Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

American National Identity And Grand Strategy In The Post-Cold War Era, Norman T. Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a correlation between American grand strategy and post-Cold War national identity. Congressional leaders, policy makers, scholars, and observers have noted that the United States lacked a coherent grand strategy for the immediate post-Cold War era. However, President Bill Clinton built a grand strategy of selected engagement predicated it on the historical values of modern American national identity. Through published national security data, speeches, and observations of strategic choices, this research compared President Clinton’s actions in the international arena to a grand strategy typology. Further, through the theoretical lens of constructivism, an assessment of President Clinton’s national identity construct, …

Impact Of Unfunded Accrued Pensions Liabilities On Paying The Annual Required Contribution, Angel O. Chiriboga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pension benefits are important incentives to attract public sector workforces. Los Angeles County cities have faced budgetary pressures due to increases in unfunded accrued pension liabilities (UAPL) linked to improved salaries and benefits without budget considerations. Los Angeles County cities contract with California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits under city-specific employee retirement contracts. Complex decision-making processes to improve benefits and salaries require interaction between city councils, management, unions, and CalPERS. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the relationship between the ability to raise revenues and to pay for annual required contribution of cities …

College Students And Their Decisions To Disclose Disabilities, Matthew A. Christian

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Legislation in the United States mandates support services to assist students with disabilities in postsecondary settings, and research literature includes legislation and case law dealing with access rights to higher education and studies in areas of transitioning to postsecondary settings, including perceptions of support services and barriers to attainment. Yet, the processes that require students to divulge increasingly personal information related to their disabilities can discourage the students who need services. There is a gap in research and practice concerning the factors leading these students to decide to disclose; therefore, the purpose of this narrative inquiry was to explore the …

The Experience Of Latina Victims Of Domestic Violence In Seeking Support Services, Jeanine Chuya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influence the decisions among Latina victims of domestic violence as to whether to seek support services after experiencing domestic violence. Various studies have found a higher rate of domestic violence among Latinas than other ethnic minority groups. A review of the contemporary literature demonstrated that little is known about factors influencing these women’s decisions about whether to seek support services post domestic violence experiences. Intersectionality and structural violence theory constituted this study’s framework. The research questions explored the lived experiences of Latina victims of domestic violence in seeking help …

Clinician Experiences With Religious, Spiritual, And Nonreligious Beliefs In Psychotherapeutic Interactions, Carolyn Rochelle Cowl-Witherspoon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychologists are ethically bound to respect the belief systems of their clients while practicing within appropriate boundaries of competence regardless of whether they hold different beliefs than their clients. Further, though there may be a disparity between clinicians’ and clients’ beliefs, most clients expect meaningful integrations of religious and spiritual beliefs, values, and traditions into psychotherapeutic interactions. To meet the needs and expectations of a religiously or spiritually oriented client base, psychologists must maintain appropriate levels of competency within this complex domain. But clinicians are hindered by inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent levels of education and training specific to the ethically …

Experiences Of Ptsd Sufferers Who Participate In Internet-Based Virtual World Activities In Desktop Virtual Reality Environments, Colleen Margaret Crary

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Treatments for posttraumatic stress have remained largely static for 3 decades, resulting in low recovery rates, high degrees of retrogression, and noncompliance by patients, calling for new approaches for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of people with PTSD who participate in Desktop Virtual Reality Environments (DVREs). The research questions asked about the lived experiences of adults with PTSD who use the DVRE, and what they perceive as changes in their narratives about PTSD through their use of the DVRE. Twenty-three participants responded to a 10-item, open-ended questionnaire. Findings show that although each …

Managing Energy As Experienced By Female Federal Senior Managers, Gwendolyn Jones Crimiel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Senior managers experience a drain on personal energy while trying to meet the demands of work. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore how female senior managers describe lived experiences of managing and renewing personal energy while at work. The theoretical framework included conservation of resources theory and effort recovery theory. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 14 female senior managers who experienced managing and renewing their personal energy at work. Data analysis involved coding to capture the essence of the experiences and to identify common themes. Findings indicated that insufficient energy affected participants’ mental and …

Single Mothers’ Perceptions Of Police Encounters And Effectiveness Related To Youth Gun Violence, Janay M. Gasparini

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Single mothers and their children residing in high-crime communities (HCCs) in the United States are disproportionately exposed to crime, and therefore, the criminal justice system. Specific challenges of single motherhood in HCCs compound the link between juvenile offending and single-female-headed households. Little is known, however, about how single mothers in HCCs perceive and use the police as a resource to help prevent juvenile offending, specifically gun violence. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of single mothers with police as they related to the arrest of their children for a gun crime. The research questions focused …

Charter School Principals Perceived Self-Efficacy Implementing The Every Student Succeeds Act, Christina Renee Hamilton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Charter school principals have existed in the U.S. public school system for more than 30 years, and the number has grown dramatically in Southern California over the past decade. Like other principals, charter school principals are responsible for implementing the provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). Yet, charter school principals perceptions of self-efficacy are not well enough understood to determine their effective implementation of ESSA. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe the self-efficacy of charter school principals who implemented the multiple accountability measures of ESSA in Southern California. The theoretical framework …

The Sustainability Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavior Differences Between Green And Non-Green University Students, Rebekah Hart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has shown that green schools and sustainability education (SE) can improve learning, health, attitudes, and behaviors. They can also model the necessary community, societal, and global changes needed for sustainable living. However, most students do not attend green schools or receive adequate SE. Limited peer-reviewed studies have also examined the sustainability knowledge, attitude, and behavior differences between green and non-green university student populations. The theoretical foundation of the study was based on the theories of planned behavior and social identity theory. In order to fill the research gap, 606 undergraduates and graduates from 265 U.S. accredited green and non-green …

Mental Health Needs In Schools As Predictors Of Burnout In School Counselors, Sondra Junek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found an increasing number of students with mental health issues, and

school counselors are often the first resource available to students. School counselors are

faced with many job duties including supporting students’ academic, career, and

emotional needs. Maintaining these duties of school counseling can increase stress and

lead to burnout. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine mental health

needs, mental health knowledge, and mental health skills as predictors of each of the

three subscales of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal

accomplishment) among early, middle, and late career school counselors. Lazarus and

Folkman’s transactional theory …

Does Counselor Type Affect A Manualized Treatment?, Cynthia C. Kay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study was to determine whether there are differences in client treatment outcomes based upon the type of counselor who conducted an empirically supported treatment called Seeking Safety for persons diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder. Many studies show that counselors’ personal attributes impact treatment; however, this study added to the literature by focusing on a standardized treatment for the co-occurrence disorder of substance use and posttraumatic stress disorder. Archival data from an outpatient treatment facility was used. Clients were provided integrated services, which included psychological and substance use treatment. The participants/clients were men and women …

Exploring Mid-Market Strategies For Big Data Governance, Kenneth Stanley Knapton Iii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many data scientists are struggling to adopt effective data governance practices as they transition from traditional data analysis to big data analytics. Data governance of big data requires new strategies to deal with the volume, variety, and velocity attributes of big data. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore big data governance strategies employed by data scientists to provide a holistic perspective of those data for making decisions. The participants were 10 data scientists employed in multiple mid-market companies in the greater Salt Lake City, Utah area who have strategies to govern big data. This study’s …

Perceptions Of The Reentry Process Among African American Male Ex-Offenders With Multiple Incarcerations, Chanae Latrice Lumpkin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Within 3 years of their release from the criminal justice system, almost 7 out of 10 released African American males go back to. There is limited social science research into how these ex-offenders perceive their lived experiences after release. The research questions that guided this inquiry related to understanding the post-prison experiences of African American males with a history of multiple incarcerations. The conceptual framework was guided by Tajfel’s social identity theory and Becker’s social reaction theory. Interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 6 African American males with a history of multiple incarcerations who had been released from …

Institutional Narrative As A Means For Evaluating Mission Alignment At Community Colleges, Paul Wesley Lundburg

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community colleges have expanded their goals and their mission statements to accommodate more students, introduce new programs, and respond to community needs. One result of this expansion has been the perception of mission misalignment: the idea that community colleges are struggling to fulfill their missions. Recent literature has focused on causes and problems presumed to be associated with mission misalignment; however, there is a gap in the empirical research on whether mission misalignment occurs. The purpose of this study was to examine mission misalignment in community colleges, thereby helping to fill the gap in the literature. The research question was …

Generational Parenting Practices And The Influence Of Grandmothers Caring For Their Grandchildren, Mecca Major Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States there has been an increase of grandmothers caring for their grandchildren in the absence of their parents. Researchers have found that grandmothers are in a constant struggle with grandchildren exhibiting antisocial behavior. The gap in research does not address this issue. The present study explored the lived experiences of grandmothers in hopes of learning more about their past experiences, seeking to make a connection between generational parenting practices and poor coping skills. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis, 11 grandmothers participated who were the sole provider for their grandchildren exhibiting delinquent behavior. The results yielded varying themes …

Influence Of Implicit Racial Bias On Police Officers’ Decision To Use Force, Billy L. Moffett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. police administrators have embraced the implicit racial bias model to minimize the racial bias in their officers’ use-of-force decisions amid a public outcry on excessive police force and racism against African Americans. Although researchers have investigated whether officers have an implicit racial bias, they have not analyzed implicit bias from a police officer’s naturalistic perspective. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenology study was to describe what implicit racial bias perceptions emerged from a small sample of experienced officers when the officers were confronted with a use-of-force decision during an encounter with an African American man. The implicit racial bias …

First Responders' Experience During The Initial Chaos In A Large-Scale Event, Amanda Jo Reese

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is little focus on how first responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, medical staff) experience the initial chaos immediately following a large-scale disaster. Previous research indicated that understanding the initial chaos of disaster response is imperative to keeping first responders safe and healthy. First responders may also reduce the perception of chaos by implementing situational awareness skills. This research study explored (a) how first responders experienced the initial chaos immediately following a large-scale disaster, (b) how first responders experienced their emotions (good or bad) and what, if any, emotions were present, (c) how their emotions affected job performance, and (d) …

Predictors Of Mental Health Services Use Among Survivors Of Domestic Violence Emotional Abuse, Liseth Sales

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence (DV) affects over 80,000 million individuals a year in the United States. DV survivors who do not use mental health services are often revictimized or pass on patterns of abuse and unhealthy behaviors of DV to future generations. However, research on factors that inhibit DV survivors from seeking mental health care is limited. Using the behavioral model of health services use, which helps predict health services use by identifying predisposing, enabling, and need factors, this study investigated which predisposing, enabling, and need factors predict the utilization of mental health services by DV survivors who were emotionally abused. In …

Media Exposure To Crime, Fear Of Crime, And Social Interaction Anxiety, Genea Shoulders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2000, approximately 30% of all news stories in mass media focused on crime. According to research, increased exposure to the media directly correlates to an increased fear of crime; however, little research has been conducted into this influential relationship and the extent of which it could affect a person’s social interaction anxiety. Therefore, the study’s purpose was to examine the relationship and consequential impact of media exposure and the extent of which the fear of crime had on individuals’ social interaction anxiety levels. Through a quantitative approach, this study used the theory of cultivation. Question one examined the effect …

Jaquan's Seat At The Table: Breaking Down The Barriers To Academic Success, Dianne F. Small-Jordan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American boys who graduate from high school and college increase their chances of success in society and greatly decrease their chances of being incarcerated. The gap in academic proficiency for African Americans is concerning due to low graduation rates and high school dropout risks when compared to boys of other ethnicities. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore teachers’ perceptions and to gain insight into the causes of the poor performances leading to the academic achievement gap of high school African American boys. The policy feedback theory and ecological model theory were used to determine what …

Exploring Teacher Confidence Using Behavioral Interventions In The Classroom, Etoile Denise Swift

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The original purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative quasi-experimental study to compare a treatment group of teachers with training in the cognitive behavioral ABC model to a control group and examine differences in the average count of referrals to school counselors for students who exhibited disruptive behaviors. However, due to lack of participation, this study examined teacher perceptions of their confidence to use behavioral interventions with students who are disruptive in the classroom and the relationship to the number of referrals teachers made to the school counselor. This study included 99 teachers from pre-K through 12th grade …

The Impact Of Executive Hiring Decisions Within Homeless Services Providers, Thela Rachelle Thatch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inequities in staffing may affect the ability of organizations to deliver social services to the homeless. As homeless services are challenged with roadblocks exacerbated by systemic racism, a focus on hiring diverse employees may impact the delivery of services to minority clients. Little is known about the effects of diverse hiring in social service programs that serve the homeless. The purpose of this study is to bridge the gap in knowledge by examining the diverse hiring practices of senior employees that hold decision-making roles that affect the delivery of homeless services. Research questions were focused on discovering participants lived experience …

Urgent Care Centers And Workers’ Compensation Medical Cost Containment, Drema M. Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In response to healthcare payment policy reforms, billions of dollars in healthcare provider charges are challenged annually. Following the implementation of the Virginia workers’ compensation medical fee legislation, healthcare organizations experienced declining worker compensation medical fee schedule reimbursements and lack of profitability. Grounded in the adaptive cycle model, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies 2 urgent care center (UCC) leaders in Virginia used to increase profits after implementing the Virginia workers’ compensation medical fee legislation. Data were collected via in-depth interviews and a review of company documents. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. …

Meat-Eating Justification And Relationship Closeness With Vegetarian Family, Friends, And Romantic Partners, Amy Vandehei

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Omnivores often respond negatively when friends, family members, or romantic partners disclose adoption of a vegetarian/vegan diet. Examining the beliefs behind these negative responses could result in improved relationships between omnivores and vegetarians. This study examined whether the beliefs omnivores hold to justify meat-eating are related to relationship closeness. The theory of planned behavior provided a foundation with which to examine the attitudes omnivores have about meat consumption. A survey was used with 190 omnivores with existing friend, family member, or romantic partner relationships who had become vegetarian/vegan. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the extent to which meat-eating …

Perceived Employment Barriers Involving Program Managers Assisting Unemployed Young African American Males, Michael P. Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For unemployed, young, African American males who face significant barriers to jobs, public employment training centers have become a critical last option. For 2016, the U.S. federal government appropriated more than $6.9 billion to states for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act programs and approximately $3.4 billion in federal formula funding for partner programs. The research problem in this study concerns the lack of adequate employment-based policies and programs that guide the workforce employment process between program managers and recipients, in particular, young, African American males. Guided by Ingram, Schneider, and DeLeon’s theory of social construction and policy design, this study examined …

Curricular Policy Changes And College Readiness, Carol Ann Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the uncertain influence of a local curricular policy change. Educators, policymakers, and communities need more data to determine the usefulness of changes in policy and practice because changes involve restructuring, resource allocation, and understanding the intended and unintended consequences of policy implementation. In the United States, fewer than 50% of high school graduates complete a college preparatory curriculum and are eligible to enter 4-year public state universities. The purpose of this ex post facto study was to investigate how a change in local curricular policy might have influenced high school graduates' college readiness …

An Examination Of The Gestalt Group Process Using The Online Group Environment, Montrea Arndt-Verlander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social media communications provides alternatives to healthcare by presenting a platform to the public, patients, and healthcare professionals as a way to communicate health issues that could improve health outcomes (Ramezanhani, Yadegarynia, Dorodgar & Arab-Mazar, 2019). These findings suggest that there is a need for studies regarding the psychological effects of taking part in social media platforms. This phenomenological study explored lived experience involving group member support received in the online environment and the opportunity that they were afforded to experiment with feedback to gain awareness of self via blogging. The conceptual framework was Beisser's paradoxical theory of change. The …

Human Resources' Capacity To Drive Organizational Change In Ghana, Harriet Bani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human Resource Management Departments (HRMDs) drive organizational change by implementing effective and efficient policies. This study explored staff perceptions in Ghana's Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC), a public-service institution, regarding the extent to which their HRMD could stimulate change by implementing the Human Resource Management Policy Framework and Manual (HRMPF&M). May and Finch's theory of normalization propelled this qualitative case study, which consisted of interviewing 23 purposively selected participants and examining secondary data from the N&MC, the Public Services Commission, HRMPF&M, other relevant legal documents, as well as relevant literature on the subject. The data analysis generated themes which were …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Bullying And School Policy Enforcement, Angelena Elizabeth Clagon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bullying has grown attention since the Columbine High School shooting; in April, 1999. Throughout the years, there has been an increase in aggressive behaviors including via the Internet across school districts in the United States. There was a gap in the literature regarding whether bullying-related school policies are enforced during school hours. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of middle school teachers about bullying. This study was steered by Husserl's phenomenological theory. Five middle school teachers were interviewed to gather information regarding their experiences with and perceptions of bullying based on behaviors and school policy …