Digital Commons Network^™

Strategies For Enhancing Membership Retention In U.S. African American Sororities, Kendra D. Bryant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Member retention remains a challenge for African American sororities. Sorority leaders are concerned because declining retention may weaken organizational sustainability, leadership continuity, and member participation. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to explore leadership strategies used by African American sorority leaders to enhance member engagement and retention. Participants included six current or former chapter presidents and regional leaders of African American sororities in the United States with successful experience in enhancing member retention. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of publicly available organizational materials. Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis process …

Exploring The Perspectives Of Individuals Who Were Formerly Incarcerated To Determine The Barriers And Facilitators To Successful Reentry Programs In Maryland, Ansu Sawi Momoh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to persistently high rates of incarceration and recidivism, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services developed policies and programs geared towards reducing recidivism. Existing literature indicated that successful reentry depends on access to coordinated support services, there was a lack of qualitative studies that explored the perspectives of individuals who were formerly incarcerated, specifically in the state of Maryland. The purpose of this generic qualitative research was to understand the reentry process from the perspective of 12 individuals who were formerly incarcerated. Semi structured interviews were used to explore the barriers and facilitators within the re-entry programs …

Intelligence Mindset, Grit, Ethnic-Racial Identity, And Academic Motivation Among Native Hawaiian Male College Students, Ian James KealiʻIolani Custino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Native Hawaiian males experience the lowest college graduation rates among all ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi, with only 15% attaining a bachelor’s degree or higher. This disparity significantly impacts income, employment opportunities, and the overall quality of life for Native Hawaiian men. This contributes to increased houselessness and poverty, as well as reduced access to healthcare. Research shows that intelligence mindset, grit, and ethnic-racial identity can positively influence academic outcomes, but little is known about how these factors relate specifically to academic motivation among 94 Native Hawaiian men. This study used a non-experimental, cross-sectional, quantitative survey design to examine the relative …

The International Adoption Movement From South Korea: A Sociological Analysis Of Its Rise, Fall And Relevance Today For Children’S Rights Issues, Madeline H. Engel

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

Improving K-Card Observation Fidelity To Sustain A Culture Of Continuous Learning, John L. Ricks Iii

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem

            Despite improvements in central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) attribution, variability in Kamishibai card (K-card) observation practices and documentation limited the unit's ability to identify, learn from, and correct persistent deviations from expected practice. Baseline data showed frequent incomplete documentation and a pattern of completing K-card observations outside bedside shift report.

Context

This project took place in a 20-bed medical-surgical ICU, using the existing K-card process to support high-reliability prevention of hospital-acquired conditions (HAC). Baseline assessment revealed inconsistent observation workflows, incomplete documentation, and unclear roles and expectations.

Interventions

A standardized K-card observation workflow was developed through rapid-cycle testing. Observations were …

Don’T Fall For It: Just-In-Time Staff Education To Reduce Patient Falls On An Adult Telemetry Unit, Forrest Wilcox, Kyle Knight, Jennifer Paiz, Zaira Garcia-Vega

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Patient falls remain a leading cause of preventable harm among hospitalized adults and carry significant clinical and financial consequences. On an adult medical-surgical telemetry unit at this study site, a one-year review of 45 fall events found that most falls occurred among patients classified as high risk on the Morse Fall Scale, frequently without continuous observation or consistent purposeful rounding. Aim: The aim of this project is to reduce falls on the telemetry unit to the national benchmark of 3.2 falls per 1,000 patient days within a 6-month period. Methods: A just-in-time (JIT) education intervention was delivered to registered …

Determinants Of Antenatal Care Utilization: A Community-Based, Cross-Sectional Study In Morang And Sunsari Districts, Eastern Nepal, Sunil Shah, Chandra Jha

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study examined the factors influencing antenatal care (ANC) utilization in the eastern region of Nepal, focusing on the Morang and Sunsari districts, with the aim of identifying key determinants affecting ANC uptake and assessing the extent of ANC service utilization among mothers. Using lot quality assurance sampling, a community-based, descriptive, cross-sectional design was employed, surveying 164 mothers who had given birth within the previous 12 months; data were collected from June through November 2023. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Findings revealed that 80.5% of respondents …

From Silence To Confidence: Empathy-Driven And Trauma-Informed Education For Refugee Children, Suparna Bagchi

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

Aim(s):This reflective piece explores how schools in the United Kingdom (UK) can meaningfully support refugee children affected by war and conflict. Drawing on insights from a doctoral study, it reflects on how empathy and trauma awareness can foster belonging among refugee children, encouraging meaningful educational practice in times of global conflict.Method/Rationale:The study was conducted in mainstream primary schools in south-west England. It included qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers and parents, observation of students’ classroom activities, field notes and classroom and corridor displays. This article presents a reflective narrative of a teacher’s experience with two Syrian refugee sisters, …

Brief Amici Curiae Of New Ways Ministry, Et Al., St. Mary Catholic Parish V. Roy, Leslie C. Griffin, Marci A. Hamilton

Court Briefs

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Escape Room Simulation On The Self-Efficacy And Communication Levels Of Novice Critical Care Nurses, Lauren A. Femino, Kim Chapman, Julie A. Marshall, Shelby A. Trull, Jennifer A. Dibenedetto

The Lahey Journal

Abstract 

Introduction: Novice critical care nurses often report having low self-confidence and effective communication skills when transitioning to the ICU practice, often due to stress, limited experience, and unfamiliarity with critical care environments. These challenges can not only affect their job satisfaction and retention rates, but also pose serious risks to patient safety and outcomes. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to assess the impact of an escape room simulation on the self-efficacy and communication skills of novice critical care nurses.

Methods: An evidence-based practice (EBP) project with pre-test and post-test design was conducted to …

From “Fixer” To “Facilitator”: A Clinical Review Of Shared Medical Appointments As A Strategy For Workforce Sustainability, Barbara A. Slusher

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

Clinician burnout remains a significant threat to workforce sustainability, particularly in resource-constrained settings managing complex chronic diseases. While shared medical appointments (SMAs) have demonstrated clear benefits in patient satisfaction and access, their impact on clinician well-being and professional fulfillment is less clearly defined. This review evaluates whether participation in SMAs improves clinician satisfaction and mitigates burnout by facilitating a conceptual transition from isolated “Fixer” to collaborative “Facilitator.”

A targeted literature search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar identified peer-reviewed publications examining shared medical appointments and clinician-centered outcomes, including burnout, clinician satisfaction, and workforce sustainability. …

The Use Of Psilocybin For Managing Refractory Behavioral Health Conditions: A Narrative Review, Rachel N. Clark

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the possible benefits of using psilocybin (C₁₂H₁₇N₂O₄P), a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in certain species of mushrooms, in the treatment of multiple forms of mental illness and substance use disorders, either as monotherapy or in conjunction with traditional psychiatric medications. The compound has high affinity for several serotonin receptors, including 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_2A, and 5-HT_2C, which are located throughout the cerebral cortex and thalamus. A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted, identifying studies that assessed pharmacokinetics, therapeutic …

Comparing Student-Centered And Traditional Approaches In Mandatory Middle School Music, Charmian Cavanagh

Masters Theses

The purpose of this applied research study is to examine the effectiveness of a traditional theory-based music curriculum compared with an alternative, practice-centered curriculum on the motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes of middle school students enrolled in mandatory general music classes at an inner-city school in Camden, New Jersey. Theory instruction has long served as a foundation of music education; however, many students in required general music settings demonstrate low engagement and limited long-term connection to musical study. Research will explore whether a curriculum that prioritizes creativity, cultural relevance, and active music-making better supports student interest and achievement. Findings will …

The Dream Itself Was Home”: Imaginary Homelands As A Model For Analyzing Contemporary African Return Narratives, Renee King

Masters Theses

Although contemporary African return narratives featuring female protagonists explore a wide range of themes, they consistently portray women who struggle to situate themselves within an increasingly globalized world. In these narratives, the homeland initially functions as a stabilizing anchor that emboldens the protagonist to pursue education or employment abroad, yet works such as Doreen Baingana’s Tropical Fish and Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah reveal that the homeland the protagonists once treated as immutable ultimately exposes itself as a dream. This destabilization unsettles the notion of an unshakeable cultural identity and demonstrates how migration reshapes both the self and the meaning of home. …

Co-Dominion: The Changing Nature Of The Adamic Covenant In An Age Of Artificial Intelligence, Corey Hastings

Masters Theses

Theologians and religious bodies attest to the rising influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in governments, the economy, and the lives of the people of God. Through the covenant with Adam, God gave humans the blessing of dominion and capabilities unique to creation to till the earth. Today, humans retain the image of God but AI increasingly displaces human functions with coordinated agency. Using Hebrew language exegesis of passages from Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, this study compares capabilities gifted to humans with the scope of current and near future AI models. It incorporates direct artifact analysis of a large-language model as …

A Biblical Understanding Of Discipleship As A Pedagogy For The Fear Of The Lord, Desirae Jeffreys

Masters Theses

The fear of the Lord is a significant topic found throughout scripture, yet it is a concept that lacks recognition in our culture, and even in some churches today. The reality is that there is confusion about how to define the fear of the Lord and, thereby, confusion about how to teach the fear of the Lord. This thesis provides a biblical understanding of the fear of the Lord as described in Proverbs 1–9. The fear of God is evaluated through the lens of instruction throughout these chapters, providing a basis of understanding for the complexity of the definition of …

Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Autistic Students As They Navigate Nutrition In Higher Education: A Hermeneutic Study, Amanda Beeman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to interpret how adult students with ASD in higher education navigate nutritional choices. This study was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, which explains the relationship between environmental factors and individual health and well-being. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to examine how students with ASD experienced nutrition within the higher education environment. The central research question asked how adult higher education students with ASD experienced and navigated nutrition in the context of college life. The sample included 10 adult participants with ASD enrolled in a higher education institution. Data were collected …

The Nurses’ Perceptions Of Shared Governance, Psychological Empowerment, And Turnover Intention, Emma Maniago Aquino-Maneja, Linda Searle Leach, Hong Li, Juli Mcginnis

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: A major challenge in healthcare is the significant shortage of experienced nurses. Although evidence shows that shared governance (SG) is a key strategy for retaining nurses, gaps remain in understanding its relationship and predictive pathways to psychological empowerment (PE) and turnover intention (TI).

Purpose: The study explored the relationships and predictive pathways among nurses' perceptions of SG, PE, and TI in acute care hospitals. It also aimed to compare how nurse leaders (NLs) and clinical nurses (CNs) perceive these factors, and to examine the influence of their socio-demographic characteristics on these perceptions.

Method: The study employed a descriptive, correlational, …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of A Single-Item Happiness Index For Screening Mild Depressive Symptoms, Shun Chan, Aderonke Odetayo, Jasmine Cheung, Anson Chui Yan Tang, Lorna Kawi Ping Suen, Simon Ching Lam

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Depression symptoms are a mental health problem with rising prevalence globally. To enhance the estimation of depressive symptoms in epidemiological studies, a 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) has been widely used. Some local research found that a single-item General Happiness Index (GHI) highly correlated with the scales used for screening the depressive symptoms. This study hence aimed to explore the sensitivity and specificity of GHI for screening mild or more severe depressive symptoms based on the secondary data analysis in the Chinese population.

Methods: This methodological study used the data collected in the General Happiness Survey 2024 and 2025 …

Navigating Psychosocial, Behavioural, And Spiritual Transformations During A Child’S Cancer Journey, Jen-Jiuan Liaw, Wen-Yu Hu, Hsiang-Yun Lan, Yu-Lun Tsai, Chen-Xi Lin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Parents of children with cancer are highly vulnerable, often experiencing profound psychological distress, and caregiving burden. While existing research primarily focuses on parental distress, few studies have explored how parents navigate psychosocial, behavioral, and spiritual transformations during their child’s illness.

Aims: This study explored how Taiwanese parents navigate psychosocial, behavioral, and spiritual changes while caring for children diagnosed with cancer.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design using a phenomenological approach was employed. Seventeen parents from pediatric oncology units in three medical centers in Taipei participated in in-depth interviews by trained research nurses with experience of pediatric oncological care. Data were …

Knowledge, Burden, And Experiences Of Peg Caregivers In Türkiye: A Mixed-Methods Study, Hande Nur Arslan, Sevilay Senol Celik

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

This study examined knowledge levels, caregiving burden, and lived experiences of family caregivers providing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) care in Türkiye using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Family caregivers play a critical role in PEG management; however, limited formal home-care infrastructure and strong familial norms intensify their responsibilities and increasing burden. Twenty-eight caregivers from a university hospital (March–June 2025) completed the PEG Care Knowledge Assessment and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative results showed a mean knowledge score of 15.50±5.64 (55.3% accuracy), with 46.4% demonstrating low knowledge. The average burden was 49.18±15.43, which means it was moderate to severe. Stepwise regression (p< 0.001) identified PEG knowledge, caregiver age, weekly care hours, relationship closeness, household size, patient age, and comorbidities as significant predictors.

Qualitative …

The Experience Of Sleep And Academic Performance Among African American College Students: A Case Study, Jamean Alma Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transition to college presents significant challenges for African American college students, particularly in developing effective study habits and maintaining healthy sleep behaviors that support academic success. Despite growing evidence linking sleep and academic performance, limited research has explored how African American students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) perceive these experiences. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of African American college students regarding sleep habits, study habits, and academic performance. Guided by three research questions, data were collected through semi structured interviews with 12 African American students attending HBCUs in …

Effective Strategies Human Resource Business Leaders Use To Decrease Employee Turnover, Dorothy Norton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee turnover continues to be a widespread organizational challenge because it increases recruitment and training costs, disrupts productivity, and negatively affects organizational performance and sustainability. The research problem was that some business leaders lack effective strategies to reduce employee turnover. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore strategies business leaders use to reduce employee turnover. Herzberg’s two-factor theory served as the conceptual framework for the study. The participants were six business leaders with responsibility for employee retention who successfully implemented employee retention strategies. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive …

Treatment Alternatives To Incarceration Program (Taip) Counselor’S Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Taip Within West Texas, Patricia Arenas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance abuse remains a major challenge in the U.S. probation system, as recidivism persists despite specialized treatment programs such as the Treatment Alternatives to Incarceration Program (TAIP) available in Texas. This issue matters to policymakers, judges, community supervision officers, TAIP administrators, treatment providers, and local communities because decisions about funding, supervision, sanctions, coordination, and service delivery affect rehabilitation outcomes, public safety, and reoffending. This transcendental phenomenological study explored TAIP counselors’ perceptions of the program’s effectiveness in treating substance abuse offenders and reducing recidivism in West Texas. Guided by Husserl’s phenomenology, data were collected through semi structured interviews with four TAIP …

Post-Pandemic Telebehavioral Health: Sustaining And Regulating Remote Mental Health Care As A Core Modality, Weiqiao Dong

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

The United States continues to face a persistent mental health crisis after the COVID-19 pandemic, raising a policy question about the long-term role and regulation of telebehavioral health as a core modality of care. This thesis examines that question through a case study of New York State, an early center of the pandemic and a leader in telehealth policy reform.

Guided by the Health Policy Triangle framework, this thesis integrates longitudinal data from all 62 New York counties for 2010-2025 with a 2025 cross-sectional dataset covering 61 counties. Seventeen standardized indicators are organized into four dimensions: geographic, economic, demographic, and …

Phenomenological Study Of How College Educators Perceive The Effectiveness Of Professional Development Programs In Enhancing Their Attitudes Towards Inclusive Learning Strategies, Robbi-Gail Batura

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of college educators regarding the effectiveness of professional development programs in enhancing their attitudes towards inclusive learning strategies. For this study, the central phenomenon was defined as the influence of professional development programs on educators’ approaches to inclusive practices in the classroom. The theory guiding this study is the theory of planned behavior, which explores the relationships between individuals' attitudes and behaviors. The central research question for this study is how do college educators perceive professional development programs as influencing their attitudes toward inclusive learning practices? This study …

Staff Education To Enhance Nurse Knowledge Of Standardized Sud Screening Using The Dast-10 In An Outpatient Psychiatric Setting, Peters Olugbemiga Adu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The utilization of substance use disorder (SUD) screening tools at the practice site was inconsistent, contributing to limited identification and diagnosis of SUDs. The project was conducted at a psychiatric outpatient clinic in an urban region of Maryland that serves many patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The purpose of the project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a staff education program focused on the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10). The primary goal was to improve staff knowledge and understanding of the DAST-10 screening tool. A 14-item multiple-choice questionnaire was administered before and after the educational intervention …

Defining Quality Of Life: The Lived Experience Of Adults With Pulmonary Hypertension And The Impact Of Activity-Induced Respiratory Distress, Bethany Jean Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive, life-limiting disease that significantly affects quality-of-life (QoL). Limited research has explored lived experiences of individuals with PH. Guided by Parse’s human becoming theory, this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of individuals affected by PH and examined how activity-induced respiratory distress affected QoL. The research Question was: How do individuals with PH describe the impact of activity-induced respiratory distress on their QoL. I conducted interviews with nine participants, including eight adults diagnosed with PH and one caregiver of an individual with PH. Data were analyzed using Saldaña's comparative coding framework to identify …

Licensed Counselors’ Meaning-Making Of Debriefing Experiences Following Client Crises In Community Mental Health Centers, Donna Howard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Licensed professional counselors working in community mental health centers (CMHCs) frequently respond to client crises; however, little was known about how they understand and make meaning of debriefing following those events. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to explore counselors’ meaning-making of debriefing following client crises in CMHCs. Guided by IPA and grounded in phenomenology and hermeneutics, data were collected through semistructured interviews with five licensed professional counselors who had at least 5 years of CMHC experience, participated in postcrisis debriefing, and graduated from programs accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and …

Preschool Teachers' Perceptions In Supporting Students Experiencing Trauma, Ann F. Gorbett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood teachers are often the first to observe behaviors that could be a result of trauma. The problem that was addressed in this study is that preschool teachers are not adequately trained to effectively address the social, emotional, and academic needs of children who have experienced trauma. Framed by Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore preschool teachers’ preparedness and training needs to effectively respond to children who have experienced trauma. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 general education preschool teachers, who have at least 2 years of teaching experience. …