Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons^™

Supervision Needs For Social Workers Providing Home-Based Treatment For Children And Families, Magda Demerritt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers providing home-based therapy services for children and families face challenges that make it difficult to provide efficient and effective treatment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the supervision needs of social workers who provide treatment using the home-based service delivery model. The leader-member exchange theory was used to guide the study. Data were collected from a focus group meeting with 10 master’s-level social workers in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Findings from coding and thematic analysis revealed that participants’ needs involved being educated on the value of the home-based model, receiving support and guidance related to their …

The Social Work Perspective Regarding The Underutilization Of Mental Health Services Among African American Families, Carissma Tempest Hughes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The underutilization of mental health services amongst African American families has been a long-standing concern in the African American community within large metropolitan cities in Texas. The metropolitan cities are Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and McAllen. There remain experiences that impede families’ ability to engage in mental health services. These experiences involve the conflict between prayer and therapy, stigma, lack of awareness of local mental health services, and cultural competency. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore experiences of African American families and how those experiences affect mental health engagement, as well as how practicing …

Criminal Thinking, Age, Psychological Well-Being, And Recidivism Among Recently Released Female Violent Offenders, Nyasia Monae Belfrom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High rates of incarceration among female inmates as well as high rates of recidivism characterize the U.S. justice system. Though some research has been conducted on gendered differences between prisoners, a gap existed in the application of criminal thinking theory for female offenders following their release. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to analyze the relationship between criminal thinking, age, psychological well-being, and recidivism among recently released female violent offenders in the region of Central Texas through the use of Yochelsen and Samenow’s criminal thinking theory. The sample for this study consisted of N = 98 female participants …

Lived Experiences Of Former Commercialized Sex Workers Seeking Harm Reduction Services In Nevada, Arlynda Yvette Almond

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Commercialized sex work has been considered a high-risk profession. Understanding the social context and application of services that foster wellbeing for this population is of research concern. There is a risk of ineffective service when programs are designed by providers who are not formerly of the profession and not familiar with the unique needs of this population. The problem is that commercialized sex workers who need but do not seek harm reduction services may experience ill-health and lack of wellbeing. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of 10 commercialized sex workers who pursued …

Post-Conflict Mental Health Policy And Substance Use Among Liberian Adults, Ekua Amonoo-Lartson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe objective of post-conflict countries after an extended period of war and trauma is to maintain peace and stability. However, the physical and psychological effects of substance use to cope with the devastation of war remains long after the crisis has ended. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine substance use among Liberian working-age adults, including their substance use habits, experiences with substance use, and access to mental health rehabilitative treatment. The access to medical care theoretical framework was used to guide the study. Data were collected from face-to-face semistructured interviews with 15 individuals regarding their experiences …

Missionary Kids And Trauma, Lindsay Elizabeth Stone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMissionary Kids and Trauma by Lindsay E. Stone

MA, Walden University, 2019MA, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2010 BS, Charleston Southern University, 2006

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services

Walden University February 2021 Abstract Missionary kids (MKs) around the world are more exposed to trauma than non-MKs. MKs often struggle with grief, loss, and stressors of cross-cultural living. Childhood trauma leads to short-and long-term effects of trauma, often into adulthood. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore adult, Christian MKs’ perceptions of external trauma on …

Mental Health Literacy Among Rural And Urban Young Adults In Zambia, Etta Y. Mwambwa-Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Misconceptions that negatively influence attitudes and beliefs about mental illness are still prevalent in Zambia. Researchers have reported that young adults are the most impacted population for mental disorders in Zambia. Researchers have also highlighted mental health literacy (MHL) as a useful strategy for influencing positive attitudes and beliefs about mental disorders. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between levels of MHL and attitudes and beliefs about mental illness and health-seeking behaviors of Zambian young adults aged 18 to 24. The study used the health belief theoretical model. A MHL questionnaire was used to …

The Systemic Experiences Of Social Workers In An Inpatient, State Psychiatric Hospital, Kesia Gwaltney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The National Alliance on Mental Illness surmised that 1 in 25 (9.8 million) adults in the United States are diagnosed with a serious mental illness annually. Of the 9.8 million people diagnosed, approximately 63% of them are psychiatrically hospitalized with repeat hospitalizations within 1 year of discharge. Social workers play a vital role in the treatment modalities of the patients they serve in the psychiatric hospital; however, there is no research that examined the professional systemic experiences of social workers in state, inpatient psychiatric hospitals and how these experiences may affect treatment outcomes of patients as it relates to frequent …

A Clinical Practice Guideline For Measuring Quality Of Life In Patients With Depression And Anxiety, Mary Fowaah Boateng

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health conditions affect various aspects of an individual’s quality of life (QOL). Patients with anxiety and depression have a greater risk of having a negative perception of QOL. The gap in practice was the lack of an assessment tool to measure QOL in patients with mental health disorders. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) recommending the best evidence-based measurement tool for QOL in patients with anxiety and/or depression. The question that guided the CPG was: How should QOL be measured in patients with anxiety and/or depression in the …

Medical And Mental Health Comorbidities Among Minority Racial/Ethnic Groups In The United States, Naheed Ahmed, C. Andrew Conway

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Objective. To examine the prevalence of and the association between comorbid disorders and race/ethnicity in the United States.

Methods. Using cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [N=45,207,844], we examined comorbidity of psychological distress with self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, angina, and with history of heart attack and stroke. Logistic regression was used to examine between group differences by race/ethnicity.

Results. Unadjusted results indicate that American Indian [OR 4.01, 95%CI: 1.78, 9.04] and Hispanic [OR 1.55, 95%CI: 1.04, 2.33] participants were more likely to have psychological distress and history of heart attack in comparison …

Understanding The Experiences Of Young Adults Receiving Community-Based Eating Disorder Care, Hali Sitarz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn Ontario, Canada, eating disorder care is predominately delivered through nurse practitioner-led community outreach programs; however, there is a paucity of evidence informing the role of nurses in terms of outpatient treatment, community-based care, and young adult patient experiences. With high rates of morbidity and mortality, it is imperative to establish an evidence-informed approach to eating disorder treatment and ensure that care is patient-centered. This interpretive phenomenological study explored the experiences of young adults receiving community-based treatment in Ontario. Reigel, Stromberg & Jaarsma’s Middle Range Theory of Self-Care in Chronic Illness was used as an orientating framework. Seven young adults, …

Examining The Efficacy Of A School-Based Mental Health Program In Iowa, Karen A. Rodriguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence shows that treating mental health issues positively impacts academic and other life outcomes for students. However, there remains a gap in knowledge specific to academic outcomes and to rural school districts. It is important for mental health providers, educators, and third-party payers to gain an understanding of how treating mental health in the school setting affects student performance. The purpose of this quantitative study, which had contribution analysis as its theoretical framework, was to examine the academic and behavioral outcomes of participating in a school-based mental health (SBMH) program in rural school districts in Iowa. The specific focus was …

Utilization And Impact Of Peer-Support Programs On Police Officers’ Mental Health, Beth A. Milliard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Police officer suicides rates hit an all-time high in the province of Ontario, Canada, in 2018. Sadly, this statistic is somewhat unsurprising, as research has shown that police officers suffer from higher rates of mental health disorder diagnoses compared the general public. One key reason for the elevated levels of suicide and other mental health issues among police officers is the stigma associated with seeking help. In an attempt to address these serious issues, Ontario’s police services have begun to create internal peer-support programs as a way of supporting their members. The present research explores the experiences of police officers …

Evidence-Based Diagnosis Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using Quantitative Electroencephalography, Roger Yoder

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is challenging and is currently, diagnosis through self-administered checklists. Because a diagnosis of PTSD can open up significant benefits to compensation, education, and medical care, people can tailor their responses to the checklist to help ensure a diagnosis of PTSD. The purpose of the study was to examine the utility of the quantitative electroencephalograph for diagnosing PTSD. Frequency and presence of biomarkers and alpha brain wave symmetry in the frontal and parietal lobes were examined. Research questions involved examining the presence of alpha wave imbalance across the frontal lobe and between the right and left …

Depression And Awareness Of Mental Health Resources Among Minority And Non-Minority College Students, Henry David Browne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Minority college students experience higher levels of psychological stress and depression, and lower utilization of mental health resources (MHR) compared to the general student population. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the association between self-reported depressive symptoms and awareness of mental health services among college undergraduate minority and non-minority students, controlling for sex, interest in MHR information, and history of mental illness. The self-determination theory guided the study. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design using secondary survey data from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). The NCHA dataset included 354,262 respondents from 52 self-selected U.S. colleges …

Eating Disorders And The Gap Of Education, Sara Jane Camden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Eating disorders are described as excessive dieting, limiting food intake, and withholding of food. Over 30 million people suffer from eating disorders. Some people may also have preconceived notions that this disease is easily fixable and that eating more and stopping dieting will solve the problem. Registered nurses struggle with having preconceived ideas, a lack of confidence in their assessment skills, and fear of using the eating disorder diagnosis. Barriers that have surrounded the eating disorder mental health disease need to be addressed. The staff development project was based on the question if nursing knowledge would improve on eating disorders …

The Relationship Between Program Leadership, Resident Physicians’ Wellbeing, And Quality Of Care, Fatima Msheik

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research studies have shown that organizational leadership and support affect organizational outcomes in many sectors, including healthcare. However, less is known about how organizational leadership influences the quality of patient care by physicians. This study was guided by the perceived organizational support theory and leader-member exchange theory that provide general understanding of how supportive leadership influences staff wellbeing and productivity. Ninety-five resident physicians residing in Lebanon participated in this cross-sectional study and completed an online survey, which consisted of demographics and five tools, namely, the Leader-Member Exchange 7, Perceived Organization Support 8, Maslach Burnout Inventory 7, Utrecht Work Engagement 9, …

Experiences And Challenges Of Social Workers Working With Transitioning And Postmilitary Service Members Who Have Mental Health Issues, Joyce M. Hewitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Active duty service members, veterans, and their family members are faced with a myriad of problems including mental health issues, substance abuse issues, traumatic brain injury, suicide, family integration issues, and family distress. Understanding the organizational, environmental, and person-centered factors that affect the delivery of mental health care treatment to active duty service members, veterans, and their families is urgent to this unique population for social work practitioners (licensed master, advanced, & clinical). This project explored the experiences and challenges that social work practitioners (licensed master, advanced, & clinical) have in providing effective services for mental health care treatment to …

Family Functioning During Deployment And Reintegration Of Military Members, Heather Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military members and their families face unique stressors related to separation and reintegration. These life-changing events can lead to domestic violence, divorce, depression, suicide, and behavioral problems within the family. It was unknown whether the implementation of a nursing clinical practice guideline (CPG) would help nurses to identify family functioning concerns or psychosocial issues enabling earlier interventions. The purpose of this doctoral project was to create a CPG that can be used at military treatment facilities (MTFs) to screen military members and their families to identify family functioning concerns so that the provider can make referrals as needed. The circumplex …

The Long-Term Biopsychosocial Effects Of Children Reared In Blended Families, Kerene T. Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Family dynamics have experienced an immense transformation in the last 4 decades. Children are less likely to live in a 2-parent household with parents that are both biologically related to them due to various factors. Blended families (especially the children) face many adversities during the initial stages of formation and rarely receive specialized intervention when compared to nuclear families. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand the long-term biopsychosocial effects experienced by young adults who lived in a blended family household. In addition, what services or interventions were offered to newly established blended family systems were also …

Crisis Intervention Team Training: Full Implementation, Roy Garvin Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) encounter unique challenges when responding to calls involving an emotionally disturbed person (EDP) in crisis. In these situations, the LEOs are not merely acting in a law enforcement capacity but also taking on the roles of mental health workers, social workers, and other community support services. Unfortunately, most LEOs lack clear direction and training to effectively serve this unique population, with the typical encounter resulting in the arrest of the EDP and often ensuing in a vicious circle of arrest, incarceration, and recidivism. This phenomenological qualitative study used the perceptions of active Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) …

African American College Students’ Attitudes Toward Help Seeking For Mental Health Illness, Sylvia Krow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Past research has shown that African Americans are less likely to seek treatment for mental health illness compared to individuals in other ethnic groups. Research has also revealed that African American college students’ attitudes, perceptions, and stigmas against mental illness impacts their willingness to seek treatment for mental illness. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational study was to investigate the predictive relationships between ethnic identity, perceptions of mental illness, stigma and attitudes toward seeking professional help for mental illness among African American college students attending Historically Black colleges and universities. The research question addressed the predictive relationships between ethnic …

Barriers To Mental Health Services Related To Stigma In Northern California, Kandalena Ary

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

California Senate Bill 1041 recognized mental health as a contributing barrier for individuals struggling to achieve independence from aid through the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program to meet the needs of the state's low-income families while reducing barriers to self-sufficiency. As mental health illnesses continue to increase, the engagement and utilization of services have not increased. The purpose of this study was to explore county policy infrastructure addresses making mental health services known, accessible, and increase participation to decrease barriers in utilization of available resources. The research questions were used to examine the effectiveness of processes …

Qualitative Inquiry Of Resilience In Veterans Transitioning To Civilian Life, Brenda D. Nicholson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological research focused on the resilience of 10 veterans transitioning back to civilian life. An increase in suicide rates among veterans over the last 10 years has become a major concern for the U.S. Congress and Department of Defense (DoD). The theoretical frameworks guiding the study are Durkheim’s suicide theory, Lindenberg and Frey’s social production function theory, and Diener’s deindividuation theory. Many veterans have no self-awareness of their need for psychological and transitional assistance, leaving them vulnerable during a time of potentially increased and unfamiliar stress. Understanding the need for effective psychological adjustment and resilience in military members …

Mindfulness In Healthcare: Exploring The Gap Between Leadership Practice And Employee Burnout, Bryn Saunders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A healthcare employee’s ability to provide proficient, or quality, care to patients is impeded by burnout. Previous studies showed high levels of burnout is a common problem in healthcare, indicating there is a lack of support for employee health. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine whether mindfulness training reduced burnout in healthcare professionals. The study focused on increasing knowledge between the leadership practices and programs used to improve healthcare proficiency by analyzing the relationship between mindfulness and three measures of burnout: sense of efficacy, depersonalization, and emotional exhaustion. The Western concept of mindfulness that emphasizes self-awareness and …

Mental Health Care Practitioners, Self-Care, And Men Who Are Postincarcerated, Aduke Mccoy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health practitioners often suffer physical exhaustion, burnout, and increased stress from providing care to postincarcerated men with elevated mental illness. When working in these high environments, helping professionals, may neglect self-care when caring for clients under stressful conditions. Neglected self-care can have adverse implications for both the patient and the mental health professional. The research question aligned with the purpose of this study was to understand what grounded theory that explains how mental health practitioners manage self-care while providing services to postincarcerated men with elevated mental illness. Self-care theory was used as a conceptual framework for this qualitative grounded …

Examining The Relationship Between Rural African-American Adolescents’ Self-Perception And Their Academic Performance, Vincent Dewayne Tompkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poverty, crime, and the need for public assistance are associated with dropping out of high school in the United States. African American adolescents have a higher dropout rate than their White peers, especially in the rural south. Moreover, racial discrimination toward African American adolescents is more prevalent in the rural south compared with the urban areas of United States. Academic self-perception and experienced racial discrimination are probable factors that influence African American adolescents to leave school before they graduate. This study was conducted to determine a relationship between the combination of rural African American adolescent’s academic self-perception as measured by …

Improving Suicide Prevention In The Emergency Department, Crystal Hartis Andrews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide is a leading cause of death and a significant public health problem in the United States, especially among the youth population. The wide variability of screening practices and limited educational programs for nurses in terms of identification and management of individuals at risk for suicide exists. The purpose of this project was to conduct a systematic review to identify evidence available in support of adequately preparing nurses to conduct suicide screening and inform suicide prevention efforts for youth in emergency departments. Results from the literature review were correlated to formulate recommendations for improving suicide screening practices through the provision …

Identifying Strategies That Address Race-Based Traumatic Stress Of African Americans In Rural Mississippi, Syrenia Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There has been a dramatic increase of race-based encounters that have had an extensive health impact on African Americans. Social workers and other mental health professionals play a crucial role in working with African American adults who experience race-based traumatic stress. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify strategies to address race-based traumatic stress from a mental health perspective. Racial encounter coping appraisal and socialization theory (RECAST) guided this study where eight social workers from the local community mental health center in rural Mississippi completed an open-ended questionnaire to identify and determine culturally competent treatment strategies for African …

Relationship Between Parent Asthma Knowledge, Parental Control Of Child's Asthma, And Parent Qol, Glori Sommerer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The long-term responsibility of caring for a child with asthma can result in parents

experiencing a lower quality of life (QoL), especially if the child's asthma is not well

controlled. Asthma knowledge can enhance asthma control practices among parents.

However, research has not explored these variables together to determine whether

parental control of child's asthma mediates the relationship between parent asthma

knowledge and parent QoL. This quantitative research study explored whether parental

control of child's asthma mediated the relationship between parent asthma knowledge

and parent QoL. The theoretical foundation was asthma self-regulation theory, focused

on the importance of asthma knowledge …