Psychology Commons^™

Probation Officers’ Experiences Supervising Domestic And Intimate Partner Violent Probationers, Megan Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study includes insights regarding potential supervision challenges that are faced by probation officers overseeing domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV) probationers, emphasizing the importance of effective management to enhance offender accountability and victim safety. The relationship dynamic between probation officers and domestic and IPV probationers influences recidivism rates, highlighting the importance of effective and empathetic supervision. The purpose of this study was to identify gaps in training, supervision strategies, and resources, with a focus on integrating attachment-based practices to improve outcomes. Guided by the attachment theory, the research included key questions about supervision effectiveness and relational dynamics. Employing a …

Lived Experience Of Secondary School Teachers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Diane R. Lovett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of secondary school teachers' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly focusing on their challenges during the transition back to in-person instruction after teaching online. The purpose of this phenomenological study explored the experiences of U.S. secondary teachers during the onset of COVID-19, the shift to virtual teaching, and the return to in-person instruction. The study was grounded in Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory, specifically the concept of observational learning and self-efficacy, to understand how teachers learned from peer successes and challenges during the transition to virtual learning and when returning to …

The Relative Strength Of Justice-Related Satisfaction, Posttraumatic Maladaptive Beliefs, And Self-Compassion In Predicting Perceived Control Over Stressful Events, Katherine Mooney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Coercive control and domestic violence perpetrated by men against women are global social problems sustained by patriarchal norms that normalize gender-based violence. These norms often contribute to victims' maladaptive self-beliefs, leading women to believe they provoked the abuse. When survivors seek legal protection, they may experience revictimization through legal processes that minimize their claims and enable perpetrators to continue exerting power and control through the justice system. As a result, dissatisfaction with the legal system may reinforce self-blame, while low self-compassion may further undermine women's perceived control over stressful events in both the short and long term. While previous research …

Social Workers’ Lived Experiences Of Trauma-Informed Training, Ashley Ann Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers report limited formal training in trauma-informed approaches, and implementation of trauma-informed care varies widely across settings, with inconsistent training uptake and organizational support for sustained practice change. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of social workers in trauma-informed training. The study was guided by trauma-informed care principles and an experiential learning framework. The research question examined how social workers develop trauma-informed competence and how systemic factors influence practice. Data were collected through 11 semi structured interviews with social workers and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged: (a) trauma-informed competence …

How Psychological Capital Promotes Student Flourishing: Mediating Effects Of Career Adaptability And Study Engagement, Sana Nisar, Adnan Adil, Sultan Shujja, Samina Rashid

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

In today’s rapidly evolving academic and occupational landscape, understanding the psychological resources that support student well-being is critical. This study investigates the predictive role of academic psychological capital (PsyCap) in fostering flourishing among Pakistani university undergraduates, specifically identifying the mediating mechanisms of career adaptability and study engagement. Grounded in career construction theory and the JD-R model, the research contributes to theory by positioning PsyCap as a key personal resource that facilitates adaptive capacity and meaningful engagement. Data from 350 undergraduates in public-sector universities were analyzed using path analysis. Results revealed that PsyCap significantly predicted flourishing (β = .35, p …

Effective Techniques In Equine Assisted Therapies From The Facilitators Perspective, Emily Dolezal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Equine assisted therapies have been shown to be an effective treatment approach for individuals experiencing mental health issues. However, there have been rising challenges in standardization and nomenclature throughout the field. Current research supporting the benefits of equine assisted therapies is often from the client perspective. There is a gap in understanding what occurred in session that made it beneficial to their mental health. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of equine assisted therapy facilitators in terms of mechanisms that produce positive changes in their clients. The theories and concepts that ground this study …

African American Mother Counselors' Lived Experiences During The Dual Pandemics Of Covid-19 And Structural Racism, Shanti Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was that the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism in 2020 created compounded personal and professional stressors for African American mothers who are professional counselors, yet little was known about how they appraised these stressors and selected coping strategies. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe what it means to be an African American mother and professional counselor making decisions about coping strategies to manage personal and professional stressors during the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism in 2020. Guided by Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology and informed by the Transactional …

Maintaining Excellence Under Pressure: The Stress–Performance Paradox In A Multi-Campus State University System, Rico D. De Asis Dr.

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This study examines how multiple stress dimensions (levels, sources, effects, and coping mechanisms) relate to teaching performance in resource-constrained Southeast Asian public higher education, addressing the geographic concentration of faculty stress research in Western contexts.

Methods: Using multiple regression analysis with 80 permanent faculty members across three campuses of a state university system, I assessed relationships between stress factors and teaching performance. The study employed validated stress assessment instruments examining stress levels, sources (student, teacher, environment, work-related), effects (self, family, work), and coping mechanisms.

Results: Self effects of stress demonstrated the strongest negative relationship with teaching performance (R² …

The Relative Strength Of Social Media Motives, Perceived Race Relations, And The Centrality Of Black Identity In Predicting Black Community Activism, Johnnie Gordon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As social media has become a central context for identity development, sociopolitical awareness, and civic engagement among Black emerging adults, exposure to racialized content, experiences of online discrimination, and competing narratives regarding racial progress may heighten awareness of systemic inequities and strengthen collective racial identity. To date, the potential of these experiences to motivate engagement in Black community activism to advocate for community empowerment has not been investigated. Informed by social identity theory, this quantitative study assessed the relative importance of motives for social media use, perceived racial progress, and Black identity centrality in predicting Black community activism among emerging …

Ai Vs. Licensed Psychologists: A Comparative Analysis Of Treatment Plan Quality For Treating Psychological Distress, Michael Edward Maloney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study was conducted to investigate whether statistically significant differences exist in the quality of treatment plans developed by artificial intelligence (AI) platforms versus treatment plans generated by licensed psychologists, with a focus on intervention specificity and clinical appropriateness. Given the rapid proliferation of digital mental health technologies and the persistent shortage of licensed mental health professionals, empirical evaluation of AI-driven clinical tools has become a critical area of inquiry. Grounded in dual process theory (DPT), which conceptualizes decision making as the product of both intuitive and analytical cognitive systems, the study employed a quantitative, between-groups design. Sixty-six licensed psychologists …

Lived Experiences Of Emotional Competence Development Among Online Doctoral Clinical Psychology Students During Clinical Training, Michelle Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emotional competence is essential for effective clinical practice, professional development, and client care. However, limited research has examined how emotional competence develops among students in fully online doctoral clinical psychology programs. This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study explored how students enrolled in online doctoral clinical psychology programs experience the development of emotional competence during clinical field training. Guided by Goleman’s emotional competence framework, the lived experiences of doctoral students as they developed emotional awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and relationship management skills was examined. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 purposively selected participants enrolled in online doctoral clinical psychology programs …

Residual Effects Of Childhood Sexual Victimization On Black Caribbean Immigrants’ Adult Functionality, Sophia Elaine Profit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood sexual victimization is associated with long-term psychological, emotional, and functional challenges that may persist into adulthood. Despite a growing body of literature on childhood trauma, limited research has explored its residual effects on adult functionality among Black Caribbean immigrants. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the residual effects of childhood sexual victimization on adult functionality among Black Caribbean immigrants. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit 9 participants through social media platforms. Rational choice theory served as the conceptual framework to examine how trauma-related and sociocultural factors shaped participants' decision-making processes. Data were collected …

The Lived Experiences Of The Flint Water Crisis And Its Psychological Effects, Joe W. Glenn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Flint, Michigan, water crisis of 2014, with lead contamination of drinking water, adversely affected predominantly Black, socioeconomically disadvantaged residents. However, no research has investigated residents’ experiences, especially their trust in local and state government leaders. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of the Flint water crisis and its psychological effects. Rawls’s theory of justice provided the framework for the study. Three research questions guided this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study. Information from eight Flint residents was collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis followed Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological steps. Five strong themes emerged: understanding individual perceptions, views …

Leadership Characteristics Driving Positive Patient Experience Outcomes In Behavioral Healthcare Organizations, Sophia Iovenitti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient experience is a key indicator of healthcare quality and performance; however, limited evidence exists regarding the specific leadership characteristics that influence patient experience outcomes in behavioral healthcare. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the leadership characteristics associated with positive patient experience outcomes, examine how leadership behaviors influence patient perceptions, and identify leadership development strategies to enhance patient experience. The study was guided by the Baldrige excellence framework and the Beryl Institute’s definition of patient experience. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with executive and operational leaders and triangulated with organizational artifacts, including aggregated patient …

Seasonal Affective Disorder’S Prevalence And Impact On Organizational Outcomes In The Northeastern United States, Tommaso Bruce Fernandes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to seasonal changes, primarily affects individuals during fall and winter. More insight was needed on the prevalence of SAD and the role of social support in moderating its impact on organizational outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between SAD and organizational outcomes, including employee well-being, absenteeism, job satisfaction, and productivity, in the Northeastern United States, where SAD symptoms are more prevalent due to environmental factors. Engel’s biopsychosocial model and Cullen’s social support theory provided a theoretical framework for the study. A quantitative cross-sectional design, featuring structured …

Law Enforcement Help-Seeking Behaviors And Organizational Mental Health Supports, Jordan Elizabeth Longendorf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to the traumatic and repetitive nature of law enforcement work, mental health support is often needed by officers, but is not consistently sought. Law enforcement leaders need to understand this concern as a leading indicator of workforce well-being, organizational effectiveness, and officers’ willingness to seek needed mental health support. Guided by the conceptual framework of Rickwood and Thomas’s help-seeking behaviors, the purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to explore law enforcement officers’ lived experiences of help-seeking behaviors for emotional and mental health issues. Data were collected through six semistructured interviews with current law enforcement officers in four different …

Psychosocial Characteristics Of Self-Identifying Incels, Joleen Koroluck

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research examining individuals who self-identify as involuntary celibates (incels) has increased in response to concerns surrounding online grievance communities and violence-related rhetoric. Despite growing scholarship, limited research has examined the psychosocial lived experiences of individuals who identify as incels. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore these experiences and examine factors associated with violent or extremist beliefs within incel-related online communities. Guided by social comparison theory and social identity theory, reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine 90 publicly available forum posts collected from 4Chan, Incel.is, and Looksmaxx. The data were manually coded and analyzed through iterative thematic …

Maternal Attachment Style As A Moderator Between Maternal Stress And Postpartum Depressive Symptoms, Kristie Lynn Hills

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research aimed to discover if maternal attachment style moderates the association between maternal stress and postpartum depressive symptoms for mothers living in the United States. Previous research has indicated a trend of maternal bonding mediating the association between postpartum depression and maternal stress. In this study, attachment theory was utilized as the foundational theory for understanding whether the link between maternal stress and postpartum depressive symptoms vary as a function of maternal attachment style. This quantitative examination was completed using a multiple regression analytic approach. An online questionnaire measured the three study variables. The target population for this study …

Shame, Resilience, And Disclosure Predictors Of Mental Health Seeking In Male Veterans With Ptsd And Military Sexual Trauma, Neftali Melendez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Male veterans are often the least likely to report military sexual trauma (MST), increasing the experience of shame, fear, fragility, and mental health disorders. The primary goal of this study was to examine the relationship of shame (internal and external), attitudes towards disclosure, and resilience on mental health help-seeking in male veterans who have experienced sexual abuse while in the military. Brown’s theory of shame resilience guided the development of the hypotheses and interpretation of results. Approximately 146 veterans participated in an anonymous online cross-sectional survey using a convenience sampling design and psychometrically validated questionnaires (Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale, …

The Relationship Between Autistic Traits And Depression Among Self-Reporting College-Aged Adults, Tyler Michael Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a prevalent mental health concern among emerging adults, particularly within college populations where academic, social, and developmental stressors are heightened. Autistic traits are increasingly understood as dimensional characteristics that exist across both clinical and non-clinical populations, yet their relationship to depressive symptoms in college-aged adults remains insufficiently understood. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study was to examine the relationship between self-reported autistic traits and depressive symptoms among non-clinical adults aged 18 to 25. The study was grounded in Beck’s cognitive theory of depression and the diathesis–stress model, which posit that cognitive vulnerabilities interact with environmental stressors …

Navigating Leadership With A History Of Parental Incarceration: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Nurse Managers’ Professional Relationships And Coaching Receptivity, Demetria Hazlett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nurse managers play a critical role in healthcare organizations, yet limited research has examined how early-life adversity, such as parental incarceration, influences leadership relationships and development. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study, guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), was to explore how nurse managers’ lived experiences of parental incarceration made sense of their influenced attachment-related relational patterns, professional relationships, and receptivity to leadership coaching. The attachment theory and Karpman’s Drama Triangle grounded this study. The participants comprised eight nurse managers in six states within the United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using the IPA analytic …

The Stigma Experiences Of The African American Transgender Individual In Mental Health Settings, Linda Shaw Henley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The intersection of race, gender identity, and systemic marginalization has profound implications for mental health outcomes, particularly among African American transgender individuals. Addressing African American transgender individuals’ stigma experiences in mental health settings is important because transgender individuals have dual minority statuses, wherein racism, stigma, transphobia, and institutional neglect converge, significantly impacting their access to affirming and effective mental health treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the stigma experiences of the African American transgender individual in mental health settings. The phenomenon of interest in this study was stigma experiences in mental health settings with mental health providers. …

Telling On Themselves: A Qualitative Study On The Linguistic Markers Of Deception In High-Stakes Speech, James Butcher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Deception detection in forensic and legal settings has historically relied on behavioral and nonverbal cues. Extensive research has demonstrated that these indicators are unreliable and prone to bias. This reliance has a significant impact on investigations, legal outcomes, and public trust. Although linguistic research has identified individual markers of deceptive speech, limited attention has been given to how multiple linguistic cues interact in real-world, high-stakes contexts. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how pronoun shifts, avoidance language, and equivocation cluster together during high-stakes deceptive speech. Truth-default theory (TDT) served as the theoretical foundation, and critical discourse analysis …

Protecting Graduate Students From Burnout With Self-Compassion And Authenticity, Michael S. Leeman, Joshua J. Castleberry, Anna A. Ellenson, Morgan Wallbrown

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study investigated whether practicing self-compassion and embracing one's authentic self could protect graduate students from burnout. Researchers also empirically examined the mediating effect of authenticity in the relationship between self-compassion and burnout. A total of 318 master's degree students in a helping profession completed surveys assessing their levels of self-compassion, authenticity, and burnout. Results found that graduate students with higher levels of self-compassion and authenticity tended to have lower levels of burnout. Additionally, authenticity mediated the relationship between self-compassion and burnout. The findings suggest that practicing self-compassion and embracing one's authentic self may lead to lower levels of burnout …

Self-Help Or Hype? How The Public Seeks And Uses Health And Self-Help Information, Bailey Fraser Dr., Joanna Pozzulo Dr., Emily Pica Dr.

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

The rapid growth of the global wellness industry and increased availability of health information through social media and self-help resources have raised concerns about the public’s ability to evaluate credible health information. This study examined how adults in Canada and the United States use health information, what they consider qualifies information as evidence, and their reading behaviors related to physical and mental health, including self-help books. A total of 96 participants completed an online survey assessing health information use, criteria for evidence, reading habits, and self-help book selection. Participants reported using health information primarily to make personal health decisions and …

Examining Public Perceptions Of Source Credibility In Mental And Physical Health Communication, Bailey Fraser Dr, Joanna Pozzulo Dr., Emily Pica Dr.

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Surveys in Canada and the United States have indicated declines in subjective well-being alongside growing public interest in improving personal health. With increased availability of credible and non-credible health information, particularly online, it is important to understand how the public perceives the credibility of various information sources for physical and mental health information. The present research is the first known study to directly compare perceptions of source credibility across mental versus physical health contexts and to examine associated information-seeking behaviors. Results indicated that participants consistently rated professional sources as more credible than layperson sources and perceived meaningful differences in the …

Factors Influencing Attitudes Toward Transgender Army National Guard Personnel And Policy, Michelle Lyn Branch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Adaptation Of Moral Integrity Scale To Kazakh Language: A Psychometric Investigation, Madina Ishkibayeva, Nesrullah Okan, Zhazira Abdykhalykova, Nursulu Makhambetova

Higher Learning Research Communications

The present study has been designed to adapt the Moral Integrity Scale (MIS), originally developed by Schlenker (2008), into Kazakh and to examine its psychometric properties among undergraduate students. Moral integrity, a critical component of ethical behavior, is essential in tertiary education, yet few culturally validated tools exist in the Kazakh context. Following a rigorous scale adaptation process (including translation, back-translation, expert review, and pilot testing), the scale was administered to three independent student samples. The results of the exploratory factor analysis (n = 470) revealed a single-factor structure explaining 52.13% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis ( …

Experiences Of Black Francophone Students Entering The United States For Higher Education, Anu Nifemi Ferguson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploring Organizational Responses To Clinician Turnover: A Baldrige Framework Approach, Sharayza Rachael Blakemore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.