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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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An Exploration Of African American Women’S Clinical Experience With European American Clinicians, Tonia L. Nixon Jan 2021

An Exploration Of African American Women’S Clinical Experience With European American Clinicians, Tonia L. Nixon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican American (AA) women experience decreased rates of retention and increased rates of mental health conditions. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore lived experiences of AA women who received therapeutic services from European American (EA) clinicians. The strong Black woman (SBW) schema served as a conceptual framework for this study. The research question was to examine how the endorsement of the SBW schema affect AA women’s experiences of the therapeutic alliance during clinical treatment with EA clinicians. Data collection was accomplished through semi structured interviews conducted through Zoom from six participants in Atlanta, GA. Participant …


Risks For African American Male Youth Involved In The Juvenile Justice System, Cassandra Showers Jan 2021

Risks For African American Male Youth Involved In The Juvenile Justice System, Cassandra Showers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this action research study was to gain an understanding of the factors and risks that contribute to juvenile delinquency of African American male youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Ecological systems theory was used to examine strategies used by social workers with this population and the effectiveness of those interventions. Individual interviews with 5 social workers recruited using nonprobability sampling were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded, then manually transcribed. Responses were uploaded into the NVivo software system for coding. The software system was used to identify themes and patterns to substantiate the research question. The study …


Hiv/Aids And Substance Use Among Older Adults, Jamerlia E. Wyatt Jan 2021

Hiv/Aids And Substance Use Among Older Adults, Jamerlia E. Wyatt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV/AIDS and substance abuse among older adults is a significant national and worldwide problem. As older HIV-positive adults continue to age, they will have problems with managing their HIV/AIDS, comorbidity disorders, and quality of life, which can lead to substance abuse. The purpose of this descriptive, phenomenological study was to explore the socio-risk behaviors, specific treatment preferences, and daily lived experiences of adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS and substance use in a large northeastern urban city. The conceptual framework used to ground this qualitative study was Engel's biopsychosocial model. The purposeful sampling method was used to …


African American Male Exonerees' Reintegrating Into The Spousal/Intimate Partner Role In The Family System, Loretta A. Jackson Jan 2021

African American Male Exonerees' Reintegrating Into The Spousal/Intimate Partner Role In The Family System, Loretta A. Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Wrongfully convicted individuals are abruptly taken from their traditional roles and positioned in new roles prematurely. Without adequate preparation, exonerees struggle to reintegrate back into roles they once strived in. This study aimed to understand the experiences of African American male exonerees' reintegrating into the spouse/intimate partner role in the family. Schlossberg's transition theory served as the theoretical foundation to examine how exonerees might navigate these stages to promote successful reintegration in society and intimate relationships. The research questions sought to understand how African American male exonerees perceive their transition from an inmate role into an intimate role while trying …


Exploring African American Women’S Transition From High School To A Postsecondary Setting, Keniesha Johnson Jan 2021

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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


Coping With Death, Quality Of Life, And Compassion Fatigue Among Hospice Social Workers, Virgen L. Dominguez Jan 2021

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

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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


Intersectionality And Community-Based Counseling: Experience Of African American Female Sexual Minority Youth, Lauren Smith Jan 2021

Intersectionality And Community-Based Counseling: Experience Of African American Female Sexual Minority Youth, Lauren Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The social problem examined in this qualitative analysis is the limited available knowledge on the experience of ethnic minorities who are also sexual minority youth. Sexual minority youth are at increased risk of experiencing mental health disparities compared to their heterosexual peers. Due to the increased risk for psychosocial stressors such as substance use, suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, homelessness, and trauma, clinicians should be aware of the intersectionality of identifying as a sexual minority youth who is also an ethnic minority. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences of African American sexual minority female youth ages …


Relationships Between Demographics, Adverse Childhood Experiences, And Compassion Fatigue In Volunteers, Sreela R. Stovall Jan 2021

Relationships Between Demographics, Adverse Childhood Experiences, And Compassion Fatigue In Volunteers, Sreela R. Stovall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Volunteers are vital to the operation of human service organizations, but nonprofit organizations remain at risk of turnover and disruption of services due to compassion fatigue of volunteers. Researchers have gained insight with respect to adverse childhood experiences being related to compassion fatigue. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to explore the relationship between volunteer demographics, adverse childhood trauma (ACEs survey), and compassion fatigue (Professional Quality of Life Compassion Fatigue subscale). Compassion fatigue resilience theory was the theoretical framework used for this study. Three research questions were used for the study, with data collection completed online via survey. …


Social Workers’ Attitudes Toward Medication-Assisted Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder, William Tillman Spivey Jan 2021

Social Workers’ Attitudes Toward Medication-Assisted Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder, William Tillman Spivey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over the last decade, opioid misuse has emerged as a major problem in the United States. The extreme increase in overdose deaths affects both public health and social welfare in north central Florida. Social workers play a major role in the delivery of treatment for opioid misuse. Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder has become widely used yet faces debate among social workers. The practice-focused research question for this project addressed the attitudes of social workers toward the use of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Social learning theory was the theoretical framework used in this action research study. Data …


Effects Of School Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In An African American All-Boys Urban School, Theresa Thomas Jan 2021

Effects Of School Wide Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports In An African American All-Boys Urban School, Theresa Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Teachers and administrators spend a great deal of time addressing minor to moderate school discipline behaviors with punitive actions such as suspensions and expulsions from school. Past research has revealed that such punitive actions do not correct the unwanted behavior, and extensive use of punitive disciplinary actions have been linked to negative outcomes such as repeated suspensions, repeating grades due to time missed from school, increased likelihood of dropping out of school, or potential involvement in the juvenile justice system. This single case study design addressed the following research question: How school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) affected …


Demographic Characteristics, Level Of Drug Use, And Self-Esteem Among Female Students In Kaduna, Nigeria, Gladys Geyyourk John Jan 2021

Demographic Characteristics, Level Of Drug Use, And Self-Esteem Among Female Students In Kaduna, Nigeria, Gladys Geyyourk John

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Starting the early 1990s, the prevalence of nonmedical prescription drug use in Nigeria has been increased, especially among college students. Potential adverse effects such as poor academic performance and low self-esteem are known, but it is not understood whether demographic factors, level of drug use, and self-esteem are related to drug use for female college students. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study of a cross-sectional nature was to determine if there were predictive relationships between demographics (age, socioeconomic level, educational level, and history of mental illness), level of drug use (as measured by the Drug Abuse Screening Test [DAST], …


Hiv/Aids And Substance Use Among Older Adults, Jamerlia E. Wyatt Jan 2021

Hiv/Aids And Substance Use Among Older Adults, Jamerlia E. Wyatt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV/AIDS and substance abuse among older adults is a significant national and worldwide problem. As older HIV-positive adults continue to age, they will have problems with managing their HIV/AIDS, comorbidity disorders, and quality of life, which can lead to substance abuse. The purpose of this descriptive, phenomenological study was to explore the socio-risk behaviors, specific treatment preferences, and daily lived experiences of adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS and substance use in a large northeastern urban city. The conceptual framework used to ground this qualitative study was Engel's biopsychosocial model. The purposeful sampling method was used to …


Perceptions Of Caregivers Of Parkinson's Patients Regarding Using Advance Directives, Meghan Morgan Jan 2021

Perceptions Of Caregivers Of Parkinson's Patients Regarding Using Advance Directives, Meghan Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increasing focus on end-of-life (EOL) care is influencing the role of advance directive (AD) documents. Difficult conversations among family caregivers and their loved ones are becoming more and more critical. Considering the value of communicating EOL wishes, family caregivers’ perceptions about ADs for their loved ones with Parkinson’s disease (PD) must be examined. Using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a foundation, the purpose of this generic qualitative study was to understand family caregivers of PD patients and their perceptions and experiences relating to AD documents. This study involved using purposeful sampling and semi-structured interviews with 11 family …


Grandparents In Parental Roles With Grandchildren And Social Work Practice, Anetrice Nicole Rogers Jan 2021

Grandparents In Parental Roles With Grandchildren And Social Work Practice, Anetrice Nicole Rogers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractOver the last 30 years, there has been an increase of grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Grandparents often need social services such as case management, legal services, counseling, adoption, and custody services. Although grandparents feel it is rewarding to raise their grandchildren, there are also challenges. Participatory action research was used as the method of study. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory was used to guide the participatory action research. Participants included social workers and social service workers from various social service agencies in Atlanta, Georgia. This study aimed to understand grandparents' needs and how prepared social workers and social service workers are …


Social Work Practice And Systemic Stigmatization Of Low-Income, African American, Single Mothers, Alfreda Dearing Williams Jan 2021

Social Work Practice And Systemic Stigmatization Of Low-Income, African American, Single Mothers, Alfreda Dearing Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIn the United States, low-income, African American, single mothers meet with little success in financial stability and career and educational attainment because of difficulties in escaping systemic inequities that impede their socioeconomic well-being. The focus of this action research study was to examine how bachelor social workers (BSW) and master social workers (MSW) understand the impact of systemic stigmatization on the socioeconomic well-being of low-income, African American, single mothers. The theoretical framework that guided this study was stigma theory. A Zoom focus group was conducted with 5 social workers (i.e., BSW and MSW) who work with low-income, African American, single …


The Occupational Experiences Of Social Workers In Corrections, Lissette Lucero Lopez Jan 2021

The Occupational Experiences Of Social Workers In Corrections, Lissette Lucero Lopez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers who practice in corrections settings are faced with dilemmas, burnout, contrasting values between their profession and organization, and a lack of educational training. However, because of the small percentage of social workers that practice in the correctional setting, there is a gap in knowledge of the occupational experiences of these social workers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the occupational experiences of social workers in corrections using Niklas Luhmann’s system theory, which suggests that the world includes a system and its environment. Data were collected through phone interviews with 10 to 15 master’s level social …


Foster Parents’ Experience Of Placement Disruptions For Youths In Foster Care, Deyettea Kim Alexander Jan 2021

Foster Parents’ Experience Of Placement Disruptions For Youths In Foster Care, Deyettea Kim Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Placement disruptions for youths placed in foster care have been the focus of multiple studies due to the negative and long-lasting impacts on these vulnerable youths. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of placement disruptions from the foster parent’s perspective to gain further understanding of potential causes of placement disruptions and what may be helpful to prevent them. The study was based on the lens of attachment theory. Data were collected from interviews with six participants recruited on social media who were licensed in the State of Washington for at least 1 year …


African American Parents’ Experience Accessing Support Services For Their Autistic Child, Akisa S. Jones Jan 2021

African American Parents’ Experience Accessing Support Services For Their Autistic Child, Akisa S. Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The perspective of African American parents of an autistic child is vital to understanding the experiences and challenges of accessing autism support services for their child. The purpose of this qualitative, generic study was to explore the experiences that African American parents in Philadelphia County, PA had in accessing and maintaining autism services for their children. The behavioral health model and the resilience theory provided the conceptual framework for the study. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 African American parents accessing autism support services in the Philadelphia County area. The data were analyzed using the six steps of thematic …


End-Stage Renal Disease Patients' Experience Of Anticipatory Grief, Felicia Nicole Speed Jan 2021

End-Stage Renal Disease Patients' Experience Of Anticipatory Grief, Felicia Nicole Speed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although prior researchers have suggested that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients experience depression that impacts their adherence to treatment and quality of life, there is a lack of understanding of how ESRD patients experience anticipatory grief related to their mortality and loss. This lack of knowledge has made it challenging for social workers to address treatment adherence and palliative care issues during the care planning process. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions of loss and grief of ESRD patients who were undergoing hemodialysis treatment. The conceptual framework was anticipatory grief, specifically how patients perceive their own …


Social Workers' Perspectives Of Depression In Baby Boomers Born Between 1946 And 1955, Karen Cohen Jan 2021

Social Workers' Perspectives Of Depression In Baby Boomers Born Between 1946 And 1955, Karen Cohen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAs the leading-edge baby boomer (L-E boomer) cohort continues to age, demands of mental health services in treating diagnosed depression in this cohort are increasing. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) are the most likely social workers to provide services to L-E boomers diagnosed with depression. LCSWs were the chosen participants for this generic qualitative study to gain knowledge of their perspectives of working with L-E boomers diagnosed with depression. Grounded in generational theory, this study used a generic qualitative approach allowing for nonrestrictive measures for capturing the data. NVIVO assisted in coding the data and identification of common themes, words, …


Positive Perceptions Of Mentoring Influences On African American Male Public High School Students, Jazzmea Houghton Jan 2021

Positive Perceptions Of Mentoring Influences On African American Male Public High School Students, Jazzmea Houghton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many African American males face challenges due to historical and current negative viewpoints of this population. However, urban communities also play a vital role in the obstacles encountered, which impacts this population’s well-being. The purpose of this project was to gain knowledge from mentors on how a mentoring program positively affected the cognitions, behaviors, and academic progress of African American, male, public high school students residing in urban communities and effective ways mentorships foster resilience. This qualitative research study used a cognitive behavioral theoretical framework and a resilience theory conceptual framework, and narrative semistructured interviews were conducted. The mentors’ positive …


Using Chess As An Intervention To Improve Executive Functioning Among Youth, Anandita Oberoi Jan 2021

Using Chess As An Intervention To Improve Executive Functioning Among Youth, Anandita Oberoi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth represent a vulnerable segment of the population and may have underdeveloped levels of executive functioning (EF), which is important in both daily life and is shown to have far-reaching effects. This research study aimed to decipher if lessons in the game of chess could be used as an efficacious intervention for accelerating EF development in youth. The three research questions focused on determining whether there was a difference in the chosen indices of EF before and after a 14-session chess intervention. The theoretical framework used for this study was Piaget’s cognitive development theory. This quantitative, single group pretest–posttest design …


U.S. Southeastern Child Welfare Workers’ Challenges In Serving The Haitian Population, Cleane St Eloi Jan 2021

U.S. Southeastern Child Welfare Workers’ Challenges In Serving The Haitian Population, Cleane St Eloi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe Haitian population has dramatically increased in the United States. Haitians face many challenges related to acculturation and adaptation, including discrimination, limited knowledge of the legal system, socioeconomic issues, and other environmental stressors that may impact family functioning. As a result of these challenges, Haitian families are at increased risk of being involved in the child welfare system. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the challenges child welfare workers face when working with the Haitian population, with a focus on workers’ understanding and perception of these challenges. Ecological systems theory was used to highlight environmental stressors …


Social Support Experiences Of Stably Housed Emancipated Foster Youth, Camron L. Whitacre Jan 2021

Social Support Experiences Of Stably Housed Emancipated Foster Youth, Camron L. Whitacre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Youth emancipating from foster care are at increased risk of housing instability and homelessness and have reduced access to needed social supports to aid in the difficult transition to independent living. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived formal social support experiences of stably housed emancipated foster youth. Purposive sampling techniques and inclusion criteria guided the recruitment of nine study participants from a state-administered postemancipation services program to take part in semistructured interviews. A conceptual framework, including social convoy and attachment theories, informed inquiry, and interpretation of findings. Participant lived experiences illuminated the importance of …


African American Male Exonerees' Reintegrating Into The Spousal/Intimate Partner Role In The Family System, Loretta A. Jackson Jan 2021

African American Male Exonerees' Reintegrating Into The Spousal/Intimate Partner Role In The Family System, Loretta A. Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Wrongfully convicted individuals are abruptly taken from their traditional roles and positioned in new roles prematurely. Without adequate preparation, exonerees struggle to reintegrate back into roles they once strived in. This study aimed to understand the experiences of African American male exonerees' reintegrating into the spouse/intimate partner role in the family. Schlossberg's transition theory served as the theoretical foundation to examine how exonerees might navigate these stages to promote successful reintegration in society and intimate relationships. The research questions sought to understand how African American male exonerees perceive their transition from an inmate role into an intimate role while trying …


The Perceptions And Practices Of Child Welfare Caseworkers And Decision-Making Related To Reunification, Sonja D. Ulrich Jan 2021

The Perceptions And Practices Of Child Welfare Caseworkers And Decision-Making Related To Reunification, Sonja D. Ulrich

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The child welfare system exists to support safe and healthy families. When children cannot remain safely with family, they are removed and often placed with nonrelatives. Only half of all of the children removed from their homes achieve reunification. In the current study, research questions examined the perceptions of caseworkers in determining whether or when a child could reunify with their family of removal, and how the perceptions of the caseworker affected their practice regarding reunification. Using social learning theory as a framework, a caseworker’s decisions were viewed as a balance between their work environment and their personal perceptions. Following …


Experiences Of Social Workers In Outpatient Treatment With Young Mothers, Carla Rae Stewart Jan 2021

Experiences Of Social Workers In Outpatient Treatment With Young Mothers, Carla Rae Stewart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Young mothers suffering with opioid addiction are not a central emphasis of present-day treatment approaches. This research project explored perspectives of social workers who counsel young mothers suffering with opioid addiction. A qualitative research approach focused on systems theory and was designed to tell the story of individual experiences. Semi-structured questions were asked to a focus group consisting of six master’s level social workers to develop explanations and a better understanding of the problem. Systems Theory was the constant premise discussed throughout the focus group. Themes identified by the focus groups that directly impact this group of women were services, …


Witnessed Intimate Partner Abuse And Later Perpetration: The Maternal Attachment Influence, Kendra Lee Wiechart Jan 2021

Witnessed Intimate Partner Abuse And Later Perpetration: The Maternal Attachment Influence, Kendra Lee Wiechart

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Witnessing intimate partner abuse (IPA) as a child is linked to later perpetration as an adult. Questions remain regarding why some men who witnessed abuse go on to perpetrate, while others do not. The influence maternal attachment has on IPA perpetration after witnessed IPA has not been thoroughly researched. Maternal attachment is a complex variable grounded in attachment theory and may explain why some men fail to relate to their victimized mothers. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence maternal attachment has on men who witnessed IPA as a child and later perpetrated IPA as an adult. …


Integrating Tf-Cbt And Play Therapy: Promoting Resilience In Child Sexual Assault Survivors, Shayla Polk Jan 2021

Integrating Tf-Cbt And Play Therapy: Promoting Resilience In Child Sexual Assault Survivors, Shayla Polk

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Licensed social workers and counselors provide services to children who experience child sexual assault (CSA), which disrupt their normal childhood developmental processes. Trauma outcomes include symptoms related to somatization, inability to cope, feelings of helplessness, decreased self-esteem, difficulty expressing proper emotions, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) combined with play therapy can be helpful for CSA survivors. Still, it is not yet fully understood how therapists perceive the combined approach or how it fosters resiliency in children who experience sexual assault. The purpose of this action research study was (a) to explore the experiences and perspectives …


Kingstonian Parents’ Perspectives On Discipline Using Corporal Punishment, Donnette Patrice Green Jan 2021

Kingstonian Parents’ Perspectives On Discipline Using Corporal Punishment, Donnette Patrice Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a thin line between discipline, corporal punishment and excessive corporal punishment which is reflected in the differences in disciplinary tactics used in various world cultures. In this regard, international law, such as the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1959 and local law such as Jamaica’s Child Care and Protection Act of 2004, serve to set the parameters of propriety in dealing with discipline as well as the excesses, which constitute corporal punishment. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenology study was to explore parents’ perspectives on using corporal punishment as a form of discipline …