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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mass Shooting Perceptions, Public Mental Illness Stigma, And Social Media Use: A Regression Analysis, Kayla Cross May 2025

Mass Shooting Perceptions, Public Mental Illness Stigma, And Social Media Use: A Regression Analysis, Kayla Cross

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental illness is frequently associated with mass shootings in news media, which can result in negative stigma among individuals diagnosed with mental illness. While mental illness and mass shootings have been explored previously, social media perceptions have not yet been examined in relation to mental illness stigma and mass shootings. The purpose of this study was to examine public mental illness stigma, mass shootings, and perceptions through social media in a correlational study subjected to regression analysis. The theoretical framework for the study was based on Tajfel and Turner et al.’s theory of social identity and intergroup behaviors. The analysis …


Minority Stressors As Predictor Variables For Animal Abuse In Lgbtq Same-Sex Relationships With Interpersonal Violence, S Paige Brenner May 2025

Minority Stressors As Predictor Variables For Animal Abuse In Lgbtq Same-Sex Relationships With Interpersonal Violence, S Paige Brenner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

LGBTQ individuals face a distinct set of societal issues that can lead to intimate partner violence (IPV) and animal abuse together. Grounded in minority stress theory, the purpose of the study was to reduce animal abuse in LGBTQ male and female same-sex relationships by examining the co-occurrence of internalized homophobia, degree of outness, and IPV. The hypotheses for the study include whether internalized homophobia and degree of outness predict animal abuse in LGBTQ same-sex relationships experiencing IPV. This study was conducted with a population of individuals (N = 149) with inclusion criteria of being 18 years of age or older, …


Evaluating The Factors That Lead To A Lack Of Gender Diversity Among Senior Level Executives In The Federal Bureau Of Investigation, Joyce A. Wallace May 2025

Evaluating The Factors That Lead To A Lack Of Gender Diversity Among Senior Level Executives In The Federal Bureau Of Investigation, Joyce A. Wallace

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite progress in workplace equality, women face barriers to advancement in the FBI. This underrepresentation raises concerns about organizational performance and decision-making. The purpose of the study was to explore the obstacles to promoting women to senior leadership positions within the FBI by focusing on gender roles, social expectations, and organizational culture. The qualitative phenomenological approach used interviews with female law enforcement officers in conjunction with feminist theory. The study findings identified biases in selection processes, discriminatory hiring practices, non-inclusive workplace culture, and limited professional development opportunities as barriers to promotion. Cognitive and cultural biases that hindered progress were stereotypes …


Understanding The Treatment Experiences Of African American Women, Kimberly La'sharne Hillery-Bottorf May 2025

Understanding The Treatment Experiences Of African American Women, Kimberly La'sharne Hillery-Bottorf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women experience trauma at disproportionately higher rates than any other group, yet limited studies focus specifically on African American women with self-reported co-occurring substance use disorder and PTSD and their experiences in seeking and remaining in outpatient treatment. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how this group defines trauma, its impact on their treatment experiences, and the sociocultural factors that influenced their decisions to seek help and remain in treatment. The research questions posed asked about the experiences of African American women over 31 years of age with co-occurring substance use and PTSD, how they …


The Lived Experiences Of Registered Behavior Technicians Using Applied Behavior Analysis With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rebecca Rene Wyble May 2025

The Lived Experiences Of Registered Behavior Technicians Using Applied Behavior Analysis With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rebecca Rene Wyble

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased dramatically over the past 20 years; the Centers for Disease Control describe ASD as an epidemic of need. Individuals with ASD need proper treatment and support services. One of the most significant needs is for applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is considered the most effective treatment for ASD, yet several barriers impede caregivers’ ability to access ABA, such as the shortage of ABA practitioners, including registered behavior technicians (RBTs). This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of RBTs working with children with ASD in ABA settings in the United States. …


Crowdsourcing And Open Innovation For Strategic Planning At The National Defense University: A Case Study, Gregory M. Mcguire May 2025

Crowdsourcing And Open Innovation For Strategic Planning At The National Defense University: A Case Study, Gregory M. Mcguire

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is important within strategic planning to conduct stakeholder analysis and provide stakeholder participation; however, this can be a problem for organizations with a large number of stakeholders. A gap in current research exists regarding the nuanced application of crowdsourcing and open innovation explicitly applied to stakeholder analysis and participation in public organizations’ strategic planning process. While the emerging ideas of open innovation and crowdsourcing can effectively reach stakeholders, their success in involving them has had limited evaluation. The purpose was to determine the extent to which open innovation and crowdsourcing can be used to involve stakeholders in the strategic …


Impact Of Ohio Senate Bill 265 On Infant Mortality Rate In Ohio, Lauren Crawford May 2025

Impact Of Ohio Senate Bill 265 On Infant Mortality Rate In Ohio, Lauren Crawford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a problem with the infant mortality rate among Black women living in Ohio. Despite programs such as the Ohio Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative and Celebrate One, the infant mortality rate among Black women continues to persist, and a rate disparity between White women and Black women remains. The purpose of this generic qualitative inquiry was to explore retail pharmacists’ behavioral beliefs and attitudes toward providing prenatal care as a reimbursed service in Ohio. Currently, no studies exist that explore retail pharmacists' behavioral beliefs and attitudes toward expanding their services to include prenatal care. Using Ajzen’s theory of planned …


Healthcare Use: Impact Of Race And Insurance Status On Influenza In The Bronx, Miselie Charite May 2025

Healthcare Use: Impact Of Race And Insurance Status On Influenza In The Bronx, Miselie Charite

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Underuse of healthcare services by Blacks, who receive fewer influenza vaccinations than Whites in New York, has resulted in elevated health complications and increased healthcare costs. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if there is an association between race and insurance status with length of inpatient stay and total charges. Theoretical frameworks were the Quality, Cost, and Health Model and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Triple Aim framework. Using a dataset from the New York State Planning and Research Cooperative System with a sample size of 3,137 cases, findings showed significant disparities during analysis. Regression analysis …


Examining The Impact Of Reentry Programs On The Employability Of African American Ex-Offenders Entering The Workforce In The State Of Michigan, Lawrence Gene Caldwell May 2025

Examining The Impact Of Reentry Programs On The Employability Of African American Ex-Offenders Entering The Workforce In The State Of Michigan, Lawrence Gene Caldwell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American ex-offenders in Michigan have faced numerous challenges when trying to secure employment after incarceration. Despite the well-documented difficulties of reintegration, their personal experiences and perceptions of these obstacles remain largely unexplored. Successful reintegration has required individuals to break free from the behaviors and social patterns reinforced during their time in prisons. This generic qualitative study examined the role of reentry programs in addressing these challenges and emphasizes the need to reassess current criminal justice practices to better support formerly incarcerated individuals. This generic qualitative study focused on the employment struggles faced by African American ex-offenders and the broader …


Probation Officers Perceptions Of Probationers Economic Barriers To Successfully Complete Probation In Eastern North Carolina, Dwayne Ponton May 2025

Probation Officers Perceptions Of Probationers Economic Barriers To Successfully Complete Probation In Eastern North Carolina, Dwayne Ponton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study explored probation officers’ perceptions of the economic barriers that prevent probationers in Eastern North Carolina from successfully completing probation. Challenges such as unemployment, financial sanctions, housing instability, and debt were identified as key obstacles contributing to noncompliance and recidivism. Grounded in Merton’s Strain Theory, the study addressed a gap in research by focusing on the experiences of officers who directly supervise probationers facing economic hardship. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with twelve officers and analyzed using thematic analysis. The study was guided by two research questions: (1) What economic barriers prevent probationers from successfully completing …


The Effectiveness Of Postincarceration Reentry Programming In Fostering Community Reintegration For Women, La Shawn B. Kelley May 2025

The Effectiveness Of Postincarceration Reentry Programming In Fostering Community Reintegration For Women, La Shawn B. Kelley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Identifying gaps in reentry programs for formerly incarcerated women is challenging due to the lack of evaluations that include the perspectives of the transitioning women on which components most effectively support their reintegration. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of transitioning women who received reentry services, in order to assess program effectiveness in community reintegration and inform future interventions. The research question for this study was, how do women served by Organization A’s reentry program describe the program’s effectiveness in preparing them for community reintegration after incarceration? To answer the practice-focused research …


Challenges Individuals With Mental Illness Encountered With Reasonable Accommodation After The Implementation Of Title I Of The Americans With Disabilities Act, Kristie Demarco May 2025

Challenges Individuals With Mental Illness Encountered With Reasonable Accommodation After The Implementation Of Title I Of The Americans With Disabilities Act, Kristie Demarco

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Policy makers often lack information associated with the perspective of those living with mental illness as to whether Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act is working as intended. When considering requests for workplace accommodations, the research literature has focused on the perspective of employers, and the impact on those with physical disabilities, yet few studies considered the impact on individuals with mental illness. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to obtain the perspective of individuals with mental illness who have requested reasonable accommodations. Using a conceptual framework comprised of narrative policy framework and critical disability theory, …


How The Code Of The Street Contributes To Incarceration Among Black Women, Jennifer Smith May 2025

How The Code Of The Street Contributes To Incarceration Among Black Women, Jennifer Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rising incarceration rates of Black women in the United States highlight the urgent need to examine factors contributing to this trend. This study investigates how Elijah Anderson’s Code of the Street influences behaviors that lead to incarceration among Black women in low-resource neighborhoods. Via the social disorganization theory, the research explored how economic instability, weakened social institutions, and community disorder contribute to adopting the street code and how adherence to the code contributes to participants’ incarceration. This qualitative study employed thematic analysis of interviews with 11 formerly incarcerated Black women, focusing on their perceptions regarding how the street code shaped …


The Effect Of School Classification And A Veteran-Friendly Rating On U.S. Veteran Graduation Rates, Melton Harvey Apr 2025

The Effect Of School Classification And A Veteran-Friendly Rating On U.S. Veteran Graduation Rates, Melton Harvey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

U.S. colleges, universities, or trade schools enroll and graduate several veterans each year and receive extensive federal funding for doing so. Currently, there is little research on the difference between educational outcomes of veterans that attend publicly supported and private educational institutions or the potential impact of a veteran-friendly rating system. Grounded in Vincent Tinto's theory of retention, the purpose of this quantitative non-experimental study was to examine the effect of school classification and a veteran-friendly rating on veteran graduation rates among colleges and universities using descriptive statistics. The initial study design featured the gathering of archival data from the …


Exploring Potential Correlation Of Resiliency And Multifamily Support With Psychological Distress Among Hispanic Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eliz Marie Centeno Ortiz Apr 2025

Exploring Potential Correlation Of Resiliency And Multifamily Support With Psychological Distress Among Hispanic Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Eliz Marie Centeno Ortiz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hispanic parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were found to have lower psychological distress in comparison with other ethnicities or races despite having additional challenges such as immigration issues, language barriers, or others. However, research on why Hispanic parents of children with ASD tend to have less psychological distress is lacking. This study addressed the extent to which multifamily support and resiliency affect psychological distress among parents of children with ASD, as explained by the family system theory. For this study, 75 Hispanic parents of children with ASD were recruited via Facebook posts. The participants were directed to …


The Unique Experiences Of Black Women In Childhood School Discipline, Shakeyau Brionna Jackson Apr 2025

The Unique Experiences Of Black Women In Childhood School Discipline, Shakeyau Brionna Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have explored racial disparities in school discipline and revealed consistent gaps in the discipline rate of Black students compared to White students and other students of color. The problem of African American girls being disciplined at higher rates than that faced by girls of all other races/ethnicities was addressed in this essential qualitative study. The aim was to explore the perceptions of African American women regarding their experiences with discipline in school and its impact on their well-being in adulthood. Critical race feminism formed the conceptual framework guiding this study. The research questions focused on the perceptions and experiences …


Employee Perception Of Organizational Commitment And Culture During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Mireille A. M. Doumbia Apr 2025

Employee Perception Of Organizational Commitment And Culture During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Mireille A. M. Doumbia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The decline in human capital during the COVID-19 pandemic reflected local agencies’ and organizational policy responses to the pandemic. These policies could factor into why Americans, in recent years, have quit their jobs in record numbers. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore how employees perceived organizational culture and commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study involved Meyer and Allen’s organizational commitment model, which identifies affective, normative, and continuous commitment as key dimensions of employee loyalty, and Ramdhani et al.’s organizational culture framework, which emphasizes communication, teamwork, and reward systems as core elements shaping workplace dynamics. Data …


Mitigating American Wealth Inequality With Universal Basic Income: Perceptions From Social Service Professionals, Caitlin Dinneen Apr 2025

Mitigating American Wealth Inequality With Universal Basic Income: Perceptions From Social Service Professionals, Caitlin Dinneen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Extreme wealth disparities between the richest and poorest Americans are a problem in the United States. Although the existing literature has established mixed results regarding the efficacy of universal basic income as a tool to alleviate income inequality, no one has studied the perspectives of social service professionals in Minnesota. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of Minnesota based social service professionals regarding universal basic income through the lens of Benet’s polarities of democracy framework. The research question for this study was what are the perceptions of Minnesota based social service professionals regarding the potential impact …


Location Tracking Applications And Emerging Adult Relationship Quality: Moderated By Rejection Sensitivity, Michelle Lee Hayes Apr 2025

Location Tracking Applications And Emerging Adult Relationship Quality: Moderated By Rejection Sensitivity, Michelle Lee Hayes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Location-tracking applications promise increased connection, safety, and closeness among romantic partners. However, persistent monitoring in romantic relationships has been associated with heightened feelings of intrusion and mistrust, particularly among individuals with insecure attachment. Such surveillance can exacerbate rejection sensitivity, leading to jealousy, conflict, and deteriorating relationship quality, or monitoring may alleviate fears of rejection and enhance relationship satisfaction. From the lens of attachment theory, this quantitative research study examined whether rejection sensitivity moderates the relationship between the use of location-tracking applications and relationship quality among emerging adults. I collected information from an online survey using four instruments to collect data …


Economic Development In Ten Massachusetts Communities: A Study Of Public Policy Implementation Methods And Outcomes, Derek Michael Bennett Apr 2025

Economic Development In Ten Massachusetts Communities: A Study Of Public Policy Implementation Methods And Outcomes, Derek Michael Bennett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Economic renewal and development are an essential elements of urban economic development within numerous cities in the United States. Little has been reported concerning methods used to implement policy to create the conditions desirable for economic growth and development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the corelative relationship between implementation methods used and the outcomes of economic growth and development policy, applying Pierson's (1993) Policy Feedback Theory as the theoretical framework. Using a mixed methods-based study of quantitative and quantitative methods, to examine the correlation between policy implementation practices and resulting barriers in local economic growth and development, …


Alternative Solutions For Leadership To Attract Qualified Behavioral Health Professionals In Rural Areas, Jerilyn Ann Durst Apr 2025

Alternative Solutions For Leadership To Attract Qualified Behavioral Health Professionals In Rural Areas, Jerilyn Ann Durst

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The challenge of attracting qualified behavioral health professionals to positions in rural areas has been widely recognized. Underserved population segments, issues unique to clinicians practicing in rural areas, and a lack of effective recruitment incentives impact not only an organization but also the community it serves. The subject of this qualitative case study was a private behavioral health office located in a rural community. Semistructured interviews were held with five behavioral health leaders of this organization in addition to a review of organizational records. The Baldridge Performance Excellence Program was the conceptual framework that grounded this study. Qualitative analysis, including …


Work-Life Balance Conflicts Parents Of Early Adolescents Faced During Covid-19 Lockdowns, Rodney Smith Apr 2025

Work-Life Balance Conflicts Parents Of Early Adolescents Faced During Covid-19 Lockdowns, Rodney Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Measures such as social distancing and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic meant parents balanced their roles as educators, tech support, and employees in shared home offices. This qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the work-life balance conflicts parents of early adolescents faced during the COVID-19 lockdowns, focusing on how parents managed the challenges of pandemic restrictions and their strategies for coping with cognitive, emotional, and physical fatigue for themselves and their families. This study was guided by the transactional theory of stress and coping. Twelve female parents were virtually interviewed, selected based on their having early adolescent children at home, …


African American Adolescent Depressive Symptoms And Caregiver Perceptions, Katerina Marroquin Apr 2025

African American Adolescent Depressive Symptoms And Caregiver Perceptions, Katerina Marroquin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American adolescents with untreated mental health problems can have symptoms of depression. Depressive symptoms can persist in adulthood if untreated. Caregiver recognition is the strongest predictor of adolescent behaviors and depressive symptom outcomes. Caregivers can identify depressive symptoms in African American adolescents by focusing on met and unmet needs. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to ask about caregiver perceptions of African American adolescent depressive symptoms with focus on physiological needs, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. The theoretical framework for this study is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo to enhance the interpretation …


Best Practices To Expand Funding For Assisted-Living Facilities In Mississippi., Melissa Darlene Mason Apr 2025

Best Practices To Expand Funding For Assisted-Living Facilities In Mississippi., Melissa Darlene Mason

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Background: Insufficient Medicaid reimbursement threatens the financial stability and quality of care in assisted-living facilities (ALFs). Fragmented funding, rising costs, and the absence of federal standards exacerbate financial challenges, highlighting the need for sustainable funding solutions. Purpose: This integrative review was conducted to examine Medicaid reimbursement challenges and to explore best practices for enhancing financial sustainability in ALFs through innovative funding strategies, alternative payment models, and policy reforms. Method: Using the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model, peer-reviewed literature from 2020–2025 was analyzed through the Donabedian model of healthcare quality to assess how Medicaid funding impacts care delivery and resident outcomes. …


The Leading Causes Of Homelessness In Two Southeastern Counties Of Pennsylvania, Lucia Christine Spargo Apr 2025

The Leading Causes Of Homelessness In Two Southeastern Counties Of Pennsylvania, Lucia Christine Spargo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness is a complex and multifaceted leading social issue in the United States. Society tends to focus on the individual as the cause of their own homelessness, blaming the victim rather than larger social and/or economic factors. There is an excess amount of data surrounding why/how an individual becomes homeless, but there is very little research examining the leading causes of homelessness in smaller geographic areas, such as counties. This study provides a better understanding and analysis of the leading causes of homelessness in two suburban counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania using binary logistic regression. Using ArcGIS, the study identified potential …


Well-Being In Disney Animated Feature Films, 2013–2023, Ruth Zeman Apr 2025

Well-Being In Disney Animated Feature Films, 2013–2023, Ruth Zeman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Most existing research on Disney animated films has concentrated on problematic themes, including stereotypical portrayals of romantic relationships or aggression, while comparatively little attention has been given to how these films may also convey positive messages and promote prosocial behavior. Research on well-being is particularly relevant, given its strong association with improved health outcomes and the development of positive interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how well-being is portrayed in Disney animated feature films released between 2013 and 2023. Seligman’s model of well-being, which consists of the pursuit and attainment of five core pillars—positive …


Leadership Strategies For Increasing Access To Care For Persons Suffering From Anxiety And Depression, Brandee L. Downes Apr 2025

Leadership Strategies For Increasing Access To Care For Persons Suffering From Anxiety And Depression, Brandee L. Downes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leadership strategies and decisions can impact the accessibility of mental health services for those seeking services related to anxiety and depression. The impact of readiness of leadership through strategy, implementation, and decision-making was the focus of this study. When the preparedness of an organization is at its peak, it increases the utilization of mental health services among adults, children, and adolescents struggling with anxiety and depression. The problem addressed in this study was how leadership strategies within the behavioral health organization contributed to a lack of collaboration, outreach, and training due to the absence of strategic planning, implementation, and leadership. …


Complementary Self-Care Therapies To Self-Manage Endometriosis In Association With Health-Related Quality Of Life, Sarah Cummins Apr 2025

Complementary Self-Care Therapies To Self-Manage Endometriosis In Association With Health-Related Quality Of Life, Sarah Cummins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of understanding within the psychological and medical communities on the extent to which endometriosis impacts the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with endometriosis (PWE). This population is understudied in relation to the effects of endometriosis on HRQoL, the various methods used to treat and cope with endometriosis-related symptoms, the influence of self-managing endometriosis on PWE’s HRQoL, or the HRQoL outcomes associated with using nontraditional methods to self-manage endometriosis. As such, there is a lack of knowledge on the extent to which the use of various types of complementary self-care therapies to self-manage endometriosis is …


Acculturation, Education, Food Choice, And Body Mass Index: A Survey In The Rio Grande Valley, Melanie Espinoza Apr 2025

Acculturation, Education, Food Choice, And Body Mass Index: A Survey In The Rio Grande Valley, Melanie Espinoza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a global problem and a risk factor for many life-threatening illnesses and diseases. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in South Texas has higher than state and national obesity rates. The cultural influences on food choice in this region are a frequent focus of research, and there have also been numerous studies on the relationship between socioeconomic status and overweight and obesity; however, there are currently no studies that specifically investigate the relationship between educational attainment, acculturation, food choice behavior, and overweight and obesity among Hispanics in the RGV. Grounded in social cognitive and acculturation theories, the purpose of …


African American’S Accessibility To Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Services, Latasha Martin Apr 2025

African American’S Accessibility To Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Services, Latasha Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental disorders are a major cause of disability in the United States, disproportionately affecting African Americans (AAs) since the Post-Civil War era (1865-1877). Despite prior studies on racial disparities in mental health care, evidence-based delivery protocols for racial and ethnic minority groups remain underdeveloped. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of AA when accessing culturally appropriate mental health services, using qualitative, phenomenological research methods. The theoretical framework for this investigation was based on social stress theory, which explored individual experiences and community change. Six AA males and females, from Gregg County, Texas, and the Louisiana …