Digital Commons Network^™

Organizational Strategies To Better Serve The Behavioral Health Needs Of Teachers, Caterina Antonietta Viscomi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many teachers have faced increased mental health challenges and insufficient administrative support. Effective behavioral health care is essential for organizations aiming to enhance teachers' mental well-being. However, there is a need to explore strategies that best meet the current mental health needs of educators. This qualitative case study used interviews and documentation to assess the needs of a small New Jersey behavioral health organization and to develop strategies addressing the growing mental health crisis among teachers. Data sources included four informal interviews with behavioral health leaders, secondary data from the host agency, and a review of …

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Academic, Behavioral, And Emotional, Success Of Elementary School Children, Marsha Wallace

Student Theses and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are prevalent among all demographic characteristics, however, higher rates of adversities occur in vulnerable populations such as females, children, young adults, minorities, and multiracial individuals. This exploratory qualitative study aimed (a) to investigate the impact adverse childhood experiences have on diagnoses such as ADHD, ED, or ODD and (b) to explore the effects of ACEs on elementary school-aged children. The frameworks guiding this study were Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Human Development, which focuses on environmental factors, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which concentrates on the required satisfaction of needs. Fifteen parents of 5 to 10-year-old children in a …

Exploring The Wealth Creation Struggles Of Black Millennials, Jasmine Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The equity gap for Black millennials continues to lag compared to other racial groups. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences of Black millennials in navigating the landscape of quality internships, high-paying careers, and generational wealth through the lens of individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community system levels. Using a narrative approach, the qualitative analysis of narratives from eight participants who have experienced these obstacles is presented. A purposive sampling technique through social media platforms was used. This study was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. Thematic analysis was employed. The themes were (a) limited exposure, (b) …

Adverse And Positive Childhood Experiences And General Health Among Asian American Emerging Adults, Wenyi Chen

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The purpose of this study was to (1) investigate whether disparities in ACE and PCE exposures exist in a diverse Asian American population of emerging adults (i.e., Asian Indian, Chinese, Hmong American) differing in their US immigration histories, cultures, language, and countries of origin and (2) describe the relationships among ACEs, PCEs, and self-reported general health among Asian American emerging adults.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing A Companion Dog Walking Intervention To An Attention Control Education Intervention On The Psychological Health Of Adult Intensive Care Unit Survivors: The Pooch Study, Lindsey Nelson

Dissertations

Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors are at risk for persistent anxiety and depression after hospital discharge that contribute to the psychological component of post intensive care syndrome (PICS). Quality evidence supporting innovative home and community-based interventions that improve psychological health in ICU survivors is needed. The use of companion dogs to improve the health and wellbeing of ICU survivors is a novel strategy not previously explored in the ICU survivor population. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a companion dog walking intervention compared to an attention control education intervention for …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Associate Degree Nurse Educators' Teaching Experiences Regarding Health Literacy, Connie Marshall

Dissertations

Worldwide health literacy levels are low. Nurses should be able to lead the improvement of the health literacy of the populations they serve. During a comprehensive review of the literature, it became apparent that previous research regarding the provision of health literacy education within Associate Degree Nursing programs was not available. The Associate Degree is the initial degree that allows the graduate to take the NCLEX-RN board exam, so it was interesting to determine how learners are prepared to discern the health literacy levels of the patient population. The research question, "How do nurse educators describe their experiences with health …

Observation Unit Redesign: Strategies To Speed Up Discharge, Amy Pleasance Msn, Rn-Bc, Shea Radtke Dnp, Rn, Nea-Bc, Crrn

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

A busy Level 1 Trauma center redesigned their Observation Unit workflow, utilizing an interdisciplinary team to test new strategies to proactively engage patients/family and teammates to efficiently meet 24- and 48-hour discharge goals and improve throughput.

Local Problem

Observation units are used to reduce ED overcrowding and provide focused, rapid treatment for patients diagnosed with conditions that can be managed within 24 to 48 hours. At baseline, only 33% of the hospital observation patients were discharged within 24 hours with only 81% discharged within 48 hours. These rates were below the targets set by the healthcare system.

Methods

The …

November 13, 2024 (Vol. 109, No. 12), Daily Eastern News

Daily Eastern News: 2024-2025

No abstract provided.

Misinformation, Fraud, And Stereotyping: Towards A Typology Of Harm Caused By Deepfakes, Paulina Trifonova , '25, Sukrit Venkatagiri

Computer Science Faculty Works

Scholars, politicians, and journalists have raised alarm over the potential for AI-generated photos, video, and audio—often referred to as deepfakes—to reduce trust in one another and our institutions. Despite these clarion calls, little empirical work exists on how deepfakes are being used to harm individuals outside of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). This research provides a preliminary analysis of 50 wide-ranging incidents of deepfake harm. We find that the most common types of harm are relational, systemic, financial, and emotional. Apart from AI-generated NCII, the most prevalent uses of deepfakes to cause harm were instances of mis- and disinformation, fraud, and …

Implementing Acceptance And Commitment Therapy To Reduce Caregiver Stress And Enhance Procedural Fidelity For Families Affected By Autism Spectrum Disorder, Casey K. Marsh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The rate of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing each year (CDC, 2022). Although the severity of symptoms is specific to individuals, the families of those diagnosed are often also affected in a variety of ways. Caregivers of children with ASD experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on caregiver stress and procedural fidelity. Three caregivers of children with ASD were trained using an ACT curriculum and caregiver stress was measured using two self-report scales, before and after six ACT …

Out Of The Darkness: Shining A Light On Maternal Mental Health, Ashley M. Koeppen Bsn, Rnc-Ob, Cbc

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the leading complication related to childbirth – exceeding both pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes combined. Over 51% of patients who experience a PMAD go undiagnosed. Screening in the immediate postpartum period can predict episodes within 2-8 weeks postpartum.

Purpose

The purpose of this evidence-based project was to implement PMAD screening to all child-bearing patients admitted to the Family Birthing Center (FBC).

Implementation Plan

This project was based on the Iowa model. This project was done at Advocate Sherman Hospital, a level-II hospital, with an average of 1900 births per year. All child-bearing patients …

Measuring Professional Governance Over Time: What Makes It Work?, Elizabeth Sheehan Bsn, Rn, Ccrn, Kendall Anderson Msn, Rn, Cpn, Wendy Tuzik Micek Phd, Rn, Nea-Bc, Jessica Panice Msn, Aprn, Pcns-Bc

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Background

Advocate Children’s Hospital (ACH) undertook a 5-year longitudinal study to assess a redesigned shared governance model. This study, re-launching a 2015 initiative, used 2019 data as the baseline. The goal was to compare professional governance structures over time, enhancing nurse autonomy, accountability, and ownership.

Purpose

This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the impact of the redesigned shared governance model at ACH. It sought to measure changes in professional governance scores before and after implementing the new model and identify factors influencing these changes.

Methods

The study included all associates at the Oak Lawn, Park Ridge campuses, covering inpatient, emergency, …

Enhancing Advance Care Planning Engagement Through Virtual Facilitation In Ambulatory Care Management, Katalin Skelton Stanaszak Msn, Rn, Agcns-Bc, Tarrah Vergara Msn, Rn, Npd-Bc, Jen Perry Bs

Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference

Introduction and Context: Advance Care Planning (ACP) activities support the incorporation of patient values into medical decision making and have been shown to positively impact patient’s perception of care and reduce the likelihood of utilizations. Despite strong evidence in support of ACP, there is an underutilization of ACP services in ambulatory care. Ambulatory Care Management (ACM) programs engage individuals with chronic conditions in self-management strategies to contribute to reducing preventable utilizations. The aim of this project was to develop and implement an ACP program to support clinical teammates in ACP, with the goal of increasing engagement in ACP activities amongst …

A Phenomenological Study Of Pastors' Experiences Counseling Combat Veterans, Yvette M. Rolle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When combat veterans make the transition to civilian life, whether permanently or between deployments, they face mental, physical, and spiritual adjustment (Grimell, 2019; Zogas, 2017). Although the Veterans Administration and local health providers offer services, some combat veterans prefer to seek their pastor’s advice instead or in addition (Bonner et al., 2013). Pastors, even those with little or no formal training in counseling or therapy, are uniquely equipped to guide combat veterans in the spiritual aspect of healing, or at least to accompany them with empathy and the consolation of faith. Yet a gap exists in the literature regarding clergy’s …

Impact Of Disruptive Behavior On Academic Performance, Annie R. Franklin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the impact of disruptive behavior on academic performance among high school students in the southeastern United States, a critical area of research given the well-documented connection between behavioral issues and educational outcomes. Disruptive behaviors, including absenteeism, fighting, and misconduct, are linked to significant student Grade Point Average (GPA) declines. This study aimed to explore how these behaviors influence academic performance while also investigating the moderating roles of factors such as gender, race, grade level, and English learner (EL) status. Utilizing a correlational research design, the study employed linear regression analysis and the Hayes Process Macro Model to …

Organizational Citizenship & Counterproductive Workplace Behaviors: Personal Trauma & Workplace Conduct, Patricia Giaccone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The influence of a survivor-advocates personal trauma history on their work and ability to cope with its challenges are inadequately understood. This research project aimed to distinguish if there was a significant difference in engagement between survivor-advocates and nonsurvivor-advocates in organizational citizenship behaviors or counterproductive workplace behaviors. Furthermore, this study looked at organizational employment tenure as a factor affecting such engagement. The data for this quantitative research project was collected from a nationwide pool of respondents who worked directly with victims of domestic violence in the United States resulting in a total of 54 participants completing the anonymous survey. Exploring …

The Affects Of Compassion Fatigue On Inner-City High School Educators: A Qualitative Study, Darren Jordan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to discover the lived experiences of inner-city high school teachers who suffer from the condition of compassion fatigue. The theory guiding this study is Figley’s Theory of Compassion Fatigue, as it explains how individuals who attempt to assist individuals in stressful situations develop traumatic feelings. The study’s sample consists of 10 participants, all educators with a minimum of 3 years of experience teaching. The study occurs at Big Sky-High School, an inner-city school in Ohio. Data was collected through individual interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts. Data findings discovered the following themes: …

The Art Of The Comeback: Reversing Burnout Among Rural Music Educators In The United States, Richard J. Kane

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative, deductive, narrative inquiry will examine how to reverse burnout among music educators in rural schools in the United States. This study will also discuss the development of processes that aid in burnout recovery and passion reclamation. Despite the increasing acknowledgment of occupational burnout, more information is needed about reversing its effects among rural music educators. Further, the untold perspectives of this specific sub-set of music teachers could inform others enduring similar situations. This study examines the perspectives of six rural music educators in various states of burnout; two have reversed burnout, two are currently contemplating a career change, …

Cultural Competence And Cultural Humility Among Healthcare Students Related To Community Engagement And Service Learning: A Multiple Regression And Confirmatory Factor Analysis Study, Maryanne Koech Gathambo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, hierarchical multiple regression and confirmatory factor analysis study was to investigate the cultural humility and cultural competence (competemility) of healthcare students and examine the strongest predictor of cultural competemility based on demographic and experiential learning factors. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to investigate the degree to which the predictor variables age, gender, and community engagement/service hours (i.e., CEL/SL) could be forecasted by their competemility score (criterion variable) as measured by The Inventory for Assessing The Process Of Cultural Competemility Among Healthcare Professionals (IAPCC-HCP). Data were obtained from a criterion-based purposive sample of 70 survey participants …

“Joy And Pain” Strategies For Transformative Learning In The English Language Arts Curriculum, Alanna Harris

New Jersey English Journal

The purpose of this paper is to examine joy in English Language Arts (ELA) as a form of resistance. Drawing inspiration from the soulful tunes of Maze, particularly Frankie Beverly's compositions, the narrative delves into the duality of joy and pain as a recurring theme in black culture. Grounded in personal reflections on familial experiences, the exploration expands to encompass the transformative frameworks of influential educators and scholars: bell hooks, Gholdy Muhammad, and Cynthia Dillard. This paper examines how joy becomes a deliberate act of resistance against oppressive educational norms by analyzing their perspectives.

Association Between Adults’ Perceptions Of Their Parents’ Parenting Behaviors During Youth And Resulting Attachment Dimensions In Adulthood In The Native American Community, Christine Marie Summering

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Forced assimilation of Native American peoples has led to the destruction of their traditional ways of life and contributed to heightened rates of Native American children in foster care, increased domestic violence, substance abuse, alcoholism, and poverty. The purpose of this study was to understand associations between perceived parenting behaviors and current adult attachment within Native American communities and whether those associations were moderated by historical loss. The attachment theory and historical trauma theory were used as theoretical foundations for the study. Research questions for this nonexperimental quantitative study involved associations between warmth and involvement and anxious and avoidant attachment …

Results Of A Randomized Wait-List Controlled Trial Of Caya: A Nurse Case Management Hiv Prevention Intervention For Youth Experiencing Homelessness, Diane Santa Maria, Adeline Nyamathi, Marguerita Lightfoot, Mary Paul, Yasmeen Quadri, Nikhil Padhye, Michael Businelle, Higinio Fernandez-Sanchez, Jennifer Torres Jones

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) face challenges that increase their susceptibility to HIV/STIs. Nurse case management is effective in managing the complex needs of populations experiencing homelessness and reducing HIV risk. A randomized wait-list control study conducted between September 2019 to May 2023 evaluated the CAYA “Come As You Are” intervention. This nurse-led HIV prevention for YEH aged 16–25 years focused on the uptake of HIV prevention methods: pre- and post-HIV exposure prophylaxis (PrEP, nPEP), HIV/STI testing and treatment, sober sex, and condom use. Secondarily, we examined intervention impact on housing stability. Descriptive statistics were calculated by study arm. Multiple imputation …

Challenges, Coping Strategies, And Benefits Of Animal-Assisted Crisis Response Following Disasters And Traumatic Events, Yvonne M. Eaton-Stull, Batya G. Jaffe, Kay Scott, Makenzie Shiller

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Animal-assisted crisis response (AACR) is an innovative intervention whereby highly trained comfort dogs offer support in the aftermath of disasters and traumatic events. This qualitative cross-sectional exploratory study investigated the experiences of specialized, experienced AACR handlers. A snowball sampling yielded 99 experienced responders who completed an anonymous electronic survey. Data was analyzed using a qualitative coding process with Atlas.ti. This study explored emotional challenges, handlers’ coping strategies, and benefits provided by the AACR comfort dog. Forty-eight percent of AACR handlers saw human-made crises as the most challenging deployments. Seventy-two percent of handlers rated their distress during a deployment a 3, …

Relationship Between Counselor Educators’ Intrinsic Religiosity, Multicultural Counseling Competence, And Spiritual Competence, Theresa Lynn Brixius

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Religion and spirituality are vital components of multicultural competence, which are key ethical guidelines outlined by the American Counseling Association and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Clients have reported that religion and spirituality are important in their lives; however, counseling students commonly feel unprepared in their training to address the topic with clients. Grounded in multicultural counseling theory (MCT) and namaste theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to describe the relationship between counselor educators’ intrinsic religiosity (IR), multicultural counseling competence (MCC), and spiritual competence (SC). Participants included fifty-six doctoral-level counselor educators recruited …

Exploring Help Seeking Barriers For Military Sexual Trauma Veterans, Clarence Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military sexual trauma (MST) among military personnel has grown and the effects of this sexual trauma vary by individual. One out of three women fail to share their victimization with their providers or wait decades before getting help, despite actions taken by Congress to prevent and address sexual assaults in the military. High prevalence and low reporting continue to exist due to barriers, such as fear of retaliation, not being believed, lack of awareness of available resources, gender-related distress, and disruption of the unit. In this qualitative study, a purposive sampling technique was used to identify 13 survivors of MST …

Staff Education To Increase Staff Awareness On How Personal Trauma Affects Responses During Restraints, Marygoretti Kibe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The emotional and or physical trauma that individuals sustained while growing up may continue to adversely affect their health as adults, leading to mental health issues, depression, substance use, anxiety and secondary trauma. The prevalence of this trauma widely unacknowledged among mental healthcare staff. Trauma prevention is crucial and can be achieved through educational interventions. In clinical settings, this can prevent staff high turnover, leaving the profession, disengagement, hypervigilance, and overinvolvement. In a mental health clinical setting, this trauma can lead to overuse or misuse of restraints as the trauma staff bring to these situations drives their reactions.

Passing Ashley’S Law – Protecting Persons With Disabilities From Violent Crimes, Paula Vigil, Jeff Spears

Transforming Communities

This commentary is the personal story of Paula Vigil and common macro practice strategies implemented to pass Ashley’s Law. Ashley was the daughter of Paula and suffered from Rett Syndrome. Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of life. Rett particularly affects speech, purposeful hand use, and coordination, leaving individuals understanding more than they can communicate. In 2021, Ashley was raped by her mother’s boyfriend and passed away in the Spring of 2024 due to the trauma and complications of Rett Syndrome. The boyfriend received a sentence of 13 years …

Three Characters And Me(Me): Positioning Popular Culture To Unpack Emerging Teacher Identity, Gillian E. Mertens, Henry (Cody) C. Miller

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

In this article we narrate an instructional practice we implemented in two different teacher education courses that facilitated conversations about teacher identity through the use of fictional characters who were educators. This practice served two purposes in our course work: firstly, this activity presents students with an opportunity to demonstrate their media interests and career goals; secondly, this activity provides a quick, baseline assessment of how aspiring teachers view their profession and future practice. We detail student responses to this activity and consider how their choices of fictional educators fit into broader patterns we see in popular culture, specifically depictions …

Embracing The Fiasco!: Roleplaying Games, Pedagogy And Student Success, Erik Stanley, Michelle Schmidt, David Sweeten

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This article explores the relationship between games and pedagogy through the example of the roleplaying game Fiasco!. Fiasco! is a part of a growing genre of collaborative roleplaying games (RPGs) that have important applications in the university classroom. Fiasco! is an innovative game system that upends the traditional model of Game Master-led RPGs to create a collaborative environment for players to create their own stories. This paper explores how the unique model embedded within Fiasco! can be employed as a pedagogical tool for active student-led learning.

To showcase the pedagogical innovations of a game like Fiasco!, we present …

Peril And Promise: Student Experiences Of Virtual Reality And Implications For Inclusive Social Justice Pedagogy, Michelle Vannatta

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Virtual reality (VR) is a fast-evolving technology rapidly being integrated into education and training in multiple sectors of society. As the use of VR spreads, it is important to critically analyze both its role in effective pedagogies and how students experience it. Virtual reality has extraordinary promise for deeply engaging students, and it also poses particular challenges for equitable and effective teaching of diverse students. This paper discusses students’ responses to a VR exercise and examines some of the complexities VR presents around racial justice, gender equity, and economic fairness. Virtual reality technology may be less effective and less comfortable …