Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Exploration Of Therapists' Use Of Bibliotherapy As A Clinical Strategy For Military Children, Destiny Huff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military-connected children face unique life stressors related to their parents serving in the military. Therapists play an integral role in supporting these families. Specifically, research on therapists’ use of bibliotherapy as a clinical strategy to support these children’s needs is recommended. Bibliotherapy uses written material such as books, stories, and poems to address clients’ needs. The purpose of this interpretive descriptive qualitative study was to explore therapists’ use of bibliotherapy as a clinical strategy to address the unique stressors faced by military children ages 3-8 years old. Shrodes’s model of bibliotherapy was used as the theoretical framework. Data were collected …

Use Of A Community-Based Mentoring Program To Reduce Juvenile Delinquency And Crime In Adolescents, Andida Prince

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The risk factors of juvenile delinquency and crime fail to acknowledge the systemic injustices, environmental stressors, and challenges youths bring to mentoring programs. Community-based mentoring programs are in place to assist with deterrence and reduction of juvenile delinquency and crime. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand delinquency and crime in adolescents through the theoretical lens of social control theory. The goal was to explore the theories and understand what can be done to counteract the risk factors from the perspective of mentoring professionals. The research questions focused on community-based mentoring programs’ role in an adolescent’s life and …

The Relationship Between Corporate Environmental Performance And Firm Value, Edward Basile

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increasing scrutinization of polluting industries raises concern for corporate leaders responsible for sustaining profitability while reducing environmental impacts. Nested in the enlightened value maximization theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions, waste and hazardous materials management, water and wastewater management, and firm value. The participants were 140 publicly listed industrial companies that disclosed corporate environmental impacts to environmental rating agencies. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, F(3, 136) = 4.51, p < .01, R2 = .09. In the final model, two independent variables were significant, greenhouse gas emissions (t = –2.21, p = .03, �� = –.187) and waste and hazardous materials management (t = 2.62, p = .01, �� = .227). A fundamental recommendation emerging from this study is for industry leaders to establish a robust environmental impact disclosure strategy that accounts for sustainable production and long-horizon value maximization. The implications for positive social change include the potential to minimize an industry’s environmental footprint while jointly enhancing ecological stability, human flourishing, and environmentally responsible products and services.

To Resist Or Persist? An Examination Of Interpersonal Relationships Formed In Prison, Kamecia S. Blake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prison is an important component of the criminal justice system. The structure and functionality of prison is tailored towards incapacitation, rehabilitation, and deterrence, which are goals of punishment. However, prison can have unintended consequences which increase the criminogenic risk of offenders causing inmates to become career criminals. This study examined the role of prison socialization, particularly the influence of interpersonal relationships formed while incarcerated on recidivistic behavior. It is important to investigate interpersonal relationships formed while incarcerated so that prison administrators can better realize its goal to rehabilitate offenders and prepare them for reintegration into society. The study was grounded …

How Sarcoidosis Mental Health Stories Could Affect Legislation, Dorothy Michelle Kemp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this general qualitative study with narrative techniques addressed was the lack of empirical research about sarcoidosis mental health based on depression, anxiousness, and feeling lonely. Sarcoidosis legislation was also compared to current mental health legislation, which proposed mental health measures. This study aimed to gather secondary data of firsthand descriptions based on the impacts of sarcoidosis mental health aspects and review sarcoidosis legislation. Accumulated secondary data for this study were a collection of stories from doctors, diagnosed patients, and caregivers based on their narrative of the disease from a mental health perspective. In utilizing the advocacy coalition framework, …

The Impact Of Liberia’S Post-War Public Housing Policy On Homelessness, Bofor Rahim Toh, Ii

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is an inadequacy in strategies to address homeless and vulnerable youth “Zogos” in post-war Liberia. Homelessness among youth is a severe problem in post-war Liberia, with many sleeping in Palm Groove Cemetery and other informal housing settings in Monrovia and other parts of the country. This qualitative study explored post-war Liberia’s public housing program policy roles that professional competency and human capacity play in effectively mitigating homelessness of youth in Monrovia. Glasser’s choice theory was the theoretical framework used for this study. The research question explored how human capacity, selection eligibility, and professional competency at the National Housing Authority …

Criminal Justice Practitioners Perceptions On Collateral Consequence Policies Affecting Formerly Incarcerated African American Males, Ronnie Devon Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Formerly incarcerated African American males have a challenging time transitioning back into the community due to invisible barriers that impede their opportunities for successful reintegration. This generic qualitative study aimed to explore criminal justice practitioners' perceptions regarding collateral consequence policies for formerly incarcerated African American males. The theoretical framework for the study was labeling theory, which explained how others stigmatize individuals due to their social and environmental characteristics. The research question guiding this study was how criminal justice practitioners perceived the impact of collateral consequence policies on the successful reintegration of African American males. Ten criminal justice practitioners including probation …

National Narcotics Policy Influence On Youth Substance Abuse In Yendi, Ghana, Imran Abdel-Rahman Gomdah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Possession of small quantities of narcotics for personal use in Ghana could result in years in detention under the Narcotic Drugs Law of 1990, with youth constituting a large number of offenders. The government proposed a drug policy change in 2017 as the prevailing one failed to achieve its goals even with such stringency, resulting in Act 1019’s adoption in May 2020 as a new national drug policy to replace the Narcotic Drugs Law of 1990. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to assess public perception of the impact of the new policy on the incidences of youth …

African American Caregivers' Perceptions Of Ecological Factors Related To Hospice Utilization, Monica Prescott Lonon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African Americans remain an underrepresented demographic in hospice care because they underutilize the service at disproportionate rates compared to the total population. The research problem addressed African American perceptions of the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem factors that impacted their perceptions and utilization of hospice. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore African American caregivers’ perceptions of environment-related factors that affected their utilization of hospice care. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 African American family caregivers aged 18 and over, with at least 2 years of experience as hospice caregivers. Findings from coding and …

Adults With Avoidant Attachment Styles And Their Online Dating Experien, Amber Mae Nelson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adult attachment style can influence how individuals communicate with each other and how they deal with conflict, both of which may influence the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships. Research suggested, that attachment style influenced the level of relationship security individuals experience and the level of intimacy in which they are comfortable engaging. The convenience and popularity of online dating may present unique struggles and benefits for adults with avoidant attachment styles; exploring their online dating experiences may provide insight into the benefits and pitfalls as avoidant individuals pursue romantic relationships. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore …

The Relationship Between Investment Strategy, Investment Return, And Investment Performance, Issa Lamine Fofana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Investment managers are concerned with investment strategy decisions, as they are one of the key predictors of successful investment management. Grounded in prospect theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational research study was to examine the relationship between investment strategy, investment returns, and investment performance. The population consisted of 120 cases collected from Morningstar’s mutual fund database. The results of the multiple linear regression were significant, F(5, 119) = 36.598, p <.001, R2=.616. In the final model, two predictors were significant: total 5-year returns (ß = 0.034, p < .001) and large-cap investment strategy (ß = -0.357, p = .026) were significant predictors of investment performance. A key recommendation is for investment managers to determine the risk level they are willing to accept when building a portfolio. The implications for positive social change include boosting investment returns and performance, hence improving the investment industry's stability, which may result in the expansion of local economies.

Experiences Of Food Insecurity Among Single Mothers Pursuing Secondary Education, Amber Bernard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The number of single mothers continues to grow across the nation, and many are at a socioeconomic disadvantage. Little research focuses, however, on how single mothers describe their experiences of balancing motherhood, work, and pursuing higher education, all while undergoing food insecurity. Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping was used to formulate the research design. Semistructured interview questions were used to answer the question of how single mothers with food insecurity describe their experiences pursuing higher education. A generic qualitative research approach was utilized in this study. Interviews were conducted with 10 single mothers pursuing postsecondary education …

Examining Psycho-Social Factors Of Foster Parents Who Engage In Contact Sexual Abuse, Heather Lee Manning

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous work has been done to identify psych-social factors of criminals, although no work currently exists to identify the specific type of sexual offender identified within this study- foster parents who sexually offend foster children. This qualitative study focused on pre-determined psycho-social factors of both male and female offenders. The study reviewed nine cases which met the inclusion criteria and where sufficient data was able to be collected. Results of the study revealed that most offenders were male, most were married or in an otherwise committed relationship with a consenting adult during the time of their offending behaviors. These finding …

Impact Of Parental Attachment On Family Communication Patterns About Sex And Intimacy, Trish Mook

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Risky sexual behaviors in adolescence continue to be a social problem that impacts individuals, families, and communities across the United States. Previous research showed that parents who actively talk with their adolescents about sex and intimacy topics reduce their likelihood of engaging in these behaviors. Still, less is known about what motivates a parent to engage in these discussions. This correlational quantitative research study aimed to apply Bowlby’s attachment theory and McLeod and Chaffee’s family communication patterns theory to identify if a relationship exists between parental attachment style and the family communication patterns that a parent employs when discussing sex …

The Lived Experience Of Stigmatization Due To Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss For Young Women With Cancer Who Attend College, Challna Blair

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated the stigmatization experienced by young women in college due to chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Previous research primarily focused on older women, adolescents, and men, leaving a gap in understanding the impact on young college-age women. Using Goffman’s theory of stigma and Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method, six young women were interviewed confidentially. The primary research question asked what is the experience of stigma in young women in college who have hair loss during or following chemotherapy cancer treatment? The study revealed that these women often faced being ostracized by peers, received minimal family support, and experienced distressing scrutiny from …

Leaders’ Responsiveness To Creating Ethical Climate For Whistleblowing And Implicit Retaliation In The Public Sector, Oluwatoyin Olusegun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Whistleblowing is reporting unethical or illegitimate practices witnessed by a member of an organization. Despite the laws and policies protecting whistleblowers in the public sector, many employees who report observed wrongdoings face retaliation. Creating an ethical climate impacts the responsiveness of organizational leaders to whistleblowing, yet little is known about how middle-level managers navigate organizational factors, situational factors, and personal beliefs to create an ethical climate. The current study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap by exploring how middle-level managers in government organizations in California described how organizational and personal factors influence their ability to create an ethical climate that …

Predicting Distance Learning Counselor Education Doctoral Students’ Research Self-Efficacy, Jennifer Patrice Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Distance learning is a growing educational delivery method for Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) doctoral students. At the time of this study, no research existed regarding the research self-efficacy (RSE) of distance learning CES doctoral students. Historically, the lack of RSE among counselor educators has been a chronic issue. However, research addressing contributors to improving RSE among distance learning CES doctoral students is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess and provide data on current perceptions and predictors of RSE among distance learning CES doctoral students. Two theories were used to conceptualize the key variables which were Lent …

Exploration Of The Implementation Of The Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act By Vocational Rehabilitation Programs Through Collaboration With Education Officials, Elyse Leinani Luke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite public policies intended to achieve employment equity for students with disabilities, compared to students without disabilities, transition-age students with disabilities are less likely to be in the workforce even after receiving public vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. The purpose of this qualitative, multicase study was to explore implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by VR programs through collaboration with state education officials to deliver pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) to students with disabilities. The Integration Continuum was used to conceptually frame this study because the model provides a hierarchical scale with definitions about how organizations work together at …

Relationships Between Environmental Pollution And Corporate Environmental Violence Within The Florida Energy Sector, Lynne Hodalski-Champagne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Environmental pollution and corporate environmental violence (CEV) have become a primary motivator for research, activism, and policy initiatives. Prior research has involved environmental crime, environmental injustice and racism, its origins, history and applications, and effects on public perceptions leading to recommendations for policy implementation. The purpose of the study was to address environmental pollution in terms of total toxic emissions and CEV through analyses of harm inflicted on life, health, and physical integrity of humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. A quantitative correlational design was used with a Pearson’s r correlation coefficient to determine significance with a 95% confidence interval. Routine activities, …

A Therapist Perspective: Gender Differences In Treatment Recommendations For Adults With Adhd, Inattentive Presentation, Casey Redus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with onset during childhood and often persisting into adulthood. Statistics show that more men are diagnosed with ADHD than women, and that women are more often diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type. Treatment for ADHD has not focused on non-psychopharmacology gender-based treatment recommendations, and this has been identified as requiring further research. This qualitative study explored therapists' process in making treatment recommendations for women versus men diagnosed with ADHD inattentive subtype. Social role theory was used to underpin the research. The participants of the study included ten licensed psychologists in the state …

Language Equity In The Undergraduate Classroom: Fostering Language Diversity In The World Of Standard Academic English., Gabriela Johnson

Higher Learning Research Communications

In this essay, I explore the complex intersection of language, identity, and education with a particular focus on the importance of fostering linguistic equity in higher education settings. It is imperative for higher education institutions to reevaluate language-related practices and foster linguistic diversity and equity. Drawing upon linguistic theories and real-world examples, I highlight how language is deeply intertwined with personal identity, culture, and heritage. Various English dialects, such as African American Vernacular English, Chicano English, and others, are highlighted as valid linguistic expressions rather than deviations from a supposed standard. The role of standard academic English (SAE) in academia …

The Global Impact Of The Hlrc Journal On Digital Teaching And Learning Research And Best Practices In Higher Education, Erwin Krauskopf, Gary J. Burkholder

Higher Learning Research Communications

We are pleased to publish the first regular issue (Volume 14, Issue 1) of Higher Learning Research Communications (HLRC) for 2024. Because of our strategic decisions, the journal has advanced in the Scimago journal rank (SJR), which measures the frequency with which content published in a journal was cited in other journals during the three previous years. The SJR provides a numerical indicator of a journal's relative importance and impact within its field. We announce that HLRC has been ranked 612 out of 1,506 journals among all education journals indexed by Scopus, classifying HLRC as within the second quartile of …

Exploration Of The Implementation Of The Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act By Vocational Rehabilitation Programs Through Collaboration With Education Officials, Elyse Leinani Luke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite public policies intended to achieve employment equity for students with disabilities, compared to students without disabilities, transition-age students with disabilities are less likely to be in the workforce even after receiving public vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. The purpose of this qualitative, multicase study was to explore implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by VR programs through collaboration with state education officials to deliver pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) to students with disabilities. The Integration Continuum was used to conceptually frame this study because the model provides a hierarchical scale with definitions about how organizations work together at …

Relationships Between Environmental Pollution And Corporate Environmental Violence Within The Florida Energy Sector, Lynne Hodalski-Champagne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Environmental pollution and corporate environmental violence (CEV) have become a primary motivator for research, activism, and policy initiatives. Prior research has involved environmental crime, environmental injustice and racism, its origins, history and applications, and effects on public perceptions leading to recommendations for policy implementation. The purpose of the study was to address environmental pollution in terms of total toxic emissions and CEV through analyses of harm inflicted on life, health, and physical integrity of humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. A quantitative correlational design was used with a Pearson’s r correlation coefficient to determine significance with a 95% confidence interval. Routine activities, …

Predicting Distance Learning Counselor Education Doctoral Students’ Research Self-Efficacy, Jennifer Patrice Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Distance learning is a growing educational delivery method for Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) doctoral students. At the time of this study, no research existed regarding the research self-efficacy (RSE) of distance learning CES doctoral students. Historically, the lack of RSE among counselor educators has been a chronic issue. However, research addressing contributors to improving RSE among distance learning CES doctoral students is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess and provide data on current perceptions and predictors of RSE among distance learning CES doctoral students. Two theories were used to conceptualize the key variables which were Lent …

Leaders’ Responsiveness To Creating Ethical Climate For Whistleblowing And Implicit Retaliation In The Public Sector, Oluwatoyin Olusegun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Whistleblowing is reporting unethical or illegitimate practices witnessed by a member of an organization. Despite the laws and policies protecting whistleblowers in the public sector, many employees who report observed wrongdoings face retaliation. Creating an ethical climate impacts the responsiveness of organizational leaders to whistleblowing, yet little is known about how middle-level managers navigate organizational factors, situational factors, and personal beliefs to create an ethical climate. The current study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap by exploring how middle-level managers in government organizations in California described how organizational and personal factors influence their ability to create an ethical climate that …

The Lived Experience Of Stigmatization Due To Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss For Young Women With Cancer Who Attend College, Challna Blair

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study investigated the stigmatization experienced by young women in college due to chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Previous research primarily focused on older women, adolescents, and men, leaving a gap in understanding the impact on young college-age women. Using Goffman’s theory of stigma and Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method, six young women were interviewed confidentially. The primary research question asked what is the experience of stigma in young women in college who have hair loss during or following chemotherapy cancer treatment? The study revealed that these women often faced being ostracized by peers, received minimal family support, and experienced distressing scrutiny from …

Ten Myths About Artificial Intelligence In Education, Louie Giray

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: I analyze, deconstruct, and debunk prevalent misconceptions about artificial intelligence (AI) in education.

Methods: This study identifies and presents ten common myths about AI in education, followed by concise explanations that counter each myth with the corresponding reality, relying on credible sources and evidence.

Results: AI does not replace educators; it lacks the vital human qualities crucial for effective learning experiences. Thus, it can complement rather than substitute for educators. Physical classrooms remain pivotal for fostering student engagement, an element AI cannot fully replicate, challenging the notion of AI replacing the need for traditional classrooms. Despite excelling in specific …

The Influence Of A Caregiver Support Program On Consumer Well-Being, Wallace Thomas Peake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Caregiving has been shown to be a potential burden for the well-being of caregivers. The focus of this study was a caregiver support program whose managers lacked an understanding of the efficacy of the program in enhancing the well-being of the consumers of the program. The purpose of this quantitative study was to develop and administer a consumer satisfaction survey that evaluated the efficacy of caregiver support program services from the consumer perspective. This study was grounded by the positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment model, which informed the development of the survey that was administered to the participants …

Veterans Justice Outreach Program, Risk Of Recidivism, And Justice-Involved Veterans, Melody C. Weathers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To date, no study has examined whether the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) program influences recidivism once a justice-involved veteran (JIV) completes the program. Nor has a study examined the diagnoses and comorbidities between a JIV’s propensity for recidivism following separation from the VJO. One of the VJO program’s goals has been to end JIVs' contact with the criminal justice system. This study utilized a generic qualitative design that aimed to explore JIVs who received treatment from the VJO and whether there was an effect on their risk of recidivism. Additional elements for exploration included posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain disorder, …