Psychology Commons^™

The Predictive Ability Of Self-Efficacy On Recidivism Among Adult Male Offenders, Marianne Kelly

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With crime rates high and increasing numbers of offenders receiving community-based corrections sentences, factors related to risk of recidivism should be a high priority for researchers. The impact of crime on offenders, victims, and communities is costly. Traditional punishment has done little to reduce crime, particularly among repeat offenders. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive ability of self-efficacy on recidivism, based on social cognitive theory. The research design was quantitative and nonexperimental, using regression analyses. The nonrandomized sample consisted of adult males incarcerated on felony charges at a large urban jail in the Midwest of the …

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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

Need To Belong, Fear Of Missing Out, And Social Media Use: Predictors Of Perceived Social Rejection, Linda K. Perna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The decline in mental health among U.S. college students is a significant concern. Research suggests that social media use may contribute to this decline. Heavy reliance on social media has been linked to feelings of loneliness and disconnection, psychological distress, and a fear of missing out on rewarding social experiences, which may ultimately trigger feelings of social rejection. Using a foundation of need to belong theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine individual differences in the need to belong, fear of missing out, and social media use as predictors of emotional and behavioral reactions to ambiguous social …

Gender Differences And Neurocognitive Function In Cocaine And Methamphetamine Addiction, Gwendolyn F. Royal-Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Cocaine and methamphetamine-addicted women are more likely to suffer from personal life traumas that lead to persistent and committed drug abuse. In addition to social-psychological problems associated with drug abuse are neuropsychological processes involving specific regions of the brain responsible for working memory, decision-making, and impulse control. Classical and operant conditioning theories of learning provide a paradigm foundation for this quantitative, correlational study that utilized archival data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). I analyzed a randomly selected sample of 186 adults who voluntarily participated in an eight week treatment program for cocaine and methamphetamine (MA) addiction. …

Compassion Fatigue And Organizational Factors Among Paraprofessionals In Inpatient Psychiatric Centers, Sephiratu Raji Wahab

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue negatively affects the emotional and professional lives of human service workers; however, limited research has examined the underlying factors contributing to compassion fatigue among mental health paraprofessionals in inpatient psychiatric settings. This study applied the constructivist self-development theory and etiological model to examine three organizational factors including work demand, work organization and content, and interpersonal relations and leadership as predictors of compassion fatigue among 153 paraprofessionals working at inpatient psychiatric centers in Upstate New York. A cross-sectional design involved convenience sampling was employed to recruit 153 paraprofessionals to complete the Compassion Fatigue Short-Scale and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, and …

Examining Burnout In Community Mental Health Clinicians From A Job Demands-Resource Perspective, Michelle Hill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health clinicians employed in a public mental health setting are at an increased risk of experiencing burnout, which contributes to undesirable consequences. Examining burnout using the job demands-resources (JDR) theory allows for the examination of job demands and job resources as both separate independent variables or interactively, which provides for a model with the ability to better predict organizational outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional, predictive survey study was to use the JDR perspective to examine the extent of the relationship, if any, between job demands, job resources, job satisfaction, and burnout of mental health clinicians working in …

An Analysis Of The Spiritual Narratives Of Formerly Observant Jews In Recovery, Matthew Milstein

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Addiction is a world-wide problem, and 12-step recovery programs are the most popular intervention, which incorporate a spiritual message in the recovery process. However, little research has explored how spirituality is experienced, and the meaning it has for individuals leading up to addiction, during active addiction, and in recovery using the 12-step model. Thus, this qualitative research study was conducted to explore the spiritual narratives of formerly observant individuals raised in the Orthodox Jewish community, who used a 12-step recovery program to recover from addiction and maintain sobriety. Cognitive dissonance theory and faith development theory were used to identify the …

Aligning Counseling Center Behavioral Health Outcomes With Overall College Outcomes, Lorrie Ann Spivey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

College counseling service departments report an increase in the demand for mental health services. Simultaneously, college counseling centers are reporting a shortfall in budgets to meet the increased demands. Furthermore, they are not prepared for the severity of the presenting problems found in today’s student population. Behavioral health leaders on college campuses must find a balance between meeting the student population’s immediate needs and meeting organizational outcomes, such as retention and student success. This qualitative case study focused on a College Counseling Service Department at a Midwest college serving a diverse population of college students. The strategies behavioral health leaders …

An Exploration Of Women Experiences In Leadership Positions Within African Immigrant Churches In The United States, Abraham Simon Obodai Wentum

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little research has been conducted to understand the experiences of the women in leadership positions in the African immigrant church in the United States. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of women in leadership positions in African immigrant churches in the United States to inform efforts toward enhancing representation of women in church leadership. The study used an interpretative phenomenological analysis research approach, guided by Bass and Riggio’s transformational leadership theory. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 12 women in leadership positions in African immigrant churches. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Women leaders …

Self-Efficacy And Health Perceptions, A Survey Of American Indian Obesity, Kristina L. Babbitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compared to other ethnicities, American Indians have higher rates of obesity and are disproportionately diagnosed with comorbid diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. While genetic, behavioral, and social risk factors contribute to health disparities and disease, the concept of self-efficacy, an element of Bandura’s social cognitive theory, influences the ability to overcome barriers and reduce risk. When combined with the health belief model, this theory also provides the foundation for understanding perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about disease. Yet, research in these areas is limited for American Indians. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was …

Employee Resistance To Change During The Implementation Of Trauma-Informed Care, Tara A. Chalakani

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee resistance to change can impede organizational success. Resistance can occur when the proposed change is beneficial. Trauma-informed care requires a complete paradigm shift within a behavioral health organization to be executed successfully. This single-case study explored the leadership experience of employee resistance to change during the implementation of trauma-informed care in a large nonprofit behavioral health organization. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 4 organizational leaders, and a thematic analysis was conducted on internal documents, including staff satisfaction surveys, exit interviews, meeting minutes, strategic plans, manuals, the organizational website, and information from the employee portal. Findings were validated …

Law Enforcement Stress, Gender, And Work Performance, Angelia L. Harger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Police officers experience continuous periods of work-related stressors throughout their

careers, affecting job performance, sleep, and family life. However, there is limited qualitative research in the area of police officer gender and stress, in law enforcement. Therefore, the purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study, guided by resilience theory, was to examine how gender and stress influence work performance, sleep, and family life in police officers. Six male and 4 female patrol officers were individually interviewed to gather information related to (a) their experiences regarding stress, (b) signs and symptoms of stress, (c) how gender affects stress, and (d) their coping …

Positive Behavior Support-Based In-Home Services For Traumatic Brain Injury, Charles Jack

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of positive behavior support (PBS) services in the in-home (IH) setting but few studies examined its use with traumatic brain injury (TBI) clients, and most of these were small sample cases. Additional research on IH PBS services for TBI clients was recommended, in particular using larger samples. The purpose of this study was to address that need by examining the effectiveness of IH PBS services in treating TBI-related challenging behaviors on a larger sample. The theoretical foundations for PBS, behaviorism, cognitive constructivism, social learning theory, and the biopsychosocial model of behavior, are described. The research …

Experiences In Online Grooming From Initial Contact With Offender To Relationship Ending, Lyniece Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the lived experiences of adult women who were sexually groomed online as an adolescent, to understand the experiences in online grooming from initial contact to contact ending. The theory used to guide this study was sociometer theory. Sociometer theory looks at self-esteem as the cause for why individuals want to seek and maintain relationships. This theory also explains why individuals choose certain social relationships. While the victim or the offender may have a fear of acceptance, they will potentially look for relationships that accept or approve of them. The research question for this study examined female adolescent …

The Relationship Of Lmx And Fe To Owb As Moderated By Job Complexity, Lisa Ann Nickell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business researchers studying leader-member exchange (LMX) and feedback environment (FE) have extensively examined organizational withdrawal behaviors (OWB) for insight on employee job stability, satisfaction, and performance. Although LMX and FE can each be linked to OWB, there is limited research on the combined effects of these constructs. Additionally, although job complexity has been viewed as a possible moderator between these predictor and criterion variables, its relationship has not been adequately studied. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the combined, relative roles of LMX and FE on OWB with job complexity as a moderator. The theoretical foundation consisted …

Parental Supervision And Monitoring And Deviant Adolescent Behavior, Mary Catherine Ross-Gray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Deviant adolescent behavior is a social crisis in the United States, estimated at an annual cost of over $4 billion; yet there are gaps in the research on parental influences regarding this behavior. In this study, the principles of social learning theory were used to examine the relationships between parental supervision and deviant adolescent behavior as moderated by self-control and socioeconomic status. The population for this quantitative study consisted of 87 parent volunteers who completed surveys measuring parent supervision, child executive functioning, and delinquent behavior as well as demographic information such as socioeconomic status. Multiple Regression/Correlation was used to examine …

Predictors Of Intention To Use Health Literacy Strategies Among Physicians In Grenada, Arlette Wildman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low health literacy is linked to poor health outcomes. Adequate health literacy depends on effective communication between patients and their healthcare providers, so it is important physicians use health literacy strategies. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, the aim of this quantitative correlational study was to investigate the relationship between health literacy knowledge, health literacy experience, gender, the region of training, years of practice, and intentions to use health literacy strategies among physicians in Grenada. One hundred and eighteen physicians were sampled using a cross-sectional survey method. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis were significant, F(5, 112) …

Cultural Identity As A Predictor Of Weight Loss In U.S. Hispanics, Leon Daniels

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on behavioral weight-loss programs has guided the development of health-related, behavior-change interventions that contribute to combating overweight and obesity in the United States, and illnesses that co-occur with unhealthy weight. However, research on behavioral weight-loss programs that focus on the U.S. Hispanic population and cultural identity is largely unrepresented in the current literature. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively examine body mass index (BMI) decreases of U.S. Hispanics while observing their (a) motivation toward exercise, (b) cultural identity, (c) physical activity program type, (d) exercise frequency, and (e) demographic variables as predictors of weight-loss. Guiding this study …

Case Managers’ Lived Experiences Working With Trauma Victims, Margaret Donohue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore and understand how case managers’ (CMs’) experiences listening to trauma stories of trauma victims affects them personally and professionally and what strategies they use to cope with hearing these stories. Constructivist self-development theory provided a framework for understanding the development of vicarious trauma in mental health workers. The central question and subquestions were developed to address the identified problem and purpose of the study, asking how CMs describe their experiences, how hearing trauma stories impacts CMs, and how CMs cope with their experiences of hearing trauma stories of trauma victims. …

Resiliency In Latino Youth Experiencing Cartel Violence And Other Perceived Traumatic Events, Kasandra Garcia Reyna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latino youth at the violent forefront of the U.S.-Mexico border face traumatic events daily. The present study examined Latino youths’ resiliency to the violence that they face and what factors help them cope. A quantitative research approach based upon resilience theory explored social support, perceived traumatic events, and resiliency in 134 Latino youth ages 18 to 19 years who lived near the Texas-Mexico border and had witnessed, had been involved in, or had family members involved in cartel-related violence. Measurement of participants’ family and social supports along with their perceived traumatic events enabled a comparison of these scores with the …

The Association Of Romance Movies, Gender, And Relational Identity Among Emerging Adults, Sara Hare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emerging adults are motivated to form intimate relationships and explore their relational identity. Little is known, however, about the development of relational identity in emerging adults. Given that external influences such as movies can impact how people view relationships, and that emerging adults are more likely to watch movies than other forms of media, it is essential to explore the relationship between movies and relational identity in emerging adults. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study was to examine the relationship between relational identity, gender, and the preference for romance movies among emerging adults. The theoretical foundations for the study …

Factors Associated With Steady Employment Among Felons, Rosalind Holley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research has shown that a felony conviction record negatively impacts an individual’s employment prospects. Although stable employment has been shown to reduce recidivism, the stigma associated with being labeled a felon is a significant barrier to employment for this population. This phenomenological study, guided by Roy’s adaptation model, labeling theory, and social identity theory, explored the lived experiences of individuals with a felony conviction in seeking and obtaining employment postconviction. Participants were recruited from the Adult Probation offices of the Community Supervision and Corrections Department of Brazoria County near Houston, Texas. Six adult males who were currently on adult community …

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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

Single-Parent Upbringing As A Predictor Of Long-Term Violence Scale In Solo Male Serial Killers, Jennifer E. Francis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Growing up in a single-parent household has been associated with exposure to adverse childhood experiences that contribute to negative short- and long-term psychological and behavioral outcomes, including violent behavior. It is unclear, however, whether a single-parent upbringing predicts the scale of a perpetrator’s violence. The current study examined the scale of violence through measures of frequency and duration, correlated with a single-parent upbringing among male serial killers who operated alone in the United States. In a nonexperimental, cross-sectional design, I used a multivariate analysis of variance to compare 85 male serial killers raised by a single parent with 85 male …

Masculine Ideals, Acculturation, And Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help Among Mexican American Adult Males, Innocent Affam Obuah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a paucity of published research identifying the relationships between masculine ideals, acculturation, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among adult Mexican American men. The purpose of the current study was to examine how masculine ideals and acculturation can negatively affect attitude toward seeking psychological help among Mexican American adult males, a fast-growing population in the U.S. that is vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes. Among those factors reported to account for mainly negative perceptions in this population are masculine ideals, machismo, and acculturation; however, the effects of these factors on Mexican American males have not been quantitatively …

Laughter Therapy And Coping Strategies For Dementia Patient Caregivers, Edith Ugwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this research was to address a gap in the literature concerning the experiences of dementia caregivers who use laughter therapy as a coping strategy to manage their caregiving stress. Dementia caregiving involves high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, which can cause both psychological and physical health problems for caregivers. It is, therefore, critical to identify effective coping strategies to mitigate caregiving stress. Laughter therapy is an inexpensive and readily available coping strategy that can help manage this stress. The current study used a phenomenological qualitative approach to address the research question. The transactional model of stress …

Effects Of Emotional Labor On Philippine Tourism Staff’S Job Burnout, Maria Paz Rosales Alberto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The tourism industry in the Philippines is a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product. As members of the service sector, its employees use their labor and skills to yield positive experiences by understanding their target customers so that they can offer them what they need quickly while incurring minimal cost. It is common for service-sector employees to expend emotional labor by hiding their emotions to meet a company’s standards. Unfortunately, the pressure experienced by these employees leads to a higher risk of burnout. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to assess the impact of emotional labor …

Subjective Well-Being And Life Satisfaction Among Midlife Former Division Iii Student- Athletes, David Alfred Bayer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

People in midlife, age 35-50, often reach a state of generativity wherein they feel a need to enhance the well-being of younger generations. Although midlifers enjoy the potential for their highest lifetime levels of subjective well-being (SWB) and contributions to the social good, they also often experience decreased SWB and life satisfaction (LS). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to develop an understanding of the lived experiences of SWB and LS among a purposively selected group of 10 midlife former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III collaborative sport student-athletes. Although participants in NCAA Division I athletics have …

Effects Of Race And Gender On Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire Scores, Amanda Haas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers can use the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Teacher Form (SDQ-TF) for ages 4 to 10 as a behavioral screening tool to determine the severity of a child’s problematic behaviors; however, SDQ-TF is subject to potential rater biases. Implicit bias refers to people remaining unaware of their biases, which may influence the ways that student behaviors are rated. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure the effect of race and gender congruency on teacher ratings of student problematic behaviors by the total difficulties score using the SDQ-TF 4-10. A nonprobability convenience sample of 98 teachers in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area …

Understanding Impostor Phenomena In Hispanic Students From Three Different Learning Environments, Marie Hernandez-Seltz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hispanic college student retention and dropout rates are regarded as social and economic crises in the United States. Research studies with minority students suggest Hispanic students may feel out of place. Impostor phenomenon (IP) is a psychological pattern involving feeling like a fraud that may explain their experience. Several studies with minority students suggest IP and learning environment (LE) may be correlated. Other minority student studies indicate an association between ethnic identity (EI) and IP. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between IP, EI, and LE in a Hispanic university student population. The theoretical …