Educational Psychology Commons^™

Exploring The Relationships Between Autism Parent Training And Fathers’ Parental Involvement, Ray Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAs the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in American children has increased over the past decade, many local and state agencies are seeking avenues to become more efficient in the type of training services they offer. One such training is referred as Autism Parent Training (APT). The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between fathers’ participation in APT and the factors related to involvement with their children prior to training and after attending training. This study relied on the developmental learning perspective as a theoretical framework, which asserts that the experience a person has in his/her …

Parents’ Perceptions: Strategies To Motivate Lower-Elementary Children’S Virtual Emergency Learning During Covid-19, Brittany Harden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During the 2020–2021 school year, many students were forcibly shifted from traditional in-person learning to virtual emergency response learning (ERL) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this shift, many lower-elementary school students suffered socially, emotionally, and academically due to lack of infrastructure, social isolation, and the loss of direct instruction from educators. Because of this loss, many parents had different responsibilities to their children’s social, emotional, and academic well-being. Research has not provided practical, motivational strategies used by parents to motivate their lower-elementary school children during virtual ERL during COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine parents’ …

Family Factors In Career Decisions To Enter Education Amongst Black Urban Millennials, Christian Jacobs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe interactions a student has with a teacher help form their relationship with the educational experience. Importantly, a lack of representation can greatly impact the future impression of oneself and the world. For students of color, the balance of teachers who represent their ethnic and cultural diversity in the education field is greatly skewed toward White educators. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study, which was rooted in the self-determination theory, was to examine if and to what extent various factors, including parental, household, environmental, gender, and ethnicity impact Black millennials’ decision to go into the educational field. Participant criteria …

Quality Of Life In Young Adults With Dyslexia, Nathan Kirkegaard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has emphasized cognitive differences and emotional and behavioral dysfunctionality related to dyslexia. However, there has been limited emphasis on quality-of-life (QOL) experiences on adults with dyslexia within educational, work, family, and social environments. The purpose of this narrative study was to explore the lived experiences of adults with dyslexia to better understand QOL experiences. The integrative quality-of-life (IQOL) theory was used to address QOL from a subjective, existential, and objective perspective to define what QOL means more completely. The narrative approach was used to explore chain-of-event themes throughout a participant’s told story to examine QOL experiences. Seven participants were …

Course Modality And Dialogue As Predictors Of Postsecondary Student Success In Online Programs, Danielle Lawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a growing demand for online education; however, online programs yield consistently lower student retention rates and student success. Students in online programs are typically nontraditional students from underrepresented populations in higher education. The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to determine whether dialogue (learner–learner, learner–instructor, and learner–content interactions) and course modality (traditional online and competency-based education [CBE] online) predicted student success (final course grade). Moore’s model of transactional distance served as the theoretical framework for this study, specifically the dialogue component. Participants were 127 online higher education students who took (successfully or unsuccessfully) a traditional online course …

Parental Involvement And Computer Literacy In Enhancing Student Virtual Learning, Veena Ruth Sangram

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parental involvement in the education of their children has been a focus of researchers for the past several years, especially with more parents and students opting for virtual schooling. Researchers found that parental involvement in their children’s education predicted children’s overall grades and social health. However, the role of parental computer literacy in parental involvement among virtual learning students had not been established. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine whether parental computer literacy moderates the relationship between parental involvement and student grades among students attending Cyber Charter Schools. The study was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. …

Reading Teacher Perspectives On Classroom Behavior And Criteria Referral For Adhd Testing, Sharmaine Wilder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other researchers, the prevalence of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnoses among school-aged children has gained the attention of researchers. Due to the large amount of time children spend in the school context, researchers have found that teachers play a vital role as valuable resources to early identification of children needs of services. The purpose of this qualitative study was to expand knowledge about the in-depth experiences of third grade reading teachers when referring for behavioral health services. Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) bioecological model the was theoretical framework for this …

Single Parent And Caregiver Perspectives On The Effects Of Caregiver Stress And Iep Meeting Eligibility, Kevin Mark Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem examined in this phenomenological study is how single African American parents and caregivers perceive the impact of caregiver stress on communications, trust, and intent to negotiate with school personnel after participation in their child’s annual IEP eligibility determination meeting. This research is important because parents’ and caregivers’ perceptions of their IEP meeting engagement may identify and reduce impediments to the formation of successful alliances with school personnel. Attribution and self-determination theories were used to analyze, interpret, and codify the experiences of study participants. Purposive sampling was used to select 18 single, African American parents and caregivers for participation. …

Challenges, Practices, And Preferences Of Postsecondary Accessibility Service Providers In Alberta When Implementing Accommodations For Invisible Disabilities, Tara-Jean M. Wenc

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although the last few decades have seen an improvement in postsecondary opportunities for students with invisible disabilities in Alberta, service providers at postsecondary institutions continue to struggle to ensure they provide reasonable accommodations in a timely manner. Research questions explored the current practices and challenges of postsecondary accessibility services providers in Alberta, Canada, and their preferences for verification documentation for students requesting accommodations for invisible disabilities. The conceptual framework was based upon the medical and social models of disability, as well as the emerging justice theory of disability. Data were collected via semistructured interviews with 13 participants. A constant comparative …

African American Women Teachers’ Motivation To Stay In The Profession, Cynthia Yvonne Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Teacher attrition contributes to teacher shortages in public school systems throughout the United States. Some teachers leave the profession because of low salary, job dissatisfaction, lack of administrative support, and infrequent professional autonomy. Researchers have focused on attrition from the perspective of why teachers leave the profession. However, in current literature little is known about what motivates teachers to remain in the profession, including their race and gender. The purpose of this study was to explore African American women middle school teachers’ motivation to stay in the profession. In this study, self-determination theory was used as the theoretical framework to …

Emotional Support Dogs’ Effects On Anxiety, Depression, And Somatization In Elementary Students, Truman Arthur James Spring

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Within the last few decades, there has been an ever-increasing clinical role for trained emotional support dogs (ESD) and their trained therapists in hospitals, courtrooms, and schools. More recently, within the last 5 years, there has been a prevalent trend toward introducing ESDs into schools, which has created an ongoing controversy about the legitimacy of this practice due to the lack of objective data and research on the topic. In this study, archival data analysis was conducted using data from 68 students with elevated scores for anxiety, depression, or somatization, 34 of which were in the treatment group and the …

Structured Training Programs For Direct Support Professionals On Behavior Intervention Support Plans, Melody Lane Barnes-Meisenhelder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Direct support professionals work with developmentally disabled individuals and are responsible for implementing behavior intervention support plans (BISPs). Little is known about the efficacy of supplemental BISP training in these professionals. The purpose of this quantitative experimental study was to investigate the efficacy of BISP training to improve knowledge and applied understanding of BISPs in direct support professionals. Social validation, treatment fidelity, and change theories served as the foundations of the study. Seventy-three newly hired direct support professionals were randomized into an experimental group with a 2-day workshop training or a standard training group. BISP knowledge was assessed before and …

Experiences And Perceptions Of School Principals Regarding School Safety Programs And Bullying, Denise Lowe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMany researchers have documented the continued problem with safety in U.S. schools, which may be related to bullying. Though the most effective way to address bullying in schools is schoolwide programs, limited information is available relating to principals’ views on safety programs in U.S. suburban high schools. Accordingly, this study included two research questions and eight interview questions to address the problem relating to safety programs and interventions with 12 principals in Catholic suburban high schools in Kansas and Missouri. Six distinctive themes emerged from the data based on participant answers to interview questions: effective safety intervention programs, mental health …

The Impact Of Family Dynamics And Treatment Times For Adhd Children, Margaret Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a serious mental health condition that affects many of children. Studies show that 42-77% of children with ADHD may not be receiving treatment. Factors such as parent ethnicity, race, preference for treatment, socioeconomics, and child gender have been studied but do not account for the high numbers of untreated children. Differences between parents has been shown to effect ADHD treatment, the potential effects of family dynamics, children living in single or dual parent families, on ADHD treatment has not been studied. This secondary analysis finds there is a relationship between family dynamics, with the …

Hiring Manager Perceptions Of The Emotional Intelligence Skills Of Urban Community College Graduates, Janice Moore English

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractEmotional intelligence (EI) skills are an important factor in the successful entry in the labor market of the fresh graduates of urban community colleges. Even though previous studies provided substantial evidence to the importance of these skills, these studies also recognized a lack of preparedness for the newly community college graduates and add to the voices of local business communities who manifest concern in this regard. The purpose of this basic qualitative research project was to explore local hiring manager perceptions of the EI skills of community college graduates they have hired for knowledge work roles. Goleman’s theory of EI …

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 …

Decision-Making Of Unionized Men Toward Work And Post-Secondary Education: A Qualitative Study, Angela Pesce

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High school graduates who opt for labor-based unionized positions, versus matriculating, are typically viewed as unable to matriculate, less intelligent and a myriad of other less desirable qualities. Current literature fails to showcase the decision-making experiences of unionized men who did not matriculate. There is also a gap regarding unionized mens’ perceptions on matriculation, including their reasons for not. This general qualitative study explored the career decision-making experiences of unionized men and their perceptions on postsecondary education through semi-structured interviews with 10 unionized men in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Purposeful and convenience sampling were used for recruitment through posted flyers within …

Factors Predicting Counselor Education And Supervision Doctoral Student Career Choices, Lisa Corbin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the increased need for counselor educators, less than half of graduates of counselor education and supervision (CES) programs enter into faculty positions after graduation. There is also a significant lack of diversity among counselor educators. Some researchers found that the quality of a mentoring relationship influences the mentee’s self-efficacy and career choice. The purpose of this quantitative survey research study was to explore the perceived quality of the participant’s mentoring relationship as measured by the Mentorship in Clinical Training Scale (MiCTS) and whether that score predicted the participant’s career choice or a change in career choice, investigate whether students’ …

Self-Efficacy Of College Students With A Learning Disability During Freshman Year, Nicole Renee Adams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe current study sought to understand the phenomena of educational programming and academic self-efficacy. The conceptual framework for this study was based on social cognitive theories of academic self-efficacy and motivation. This qualitative study used interpretive phenomenological analysis to gain a broader understanding of experiences of academic self-efficacy and motivation in college students diagnosed with a specific learning disability. Ten participants were recruited with snowball sampling and semi-structured interviews were conducted to guide this research study. Results of this research support additional analysis as necessary to close the gaps presented in the college transition and campus life of students with …

Qualitative Examination Of Noncustodial African American Fathers' Involvement In Their Children's Education, Christy Ann Wallace

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractParent involvement in children's school experience has been shown to be important to academic success. Although African American parents approach their parenting in culturally unique ways, these have not been adequately explored or described. Many African American children grow up in a household with a single mother and an involved but nonresident father; the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of these fathers with their grade school children's schools and education. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory underpinned the research. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, data was collected from a sample of 10 nonresident African American fathers using …

Single Parent And Caregiver Perspectives On The Effects Of Caregiver Stress And Iep Meeting Eligibility, Kevin Mark Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem examined in this phenomenological study is how single African American parents and caregivers perceive the impact of caregiver stress on communications, trust, and intent to negotiate with school personnel after participation in their child’s annual IEP eligibility determination meeting. This research is important because parents’ and caregivers’ perceptions of their IEP meeting engagement may identify and reduce impediments to the formation of successful alliances with school personnel. Attribution and self-determination theories were used to analyze, interpret, and codify the experiences of study participants. Purposive sampling was used to select 18 single, African American parents and caregivers for participation. …

Narrative Study Of Educational Stigmatization In Parents Of Indigenous Children With Fasd, Wendy Dianne Sherren-Doucette

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Often public stereotyping and prejudicial attitudes follow parents of Indigenous children with FASD throughout their day-to-day life. Stigma affects Indigenous people, particularly parents of Indigenous children with FASD, in different facets of their lives. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions that parents of Indigenous school-aged children with FASD have had of their experiences with school personnel. The study was grounded in Goffman’s social stigma theory and used a narrative inquiry approach in an interview-style format which collected data for this study. The research question explored the experiences of six parents of Indigenous children with FASD with …

Parental Stress Coping And Middle-School Students’ Grades And Behavioral Conduct, Stephanie Buckner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAccording to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, factors such as parental stress influence family functioning and affect children’s adaptive development. This quantitative study was conducted to better understand the association of parental stress coping skills with two dependent measures: the grades and behavioral conduct of middle-school students. Sixty-six parent/guardians completed the Coping Skills Assessment 2nd Revision (COSA R2), an assessment of parental stress coping skills and a brief questionnaire to collect data on their middle-school-aged children’s grades and conduct, along with demographic variables of race/ethnicity, age, family income level, number of children in the household, and partner status. No significant difference …

Leadership Behavior On Burnout Among African-American Licensed Professional Counselors, Chinedu Augustus Akubudike

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe impact of leadership behavior on burnout among mental health workers has been an area of study among scholars since 2004. For example, poor leadership behavior has been found to impact burnout among licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and leadership strategy has been found to be essential in addressing a clinician's burnout. However, existing literature has indicated that some U.S. behavioral health organizations lack leadership qualities that would facilitate a decrease in burnout among mental health providers. Therefore, I examined the issues associated with the leadership of XYZB behavioral health clinic in northeastern Washington, DC, and its approaches for remediating burnout …

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 …

Lived Experiences Of Adults Using Emotional Support Animals To Cope With Anxiety, Kenneth Patrick Fisher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Anxiety is a clinical disorder affecting nearly 40 million adults in the United States. Treating anxiety symptoms has been most effective when clinicians combine medication and therapy intervention. Still, treatments for anxiety varies among clinicians to determine which one may be the most effective. Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide one kind of intervention that clinicians use to treat anxiety in adults. However, existing research literature has not fully explored the phenomenon of lived experiences of coping with anxiety among adults with an ESA. Social cognitive theory provided a basis for this study’s theoretical framework for understanding this phenomenon. This study …

College Students’ Perceptions Regarding High School Influences On Academic Buoyancy, Jeremy Travis Irwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed by this study is the lack of student input in the development of resources to support academic buoyancy, leading to a gap in educational practices. Academic buoyancy is the ability to successfully deal with academic setbacks and challenges that are typical of the ordinary course of school life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of recent high school students regarding the common academic setbacks and challenges they experienced in high school and how high schools could support students experiencing these challenges. Research questions examined participants’ perspective of the common academic setbacks and challenges …

Faculty Experiences Of Social Media Implementation In Online Classrooms, Ashley Lynn George

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social media has become an integral part of the education process, with educators incorporating social media platforms both actively and passively within the learning environment. Yet, the implementation and usefulness of social media in the online learning environment as an educational assistance tool have not been adequately investigated. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how the incorporation of social media into the online learning environment is experienced by university faculty and if their experiences of use or required changes in pedagogy for implementation are affecting their ability or desire to implement the new technology. Individual virtual interviews …

Training And Experience As Predictors Of Principals’ Efficacy For Inclusive Education Implementation, Courtney Lynch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Federal inclusion law requires that school administrators provide an equitable and legally compliant inclusive education for all students. Previous research has shown that successful program delivery is not possible without efficacious school leadership. Prior studies have also revealed that principals’ self-efficacy judgments are directly influenced by contextual and personal factors. Limited research-based inquiries have explored which factors contribute to administrator confidence as it relates to successfully implementing inclusive educational programs in particular. Grounded in social cognitive theory, the purpose of this nonexperimental, survey-based, quantitative study was to assess the extent to which facets of elementary school principals’ educational background, experience, …

The Long-Term Effects Of Teacher Participation In Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Germaine Pentsil

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the long-term effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on student disciplinary behavior, student academic progress and teacher absenteeism within the educational environment, using the theoretical framework of the Pro-Social Classroom theoretical model. Furthermore, by observing the before and after patterns of middle school teacher absenteeism, middle school student disciplinary behavior, and middle school student academic progress, this study addressed whether mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques were beneficial to the teacher professional development process. This study included 75 survey responses from teachers that met the sampling criteria via the Walden Participant Pool, as …