Digital Commons Network^™

Comparison Of Vivitrol And Suboxone In Terms Of Lowering Relapse Among Opioid Addicts, Nicolle Tourdot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Drug overdoses are increasing, and the heroin epidemic is becoming more evident. There are ways to get these individuals’ help. Medically assisted treatments (MATs) involve use of medications alongside counseling and therapies to treat individuals with a substance abuse disorder. This subject is important to the human services administration field, more specifically those who focus on addiction. As the epidemic of opioid use continues, so does the need for treatment. Without that treatment, the problem will get worse and inevitably have negatives effects on the entire world. Those effects involve crime, increasing costs to the public, overall health, and child …

Lived Experiences Of Quality Of Life Among Makonde Immigrants In Kenya During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Shem Migosi Kenyanya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic affected Makonde immigrants’ health and quality of life around the world more than any other previous event. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to contribute knowledge and understanding of the lived experiences of Makonde immigrants and their health and quality of life during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Shye’s systematic quality of life model served as the theoretical basis for the study, along with Wilson and Cleary’s conceptual model of health quality of life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants recruited through social media and flyers posted in Kilifi and Kwale counties. Subjects were interviewed face-to-face and …

Exploring Social Work Leadership Skills At The Veterans Health Administration: A Transformational Leadership Perspective, Jose Arturo Camacho

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One of the problems in the field of social work leadership is the lack of a theoretical framework to guide its practice. Bass' transformational leadership theory (TFL) offers a framework for the field of social work leadership. However, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest employer of social workers in the United States, has not examined TFL skills with its social work leaders nor its effect on employee job satisfaction. This quantitative, cross-sectional, web-based study was designed to bridge the gap between social work leadership practice and leadership theory. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) survey was administered to 26 VHA …

Rural Student Learning Experiences In An Online Composition Course At A 2-Year College, Dawn A. Goodwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has revealed that online writing instructors use a variety of instructional methods in class to improve student learning experiences. However, current research has not addressed rural students’ learning experiences with connectivism in an online composition course. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore what, if any, experiences rural students have with connectivism in an online composition course at a 2-year college. Siemens and Downes’s theory of connectivism was the conceptual framework for this study, which is a learning theory that has been applied to instructional strategies in online courses in the new digital era. A basic qualitative …

It Takes A Village: Stories Of Black Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Cherieda A. Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While several studies have reviewed the experiences of Black grandparent caregivers, there are limited sources that describe the stories of Black grandparents who are caregivers for their grandchildren and the challenges they face. Utilizing the concepts from Bowen family systems theory, the goal of this study was to explore the stories of Black grandparents who are caregivers for their grandchildren to discover preventive and enhanced counseling techniques for the next generation. Data were collected and analyzed from narrative inquiry interviews with six participants who were Black caregivers for their grandchildren in the state of Mississippi. After analysis of the data, …

Queering Futures With Data-Driven Speculation: The Design Of An Expanded Mixed Methods Research Framework Integrating Quantitative, Qualitative, And Practice-Based Modes, Jess Parris Westbrook

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

Queering’ questions, unlearns, disrupts, and transforms approaches, expectations, and realities. Futures are time and change. The approach I have designed to operationalize Queering and futures, or Queering futures, is the Queering Futures Framework (QFF). The Queering Futures Framework (QFF) is a brand-new transdisciplinary research framework intersecting values, positionality, complexity, Queerness themes, and futures praxis. This framework expands traditional mixed methods research conventions by integrating quantitative, qualitative, and practice-based research modes and mindsets. The Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype presented in this dissertation functions as a test case and proof of concept. The prototype quantitative mode measures attitudes towards AI, and …

Social Support, Caregiver Burden, And Anxiety/Depression Among Family Caregivers Of Stroke Patients, Rosalyn Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Family caregivers encounter challenges when caring for relatives recovering from a stroke. Family caregivers often experience negative mental health outcomes including higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which years of caregiving experience, emotional and instrumental support, and caregiver burden predict anxiety and depression among family caregivers of stroke patients. The caregiving stress process model theoretical framework guided the research. This quantitative study used a non-experimental correlational research design. Participants were recruited using Survey Monkey and included a non-random convenience sample of 111 family caregivers of stroke patients who …

Vocabulary Retention And Color Effect Differences Among Developmental Community College Students, Eric Scott Coleman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The completion of developmental community college (DCC) courses is a crucial step in community college education to reach the national goal of increasing college success. DCC students are a unique population who require specific strategies such as vocabulary retention (VR) to achieve academic success. Prior research on vocabulary has been limited to VR and color effects. However, there is a lack of research on the intersection of these two variables (VR and color effects). This quantitative research study used the theoretical lens feature integration theory (FIT) to examine the effects that text color has on VR among DCC students. Additionally, …

Challenges Faced By Information Technology Project Managers When Adopting Network Automation, Joshua Allen Kerley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Automating network services is vital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to remain viable and competitive, but implementation has challenges. Without evidence-based strategies to help IT project managers curb those challenges, the transition to automating network services could be hindered. Grounded in Lewin’s change model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the methods used by IT project managers in network engineering to curb the challenges they face when automating network services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 10 IT project managers from non-governmental SMEs in Florida, US. The data were thematically analyzed, and …

Impact Of Toxic Leadership On The Mental Health Of Employees In Texas State Agencies, Dr. Monika Diaz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated the impact of toxic leadership on the mental health of employees within Texas state agencies, utilizing betrayal trauma theory (BTT) as the theoretical framework. The study was conducted using a qualitative approach, specifically through semi-structured interviews with eight employees who have experienced toxic leadership firsthand. These interviews aimed to uncover the psychological effects of such leadership on employees, with particular attention to symptoms of stress, anxiety, and job satisfaction. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that toxic leadership was significantly associated with increased psychological distress among employees. This distress manifested as heightened anxiety, depression, …

Military Sexual Trauma And The Psychological And Emotional Well-Being Of Gay Men, Alisha Simmons

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found that male survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) may not report their assaults due to a combination of stigma, embarrassment, and fear of further assault and of being labeled a betrayer of the military. The stigma and discrimination that these gay males may face in the military culture may lead to intensifying their trauma, making it harder to recover. The goal of this study was to explore the reported psychological and emotional well-being and quality of life of gay males who experienced sexual assault while serving in the military. Freyd’s theory of betrayal trauma and institutional betrayal …

The Self-Perceived Level Of Wellness Among Ghanaian Mental Health Counselors, Adwoa Bonney-Graves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In Ghana, many people seek help for their mental health; however, despite the great need, there are often barriers or factors that can create unwellness among mental health counselors. There is a gap in the research literature addressing whether unwellness among Ghanaian mental health counselors is caused by external factors of counselor caseload, low funding, and minimal work staff. This quantitative study aimed to fill this gap by using predictive regression analysis to determine whether there is a correlation between Ghanaian counselors’ unwellness and counselor caseload, low funding, and minimal work staff. The study participants (N = 96) were Ghanaian …

Communication Characteristics Between Secondary Special And General Education Teachers On Implementation Of Individualized Education Plans, Rylee Daniel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As more students consistently access the general education classroom as their least restrictive environment (LRE), the responsibility of Individual Education Plan implementation (IEP) is up to the general and special education teachers. Previous studies indicated that communication characteristics between general and special education teachers lead to miscommunication and inadequate IEP implementation in inclusion classrooms. Systems and ecological theory identified barriers between communication systems. Secondary general and special education teachers described the communication characteristics that lead to inadequate IEP implementation in inclusion classrooms. A basic qualitative research design provided in-depth descriptions of communication characteristics from 31 participants. The study's purpose was …

Mental Health And Well-Being Of People Aged 60 And Older Due To Covid-19, Holly Grayson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Few studies have focused on the experiences of people aged 60 and older during the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent to which COVID-19 affects people 60 or older and their mental and physical health and overall well-being was the focus of this project. This project’s framework and research design was the theoretical framework of gerotranscendence developed by Tornstam and qualitative research methods with 20 open-ended interview questions. The questions focused on different aspects of life to determine the participants’ perceptions of the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has on mental health and well-being. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded to …

Clinical Nurse Manager Fatigue And Its Personal And Professional Impacts, Carlene Galanopulo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace fatigue has been empirically linked with errors, injuries, and chronic health issues that negatively impact the healthcare worker, patients, and staff with whom that person comes in contact, as well as the organization for which that person works. The experience of fatigue in clinical nurse managers (CNMs) has been understudied. The purpose of this study was to understand the individual experience of fatigue and its professional and personal impacts as more fully described by CNMs. The research question that guided this study involved the professional and personal impact of fatigue as described by CNMs. The occupational fatigue in nursing …

Barriers To Housing For Female Veterans Who Have Been Homeless After Transitioning From The Military, Angelika Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness among the female veteran population has increased in the United States, and it is a national concern. Precipitating complexities such as posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and health-related issues are variables that contribute to female veterans becoming homeless after transitioning from the military. In this generic qualitative study, the aim was to explore the barriers to housing for female veterans who have experienced homelessness after transitioning from the military. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was the framework that guided this study, as it is designed to be able to explore the different levels of systems that significantly impact an individual …

Perceptions Of Metabolic Syndrome Management Utilization In Relation To Patient Experience And Health-Related Quality Of Life, Olajide Adekunle, Jon C. Schommer, Yun Wang, Ismaeel Yunusa, Marc L. Fleming, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, Lawrence M. Brown

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

One factor for the poor health outcomes among adult people with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is poor utilization of disease management resources, which may be attributable to prior experience with pharmacists (PEwP) and perceptions of disease management resource utilization (PMU). Therefore, understanding patients' experience could be critical to improving their perceptions and promoting health outcomes.

Objectives

The study explored the influence of PEwP and PMU on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with MetS.

Methods

Data on perceptions of healthcare, medication, and pharmacy services utilization, PEwP, and HRQoL were collected using validated tools via an electronic survey. Chi-square …

Contributor Biographies, Editors Of Suurj

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Path To Rehabilitation?: A Policy Analysis Of Juvenile Isolation And Room Confinement In Washington State, Trevor Buchan

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal

Throughout the United States, the practice of isolating and confining youth for hours at a time is commonplace in juvenile facilities. The use of isolation in Washington State’s juvenile system is no exception. Washington recently acknowledged the dangers of juvenile solitary confinement but continues to utilize the similar practices of isolation and room confinement today. Isolation and confinement require further examination as they can cause significant harm to a youth’s social, physical, and educational development, increase youth aggression, and increase recidivism rates. Washington should reconsider whether to permit such a damaging punishment in a system purportedly committed to the rehabilitation …

Introductory Needs Assessment Of Latino Msm With Hiv Or Aids In Washington: Exploring Needs, Barriers To Care, And Wellbeing, Cullin Egge

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal

Although substantial progress has been made in the fight against the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the US, health disparities and gaps in the federal response persist, particularly for African Americans and Latinos. While men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be the most affected population, subpopulations like Latino MSM and undocumented, foreign-born, and recent immigrant Latino MSM are disproportionately impacted by HIV-related issues. The present study offers an introductory needs assessment of 23 Latino MSM with HIV or AIDS who reside in Washington state. This research aims to analyze the HIV-related needs and experiences of this population …

Left For Dead: The Necropolitical Landscape Of Climate Induced Migration, Kit P. G. Nosacka

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal

Climate destruction is projected to occur sooner than we would like to entertain. As people operating in a late-stage capitalist world, we are preoccupied with material concerns such as income and consumerism. Without proper recognition of the future that is soon upon us, we remain complicit in the neglect of millions of lives threatened by climate collapse. Climate induced migration will displace at least half as many people as the population of the United States. About 200 million people will experience displacement from their homes and families (Myers 168). These 200 million people will be disproportionately people of color located …

The Horror Of The Menstrual Monster: Examining The Societal Implications Of Menstrual Stigma Through Horror Films, Chloe R. Platt

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal

Menstrual stigma, a pervasive societal issue, is consistently depicted and reinforced within the horror film genre. Through the dissection of films such as Carrie, Ginger Snaps, Audrey Rose, and It, alongside an examination of cinematic narratives, character development, and symbolism in horror films—this paper undertakes a thorough exploration of the intersection between gender, menstruation, and the horror genre to expose the broader implications of such portrayals in both the realms of horror films and society at large. The underlying mechanism enacted to perpetuate harmful biases towards women’s menstruating bodies is the correlative depiction between menstruation and the emergence of malevolent …

Suurj Volume 8 Entire Volume, Editors Of Suurj

SUURJ: Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Spiritual Struggle: Exploring The Role Of Trauma Exposure, Resilience, And Religious Behaviors Among Religiously Affiliated University Students, Harvey O. Burnett Jr, Duane C. Mcbride

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This study examined how exposure to traumatic experiences, protective factors such as Psychological Body Armor (TM) (PBA), physical wellness behaviors, and religious practices predict spiritual struggle among students attending a religiously affiliated university. Preliminary findings revealed that PBA, non-class assigned Bible and Christian literature readings were predictive of reduced spiritual struggle.

Context Aware Music Recommendation And Playlist Generation, Elias Mann

SMU Journal of Undergraduate Research

There are many reasons people listen to music, and the type of music is largely determined by what the listener may be doing while they listen. For example, one may listen to one type of music while commuting, another while exercising, and yet another while relaxing. Without access to the physiological state of the user, current music recommendation methods rely on collaborative filtering - recommending music based on what other similar users listen to - and content based filtering - recommending songs based on their similarities to songs the user already prefers. With the rise in popularity of smart devices …

Ischool Student Research Journal, Vol.14, Iss.1

School of Information Student Research Journal

Volume 14, Issue 1 of the School of Information Student Research Journal explores the multifaceted impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on academia, particularly within library and information science (LIS) education and scholarly publishing. Highlighting the proactive measures taken by San Jose State University's iSchool, this issue underscores the necessity of integrating AI competencies, such as data privacy and ethical AI use, into curricula. Through detailed case studies and policy reviews, the issue examines the ethical and societal implications of AI, including biases and inequalities, advocating for adaptive and responsible AI integration.

Odin Halvorson's paper emphasizes the transformative potential of Large …

Into The Unknown: Developing Ai Policies For The Student Research Journal, Marc Hoffeditz

School of Information Student Research Journal

In light of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom in late 2022, policies governing the use and disclosure of artificial intelligence in scholarly journals have occupied editorial boards of all disciplines. The Student Research Journal (SRJ) at San José State University sought to tackle this issue with an inclusive process to better serve our authors and editorial team in uncertain times. This editorial will discuss the work of the SRJ’s AI Policy Working Group in completing a comprehensive review of literature surrounding the topics of AI and scholarly publishing, detail the journal’s first AI disclosure policy in depth, and identify next …

Ai In Academia: Policy Development, Ethics, And Curriculum Design, Odin Halvorson

School of Information Student Research Journal

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal force in modern society, significantly impacting various sectors, including academia. This paper examines the broad implications of AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), and their transformative potential across educational institutions. The San Jose State University's iSchool is highlighted as a case study, demonstrating its proactive approach to integrating nascent technologies and revising curriculum competencies to address AI's influence. As AI reshapes library and information science (LIS) education, the development of new competencies, such as data privacy and ethical AI use, becomes essential. Furthermore, the ethical and societal implications of AI, including potential …

Finding Belonging Through Curricular And Pedagogical Partnership In A First-Year Course On Linguistic Justice, Timothy D. Arner, Lilli Morrish

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Dialogue In Partnership: Relaxing Into Receptivity, Bill Reynolds

Teaching and Learning Together in Higher Education

No abstract provided.