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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Full-Text Articles in Social Psychology

Social Workers’ Lived Experiences Of Trauma-Informed Training, Ashley Ann Johnson Aug 2026

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 …


The Relative Strength Of Social Media Motives, Perceived Race Relations, And The Centrality Of Black Identity In Predicting Black Community Activism, Johnnie Gordon Jul 2026

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 …


The Stigma Experiences Of The African American Transgender Individual In Mental Health Settings, Linda Shaw Henley Jul 2026

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. …


Perceptions Of Teachers In Inuit Nunangat On The Benefits Of Life-Promotional Activities On Inuit Youth To Reduce Suicide In Nunavut, Aramide Owoaje Jun 2026

Perceptions Of Teachers In Inuit Nunangat On The Benefits Of Life-Promotional Activities On Inuit Youth To Reduce Suicide In Nunavut, Aramide Owoaje

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.


Perceptions And Experiences Of Female Call Of Duty Players, Joshua Swanson Jun 2026

Perceptions And Experiences Of Female Call Of Duty Players, Joshua Swanson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.


Caribbean Clergy's Perceptions Of Marital Rape, Nasheba Barzey May 2026

Caribbean Clergy's Perceptions Of Marital Rape, Nasheba Barzey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.


Academic Self-Efficacy, Intelligence Mindset, And Locus Of Control In Predicting Academic Engagement Among English-Speaking First-Generation First-Year College Students In The United States, Carlene Camacho-Valentine May 2026

Academic Self-Efficacy, Intelligence Mindset, And Locus Of Control In Predicting Academic Engagement Among English-Speaking First-Generation First-Year College Students In The United States, Carlene Camacho-Valentine

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.


Exploring Male U.S. Veterans’ Experiences After Becoming Estranged From Their Children Following Divorce, Christy Lynn Amacker May 2026

Exploring Male U.S. Veterans’ Experiences After Becoming Estranged From Their Children Following Divorce, Christy Lynn Amacker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.


Mitigating Vicarious Traumatization From Exposure To Human Trafficking For Human Services Professionals, Andrea T. Charles-Alleyne Feb 2026

Mitigating Vicarious Traumatization From Exposure To Human Trafficking For Human Services Professionals, Andrea T. Charles-Alleyne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human trafficking is a devastating form of exploitation that not only has detrimental impacts to its victims but also the human services practitioners charged with and committed to their service provision. The secondary impact for professionals is not to be underestimated, as repeated exposure to the traumatic experiences of their clients can potentially lead to physical as well as emotional symptoms such as vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout. Often, practitioners prioritize the needs of their clients with a relentless focus on advocacy and the overall well-being of those they serve. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was …


From Trauma To Triumph: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Posttraumatic Growth In Children’S Animated Films, Crystal Victoria Tasker Dec 2025

From Trauma To Triumph: A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Posttraumatic Growth In Children’S Animated Films, Crystal Victoria Tasker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Children’s animated films have often been analyzed for problematic depictions of gender and cultural stereotypes, but far less attention has been given to how these narratives may portray psychological adversity and transformation. This study addressed this gap by examining how posttraumatic growth (PTG) is symbolized through the narrative arcs of ten Disney films released between 2013 and 2023. The purpose of this research was to explore how these films illustrate themes of emotional transformation, utilizing a theoretical foundation based on Tedeschi and Calhoun’s PTG model, which emphasizes five domains of growth following adversity: appreciation of life, enhanced relationships, personal strength, …


Motivation And Productivity Of Female Employees In China With Scoliosis Pain, Shauna-Kay Reeves Dec 2025

Motivation And Productivity Of Female Employees In China With Scoliosis Pain, Shauna-Kay Reeves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A scoliosis diagnosis can impact an individual’s work performance, particularly if there is a lack of proper ergonomics or workplace accommodations that might lead to increased pain and discomfort. Organizational leaders must understand this impact as an indicator of employee motivation and productivity. The purpose of this qualitative, interpretative phenomenological analysis was to explore the lived experience of female employees in China with scoliosis pain and its impact on their motivation and productivity. The theoretical foundations used in this study were the job demands-resources model and the self-determination theory. The participants consisted of eight female employees with scoliosis pain working …


Divorcees’ Experiences Of Hubristic Pride In Communication In Previous Marital Relationships, Amanda Harms Nov 2025

Divorcees’ Experiences Of Hubristic Pride In Communication In Previous Marital Relationships, Amanda Harms

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor communication practices have significantly strained marital relationships, contributing to increased divorce rates in the United States. As a self-conscious emotion, hubristic pride often leads to poor communication, which in turn exacerbates marital discord and contributes to the breakdown of families. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how divorcees perceive the impact of hubristic pride on communication in their previous marriages. The theoretical framework underpinning this study was Homans’s social exchange theory. Data were obtained from eight divorced participants not actively involved in ongoing custody proceedings through semistructured interviews and analyzed using Saldaña’s descriptive coding methodology. …


The Experiences Of African Americans Seeking Health Care Services, Sandy Latreice Sullivan Nov 2025

The Experiences Of African Americans Seeking Health Care Services, Sandy Latreice Sullivan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care experiences are shaped by life events and cultural background, making engagement with providers individualized. African Americans have historically reported distrust of health professionals due to targeted mistreatment. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of middle-aged African American adults receiving care from non-African American health care providers. Rosenstock’s health belief model was the framework for the study. Nine participants were recruited from social media using purposeful sampling. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews held on Zoom. Saldana’s four-step qualitative data analysis process was utilized to analyze the data. The results of the data …


Understanding The Barriers And Challenges Of Spanish-Speaking Latinos Who Received Calaim Initiative Social Support Services, Jessica De Lara Vallejo Nov 2025

Understanding The Barriers And Challenges Of Spanish-Speaking Latinos Who Received Calaim Initiative Social Support Services, Jessica De Lara Vallejo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Spanish-speaking Latinos continue to face significant barriers when attempting to access social support services through healthcare initiatives such as California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). Despite previous efforts to address this issue, this population continues to encounter barriers such as systemic discrimination, language barriers, and limited access to culturally responsive care. This qualitative study was guided by the consolidated framework for implementation research and used an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach to explore the lived experiences of Spanish-speaking Latino parents whose children received CalAIM asthma home remediation (AHR) services. The purpose of this study was to understand the barriers and challenges …


The Lived Experiences Of Imposter Syndrome Among Women Of Color Professors In Higher Education, Adrianna Marie Hooker Nov 2025

The Lived Experiences Of Imposter Syndrome Among Women Of Color Professors In Higher Education, Adrianna Marie Hooker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the unique challenges faced by women of color professors in higher education, who often experience imposter syndrome due to systemic barriers and underrepresentation. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of how these professors experienced and made meaning of imposter syndrome in academic settings. The central research question examined the meaning of imposter syndrome among women of color professors in higher education. This study was grounded in intersectionality and self-determination theory, which provided frameworks for understanding how multiple identities influenced feelings of inadequacy and professional identity. Participants included 12 women of …


The Impact Of Microaggression Exposure On Emotional Reactivity And Distress Following An Emotionally Provocative Movie Scene, Gwendolyn Jefferson Nov 2025

The Impact Of Microaggression Exposure On Emotional Reactivity And Distress Following An Emotionally Provocative Movie Scene, Gwendolyn Jefferson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study explored how past experiences with racial microaggressions affect emotional reactions to racially charged media and whether factors like age and gender influence that response. Using Minority Stress Theory as a guide, 183 African American adults completed the Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before and after watching a racially provocative film clip. The first analysis found no direct link between microaggression exposure and emotional change. However, further testing with analysis of variance showed that people with higher exposure reported much stronger emotional distress than those with lower exposure, F(1,180) = 38.12, p < .001, η² = .175. When demographic factors were added in a hierarchical regression, the model became significant, F(7,175) = 2.06, p = .036, R² = .076, showing that age (β = .086, p = .009) and gender (β = 1.505, p = .039) influenced emotional responses. Thus, older African American women showed the strongest distress, suggesting that the combined effects of race, gender, and age increase vulnerability to racial stress. These findings support the idea that racial trauma is complex and shaped by overlapping social identities. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive mental health support, inclusive media portrayals, and greater awareness of generational and caregiving stress among African American women. By showing how overlapping identities shape emotional well-being, this research advances social change through empathy, reduced stigma, and institutional accountability, encouraging equity-driven practices that foster racial healing, fairness, and psychological resilience across communities.


Shared Family Identity And Emotional Abuse From A Childhood Caregiver As Predictors Of Self-Censorship Willingness, Jillian Theryon Oct 2025

Shared Family Identity And Emotional Abuse From A Childhood Caregiver As Predictors Of Self-Censorship Willingness, Jillian Theryon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood emotional abuse may be underreported and unnoticed. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine whether shared family identity (SFI) with an emotionally abusive childhood caregiver was linked to self-censorship of social and political opinions in adulthood. The study also examined whether this relationship is intensified among those with a strong sense of SFI with that caregiver. Linear multiple regression analysis of survey data collected from 119 participants, recruited through Survey Monkey Audience, revealed that willingness to self-censor was significantly shaped by the interaction between SFI and emotional abuse, especially overcontrol. Although SFI is often seen as …


Strategies To Prevent Employee Turnover And Revenue Losses Resulting From Workplace Bullying, Sylvester Doby Jr Oct 2025

Strategies To Prevent Employee Turnover And Revenue Losses Resulting From Workplace Bullying, Sylvester Doby Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace bullying is a serious issue that can lead to high employee turnover and significant revenue loss. To maintain a healthy work environment and support their employees, business leaders need to develop and implement effective strategies to prevent bullying. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to identify and explore the successful strategies that U.S. business leaders used to prevent workplace bullying. Six business leaders who have successfully implemented strategies to combat workplace bullying were purposively recruited and interviewed using semistructured interviews. The reflexive six-step thematic analysis of the interview transcripts and …


Special Education Teachers’ Perceptions Of Teaching Effectiveness When Working With Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Ernest J. Fruge Oct 2025

Special Education Teachers’ Perceptions Of Teaching Effectiveness When Working With Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Ernest J. Fruge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study examined how special education teachers perceived their teaching effectiveness in supporting students identified with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). The study addressed a gap in the literature by examining the factors that influence special educators’ sense of self-efficacy when working with this population. Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy served as the conceptual framework. A generic qualitative research design was employed, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight participants from two central Texas school districts. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis guided the coding and interpretation process, supported by MAXQDA software. Analysis of the data revealed seven key …


Exploring Lived Experiences And Perceptions Of Individuals With Substance-Use Disorder Recovery Management From A Biopsychosocial Perspective, Robin Carter Priest Sep 2025

Exploring Lived Experiences And Perceptions Of Individuals With Substance-Use Disorder Recovery Management From A Biopsychosocial Perspective, Robin Carter Priest

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance-use disorder (SUD) poses significant biological, psychological, and sociological impacts that negatively affect areas of employment, health, family systems, and interactions with social welfare and legal agencies. Although there has been research on SUD treatment, relapse rates remain high at approximately 40%–75%, demonstrating a gap in the literature involving individuals who completed SUD treatment and continuation or management of recovery. Grounded in phenomenological theory and through a biopsychosocial lens, this qualitative study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of individuals with substance-use disorder managing their recovery. Data were collected from 8 individuals who completed partial hospitalization or intensive-outpatient levels of …


Exploring Social Support In African American Males Recovering From Serious Mental Illness, Nicole Manza Sep 2025

Exploring Social Support In African American Males Recovering From Serious Mental Illness, Nicole Manza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research explored the lived experience of social support in the recovery from significant mental illness (SMI) among African American males. Research suggests that African American males face greater psychosocial stressors than other racial and ethnic groups and have historically been less likely to utilize professional mental health services due to various systemic and cultural barriers. Supplemental forms of support, including social support, may reduce the likelihood of prolonged psychological distress and promote sustained recovery. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the role of social support in the recovery of African American males with SMI. The study …


The Moderating Influence Of Generation On Leadership Style, Job Satisfaction, And Intent To Leave Among Child Welfare Workers, Kelly Cavanaugh Sep 2025

The Moderating Influence Of Generation On Leadership Style, Job Satisfaction, And Intent To Leave Among Child Welfare Workers, Kelly Cavanaugh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The declining retention rate among U.S. child welfare workers is a significant concern. Research suggested that as millennials enter the workforce, adopting leadership styles that best meet the needs of each generation and/or facilitate congruence between organizational goals and the distinct work values of both the younger and older generations will help increase retention. Specifically, supervisors needed to identify a leadership style that best satisfied the needs of millennials who are stereotypically less loyal to organizations and exhibit higher job mobility than older generations. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the extent to which generational cohort moderated …


The Lived Experience Of The Orgasm Gap In U.S. Cisgender Women In Heterosexual Relationships, Alina Beverly Vergara-Hegi Aug 2025

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 Jun 2025

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 …


Lived Experiences Of Sex Offenders On Probation With Housing And Employment, Katheryn Winslow Jun 2025

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 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 May 2025

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 …


Experiences Of Social And Emotional Learning And Resilience Among Young Adults From Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Communities, Aliyah Davis-Moore Feb 2025

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 Feb 2025

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 Feb 2025

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 …