Digital Commons Network^™

Refugee Women’S Post-Resettlement Experiences In The United States, Dr. Kristen M. Curry, Phd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and community members of the host country make decisions regarding refugee lifestyles during and post-resettlement rather than the refugee women themselves. This research study informs the development of and provision of multiculturally appropriate counseling services to refugee women living in the United States from the perspective of the refugee women themselves. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences and related meanings of a group of Hmong refugee women living in post-resettlement in the United States. This hermeneutic phenomenological study was developed with a feminist …

Non Reporting Of Sexual Victimization In Male Prisoners, Christopher Elliott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual assault within prisons continues to occur despite federally mandated safety protocols and reporting procedures. Male inmates must also navigate the challenge of upholding societal gender norms to meet the ideal of hegemonic masculinity as identified in Gender Order Theory. Seven formerly incarcerated males were interviewed for this study. The interviews were designed to explore four relevant topical points which explored the roles that stereotypical/hegemonic masculinity traits play in the reporting of sexual victimization in males who were sexually victimized during incarceration. 2) The role gender roles stress/conflict play in the reporting of sexual victimization in males who were sexually …

Early Childhood Teachers' Perspectives Of Their Relationships With Students With Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Tyesha Greene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

General education early childhood (EC) teachers may find it challenging to build positive teacher-student relationships (TSRs) with students with emotional behavioral disorders (EBD). There is a gap in practice regarding general education EC teachers’ TSRs with students with EBD and the support they need when teaching these students. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of general education EC teachers regarding their TSRs and the support they need when teaching students with EBD. The conceptual framework was Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory of human development. Participants were nine general education EC teachers who were currently …

Predictors Of Health Literacy Scores In The Adolescent Oncologic Population, Amber N. Jenkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent research showed a relationship between low health literacy in adult oncology patients, poor communication with providers, misconceptions about disease and treatment options, and the inability to adhere to treatment plans. Comparative literature addressing adolescent health literacy contained insufficient evidence of these relationships. The purpose of this exploratory cross-sectional quantitative study, based on the health literacy skills framework, was to assess the health literacy of adolescents treated in the oncology department at an academic children’s hospital in Missouri to determine whether there was a significant relationship between individual health literacy scores of this population based on age, sex, number of …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Language Learners And Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Niyoka S. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

English language learner (ELL) students come from diverse linguistic backgrounds, and educators need specific training in second language acquisition and content instruction to provide culturally responsive instruction leading to academic success. This phenomenological interpretative analysis was designed to explore the lived experiences of general education middle school teachers of ELL students and their practices of culturally relevant pedagogy in diverse classroom environments. The theoretical foundation of this study was grounded in both social constructivism and diversity pedagogy theory, as both theories support the construct of sociocultural interactions experienced by educators in this setting. The research question inquired about the perceptions …

Exposure Response Prevention For Adolescents With High-Functioning Autism And Social Anxiety, Elisha Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Anxiety disorders are the most common comorbid mental health condition seen in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. This study was an exploration of the benefits of exposure and response prevention (ERP) for high-functioning adolescents with autism and comorbid social anxiety. The research problem was the lack of qualitative description of trained clinicians’ experiences of ERP delivery to high-functioning adolescents with autism and social anxiety. Data for this study were collected through semi structured interviews with six ERP clinicians who had experience in practicing ERP with this population. Analysis of the data revealed the following four core themes: (a) professional recommendations for …

Employers’ General Knowledge, Social Attitudes, Experience, And Employability Of Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder Adults, Jennifer C. Kiselica

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which causes an individual to have abnormalities in socialization and communication, and unusual behaviors and interests. Each year about a half million young adults with ASD transition from high school to adulthood; however, only 57% become employed. The current study’s purpose was to investigate how general knowledge of ASD and social interactions with those with ASD affected employers’ social attitudes and perceptions of those with ASD being employed by them. Social Contact theory employers who have more social interaction with individuals with ASD have more social knowledge about ASD.. The population for …

Equipment Rental Companies Leaders’ Customer Retention Strategies, Katrell Shalaine Mcneil

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Equipment rental business leaders that employ inadequate customer retention strategies negatively impact organizations’ performance and profitability. Improved customer retention strategies might improve key customer retention and increase market share. Grounded in the customer retention management theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies rental leaders use to retain customers. Participants were 10 equipment rental leaders from the Southwest Region of the United States that successfully retained their key customers through effective customer retention strategies. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of materials from organizational websites regarding customer order fulfillment and technology. Through …

Exploring Challenges School Social Workers Face When Advocating Services For Childhood Trauma And Abandonment, Danielle Mozie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School social workers focus on the growth and development of school-age youth by connecting students with resources in the school and community. One population that school social workers provide services for is youth with childhood traumatic backgrounds. This population may have increased behavioral problems, absenteeism, and lower academic achievement. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to better understand what challenges school social workers face when advocating services for school-aged youth experiencing trauma due to neglect from being abandoned. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory was the conceptual framework. Ten licensed master social workers employed as school social workers in the …

The Mediating And Moderating Relationship Between Cultural Intelligence Dimensions, Kisstopher Musick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lack of knowledge sharing has led to increased deaths during the pandemic as well as cooperate revenue losses in the billions. Cultural intelligence (CQ) increases knowledge sharing because the creation of laws, public and corporate policies, and personal biases are founded in culture. To raise CQ in the real-world, developers of training programs need information regarding how the construct develops. The purpose of this study was to provide more information regarding the development of CQ, specifically testing higher-order and indirect relations between cognitive and behavioral CQ. A sample of 225 SurveyMonkey audience members completed the surveys. The results showed that …

Disparities In The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, Helen Grace Neri

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Culturally and linguistically diverse populations in the developmental disability system suffer from socioeconomic and social services disparities. Efforts to address the disparities issue included enacting Welfare and Institutions Code 4519.5 § (e), (f), (g), and (h), also known as the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act or the disparities law. The law mandated monitoring of developmental disability system expenditures and allocated funding to the regional centers and community-based organizations to assist with implementing activities to address the disparity. Schneider and Ingram’s and Jun’s theories of social construction framed the inquiry as to how the law impacted considerations of the social construction …

Educating Nursing Staff Regarding African Immigrants And Mental Health Stigma, Kelly Ngenge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMental health stigma exists across multiple minority populations, especially among African immigrants in the United States. The purpose of this project was to increase staff knowledge at an outpatient mental health clinic by educating them on mental health stigma among African immigrants in the United States. The practice-focused question guiding this study was: Does nursing staff education on mental health stigmas among African immigrants increase knowledge? Two theories served as the theoretical framework for this doctoral project: social stigma theory and modified labeling theory. Seventeen staff members voluntarily participated in a 60-minute nursing staff education project based on the analysis, …

Perspectives Of Adult Esl Teachers On The Use Of Direct Vocabulary Instruction With Adult Ells, Erica N. Pettis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractWith the growing number of non-native English speakers, improving communication through direct vocabulary instruction (DVI) is important. The problem investigated in this study was that English as a second language (ESL) teachers were not using the strategy DVI, in the ESL classroom. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore ESL teachers’ perspectives about DVI for adult English language learners (ELLs) in a Midwestern state. The conceptual framework was drawn from Vygotsky’s constructivist theory because ESL teachers construct meaning from their experiences and what they have learned about vocabulary to improve reading comprehension for adult ELLs. The research …

English Language Learner Teachers’ Perspectives Of Professional Development And Their Implementation Of Instructional Practices, Cara Nicole Scales-Judkowitz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An increasing number of U.S. teachers of English Language Learners (ELL) across the nation are not receiving adequate in-service training to provide instruction within students’ zone of proximal development (ZPD). Vygotsky’s ZPD is the difference between what a person can achieve when acting alone and what the same person can achieve when acting with support from someone else. ELL instructional practices should be implemented in ELL students’ ZPD to ensure adequate academic performance. A lack of training is a local problem for a school district in the state of Florida. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore …

Strategies To Reduce Entrepreneurial Burnout, Eva Singleton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout is a threat to small business sustainability. Many small business entrepreneurs start their business endeavors lacking strategies to reduce burnout that could lead to business failure. Grounded in self-leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies small business entrepreneurs use to reduce burnout in their initial three years in business. The participants were four South Carolina licensed barbers in business for a minimum of three years who had successfully implemented strategies to reduce burnout. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and public documents from participants’ business websites and social media. Thematic data analysis resulted …

Depression Among Older Immigrant African Women In Metro West Massachusetts, Bi Toh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis study addressed depression among older immigrant African Women in Metro West Massachusetts to better understand the causes and prevalence of depression among older women coming from Africa to live in the United States. The study situated older women to be above the age of 55 and focused on exploring the views of social workers in relation to issues of depression among these women. It addressed the factors that influence older immigrant African women’s adaptive capacity in Metro West Massachusetts, the mental health service social workers offer to older women from Africa living in the United States, how social workers …

Core Subject Area Vocabulary Instructional Strategies For Middle School English Language Learners, Tiffany N. Waller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Academic vocabulary is one of the most important skills needed in language learning, but it may be difficult for students whose native language is not English. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate how classroom core subject teachers at Middle School 55 (pseudonym) perceive their ability to implement specific instructional model strategies to support explicit academic vocabulary building for ELL students. This study was grounded in Becker and Engelmann’s direct instruction framework for effective and efficient teaching and involved providing research-based principles for teachers supporting ELLs in middle school who are developing academic vocabulary skills. Open-ended semistructured interviews …

Disciplinary Teacher Perceptions And Challenges Of Literacy Instruction For English Language Learners, Scarlett Nicole Wetherington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disciplinary teachers who teach mathematics, science, and social studies are challenged to embed literacy instruction into their disciplines for the growing population of English language learners (ELLs). In a rural middle school in the Southern region of the United States, disciplinary teachers are struggling to embed literacy instruction to support ELLs to meet grade-level achievement standards. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perceptions about the challenges of using literacy strategies to teach ELLs in the disciplinary classroom. The conceptual framework for this study included Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning. The key research questions of this …

Kindergarten Teachers' Perspectives On School Readiness In Children Who Attended Military Installation Childcare Centers, Juliana Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited literature exists on the effectiveness of prekindergarten programs located on military installations in the United States. The children who attend these programs may not receive school readiness preparation equivalent to that received by their peers who attend community-based prekindergarten programs, which follow different guidelines. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the kindergarten readiness of children who attended preschool on military installations as described by teachers in community-based kindergarten classrooms. Pianta's work on school readiness formed the conceptual framework of this basic qualitative study. The research question addressed how kindergarten teachers describe school readiness in children …

Examining Clinical Behaviors That Demonstrate Intersectionality And Cultural Humility In Mental Health Treatment, Loretta Kosi Okeke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractCultural humility is an ethical standard within the social work profession. As the United States becomes more diverse, there are increasing rates of failure to implement cultural humility in social work practice in mental health settings. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to examine how clinical social workers demonstrate cultural humility and intersectionality in mental health settings. The theoretical basis on which the research was conducted includes the person-centered theory and the feminist theories, which provided a strong framework for understanding the influences of cultural dynamics and intersectionality on the quality of patient outcomes in mental health care. …

Factors Associated With The Uptake Of Hiv Testing Among African American Male College Students, Brittney Sade Washington-Ball,Drph

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV testing rates are much lower among African American male college students than male college students of other racial groups. Routine HIV testing on college campuses can decrease HIV rates among African Americans and increase students' awareness of their HIV status. This study was an investigation of factors associated with HIV testing among a sample of 140 African American male college students. The health belief model guided the research study and served as the theoretical framework to examine the influence of factors such as the location of testing, STD status, number of sexual partners, insurance coverage, health information, and alcohol …

Social Media Analytics Use Among Small Business Owners, Melody White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As of January 2018, small businesses created 47.5% of private jobs in the United States, but little is known about whether and why small business owners use social media analytics. This topic is important because social media analytics assist businesses in identifying social media effectiveness, gaining new customers, and staying connected with current customers. The purpose of this generic qualitative research study was to explore the use of social media analytics by small business owners, which can increase customer interaction and help monitor company perception and effectiveness. The conceptual foundation used in this study was the technology acceptance model. The …

Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Professional Development Effectiveness, Justin C. Hose

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Through continuing education, educators improve their skills and become more proficient at their jobs. However, some educational leaders are unaware of the perception of teachers regarding professional development. Grounded in Desimone and Garet’s framework of best practices in teachers’ professional development, the purpose of this interpretive qualitative study was to compare that framework to what a sample of teachers believe is effective professional development based on their experiences. Data were interviews with 10 teachers with at least a year of experience in Virginia. The framework was used to compare the theory of what makes effective professional development to the actual …

Urban Administrators Perspectives Of Exclusionary Discipline Techniques And The School-To-Prison Pipeline, Sabrina Enid Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is an overrepresentation of elementary-age, Black boys being suspended across the United States. Researchers have found that if these boys are disconnected from school at an early age, they are at risk of becoming part of the school-to-prison pipeline (STPP). Educators, particularly those in urban settings, need to understand more about the use of exclusionary discipline policies and practices. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to understand how urban educators consider the consequences of exclusionary discipline practices and the overrepresentation of elementary-age, Black boys who receive them compared to others. Critical race theory informed this study. Ten …

A Qualitative Study On The Fidelity Implementation Of Response To Intervention For K–2 Students In Reading, Sandra Lee Joyner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe problem that prompted this qualitative case study was a continuous below proficiency level performance of the kindergarten through second-grade students in a U.S. Southern state in reading, despite response to intervention (RTI) being implemented since 2011. The purpose of the study was to explore K–2 teachers’ perceptions regarding the fidelity implementation of RTI procedures in K–2 grades. The theoretical framework for this study was based on constructivist learning theory. The research questions were intended to examine K–2 teachers’ perceptions on how interventions were implemented through RTI to benefit, challenge, and address the needs of Grades K–2 struggling readers. Data …

Workforce Management Strategies In The International Airline Alliance Ground Staff Operations, Francis K. Kumaka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the 21st-century international airlines' alliance ground staff operations environment, a lack of effective strategies to ensure a diverse and inclusive workforce has the potential to affect an organization adversely. Some U.S.-based international airline alliance leaders are concerned with the lack of effective strategies to ensure an inclusive and diverse workforce, as it may negatively affect corporate sustainability and profitability. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies U.S.-based international airline alliance leaders in ground staff operations use to successfully manage a diverse workforce to ensure organizational sustainability and profitability. Data …

An Exploration Of Medical Residency Program Managers Resolving International Medical Graduate Acculturation Challenges, Candice Melissa Love

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractInternational medical graduates (IMGs) undergo rigorous training and certification requirements for entry into medical residency programs in the United States. Despite having professional expertise and academic training, some IMGs experience acculturation challenges that negatively impact engagement and professional relationships during medical residency. Grounded in Berry’s Acculturation model and Portes and Zhou’s segmented assimilation model, the purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the best practices medical residency program managers developed while leading IMGs. The participants consisted of 22 U.S. medical residency program managers, directors, and coordinators who had at least 3 years of experience managing IMGs. Participants responded …

Relationship Dynamics, Sexual Practices, And Hiv Risk Of Black Behaviorally Bisexual Women, Dajaneil S. Mccree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk that exists among women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) is influenced by behavioral factors related to condom use and penetrative sex with sex toys and body parts. Although women represent a large percentage in HIV diagnoses, research has lacked in determining the sexual behaviors that exist behind health-related risks of young women who have sex with women (WSW) and HIV. This study fills the gap in literature in HIV prevention and testing interventions for WSWM by representing Black young adult WSWM in behavioral research, identifying how their lived experiences in relationships …

Staff Education For Obesity And An Evidence- Based Checklist To Manage Obesity, Veronica B. Nelson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractObesity is a global problem that affects individuals of all ages. It results in a myriad of adverse health effects for children and adults. It is a preventable condition that can lead to a host of physical and psychological health conditions. Despite numerous attempts to decrease the incidence and prevalence of obesity, it continues to be a persistent problem. Efforts to decrease its incidence and prevalence are thus warranted within the nursing profession. Obesity management is inconsistent in clinical practice. This project aimed to deliver an education program to the staff of a pediatric clinic who serves many obese clients. …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Thoughts About Emotion Regulation Therapy To Improve Students’ Employability, Phyllis R. Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHigh school graduates with language deficits often have poor emotion regulation (ER), enter the workforce unprepared to meet the emotional demands, and experience workforce outcomes that lead to a poor quality of life. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) teach ER, but little is known about ER-targeted speech-language therapy (ERSLT) for high schoolers with mild-to-moderate language impairments and ER deficits (MMLI/ER). This study was designed to explore SLPs’ views and decisions about providing ER-SLT to improve career readiness and employability for students with MMLI/ER. Several studies, the evidence-based practice (EBP) model, and a thematic analysis approach informed this integrative interpretive description design and …