Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

"Now Thinking About It, It's Freedom": Conceptualizing Sexual Pleasure For Fat, Queer Women, Carolyn Elizabeth Meiller

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

Research considering the positive aspects of sexuality, such as pleasure, within a cultural context is especially important for groups of people that are often seen as separate from the experience of sexuality, such as fat, queer women. Due to perceptions of their bodies and how their sexuality goes against traditional heteronormativity, fat, queer women's experiences with sex and pleasure are under represented. Using a critical sexuality framework, the present study sought to explore the definitions and experiences of sexual pleasure for fat, queer women.

In the present study, constructivist grounded theory methods (Charmaz, 2014) were used to analyze the definitions …

Barriers In Implementing A Unified Collaborative Policy To Combat Female Sex Trafficking In Edo-State,Nigeria., Grace Chikaodili Uzochukwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractHuman trafficking has been a historical and global concern as well as a global crime against humanity that violates individual rights, freedom, and privileges. Human trafficking has become a growing phenomenon in Edo State, Nigeria, while the existing policy to combat it has proved ineffective. There was a gap in understanding strategies for the unification of the policies at the level of Edo State, Nigeria, and the level of the United Nations (UN) to ensure better outcomes in the fight against human trafficking. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore perceived barriers to implementing collaborative policy unification …

Effects Of Mass Shootings On Life Satisfaction Of First Responders, Hanna M. Garza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mass shootings are devastating events that occur in many communities in the United States. Mass shootings bring significant psychological distress and contribute to the development of trauma. The communities affected by mass shootings rely on an effective and efficient response from first responders who assist survivors by providing psychological and physical assistance. Because first responders are the first to deal with the aftermath of mass shootings, they assume immediate secondary trauma. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine whether a statistically significant relationship existed between the independent variables of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and the three …

Street-Level Bureaucracy And Perceptions Of Juvenile Prostitution, Leshian J. Lockwood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juveniles in the United States continue to be arrested for prostitution even though the U.S. Federal law recognizes them as victims of sex trafficking. The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to explore what factors law enforcement officers consider when encountering a juvenile involved in prostitution that influences their judgment on whether the juvenile is a victim of sex trafficking or a juvenile delinquent. Each of the 50 U.S. states has laws that address juvenile sex trafficking. The research questions for this study centered around the Trafficking Victim Protection Act (TVPA) and factors that influence officers' use of discretion …

Exploring The Value Of Technology Within Cross-Departmental Communications, Brian J. Luckey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While many midsized businesses have invested in technology to support business operations, most have not realized the potential value of using technology to collaborate cross-departmentally. There is a lack of knowledge concerning strategies for using technology to facilitate effective organizational communications, which has resulted in operating technology investments being made without corresponding investments in communication technologies. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to fill the knowledge gap concerning the impact of technology for cross-departmental communications. The theoretical foundation for this study was based on systems theory, organizational theory, and stakeholder theory. The key research question involved the impact …

Military Wives’ Perspectives Of The Impact Of Deployment On Marital Satisfaction, Karla A. Morton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With the inception of the Global War on Terror in 2001, over one and a half million United States military soldiers have deployed overseas to combat zones. Consequently, soldiers and their spouses have undergone numerous psychological challenges as well as a shift in the marital dynamics during a deployment. Difficulties in relationships created by the demands of deployment may lead to the dissolution of a marriage. Hence, the purpose of this study was to quantitatively examine the impact of military deployment on marital satisfaction as experienced by military spouses. This study was grounded in the family systems theory and involved …

Educator Perceptions Of Restorative Justice Practices That Provide Academic Support For Students With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Brigid Sullivan Ripley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The phenomenon of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) has been of interest to scholars since the late 1990s when their impact on life outcomes concerning physical and mental health was first acknowledged. Educators are challenged to support students who have experienced ACE, but many have implemented alternative practices such as restorative justice (RJ) to support students’ academic needs. There is insufficient empirical evidence to determine how elements of RJ support high school students who have experienced ACE. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the RJ practices that teachers, administrators, and other school personnel have implemented to support …

Journalism Graduates’ Perceptions And Experiences Of Internships And Employment, Breanne L. Ahearn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Graduates who do not have an internship show greater difficulty in obtaining gainful employment compared to those who do have an internship. However, simply believing that internships may translate into employment does not explain how students perceive the role of the internship in obtaining employment in the field. The purpose of the study was to investigate the graduates’ perceptions and experiences of how internships might affect journalism majors’ gaining employment in the field within 6 months of graduation. Kolb’s four stages of experiential learning theory was used as the conceptual framework to investigate how journalism-related major graduates described their journalism …

Insider Threats' Behaviors And Data Security Management Strategies, Gladys C. Cooley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As insider threats and data security management concerns become more prevalent, the identification of risky behaviors in the workplace is crucial for the privacy of individuals and the survival of organizations. The purpose of this three-round qualitative Delphi study was to identify real-time consensus among 25 information technology (IT) subject matter experts (SMEs) in the Washington metropolitan area about insider threats and data security management. The SMEs participating in this study were adult IT professionals and senior managers with certification in their area of specialization and at least 5 years of practical experience. The dark triad theory was the conceptual …

Exploring African American Women’S Transition From High School To A Postsecondary Setting, Keniesha Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican American women encounter obstacles that diminish the effectiveness of mental health treatment received through postsecondary school-based service. Consequently, there is a reduction in the population’s socioeconomic outcomes. The purpose of the study was to increase awareness of the mental health treatment experience of African American women and identify strategies that would be helpful to prepare African American women for the postsecondary setting. Black feminist theory was used to guide the research questions for the study, which examined the experiences of African American female students and identified strategies used by certified school social workers, that African American women thought prepared …

Motivation To Persevere Among Nontraditional Black Online College Students, Alice Ginwright Sapp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is limited research on grit among nontraditional online adult learners, especially focusing on male and female Black college students who are adult online learners, including those who are older than 40. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to examine possible between-group differences in motivation to persevere, as defined by grit, among nontraditional-age Black online college students. The theoretical framework for this study was life-span development theory and the grit motivational factor model. A sample of 138 Black male and female online, nontraditional-age college students completed an online survey. Demographic information was collected, and scores from the Short …

Service Members’ Perspectives On Veteran Homelessness In Maryland And Virginia, Olasunkanmi G. Amosu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness among military veterans (HAMV) is a protracted problem. In November 2009, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pledged to end the issue, but almost 12 years later, HAMV persists despite various solutions proposed. In January 2020, 37,252 veterans were reported as experiencing homelessness in the United States. The creation of previous solutions did not include the perspectives of service members. The purpose of this study was to bridge this gap in knowledge by discovering the views of service members on why veteran colleagues experience homelessness. The theoretical framework for this study was Allport’s trait theory. A qualitative case study …

Workplace Spirituality, Organizational Ethics, And Conscious Leadership, Tasha Dufrene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe problem of organizational ethics was addressed by examining the relationship between organizational ethics, workplace spirituality, and conscious leadership as a catalyst for positive social change. Spiritual leadership theory and social learning theory provided the theoretical frameworks for this study. Both theories provided a theoretical understanding of how learned social behaviors and leadership have an impact on organizational culture. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to understand the relationship between workplace spirituality, organizational ethics, and conscious leadership. It is important to understand the relationship between workplace spirituality, organizational ethics, and conscious leadership because the negative effects of low …

The Power Of Exogenous Variables In Predicting West Nile Virus In South Carolina, Christopher Lee Glaze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the availability of medical data, environmental surveillance tools, and heightened public awareness, West Nile Virus (WNv) remains a global health hazard. Reliable methods for predicting WNv outbreaks remain elusive, and environmental health managers must take preventive actions without the benefit of simple predictive tools. The purpose of this ex post facto research was to examine the accuracy and timeliness of exogenous data in predicting outbreaks of WNv in South Carolina. Decision theory, the CYNEFIN construct, and systems theory provided the theoretical framework for this study, allowing the researcher to broaden traditional decision theory concepts with powerful system-level precepts. Using …

Interpersonal Conflict And Work-Related Stress Among Correctional Officers, Katarzyna Sowa-Lapinskas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Increasingly, research has been conducted on the penal system, yet few researchers have focused on correctional staff. Due to the nature of their work, correctional officers (COs) experience a high degree of stress that is inmate related, occupational, organizational, and psycho–social. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the work experiences of COs in rural correctional facilities in Alaska and to learn how correctional staff perceive and mitigate work-related stress stemming from interpersonal conflict. The theoretical framework for this study was Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping. Data were collected using semistructured interviews conducted …

The Lived Experience Of Black Women With Weight Loss And Counseling Post Bariatric Surgery, Cynthia Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractStudies have shown that bariatric surgery can assist obese individuals to both lose a significant amount of weight rapidly and improve or resolve health comorbidities associated with obesity. This weight loss, however, can be considerably less for the obese Black woman. While reasons for this difference appears multifactorial entailing dietary, genetics, and environmental factors, limited research concerning the lived experiences of obese or formerly obese Black women with weight loss and post bariatric counseling have been conducted. The primary objective of this interpretative phenomenological study was to increase the understanding of the lived experiences of obese or formerly obese Black …

Attitudes Of Marriage And Divorce In Adult Children Of Gray Divorce, Brittany M. Freeze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Divorce over the age of 50 years is called gray divorce and has been steadily on the rise. Past studies have shown the impact divorce can have on children regarding attitudes toward marriage and divorce, but research has not investigated the attitudes of adult children whose parents divorce late in life. An intrinsic, single case study was done using eight participants who were adult children of gray divorce. Semi-structured interviews were completed, guided by the principles of social learning theory. Data were analyzed into codes, categories, and then into seven overarching themes using categorical aggregation. Six themes regarding the attitudes …

Relationship Between Social Media Screen Time, Sedentariness, And Bmi Among Young Adults, Helen Golod

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity has quickly become an epidemic that affects adults and youth not only in the United States, but also increasingly elsewhere in the global community. Research suggests that most children and adolescents spend a significant amount of time indulging in screen-based leisure, especially on social media. Such behavior may also be linked to sedentary lifestyle, which can impact an individual’s body mass index (BMI). There is a lack of understanding concerning how sedentary behavior moderates the relationship between screen time spent on different types of social media and BMI among young adults in the United States. To address this research …

Organizational Factors Contributing To Mental Health And Wellness In Behavioral Health Leaders, Julie Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to recent studies, a behavioral health leader’s (BHL’s) mental health and wellness is an important factor in an organization's ability to effectively provide mental healthcare. Mental health and wellness in BHLs lead to sustainability in their organization. Researchers have demonstrated that mental health and wellness in BHLs are factors contributing to an organization’s sustainability but have not established the factors contributing to mental health and wellness in BHLs. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to examine the organizational factors contributing to the mental health and wellness in the BHL of the organization. The Baldrige excellence framework …

Police Officer Aggression During Police-Civilian Encounters And Effect On Civilian Perception, James Aaron Plank

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Trust in the police by the public is the cornerstone of public safety. A lack of trust in the police discourages citizens from reporting criminal behavior, leading to increased crime rates. A lack of trust can be the result of inappropriate actions taken by officers in police-civilian encounters, as perceived by the citizen. Although increased professional standards and training have been implemented in police departments across the U.S., researchers have not demonstrated how aggressive police officer behavior affects the civilian perception of the officer’s actions. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between police …

A Sense Of Hope: Parents Treating Their Epileptic Child With Cannabidiol, Jennifer Nguyen Potage

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in the world. Of those affected, about 30% are treatment-resistant, making it difficult for symptom relief. Children are also among those affected by epilepsy, and the unpredictable epileptic symptoms often induce stress, anxiety, confusion, depression for the parents/caretakers. Furthermore, epilepsy is a condition that can impair cognitive abilities, social interaction, and physical ailments. Antiepileptic drugs are the common medical treatment for epileptic symptoms. However, parents have often reported minimal positive change, ineffectiveness, and negative side effects that included nausea, fatigue, rash, insomnia, change in personality, cognitive impairment, and diarrhea. A review of the …

Comparing Rape Myth Acceptance In Law Enforcement Officers And Non-Law Enforcement, Ava D. Ramirez-Ene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual assault is a crime of power and control, and despite the prevalence and severity, remains widely unreported and is met with shame, blame, and skepticism: a likely consequence of a rape culture that fosters rape myth acceptance (RMA). Law enforcement officers (LEOs) act as “gatekeepers” to the criminal justice system and, if they accept rape myths, can negatively influence sexual assault case outcomes. Social Dominance Theory posits that the male-dominated criminal justice system, has intergroup relations and shared cultural beliefs that justify and tolerate myths and behaviors fostering discrimination and skepticism towards victims of sexual violence. This study compared …

Harm Reduction Strategies & Law Enforcement’S Approach To The Opioid Epidemic, Johnathon Michael Sharp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The opioid epidemic in the United States has increased in severity, lives lost, and associated costs for several decades. While legislation and criminal justice practices around the world regarding opioids have followed various avenues including alternative harm reduction approaches, U.S. responses have largely remained stagnant. However, one alternative harm reduction program, the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, has been implemented in a few U.S. cities. This study examined law enforcement administrators’ familiarity and challenges with harm reduction strategies like the LEAD program. Using Kingdon’s multiple streams theory, this qualitative case study interviewed 10 law enforcement administrators from the Midwestern …

Parental Stress And Coping In U.S. And Caribbean Immigrant Parents Of Adolescents, Simone A. Wright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The immigrant population in the U.S. is growing, and the way immigrants cope with the stress of parenting may differ from parents in their host country. There is a gap in the literature regarding knowledge about how Caribbean parents cope with parenting stress compared to U.S. parents. The purpose of this quasi-experimental quantitative study was to predict coping strategies used by Caribbean immigrant and U.S.-born parents of adolescents living in the U.S based on country of origin using transactional stress and coping theory as frameworks. Thirty-seven U.S.-born and 37 Caribbean-born caregivers living in the U.S. were recruited from social media …

Exploring Stakeholder Opinions Of A School Sentinel Security Program, John Beraud

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSchool shootings are tragic events that receive immediate, intense, and immense media attention. In the aftermath of an attack, lawmakers and school administrators receive public pressure to provide the necessary resources to incorporate school security programs that seek to improve school safety. The School Sentinel Program (SSP) operating in one Midwest U.S. state’s school district allows school personnel or volunteers from the local community, once screened and trained, to act as armed guards on public school campuses. The SSP allows firearms on school campuses outside of the hands of school resource officers, and these policies have often been met with …

Coping With Death, Quality Of Life, And Compassion Fatigue Among Hospice Social Workers, Virgen L. Dominguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that working with dying patients and their families could causeemotional reactions that not only affect their well-being but their quality of life and desire to continue in their profession. Although researchers have examined compassion fatigue among other professionals, there is a gap in research on the phenomenon among hospice social workers. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to obtain a richer understanding about how hospice social workers cope with death, what their experiences are with compassion fatigue, and how their quality of life is impacted by their work. The conceptual framework was the transactional theory of …

Institutional Learning Outcome Development For Academic Planning, Nichole Molinaro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This professional administrative study created Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) for a publicly funded postsecondary institution located in the southern part of Ontario, Canada. The university was created in the early 2000s and was the first publicly funded university in Ontario to open in over 40 years. The university shares a campus location with a college and was created with a special mission to provide career-oriented university programs and to provide opportunities for college graduates to complete a university degree. The university has been on a trajectory of immense growth. The focus to this point has been building from the ground …

Perceptions Of Child Sexual Offending Cases Involving Biological Kinship And Victim Age, Carmen Lorraine Neufeld

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child sexual offenders are commonly viewed as some of the worst offenders within North American society, often eliciting responses such as fear, disgust, and moral indignation. The purpose of this quantitative study was to test evolutionary theory’s notion of inclusive fitness by exploring how the relationship between child sexual offenders and victims, as well as victim age affects the public’s emotional responses including fear and aversion. In addition to affective responses, opinions regarding crime severity and length of sentence were also examined. Using a quantitative between-person experimental vignette design, 200 participants were randomly assigned a child sexual abuse case with …

Firefighter Fatalities And Compliance With The National Fire Protection Association (Nfpa) 1451 Standard, Christopher Norris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDriving emergency vehicles continue to be significant safety hazard for firefighters. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards are designed to provide a national consensus standard for operation of these vehicles based on industry best practice. Existing research has not identified relationships between firefighter compliance with NFPA 1451, Standard for a Fire and Emergency Service Vehicle Operations Training Program, and any impacts this may have on firefighter fatalities. Using the systems theory as a foundation, the purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to investigate firefighter compliance to NFPA 1451 and determine any correlations to firefighter fatalities. Survey data were collected …

Communicating Organizational Vision And Values To A Multigenerational Workforce, Jose M. Peralta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Differences in values, motives, and beliefs of members of a multigenerational workforce can negatively impact organizational sustainability. Business leaders who cannot communicate organizational vision and values to a multigenerational workforce risk reduced organizational sustainability. Grounded in generational cohort theory, communication accommodation theory, and organizational culture theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that leaders of multigenerational workforces within the financial industry use to communicate organizational values and vision for a sustainable work environment. Participants comprised five financial organization leaders in New York City who successfully implemented communication strategies to communicate organizational vision and values for …