Digital Commons Network^™

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' …

Strategies That Reduce Nurse Turnover, Trueman Chukwuemeka Atughonu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurse turnover is a significant problem that hospital managers and administrators face in delivering high-quality patient care while ensuring organizational profitability. In the United States, the average cost of replacing a nurse ranges from $40,000 to $100,000. Hospital managers are significantly challenged to reduce nurse turnover and keep costs down. Grounded in the Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore the strategies hospital managers use to reduce nurse turnover. The participants included five hospital managers at five medical centers in Arizona with successful experience in reducing nurse turnover. Data were collected from semistructured interviews …

Achieving An Organizational Culture To Increase Female Leadership In Technology Organizations, Kikelomo Lina Awodogan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The nonexistence of organizational culture to increase female leadership in technology organizations impacts organizations’ performance. Leaders of technology organizations who do not create an organizational culture to increase female leadership may experience innovation gaps reducing their competitive advantage. Grounded in the gendered organization theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that leaders of technology organizations use to create a culture-friendly environment and adequate support that allows women to occupy leadership positions for improving business performance. The participants were three technology leaders located in the United States. Data were collected via semistructured interviews and publicly available …

How Behavioral Health Leaders Overcome Barriers To Perinatal Mental And Psychoeducation, Jaime Lorraine Bailey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Behavioral health supportive services are increasingly becoming integrated into primary care settings. This study focused on strategies to strengthen the knowledge of behavioral health leaders and address the barriers to perinatal mental health support in primary care. A case study was designed to explore the obstacles behavioral health leaders faced managing the limited access to perinatal mental health care, along with the lack of provider psychoeducation on perinatal mental health, in integrated care settings in primary care. This study sought to provide options for better access and quality of care to perinatal patients and increase provider psychoeducation on perinatal mental …

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 …

Teacher Self-Efficacy Beliefs Related To The Implementation Of A School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions And Support Program, Angela Burnell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research supports that teacher self-efficacy beliefs influence instructional behaviors and the implementation of educational programs. Bandura, based on his social cognitive theory, described teacher self-efficacy beliefs as strong self-regulating factors that influence individual instructional practices. However, there is a lack of empirical information about the influence of these factors on implementation of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (SWPBIS) programs to address student behaviors. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between teacher self-efficacy beliefs and perceptions about the implementation of a SWPBIS program, and student outcomes. The research questions concerned whether teacher self-efficacy beliefs were …

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. …

The Effect Of Crime Drama Viewing Habits And Technology On Potential Jurors, Erin Marie Cosenza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Proponents of the “CSI effect” argue that viewers of fictional crime drama television programs are inappropriately influenced and have heightened expectations for the presentation of forensic evidence during jury trials and therefore cause jurors to incorrectly weigh the importance of the evidence on the outcome of the trial. Television programs make measurable contributions to viewers’ perceptions of reality and cultivate the way people learn about the world. Cultivation theory suggests that the ability to use critical thinking is inhibited in discerning truth from glamorized portrayals of evidence collection, analyses, and the timeframe with which criminal investigation storylines are concluded. The …

Latinx Parents’ Mental Health Advocacy Efforts In School Settings, Christine R. Durfee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latinx parents want to participate in their child’s education plan but are faced with increased challenges since the 2016 anti-immigrant policies amplified the disparities in utilizing mental health services. Latinx parents want to collaborate with school psychologists and mental health providers to help their children but do not readily trust them based on their negative past experiences. Therefore, Latinx parents struggle to receive academic accommodations for their children with mental health challenges. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to address this gap and explore the lived experience of Latinx parents who advocate on behalf of their children with mental …

Testimonios From Latinas In Community College Administration In Nuestra Comunidad, Yessika Milines Garcia-Guzman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is not known why Latina community college administrators are disproportionally underrepresented in higher education. Of all full-time faculty in postsecondary institutions, 3% are Hispanic females; 1% or less of full-time professors are Hispanic females, and 3% are full-time assistant professors. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of Latina community college administrators in their journey as college students and how these experiences informed their understanding of the academic and student support systems that either hinder or support Latinas. Phinney’s theory of racial and ethnic development was the theoretical foundation for the study. The research questions …

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 …

Strategies For Reducing Occupational Stress And Increasing Productivity, Dr. Bradley J. Irby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some business leaders lack strategies to reduce occupational stress and increase productivity. Occupational stress can reduce productivity, damage an organization’s image, and incite a toxic work environment. Grounded in social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies leaders of a Texas based land-management service company use to decrease occupational stress and increase productivity. The participants consisted of five senior leaders with a record of reducing occupational stress and maintaining a profitable portfolio of work. Data were collected via a review of existing literature, semistructured interviews, and a review of company resources. Using Yin’s …

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 …

Stories Of Sacred Healing In Adults Through The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kimberly D. Key

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The intersection of sacred healing and medicine was pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic as researchers found that physicians experienced more difficulty during medical encounters when they did not understand and collaborate with patients’ sacred healing beliefs. As such, the purpose of this narrative qualitative study was to gain an understanding of people’s descriptions of sacred healing by asking participants to share their sacred healing stories at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Antonovsky’s salutogenic model was selected as the theoretical framework, as it described people with a higher sense of coherence tend to have higher health outcomes in the face …

Workplace Experiences Of Blind College-Educated Women, Lynne Koral

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractBecause of the limited research on workplace experiences of blind college-educated women, policies have not been implemented that will lead to greater equity for this group. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the workplace experiences of blind college-educated women using the social construction theory. Data were collected from semi structured interviews with 11 blind college-educated women. Results indicated that accessibility in college or at work with websites and job applications presented the greatest obstacle to successful job seeking. State rehabilitative agencies were not considered to be effective in job development, placement, or promotion. Working from home was …

Adult Learners’ Perceptions Of Barriers That Delay Their Degree Completion At K University, Vincent De Paul Kouassi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As the population of adult learners increases in higher education institutions across the globe, recent studies demonstrate that they face barriers that delay their advanced degree completion. Although K University (pseudonym) had discussed this delay among its adult student population, no studies or interventions had been proposed to address the problem. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the adult learners’ perceptions of personal and institutional barriers that delayed their degree completion at K University. Johnstone and Rivera’s theory of internal and external barriers was the conceptual framework used in this study. Data collection was based on …

Stigma In Intimate Partner Relationships Among Ebola Survivors In Monrovia, Adam Monah Kyne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stigmatization among Ebola survivors poses a growing problem in Monrovia, resulting in fractured relationships and broken marriages due to the fear of contracting Ebola during intimate moments. This study explores the lived experience of stigmatization in intimate partner relationships among Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors in Monrovia, guided by stigma theory. By sharing the experiences of survivors, the study sheds light on the effects of stigmatization on their intimate relationships and provides a platform for expressing their personal experiences. It reveals the profound impact of the disease on survivors’ lives and their relationships with their partners. Using a qualitative approach, …

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) …

Generational Information Security Awareness And The Role Of Big Five Personality Traits, Gloria Mccue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractTechnological change drives organizations to safeguard information systems. However, such safeguards are dependent upon people to follow security rules. This study examined generational cohorts and personality traits and their impact on information security awareness. Participants in this study were 137 volunteers who completed an anonymous survey online. Two tools were utilized to collect data from the participants: the Human Aspects of Information Security Questionnaire and the Big Five Inventory, which captured behaviors and personality traits, respectively. The three main generational cohorts represented in the study, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y, were in today’s workforce. The results of the …

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. …

Food And Income Insecurity And Academic Progress Among African American College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Gloria Brown Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The impact of food insecurity on minority college students is an ongoing concern that reached new importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although researchers have examined food insecurity among college students during COVID-19, they had not explored the role of coping responses among African American college students during the onset of the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate coping responses as mediators between situational stressors (students’ experiences of food insecurity, residential changes, and changes in employment) and academic progress among African American college students during COVID-19. The instruments used for this study were the Brief COPE Inventory, Global …

Minority Supervisees’ Experiences With Parallel Processing In Counseling Supervision, Dorothy Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The population of mental health counselors mirrors the diversity of the people served by the counseling profession. Becoming a professional counselor in the United States requires a designated number of clinical supervision hours. The supervision process is designed to ensure a supervisee is equipped with the skills and develops the professional identity to serve the public. Studies have explored the phenomenon of parallel processing (the processes at work between a supervisee and client reflected in their relationship) from clinical supervisors’ perspectives, yet researchers agree that the supervisee initiates the phenomenon, and the voices of supervisees have not been captured. The …

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 …

Strategies To Implement Efficient Manufacturing Systems To Improve Companies’ Performance, Ihebuche Miracle Okorie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have demonstrated that many manufacturing managers have used successful manufacturing strategies to improve their company’s performance. Manufacturing managers search for successful strategies to implement efficient manufacturing systems because inefficient manufacturing systems can negatively affect their company’s performance. Using transformational leadership as a conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore six U.S. manufacturing managers’ strategies to implement efficient manufacturing systems to improve their company’s performance. The participants were six manufacturing leaders of a company who had successfully employed strategies to implement efficient manufacturing systems. Data were collected from semistructured, open-ended interviews and a review …