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Maternal Mortality In Zambia: Associations With Health Services Utilization, Birth Spacing, And Province, Selina Mubwanga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Maternal mortality remains one of the leading public health issues in Zambia characterized by elevated maternal mortality rates among women of reproductive age. This research study investigated the effect of birth spacing, province type and location, and maternal health services utilization on maternal deaths among women in the Lusaka, Eastern, Central, and North-Western provinces of Zambia. The theoretical underpinning of this investigation drew upon the social-ecological systems framework. Using secondary data from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) of 1,868 women aged 15–49 years, the study adopted a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research design. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed …

Staff Education To Improve Knowledge Of Phq-9 Use, Grace Eluma

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The DNP project revolved around educating healthcare staff on using a depression screening tool known as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Undiagnosed depression can affect people’s quality of life, their functional condition, and general health outcomes, making it a significant problem that needs to be addressed. The U.S Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends using evidence-based screening tools such as the PHQ-9 to assess, diagnose, and monitor the condition’s severity. However, a few nurses use this tool despite being aware of it or misusing it, resulting in under-utilization, inappropriate assessment, and increased events. The project aimed to implement a staff …

A Toolkit For Treating Obesity In Children With Metabolic Syndrome, Karen Mayers-Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project seeks to bridge the existing knowledge gap in using Metformin to manage childhood obesity in patients with metabolic syndrome. The primary goal was to develop a complete toolkit to educate healthcare providers on utilizing Metformin in obese children with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, characterized by higher triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased blood pressure, elevated fasting plasma glucose, and increased waist circumference, offers considerable health hazards for children. The practice-focused question is, Is the toolkit deemed useful to providers for treating obesity in children with metabolic syndrome using metformin?” The project employed the theory of planned behavior, …

Evaluation Of Diet Quality, Physical Health, And Mental Health Baseline Data From A Wellness Intervention For Individuals Living In Transitional Housing, Callie Millward, Kyle Lyman, Soonwye Lucero, James D. Lecheminant, Cindy Jenkins, Kristi Strongo, Gregory Snow, Heidi Leblanc, Lea Palmer, Rickelle Richards

All Current Publications

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline health measurements among transitional housing residents (n = 29) participating in an 8-week pilot wellness intervention. Methods: Researchers measured anthropometrics, body composition, muscular strength, cardiovascular indicators, physical activity, diet quality, and health-related perceptions. Researchers analyzed data using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Results: Most participants were male, White, and food insecure. Mean BMI (31.8 ± 8.6 kg/m2 ), waist-to-hip ratio (1.0 ± 0.1 males, 0.9 ± 0.1 females), body fat percentage (25.8 ± 6.1% males, 40.5 ± 9.4% females), blood pressure (131.8 ± 17.9/85.2 ± 13.3 mmHg), and …

Dynamic Mutational Profiling Of Binding Interactions And Allosteric Networks In Conformational Ensembles Of The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein Complexes With Classes Of Antibodies Targeting Cryptic Binding Sites: Confluence Of Binding And Allostery Determines Molecular Mechanisms And Hotspots Of Immune Escape, Mohammed Alshahrani, Vedant Parikh, Brandon Foley, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants has underscored the need to understand not only the structural basis of antibody recognition but also the dynamic and allosteric mechanisms that could underlie complexity of broad and escape-resistant neutralization. In this study, we employed a multi-scale approach integrating structural analysis, hierarchical molecular simulations, mutational scanning and network-based allosteric modeling to dissect how Class 4 antibodies (represented by S2X35, 25F9, and SA55) and Class 5 antibodies (represented by S2H97, WRAIR-2063 and WRAIR-2134) can modulate conformational behavior, binding energetics, allosteric interactions and immune escape patterns of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Using hierarchical simulations of the …

A Phenomenological Study On The Experiences Of Single Mothers With Depression In Christian Counseling, Julie Adeline Bliss

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The population of single mothers in the United States continues to grow, whether due to widowhood, divorce, or failed relationships. It is common for single mothers to face many obstacles due to balancing life and parenthood alone. Due to these obstacles, single mothers are at a heightened risk for depression. Themes identified in current research consist of single mothers experiencing poor physical and mental health, life stressors such as financial hardships/poverty, unstable housing, inconsistent employment, behavioral and cognitive problems in their children, religious/spiritual (R/S) interventions, along with the connection of mental health and religious or spiritual beliefs. Current studies have …

The Impact Of Trauma On The Presentation Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Nina Rose Eberly

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental health condition that has previously been linked to traumatic life experiences. Understanding the connection between trauma and OCD symptomatology is essential for developing clinical interventions. This study examined whether a history of abuse is related to an OCD diagnosis, whether a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis is correlated with heightened OCD symptoms, and whether experiencing multiple types of traumas increased OCD symptom severity. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression analyses, were conducted along with thematic analysis of qualitative interview data. Participants with a comorbid diagnosis of OCD and PTSD exhibited elevated OCD symptoms. …

Understanding Educators’ Experiences With Chronic Student Absenteeism In Rural High Schools In Southwest Virginia: A Phenomenological Study, Tina Louise Dean

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand educators’ experiences and the influences chronic absenteeism has on low-income rural high school students in Southwest Virginia. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognition theory on learning, which develops through interaction and modeling. The central research question was, “How do teachers describe their experiences with chronic student absenteeism in rural high schools in Southwest Virginia?” A hermeneutic phenomenological design was used, and the researcher focused on 10 educators from rural high schools in southwest Virginia who had experienced student chronic absenteeism and/or truancy. Data for this study was collected …

Childhood Emotional Maltreatment: A Phenomenological Approach Of Its Influence On Adult Attachment And Romantic Relationships, Patricia A. Smetana

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative study examined the lasting effects, if any, of childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) on adult females' romantic relationships. The research explored participants’ perceptions of relationship fundamentals that influence adult attachment formation and the quality of romantic relationships, emphasizing the crucial role of adult attachment in relational quality and overall well-being. Online, two-part semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant, yielding a total of 22 interviews. These interviews investigated the participants’ perceptions of how CEM shaped their views of their own and others’ behaviors within adult romantic relationships. The study focused exclusively on adult female survivors of CEM, excluding …

Catholic Mass Music And Spiritual Growth, Stephenie Dinah Mokriakow

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Participation in music among Catholic grade school students is insufficient, despite research suggesting the importance of music at Catholic Mass. Student perspectives provide researchers with an understanding of music's connection to students' spiritual development. This qualitative experimental case study investigates fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade student perspectives of their spiritual development through worship music participation during the Mass. This experimental case study identifies perspectives not yet explored and documented concerning this group of students. This study focuses on students' social, emotional, and physical well-being throughout the study regarding the connection of music to spiritual development. Approximately thirty students participated in pre- …

The Title Of My Project: Screen Time And Children's Health, Elisabeth Hernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Excessive screen time is harmfully affecting families emotionally, physically, and mentally (Brindova et al., 2014). Eating habits, physical exercise, sufficient sleep each night, and communication with family and peers are increasingly declining as screen time is increasing (Siegle, 2017). With the rise in screen time, young people are spending more time alone (Gingold et al., 2014). Behrens et al. (2019) “explored the cause of anxiety and depression in children as it relates to the use of technology” (p. 474). Since the increase in technological advances, there has also been an increase in cyberbullying. “Setting limits on the amount of time …

A Quantitative Examination Of School Psychologists And The Relationships Between Work-Life Balance, Burnout, And Turnover Intentions, Brittany Leigh Storti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research for the past twenty-five years has documented that there is a national shortage of school psychologists across the United States. It is vital to study the magnitude of school psychologists working in the educational field and the impact of work-life balance has on burnout and turnover intentions. The study surveyed 75 school psychologists who work in a brick-and-mortar, hybrid, and virtual setting across the United States to compare the relationships and to determine if there is a difference between turnover intentions based on work setting. A moderation analysis and an ANOVA determined that the research failed to reject the …

Lived Experiences Of Black Clergy Counseling White Female Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence In Predominantly White Churches Of Christ, Archie Ray Green

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutical phenomenological study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of Black male pastors in predominantly White Churches of Christ who provide pastoral care to White female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). These Black male spiritual leaders often serve as the initial point of contact for individuals seeking help, yet they may face unique challenges shaped by cross-racial, gender, and theological dynamics. This study examined how spiritual beliefs, educational preparation, and ministerial experiences influenced the responses of the participants to IPV. The findings revealed that in the absence of formal IPV training and institutional protocols, pastors often relied …

The Impact Of The Mcgirt Supreme Court Decision On Federal Water Policy Within Shared Watersheds, Travis Alexander Younce

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explored the following research question: What are the public policy implications of the McGirt Supreme Court decision on federal water policy and regulations governing shared watersheds between state, tribes, and federal control? Specifically, this study examined the changing freshwater availability within Oklahoma and Montana. Oklahoma is one of the nation’s most diverse water management lands, with over 85% of its water within tribal boundaries. Eleven lakes and reservoirs in central Oklahoma provide water to the increasingly urbanized population. This dissertation aimed to identify integrated regulations regarding water policy and impacts by examining requirements, use, clarity, and climatological data …

The Experiences Of University Health Science Students Participating In A Short-Term Medical Mission Trip, Peggie L. Williamson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of university health science students who participated in a short-term medical mission trip (STMMT). Student participation in a STMMT was generally defined as active involvement in an 8-day healthcare initiative undertaken by supervised university health science students who provided medical care and education to underserved regions. Purposeful criterion and convenience sampling were used to select ten participants from a group of university health science students registered for a STMMT to Belize in 2025. The two theories guiding this study were Husserl’s Transcendental Theory, designed to provide a …

Stressors Causing Career And Technical Education Teachers To Experience Burnout: Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Christina C. Perez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the stressors and coping strategies for Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers in career and technical education in Texas’ public education system. The theory guiding this study was the transactional model of stress and coping proposed by Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman. The use of this theory will impact the lives of CTE teachers facing challenges in their current roles and taking on extra duties compared to non-CTE teachers. The central research question focused on how CTE teachers experience major sources of stress and burnout. In addition, the sub-questions will support …

Poverty And Education: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Qualitative Study On Student–Teacher Relationships, Anthony J. Lee Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the perception of cultivating supportive teacher-student relationships among Black students for teachers at a school district in the Northeastern United States. At this stage in the research, cultivating supportive teacher-student relationships among Black students was defined as how teachers positively relate in the classroom in ways that positively affect academic outcomes. The theory guiding this study was student involvement theory (Astin, 1984). This theory explains how students change and develop through their motivational involvement with the institution, curriculum, and social atmosphere. The central research question was: What challenges do teachers …

Drug Development Studies Supporting Zileuton As A Parenteral Adjuvant To Attenuate Antibiotic-Associated Nephrotoxicity, Cole S Hudson, James E Smith, Linh T Vuong, Nicholas S Teran, Nazanin Pouya, David Sheikh-Hamad, Xinli Liu, Shama Kajiji, Vincent H Tam

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Glycopeptide, polymyxin, and aminoglycoside antibiotics are among the most commonly used agents to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections; however, their clinical use is hindered by nephrotoxicity. We previously reported that zileuton has the potential to attenuate antibiotic-associated nephrotoxicity in an animal model. Here, we further report the development of a parenteral formulation and exploration of dosing strategies for zileuton. The solubility, stability, and multi-dose safety of two zileuton formulations were evaluated. Zileuton serum and renal tissue pharmacokinetics were evaluated after a single dose and compared to steady state after 10 days. Different dosing strategies of zileuton to attenuate vancomycin-, polymyxin B-, …

Extracting Magnetic Exchange Interactions From Magnetic Pair Distribution Function Data Via Monte Carlo Simulations, Emma Zappala

Theses and Dissertations

The magnetic pair distribution function (mPDF) is a powerful tool used to analyze diffuse magnetic scattering data in real-space. Presently, mPDF is usually used to model real-space spin configurations of materials, offering important insights into the local magnetic structure, but not to directly probe the magnetic interactions giving rise to the magnetic structure in the first place. Using Monte Carlo simulations, a robust algorithm to simulate the magnetic structure of materials, we can connect the underlying magnetic exchange parameters to the spin configurations from experimental mPDF data. We prove this concept using a simple two-dimensional Ising model and then demonstrate …

Fostering Inclusive Care: Advancing Cultural Humility In Healthcare Professional Education: A Micro-Credential, Delaney A. Williams, Lacey Spark, Angela Blackwell

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Health outcomes are the results of healthcare and rehabilitative therapy interventions and describe what a client can accomplish through the rehabilitative therapy process. To achieve positive outcomes, practitioners identify possible barriers impacting clients’ participation in tasks and administer interventions to address these barriers in order to facilitate participation. As a result, cultural humility has been labeled as “paramount in therapeutic practice” (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020) due to it being a foundational principle underpinning effective client care and professionalism. Cultural humility is an ongoing process of acknowledging one’s biases and limitations through self-reflection and self-critique, while actively seeking to …

Bring Back The Blue-Book Exam: In An Age Of Ai, We Need To Return To Handwritten Assignments., Katie Day Good

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

When ChatGPT was released three years ago, its ability to mimic human writing unsettled me. I’m a professor of communication; what did it mean that my students now had access to a machine that could communicate for them? My initial unease led to a half-joke with my colleagues. Universities could survive this threat, I ventured, but only if we reverted back to 19th-century teaching methods like Socratic dialogue, oral defenses, and lengthy essay exams. This once-laughable scenario is now a serious consideration for many faculty, including me.

Like many professors, I’ve recently abandoned take-home essays in favor of blue-book exams. …

Investigating The Role Of Student-Instructor Connectedness And Student Thriving In Living A Calling, Whitney Claire Cranford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study explored student-instructor connectedness and student thriving as predictors of living a calling for graduates of four-year higher education institutions. It also investigated which aspect of student thriving - academic, emotional, or social - is most predictive of living a calling. While research addresses these variables individually, limited research has been conducted to address their interconnection and the results for four-year higher education graduates. All variables were measured using established scales. The mixed-method approach encompassed qualitative data from surveys and quantitative data from interviews with graduates of four-year higher education institutions. A total of 79 participants were recruited …

A Phenomenological Study Of Christian And Non-Christian Views On Human Dignity Among Marginalized Persons In Essex, Md, Jeffrey K. Belcher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand Human-Dignity views among marginalized persons living in Essex, MD, with Human Dignity being rooted in a biblical worldview, and how these views potentially relate to marginalized persons’ perceived experiences of marginalization. For the purposes of this study, Human Dignity is founded upon principles expressed in Genesis Chapters 1 and 2, and is defined as all people, made in the image of God, created to live in relationship with God, called to reflect the nature and character of God, as possessing intrinsic worth based upon God’s purpose for and calling upon …

Intrinsic Case Study On Parents’ Perspectives In Collaboration With Professionals On Transition Services, Chanda Datijan Gonzales

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study describes the transition planning for parents collaborating with school and community professionals for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) at the high school level in Guam. The theory guiding this study is Schlosberg’s transition theory, as it supports parents in decision-making to help students with ID adapt to change. This study reviews how collaborative teams can be between schools and the community. The methodology examines parents’ interviews and observations and reviews the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) documents. An intrinsic case study is appropriate to understand parents’ perspectives in transition planning for high school students with intellectual disabilities. The …

Msw Degree Completion: Foster Care Alumni’S Perceptions Of Barriers, Resilience, And Success, Christa Martinez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This capstone research project involved examining foster care alumni who successfully graduated from Master of Social Work (MSW) programs as full-time students. The purpose of this study was to address resilience factors and this population’s perceptions of barriers, resilience, and success in terms of completing full-time MSW programs and career outcomes. The resiliency theory and a strength-based-perspective were frameworks for this research. This basic qualitative research study involved using purposive sampling, and 11 foster care alumni were interviewed who graduated from full-time MSW graduate programs in the United States. Through thematic analysis, themes emerged were lack of economic resources impacting …

Effective Leadership Strategies To Reduce Project Delays Resulting From Risk Management, Safiriyu Adebola Koya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University College of Management and Human Potential This is to certify that the doctoral study by Safiriyu Adebola Koya has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Hyuk Kim, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Yvonne Doll, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2025 Effective Leadership Strategies to Reduce Project Delays Resulting from Risk Management by Safiriyu Adebola Koya MBA, Southern New Hampshire University, 2022 BS, …

Inclusion May Affect Marching Band Members Of Black Universities Differently Than Members Of White Universities: Narrative Inquiry: A Case Study, Derrick K. Yates

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a lack of research on the emotional connection and support students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities may seek through their band experience versus students of Predominantly White Institutions. Some studies demonstrate that those who participate in music ensembles express heightened self-esteem, a sense of connectedness, and a positive impact on their mental and psychological well-being. This narrative inquiry research study focuses on the unexplored perspectives of three band members from historically black and three predominantly white university marching bands, regarding their emotional connections to their programs and the emotional connections and support they receive from them. The …

Sport Specific Postural Deviations: An Analysis Of Influence, Intervention, And Long Term Postural Health In Athletes, Thomas J. Mcguire Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigated sport-specific postural deviations in college-aged individuals aged 18–21 by comparing those who participated in a high school sport for at least four consecutive years with their non-athletic peers. The study aimed to identify prevalent postural deviations and explore their implications for long-term musculoskeletal health. Drawing from biomechanical and ergonomic literature, the study employed a quasi-experimental static-group comparison design to evaluate 60 participants (30 athletes, 30 non-athletes) using the PostureScreen mobile app. Postural deviations were measured in both the frontal and sagittal planes across four regions: head, shoulders, pelvis, and knees. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine …

Jesus's Theology Of Human Value Through The Use Of Rhetorical Speech In Luke 15, Daniel E. Butler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study is framed by the concept of Jesus’s theology of human value as articulated through rhetorical speech, with a particular focus on the stories presented in Luke 15. It seeks to examine the narratives of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the father with his two sons, analyzing the rhetorical strategies employed by Jesus and the discursive constructions crafted by the evangelist Luke. Through this hermeneutical approach, the research explores how these stories convey theological messages concerning human worth, divine compassion, and the redemptive nature of God’s engagement with humanity. Rhetorical analysis, or rhetorical criticism, serves as a …

A Teleoisrael And The Μυστήριον Of Mercy: The Identity Of Πᾶς Ἰσραήλ And The Apocalyptic Realignment Of God’S Covenant People In Romans 9–11, James Matthew Nowotny

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the meaning of Paul's assertion in Romans 11:26 that "all Israel will be saved," situating it within the broader theological and literary context of Romans 9–11. The study addresses the complex question of Israel’s identity in Paul’s writings, arguing that Paul envisions a future eschatological salvation for ethnic Israel that coheres with God’s covenantal promises while incorporating Gentile believers into the redemptive plan through union with Christ. Utilizing exegetical analysis, intertextual engagement with the Old Testament, and investigation of Second Temple Jewish conceptions of Israel, the study proposes a nuanced model termed TeleoIsrael—a theological construct reflecting the …