The Lived Experience Of The Orgasm Gap In U.S. Cisgender Women In Heterosexual Relationships, Alina Beverly Vergara-Hegi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Women are not orgasming as often as men in heterosexual sexual encounters. Research has confirmed that sociocultural influences, gender differences, sexual perceptions, sexual miseducation, and relationship dynamics contribute to women’s negative sexual experiences. What has been missing is a better understanding of the experience of the orgasm gap and the role of gender ideology in women’s sexual experiences. This study explored the lived experience of the orgasm gap and gender ideology in nine cisgender women in long-term heterosexual relationships. Critical feminist theory was used as the lens to explore the meaning of sexual inequities in intimate long-term relationships. Using interpretative …

The Mediating Role Of Intellectual Humility On The Relationship Between Perspective-Taking And Affective Polarization, Daniel Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Affective polarization, a phenomenon characterized by animosity between opposing political parties, has emerged as a growing and intractable problem in the United States. Affective polarization threatens American democracy, as polarized citizens become increasingly unwilling to trust cross-partisans, hold their political leaders accountable, or support the results of free and fair elections. While prior research has investigated the mitigating effect of intellectual humility and perspective-taking on affective polarization, researchers have yet to investigate whether intellectual humility and perspective-taking work synergistically to mitigate affective polarization. Informed by social identity theory, this quantitative study determined if intellectual humility mediated the relationship between perspective-taking …

Building A Theory-Based Understanding Of Sexual Health Provider Stigma: A Phenomenological Study, Harit Agroia, Rebecca Reno, Maytal Bach, Jenette Spezeski, Erin Starzyk

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Unraveling provider-level sexual health stigma requires building an understanding of contributing factors, such as provider knowledge, values, beliefs, medical training, and other intrapersonal or interpersonal factors that may influence its manifestation at the clinic level during patient–provider interactions. Healthcare provider stigma has not been sufficiently understood or explained using classic psychological theories, such as Cognitive Dissonance Theory (CDT) or Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). We build a theory-based understanding of sexual health-provider stigma by proposing modifications to the SCT to develop the Modified SCT (M-SCT) model, where cognitive dissonance is hypothesized to influence the personal/cognitive and behavioral factors of the M-SCT. …

Lived Experiences Of Sex Offenders On Probation With Housing And Employment, Katheryn Winslow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lived Experiences of Sex Offenders on Probation with Housing and Employment by Katheryn Winslow MA, South University, 2013 BS, University of Central Florida, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University May 2025

Burnout, Life Satisfaction, And Meaning-Focused Coping In Correctional Mental Health Providers, Danielle Janet Tsamouris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies have found that burnout among correctional mental health providers is related to unique stressors that impact their physical, psychological, and emotional health, including the perceived and actual threat of violence. Using the transactional theory of stress and coping, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the influence of burnout and meaning-focused coping strategies on life satisfaction in correctional mental health providers. Online survey data from 102 master’s-holding correctional mental health professionals were recruited by SurveyMonkey who also administered the survey. Results from a standard multiple regression analysis suggested that meaning-focused coping strategies significantly and positively influenced life …

Self-Efficacy In Women Using Bioidentical Hormone Replacement: A Factor Analysis, Shanna Persin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has gained increasing attention as an alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), yet research on self-efficacy related to BHRT adherence remains limited. Guided by Bandura’s social cognitive theory, this quantitative study examined the applicability of the hormone replacement self-efficacy (HRT-SE) scale in a population of BHRT users. Using factor analysis, this study assessed the reliability and validity of the HRT-SE scale in measuring self-efficacy among women using BHRT. The study recruited a convenience sample of 628 participants through online peri/menopause and hormone therapy support groups, collecting self-reported data on confidence in managing BHRT regimens. Findings …

Adult Sexual Grooming: A Systematic Review, Christin Aletky, Bonita Sharma, Jose Carbajal, Tia Eubank

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Grooming is the manipulation and intimidation of people into acts that may appear consensual but are in fact exploitative and harmful, activities they would not have chosen otherwise. Different legal definitions and shifting social perspectives on consent complicate efforts to determine whether a given behavior is a result of informed consent or a response to grooming behaviors. Most studies on grooming and sexual assault focus on adults grooming and abusing children—research on adults grooming other adults is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of our study is to conduct a systematic review of current research on the grooming of adults. We used …

Experiences Of Social And Emotional Learning And Resilience Among Young Adults From Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Communities, Aliyah Davis-Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The transition from adolescence to early adulthood presents many unique challenges, particularly for individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. This study was conducted to explore how young adults (ages 18–30) who experienced socioeconomic hardship during their youth experience and apply the socioemotional skill of resilience as young adults. Data were collected through virtual interviews with 11 participants who were between the ages of 18 and 30, who were from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background and had participated in a social and emotional learning (SEL) program as a youth. Collected data were analyzed and themes emerged from this analysis. Despite facing systemic barriers, …

Perspectives Of Residential Treatment Center Staff On Organizational Climate And Rehabilitation, Erika Drayton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Residential treatment centers (RTCs) within the juvenile justice system (JJS) are commonly used as an out-of-home placement for adjudicated youths who require more individualized care. Several researchers studied the JJS; however, few explored RTCs or the direct care staff. Probation officers and detention facility staff have been the focus of previous studies. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of RTC staff on organizational climate and rehabilitation of adjudicated youths. The participants included 12 direct care RTC staff age 18 and older who had worked with adjudicated youths for one year or more. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological …

African American Mothers’ Descriptions Of Teaching Their Daughters Racial Socialization And Identity Development In Affluent Communities, Vashonda Helen Eason

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American mothers’ experience of teaching self-love and confidence to their daughters while faced with discriminatory practices has been examined regarding African American parenting in urban and low-income areas. However, the experiences of African American mothers who face similar discrimination but live in affluent communities are less understood. Grounded in motivation and systems theories, the purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to describe how African American mothers in affluent communities teach racial socialization and identity development to their daughters. Ten African American mothers residing in the Northwest Arkansas region participated in one-on-one in-person interviews to explore their individual experiences …

Religious Attitudes And Fear Toward Traditional Biomedical And Psychological Services Among People Of The Christian Faith, Brennan Cackett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adults who identify as Christian often seek help within their religious communities for mental health issues. Research suggested that religious counseling services may discourage members from reporting mental health issues to traditional biomedical and psychological providers. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the extent to which people who identify as Christian in Southern California seek help outside of the Church and whether their help seeking is influenced by their religious attitudes and perceived fear of traditional psychological services. Southern California was chosen as it is where the Christian Counseling movement was started and has a large population …

The Relative Strength Of Populist Attitudes, Religiosity, And Locus Of Control In Predicting Climate-Change Denial, Ryan Reynaldo Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent global issue, the persistence of climate denial presents a significant barrier to progress. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence from NOAA and NASA, many individuals continue to deny the reality or severity of climate change. Previous studies have examined factors like anti-elitism and anti-egalitarianism in climate skepticism; however, no known research has assessed the relative strength of populist attitudes, religiosity, and locus of control in predicting climate denial. This quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted to fill that gap. Locus of control theory, which focuses on how individuals perceive events as within or beyond their control, …

Differences Between The Reintegration Of Combat Veterans And Noncombat Veterans While Controlling For Stigma, Caroline Ramos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Veterans face challenges in reintegrating into civilian life. Experiences of public stigma arise from socially learned stereotypes about military service and mental health issues, which can impact veterans' ability to reintegrate following military deployment successfully. Goffman’s theory of stigma details its influences on personal adjustment. The purpose of this quantitative research study utilizing a survey design was to assess the role of public stigma as a mediator between the type of deployment and veterans’ reintegration experiences. A snowball sample of 85 recently discharged veteran volunteers representing combat zone deployed or non-combat zone deployed completed the Military Stigma Scale and the …

The Extent To Which Race, Ptsd Symptoms, And Attitudes Toward Help-Seeking Predict Help-Seeking Intentions/Help-Seeking Behavior Among Veterans, Lenora Elizabeth Rogers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Veterans who are returning to civilian life often experience barriers to seeking mental healthcare. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, correlational study was to determine the extent to which race, PTSD symptoms, and attitudes toward help-seeking (psychological openness, help-seeking propensity, indifference to stigma) predict help-seeking intentions and help-seeking behavior among military veterans. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior was the basis for this study. A convenience sample of 105 veterans (53 African Americans, 52 Caucasians) were recruited via Alchemer. Standard multiple regression analysis showed that help-seeking propensity was a significant predictor of help-seeking intentions, with higher scores on help-seeking propensity predicting …

Categorical Differences: Social Identity Heuristics Predict Differences In Cognitive Empathy, Corey Ronald Sims

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current study aimed to identify if there was a relationship between cross-ethnic racial identity and cognitive empathy for others and whether social and personal identities mediated this effect. Self-categorization theory was used as the theoretical framework. In this study, it was hypothesized that cross-ethnic racial identity significantly predicts empathic accuracy, and that social and personal identities mediate this relationship. A non-experimental, researcher-designed survey was used to collect participant data and demographic characteristics. Participant inclusion criteria were an age between 18 and 55, U.S. citizenship, and a self-identification as Asian American, Black American, Hispanic American, or White American. The Cross-Ethnic …

Promotion And Personality In Military Officers As Moderated By Race, Margaret Raia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Career progression of U.S. military officers into the senior officer corps remains a difficult objective. Current research focuses on the lack of diversity in the senior officer corps and systematic factors inhibiting officers from promotions. This study was grounded in McCrae and Costa’s five-factor model of personality, to examine U.S. military officers’ personality characteristics and their relation to promotion while moderating for race. This quantitative study used binary logistical regression of survey data to establish whether the personality characteristics of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism predict promotion. U.S. Army and Naval officers in ranks O4–O10 were sampled from social …

Aging As Online Faculty: Attitudes Toward Work And Retirement, Lee Stadtlander, Amy Sickel

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Aging, an often-neglected aspect of diversity in universities, is an important issue, as the rate of people working who are 75 and older is growing faster than the rate for any other age group. The present sequential explanatory mixed-method study explored 129 older online faculty’s attitudes and opinions on work and retirement in an online survey and in 13 faculty interviews. Data were examined cross-sectionally to assess differences by decade: 50s, 60s, and 70s and above. The results indicated that while older faculty were collecting some form of retirement payment, money was not a primary motivator for working. These individuals …

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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

Job-Search Experiences Of Ghanaian Immigrants In New York City, Samuel Obeng

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Moderating Effect Of Music Activity On The Relationship Between Religious Struggles And Social Anxiety, Benjamin Joseph Phelps

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Sense Of Belonging Of Underrepresented Students: Role Of Faculty Inclusiveness And Online Versus Campus Learning, Elisavet Chaoua Intoumpor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Relationship Of Child Maltreatment, Self-Esteem, Trait Emotional Intelligence, And Trust In Romantic Relationships, Philip Thorsen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Gender Roles, Sexual Cognitions, And History Of Victimization: A Preliminary Model Of Reporting Behavior Among College Students, Randi Spiker, Eu Gene Chin

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Sexual cognitions that flow from gender roles and previous history of victimization are strong predictors of sexual assault victimization. Because these cognitions reside within the individual themselves, we hypothesized that these same cognitions will also be predictors of subsequent reporting behavior to formal campus supports. An online self-report survey for assessing student awareness and perception of sexual safety was administered in a random stratified sample of college students (N = 98; 78% female). Participants were shown a hypothetical vignette involving a quid pro quo sexual harassment incident involving a student and were asked to rate their likelihood of making …

Attitudes Of Muslim Americans Regarding Prejudice And Discrimination Displayed By Non-Muslims, Munder Abderrazzaq

Journal of Social Work in the Global Community

Abstract

Muslim Americans have reported experiencing racial profiling, physical threats, and verbal abuse based on their religion, ethnicity, and color (Samari, 2016). These types of lived experiences can have negative personal consequences for Muslim Americans and influence their attitudes and behavior toward non-Muslims. A literature review conducted by Simon et al. (2018) suggests the need for research that explores the point of view of minorities regarding intolerance displayed by majority members. Intolerance is defined as the refusal and unwillingness to tolerate or respect individuals from different social or minority groups who hold different beliefs. Prejudice and discrimination can hinder the …

Mental Health In Black Women With Endometriosis-Related Symptoms During Covid-19, Anjanette Jaye Blunt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Endometriosis is an incurable chronic illness impacting 190 million women worldwide. Despite the prevalence of this painful disease, research addressing how it affects Black women in the United States was limited. Research addressing this phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic was further limited. The purpose of this qualitative study employing an interpretative phenomenological analysis was to understand the mental health of Black women with endometriosis-related symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and how having the illness during the pandemic might have impacted individuals in this population. The strong Black woman schema and biopsychosocial model were the theoretical foundations for the study. Data …

Strategies For Recruiting, Retaining, And Developing The Knowledge And Skills Of Behavioral Health Technicians, Shirley Ann Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To be effective, behavioral health organization leaders must recruit and retain behavioral health technicians (BHTs) to provide nonclinical services. The focus of this case study was on identifying strategies to promote the recruitment and retention of BHTs and to help these workers develop the knowledge and skills they need for effective job performance. The Baldrige Framework for Excellence was used to guide this case study of a behavioral health organization located in the southeastern United States. The organization had one residential substance use facility serving men and five serving women and experienced a constant shortage of BHTs. Data were collected …

Comparing Motivation And Ambition Between Adolescent Mothers And Child-Free Women, Deirdre Lynn Jones Lowman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent studies have concluded that adolescent pregnancy and subsequent motherhood can contribute to mental health stressors, acting as potential barriers to ambition and motivation. Researchers have explored motivation and ambition; however, there is little or no research comparing motivation and ambition between adolescent mothers and child-free women. The purpose of this casual-comparative study was to compare motivation levels and ambition values between adolescent mothers, age 18-24, and women of the same age range who are child-free. Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory as the theoretical lens, and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory and Aspirations Index, were used as data collection instruments. Recruitment …

Women Veterans’ Social Experiences, Challenges, And Responsive Strategies During Civilian Reintegration, Amanda Najar-Cabrera

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In this study, women veterans’ reintegration experiences, challenges, and responsive strategies with social identity, social connection, and social support were explored. Military discharge is a significant life change that disrupts the lives of women veterans in ways different from men and the scientific community is only beginning to research the long-term implications of social determinants of health in different populations. As the U.S. military women veteran population continues to increase, their social experiences, challenges, and responsive strategies during civilian reintegration have remained unexplored. The purpose of this study was to explore the social experiences of women veterans during reintegration to …