifted And Talented African American Alumni From A Steam Program, Hanan R. Hameen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions of gifted and talented African American former high school students who are alumni of an exemplar STEAM program in a major urban city on the eastern seaboard with culturally relevant instruction regarding curricular and instructional practices for academic success. The conceptual framework was Ladson-Billings’ constructivist theory of culturally relevant pedagogy. Three research questions guided this study. Through a basic qualitative research design with a typological approach, semi-structured virtual interviews with 10 participants were conducted. Emergent themes from data collection were feelings of isolation due to uninvolved teachers and peers, cultural …

Associations Between Depression, Social Support, And Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Hiv-Infected Adult Black Women In The Southeastern United States, Joy Ireri Kagendo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans continue to carry the burden of new HIV cases and sexually transmitted infections and other comorbidity health problems more than any other social group in the United States. Except for New York; Washington, DC; and Maryland, 65% of all new HIV cases are in the Southern states. The U.S. Southern states make up 38% of the U.S. population, yet approximately 51% of annual HIV diagnoses are from the Southern U.S. states. In the Southern states, AIDS is among the leading cause of death for African American women. A gap exists in the associations of depression, social support, and …

Covid-19 Social Isolation And Young Adult Mental Well-Being And Socioeconomic Status As A Moderator, Falescia Ware Matlock

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIt is not currently known how social distancing guidelines impact mental health for emerging adults and whether socioeconomic status moderates this relationship. The psychosocial development theory states that emerging adults experience a psychological conflict—intimacy versus isolation—where the goal is to seek connections. Without connection, emerging adults are likely to experience impaired psychological well-being, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of perceived social distancing guidelines on the mental health of emerging adults and if this relationship is moderated by socioeconomic status. This study followed a quantitative comparative design of emerging …

Health-Related Quality Of Life Experience Of Young Adults Living With Psoriatic Arthritis, Katie Mccann

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that includes symptoms of arthritis, inflammation of tendons/ligaments, swelling of toes/fingers, and possible involvement of spinal joints. The disease activity of PsA causes structural damage to the joints impacting activities involved with an individual's quality of life (QOL). Existing PsA research on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) mainly shows results concerning children and adult/older adult populations there is a gap in the research on the young adult population living with PsA and their HRQOL. This qualitative study was conducted to gather the experiences of the HRQOL of young adults (18–25 years old) …

Understanding The Barriers Of Lgbtq Youth Aging Out Of The Foster Care System, Quadasha Mcilwaine

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, there have been significant barriers experienced by youths aging out of the foster care system. A new area of focus highlights youths that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ). In this study, the opinions of LGBTQ youths who have aged out of the foster care system in North Carolina were explored and the barriers these youths may encounter as they transition into adulthood were illuminated. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory is the framework that was used to guide this study. A basic qualitative approach was used with semistructured interviews of 10 LGBTQ aged-out youths in North Carolina. …

Adolescent Rejection Sensitivity And Anxiety: The Moderating Effects Of Problem-Solving Skills And Gender, Kathleen Naumann

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractRejection sensitivity is the ongoing anxious or angry expectation of interpersonal rejection. Anxiety can potentially have a significant detrimental impact on the mental health of adolescents who are characterized as having rejection sensitivity. Although negative consequences of anxiety on mental health have been studied, there is a limited understanding regarding how rejection sensitive adolescents are at risk for anxiety. This study involved examining relations between adolescent rejection sensitivity and anxiety and whether they were moderated by problem-solving skills, an indicator of resiliency, as well as gender. Theoretical frameworks in this study were the rejection sensitivity model and resilience theory. This …

Leadership Strategies To Initiate And Reinforce Knowledge Sharing Among Employees, Morufat Olajumoke Oshineye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Knowledge loss due to the exit of experienced employees with critical knowledge results in significant financial and nonfinancial impacts on employees and organizational competitiveness. Business leaders are interested in finding strategies to initiate and reinforce employee knowledge sharing to prevent business failure. Grounded in social cognitive theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies business leaders in Nigerian oil and gas public sector agencies use to initiate and reinforce knowledge sharing among employees to prevent knowledge loss. The participants were five business leaders in Nigerian oil and gas public sector agencies who successfully initiated and …

The Reproductive Health Experienced By Female Shift Workers In The United States, Jessica Parsons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Shift work has become a normalized part of the occupational schedule across all industries, where previous research has illustrated the detrimental effect on female reproductive health. The conceptual lens that this research used was based on shift work adaptation. Worker adaptability to shift work, through management of occupational and non-occupational demands, may be fundamental in reducing negative health outcomes associated with shift work. This descriptive qualitative study detailed the experiences of female shift workers in the United States to better understand the conditions, barriers, and perceptions of their reproductive health that lead to adaptive or maladaptive behavior amid a non-traditional …

Exemplary High School Teachers’ Practice Of Embedding Career Exploration In Stem Curricula, Cara Pekarcik

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of individuals entering the workforce with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers is low across the United States. Although exposure to STEM careers through the intentional integration of career exploration can positively influence career choice, most student exposure to STEM career exploration occurs in after-school programs and dedicated summer programs but is limited in the general education curricula. The purpose of this study was to understand how and why high school STEM teachers embed career exploration into curricula even though local and national standards do not include these objectives. The conceptual framework for this …

Foster Youth's Experience With Visitation During The Covid-19 Pandemic., Carrie Player Sexton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Much has been learned about how the shelter-in-place (SIP) orders imposed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected children socially and emotionally. However, less was known about how the youths in foster care settings experienced visitation with their approved visitors because of the shelter-in-place order. In this phenomenological study, the lived experiences of 10 foster youths between the ages of 16 and 18 years during the COVID-19 SIP were explored using semi structured interviews. The theory that grounded this study was Ainsworth and Bowlby's attachment theory. Evernote was used to guide, store, observe, and record the data in one …

Perceptions Of Hiv-Positive Patients Towards Faith-Based Community Support In A Rural Setting, James D. Rollins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies have demonstrated different perspectives on faith-based organizations (FBOs). Various quantitative studies have been performed for many years; however, there is minimal qualitative research literature investigating the phenomenon of attitudes of HIV-positive patients in a faith-based structure. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of a sample of 7 participants aged 18-65 from rural areas of a southern U.S. state who have lived with HIV and have sought community support. The focus was on various interventions by rural religious community support programs. Patients’ perceptions and experiences regarding the possible improvement of their quality of life were …

Social Workers’ Perspectives On Why Stepparents Kill, Laquitta Daniella Simms

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The term accidental filicide refers to the death of a child that occurs inadvertently due to abuse or neglect. In this category of child homicides, death was not the intended outcome. Stepparents outnumber biological parents as the primary perpetrators of accidental filicide based on data collected nationwide. There is limited research on how child protection social workers perceive the risk and safety associated with accidental filicide by stepparents. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and risk factors related to accidental filicide and the perceived barriers through the lens of child protection social workers who investigated allegations …

African American Women’S Experiences Of Self-Care And Recidivism, Sandra Louise Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women face some of the highest incarceration and recidivism rates among their female counterparts within the United States. The purpose of this generic qualitative research was to explore African American women’s experiences of self-care amid multiple recidivism incidents and related health and psychosocial environmental challenges. The theoretical frameworks of Orem’s self-care and Gorski’s post incarceration syndrome theories were used for this study. Data were collected using semi structured phone interviews. The study participants included 16 formerly incarcerated African American women, ages 18 years and older, recruited through social media via Facebook postings. Data analysis included interview transcriptions, sentence …

Food Insecure Single Mothers’ Perceptions In Accessing School Nutrition Programs During Covid-19, Deshona Williams Liburd Audain

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Global pandemics and natural disasters can cause basic human needs hardships. Being able to access adequate nutritious food is a fundamental basic human need. Food insecurity remains a dominant concern in underdeveloped countries prior to natural disaster and global pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 low-income United States Virgin Islands single mothers’ dilemma was accessing available nutritious foods for their school-aged children through nutrition assistance programs. An interpretative phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore the types of lived experiences these single mothers faced. The social ecological model (SEM) was used as the conceptual framework for the study. The …

Hepatitis C Infection And Kidney Transplant Waiting Time Among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients, Marie J. Anglade-Mccormick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Kidney transplantation is identified as the ideal approach to managing end-stage renal disease (ESRD), yet access for some groups remains an ongoing concern. Research findings support the notion that hepatitis-C-infected ESRD patients benefit from kidney transplantation compared to those remaining on dialysis. Although the disparity in access to kidney transplantation has been well researched, the association between hepatitis C virus infection and kidney transplant waiting times among ESRD patients was unknown. The purpose of this quantitative retrospective study was to analyze the association between hepatitis C virus infection, blood type, and kidney transplant waiting times among ESRD patients when controlling …

An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Learning Disabilities And Juvenile Delinquency From Parents’ Perspectives, Torsha Shawn Childs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study addressed the relationship between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency from parents’ perspectives. This qualitative study was guided by Agnew’s general strain theory (GST), which explored the force that stressors have on individuals, such as the impact learning disabilities have on juveniles. The qualitative research approach was used to gather data from 10 parents with children diagnosed with learning disabilities at an early age. Parents responded to 15 open-ended survey questions via SurveyMonkey based on their lived experiences of having children with learning disabilities. Participants remained anonymous. All participants were required to have a child with a learning disability …

Promoting Healthier Treatment Outcomes In Obese Cancer Patients Taking High Dose Methotrexate, Carly Dell'ova

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cancer and obesity rates continue to rise, creating enormous public heath burdens to the individual and at the national and global levels, reducing quality of life, and increasing spending. Moreover, the relationships between cancer and obesity are not well understood. A commonly used chemotherapy for several types of cancer is high dose methotrexate (HDMTX). Along with chemotherapy, especially at high doses, comes toxicity to specific organs and the entire body. However, limited research has been conducted on obese cancer patients as they are often excluded from clinical studies. Practitioners need to better understand how to dose these patients to provide …