Digital Commons Network^™

Using Chess As An Intervention To Improve Executive Functioning Among Youth, Anandita Oberoi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth represent a vulnerable segment of the population and may have underdeveloped levels of executive functioning (EF), which is important in both daily life and is shown to have far-reaching effects. This research study aimed to decipher if lessons in the game of chess could be used as an efficacious intervention for accelerating EF development in youth. The three research questions focused on determining whether there was a difference in the chosen indices of EF before and after a 14-session chess intervention. The theoretical framework used for this study was Piaget’s cognitive development theory. This quantitative, single group pretest–posttest design …

Stories Of Learning And Instructional Practices In Traditional Hawaiian Hula Education, Lynn Kaleihaunani Melena

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teachers of traditional hula have preserved Native Hawaiian cultural knowledge despite societal changes that led to cultural suppression in Hawaii. However, little is known about how these teachers accomplished this feat. The purpose of this study was to understand how hula instruction has evolved to transmit cultural knowledge and how past methods influenced current instructor practices in sustaining a vibrant culture. Research questions explored the instructional approaches and innovations of hula teachers past and present in one traditional hula school. The conceptual framework integrated the Native Hawaiian worldview and a Western theory of participatory creativity. A qualitative study using Indigenous …

The Association Between Teen Pregnancy And Academic Performance Among Schoolgirls In The Ivory Coast, Moussokoura Ouattara Epse Assoumou

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractTeen pregnancy (TP) is a social and public health problem around the world. In developed nations, approximately 16 million girls from aged 15 to 19 years become pregnant each year, presenting health problems for the mother and fetus in addition to economic and social consequences for the communities in which they live. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study, based on the theory of planned behavior, was to explore the association of academic performance and self-efficacy with TP. The research questions examined the association between the TP and the academic performance and self-efficacy while controlling for two covariates (socioeconomic status …

Texas Risk Assessment System (Tras) - An Analysis Of Post Incarcerated Females, Rebecca Pastrana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prediction of recidivism and risk has become one of the most important elements of an effective assessment in the U.S. prison system. Assessments conducted in the state of Texas prior to 2014 were not gender specific to female offenders. In 2015, Texas introduced a new risk/assessment tool known as Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) to identify and address differences in male and female offenders. The importance of the TRAS is that it helps identify female offenders’ needs, motivations, and factors that contribute to their reoffending. TRAS helps determine who requires higher levels of supervision, treatment, and/or other services. This quantitative …

Police Officer Aggression During Police-Civilian Encounters And Effect On Civilian Perception, James Aaron Plank

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Trust in the police by the public is the cornerstone of public safety. A lack of trust in the police discourages citizens from reporting criminal behavior, leading to increased crime rates. A lack of trust can be the result of inappropriate actions taken by officers in police-civilian encounters, as perceived by the citizen. Although increased professional standards and training have been implemented in police departments across the U.S., researchers have not demonstrated how aggressive police officer behavior affects the civilian perception of the officer’s actions. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between police …

Exploring Factors That Prepare Nigeria Police Officers For Performance Improvement, Lanre Ogunlowo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Police officers in Lagos State, Nigeria lack information on how to prepare for performance improvement that may enhance their knowledge on the requisite skills needed to protect lives and property. The purpose of the study was to understand this problem, and the central research question for the study was used to address how police officers may enhance their knowledge on the requisite skills necessary to protect lives and property in Lagos State, Nigeria. This qualitative exploratory case study used human competence model as extension of behavioral engineering system and recruited 15 participants. Yin’s five steps of (a) data compilation, (b) …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Programs To Reduce Juvenile Recidivism, Monte Powell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Multiple community prevention programs have been established to help reduce delinquency, but further research is required to address the gaps that exist by measuring the effectiveness of state-sponsored (Community that Cares) and private programs (D.A.R.E.). The purpose of this study was to examine these programs, which may provide pathways toward a successful and fulfilling livelihood for juveniles by preventing them from reoffending. The research questions were aimed at determining the reasons why deviant behavior is increasing and identifying effective methods for improving organizational aftercare program efficiency to reduce juvenile delinquency and recidivism. Environmental and demographical variables were examined that are …

Comparing Rape Myth Acceptance In Law Enforcement Officers And Non-Law Enforcement, Ava D. Ramirez-Ene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual assault is a crime of power and control, and despite the prevalence and severity, remains widely unreported and is met with shame, blame, and skepticism: a likely consequence of a rape culture that fosters rape myth acceptance (RMA). Law enforcement officers (LEOs) act as “gatekeepers” to the criminal justice system and, if they accept rape myths, can negatively influence sexual assault case outcomes. Social Dominance Theory posits that the male-dominated criminal justice system, has intergroup relations and shared cultural beliefs that justify and tolerate myths and behaviors fostering discrimination and skepticism towards victims of sexual violence. This study compared …

Factors Leading To Organizational Success Despite Low Trust In Leadership, Myriam Elizabeth Seay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Generally, research results have suggested that employees’ lack of trust in leadership typically results in poor performance. The purpose of this research was to explore the factors that contributed to the federal government’s organizational success despite organization employees’ low interpersonal trust/distrust in the agency’s leadership. This change in the theory of trust was identified as a gap in literature; the change in the traditional knowledge of trust merits this specific problem to be explored and analyzed for further understanding. The conceptual framework was composed of trust, distrust, and employee-leader interpersonal trust/distrust theory. A qualitative exploratory case study was used along …

Harm Reduction Strategies & Law Enforcement’S Approach To The Opioid Epidemic, Johnathon Michael Sharp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The opioid epidemic in the United States has increased in severity, lives lost, and associated costs for several decades. While legislation and criminal justice practices around the world regarding opioids have followed various avenues including alternative harm reduction approaches, U.S. responses have largely remained stagnant. However, one alternative harm reduction program, the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, has been implemented in a few U.S. cities. This study examined law enforcement administrators’ familiarity and challenges with harm reduction strategies like the LEAD program. Using Kingdon’s multiple streams theory, this qualitative case study interviewed 10 law enforcement administrators from the Midwestern …

Increasing Nurse Manager Knowledge Of Authentic Leadership, Patricia Ann Stone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractResearch has demonstrated a positive correlation between authentic leadership and positive patient and organizational outcomes. Given that nurses can be educated in authentic leadership, providing nurse leaders with training opportunities will help them develop authentic leadership skills which will benefit patients and the organization. At the project site, there is little opportunity for leadership development among nurse leaders. Thus, the purpose of this DNP project was to determine if an educational intervention focused on authentic leadership increase knowledge and awareness among nurse managers. Authentic leadership theory grounded the DNP project. Twenty-three nurse managers were invited to participate in an educational …

African American Males’ Unemployment And Their Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy Level: A Correlational Examination Of An Exceptional People, Devin J. Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American males possess the highest unemployment rates compared to all racial and gender demographics in America, which has persisted since the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics began measuring unemployment. Consequently, African American males are more likely to live in poverty and less likely to own businesses. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental correlational study was to ascertain relationships and predictions between African American males’ unemployment and their entrepreneurial self-efficacy level. The theoretical frameworks of this study employed the critical race theory, institutional/systemic racism, and the entrepreneurial self-efficacy theory. Accordingly, using random, convivence, and snowball sampling, 558 African American …

Leader-Member Exchange And Employee Retention In Municipal Government Agencies, Cynthia Thomas-Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A significant concern for organizational leaders is the impact of leader-member exchange related to employee behaviors and employee retention. The problem was that some municipal government leaders might not embrace core leadership practices that develop leader-employee relationships and increase employee retention. The purpose of this single case study was to explore practices that municipal government leaders had implemented to develop leader-employee relationships and increase employee retention. This single case study sought to identify and clarify core leadership practices of successful leaders in municipal government. The research question asked what core leadership practices municipal government leaders rely on to develop leader-employee …

Healthcare Leader Strategies For Leveraging Electronic Heath Records, Danessa Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHealthcare organizations may incur significant losses of productivity and profit because of the absence or incomplete implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). EHRs are important to healthcare leaders because they enhance communication between providers and patients, reduce unnecessary costs, and increase adherence to clinical guidelines. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that some successful healthcare leaders used to leverage EHRs in their organization to increase profit and productivity. The participants were nurse managers from four healthcare organizations that successfully implemented an EHR system in Georgia. Thematic analysis was …

Transformational Leadership And Fiscal Sustainability In The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, Ophelia Gemma Wells-Cornwall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Fiscal sustainability is an existing problem for countries in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), particularly during a time of crisis. The concept of fiscal sustainability is a function of the policy posture of the government, which is largely influenced by leadership. Theoretically, the characteristics associated with transformational leadership align with what is required to design and implement fiscal policies that promote fiscal sustainability. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory and Kingdon’s multiple streams framework, this quantitative correlational study involved examining the relationship between transformational leadership and fiscal sustainability in the ECCU. Data were collected from 85 participants working within …

Using Social Cognitive Theory To Explain Cannabidiol Usage For Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Margaret Wenzel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn the United States, over 40 million adults suffer from a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), with a 67% increase in overdose-related deaths. Research substantiates the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol (CBD) for GAD. Findings show that CBD, sourced from industrial hemp, may reduce anxiety symptoms. However, a problem exists for individuals deciding to subscribe to CBD’s oral administration because of the inability to remain compliant with the regimen. The measured steps that occur when a medication is prescribed are lacking when an individual accesses CBD independently. This quantitative cross-sectional study was designed to examine whether social cognitive theory explained the …

Co-Taught Inclusive Classrooms And Algebra I Achievement Of Students With Disabilities, Valeree Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Co-teaching has become an increasingly important topic for students with disabilities (SWDs) to access to the general education curriculum. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the instructional effectiveness of co-teaching versus inclusive non-co-teaching classroom instruction for SWDs using Algebra I End of Course (EOC) scores and whether these effects differed by gender. Cook and Friend’s principles of co-teaching provided the framework for the study. The first research question was: is there a significant difference in EOC scores for male SWDs enrolled in Grade 9 Algebra I who receive instruction in co-taught Algebra I classes as compared to …

Educational Interpreters For The Deaf: Job Ambiguity And Role Conflict, Marian Berry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis study investigated the ongoing job ambiguity and role conflict of certified educational interpreters for the deaf (CEID). It explored and identified factors that contribute to the difficulty in recruiting and retaining CEID interpreters for K-12 schools. The difficulty is compounded by the need for increasingly complex and specialized skills and knowledge required to become a CEID. Little attention has been given to CEIDs and the problems of job ambiguity, role conflict, and interpreter shortage. Identification of the recurring factors in the job ambiguity and role conflict will contribute toward eliminating the shortage of CEID's. This qualitative study aimed to …

Reentry Services For Individuals Wrongfully Convicted And Exonerated, Karlene Patsy Blackman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite research summarizing the causes of wrongful convictions, there are limited works on factors influencing exonerees’ reintegration into society. Although reentry services are provided to ex-offenders, the problem is that reentry services are not provided to individuals who are wrongfully convicted and exonerated. This study used state harm as a theoretical foundation. The general qualitative study determined if support or reentry services, if any, would have enhanced or increased the chances of a successful transition into society for individuals wrongfully convicted and exonerated. Specifically, it was an investigation of how a lack of reentry services associated with life, employment, shelter, …

The Association Between Teacher Attachment Style And Student Engagement, Susan Bonnell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The teacher-student relationship is an important dynamic in student engagement. Higher education retention strategies include the teacher-student relationship as a focus. The present study focused on the attachment style of the teacher and the impact that it has on student engagement. The theoretical basis for this study was Bowlby’s attachment theory. Student engagement, both behavioral and academic, was measured after 9 weeks of a semester in general education classes. A quantitative design was used to determine the relationship between the teacher’s attachment style and student engagement. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the results. Significant differences …

Creating A Pain Management Clinical Practice Guideline For Hospice Patients, Tiffany Ann Bowland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current evidence-based research shows that pain in hospice patients is a growing problem. A gap in practice was identified as the current clinical practice guideline (CPG) in a hospice center in South Carolina was outdated and not being employed. A literature review revealed that updated CPGs provide better outcomes in pain management for end-of-life care. The project answered the practice-focused question: In the context of hospice, what are current evidence-based strategies for managing pain. The Stettler model and Kolcaba’s comfort theory guided the development of the CPG. Three nurse case managers and two physicians participated in the creation of CPG. …

Staff Education And Depression Screening In Pulmonology And Sleep Medicine, Christina Boyle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDespite recommendations that all adults be screened for depression, providers at the project site struggled to consistently assess for depression. Identification of depression is an essential step in depression management, which is a concern for patients with sleep disorders and other pulmonary disease served at the site. The purpose of this project was to develop an education training program for clinicians regarding depression screening. The theory of cognitive development using the Iowa model of evidence-based practice (EBP) guided the project, which sought to determine if an EBP education program regarding depression screening would be an effective means for staff education, …

The Impact Of Self-Esteem And Body Dissatisfaction On Internalized Stigma In Obese, Hispanic Women, Dorothy M. Burns

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe current literature on self-esteem (SE), body dissatisfaction (BD) and internalized weight stigma (IWS) was limited, albeit evolving. The variables were well established across multiple domains of study: IWS was consistently noted to be a contributing factor for the development of obesity, but no studies explored the relationship between SE and BD on IWS. Therefore, the purpose of this correlational study was to explore the relationship between SE and BD and their effect on IWS in 30–44-year-old, obese, Hispanic women who are 20% more likely to be overweight or obese than non-Hispanic women. The study was guided by symbolic interactionism …

Relationship Between Multiple Train Derailment Causal Factors And The Occurrence Of Train Derailment, Samantha Cooper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Train derailments can result in loss of life, interruption of services, and destruction of the environment. Understanding the correlates of train derailments can help railway managers and safety managers reduce the occurrences of train derailments. Grounded in the Swiss cheese model, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between train derailment causal factors, visibility, weather, number of crew members, crew members’ length of time on duty, and the occurrence of a train derailment. Data were collected from secondary data on 1,396 Class I and Class II railroad accidents during the 2019 calendar year. The results …

Camp Quest Leader Perspectives On Virtual Summer Camps Options During Pandemics, Timothy James Cummings

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summer overnight camping, a noteworthy childhood leadership growth opportunity, has suffered greatly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Camp Quest, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides federated support services and governance to 12 independent nationwide camping organizations, was forced to cancel all of its in-person sessions. Hence, they now face an existential crisis that perhaps virtual camping sessions (i.e., camping activities performed remotely and online using computer equipment) can mitigate. Accordingly, this generic qualitative professional administrative study sought to understand and describe the perspectives of the camping leaders related to their experiences with virtual camping so that their mission …

Perspectives On The Study Circles Program For Increasing Parental Involvement, Eugenia Sophia Dawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Administrators were concerned over a lack of minority parental involvement and challenges in meeting the needs of a rapidly growing minority student population in a local school district. To enhance minority parental involvement, one local middle school implemented the Study Circles program that involved a series of interactive small group sessions in which parents and educators collaborate to build a culturally sensitive, inclusive community. The problem addressed in this study was grounded in the fact that the adequacy of this program’s implementation to address the low minority parental involvement at the school was not fully understood. Guided by Epstein’s model …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Nurses In South Carolina Emergency Rooms, Debra A. Dixon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The underrepresentation of African American (AA) nurses in South Carolina (SC) emergency rooms (ERs) may affect quality patient care for AAs and all other patients in culturally diverse populations. This qualitative interpretive (hermeneutic) phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of AA nurses in several SC ERs concerning quality patient care in culturally diverse populations. Herzberg's two-factor theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory framed the study. The research question investigated the lived experiences of AA ER nurses in SC ERs concerning quality patient care in culturally diverse populations. Interpretive phenomenology was used to gain insight from a sample of 17 …

Patient Perceptions Of Access To Chronic Pain Medications, Lauren Amy Durham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe 2014 Drug Enforcement Administration’s reclassification of hydrocodone combination products caused significant unintentional consequences to patients with chronic pain. Although a few researchers have looked at the problems that resulted immediately following the reclassification, none have as yet repeated their studies, creating a knowledge gap. Additionally, previous researchers have shown that most of the current opioid restricting policies in place today were not created using a strong evidence-based or ethically inclusive approach. The purpose of this study was to assess whether common factors identified as issues impacting care for these patients immediately following the reclassification continue to affect care standards. …

The Pre-School Teacher Experience Of Social Skills For Early Education Success, Cheryl Dorsey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Pre-school is foundational to future academic success, and social skills have been recognized as a critical component of that foundation. How pre-school teachers facilitate social skills development is an area requiring further study. The purpose of this research was to describe the experience of social skills development from the perspective of early educators. Attachment and social learning theories were used as theoretical frameworks to explore how early education teachers describe the social skills for early education success in young children and how early education teachers facilitate the development of important social skills. This study used a generic, qualitative design …

Antenatal And Postnatal Care Services And Maternal Mortality In Nigeria, Lucy Evans

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigeria has had a high maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births since the 1990s. A possible contributing factor is that many Nigerian women are not aware of prenatal and postpartum pregnancy care-related services. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between pregnancy-related care (access to antenatal services, maternal health education, and knowledge of prenatal and postpartum care) and maternal mortality in Nigeria. The theory of planned behavior forms the basis of this study. A cross-sectional quantitative study design was used to determine whether maternal mortality is influenced by pregnancy-related care. Secondary data collected by the Demographic …