Sociology Commons^™

Professional Administrative Study Discretionary Service Effects Within The Uscis Violence Against Women Act (Vawa) Petition Process, Albert Anthony Hill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The administration of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)-based petition process does not allow discretionary consideration for sponsoring U.S. citizen spouses. This policy is harmful to U.S. citizens. Further, such policy undermines the efforts of USCIS in an equitable delivery of immigration benefits. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of U.S. spouses with the petition process. A qualitative phenomenological case-study design was used to gain direct knowledge from 13 U.S. citizen spouses about their experiences with the petition process. A conceptual framework approach was used to answer if the current process provides an equitable …

Interpersonal Conflict And Work-Related Stress Among Correctional Officers, Katarzyna Sowa-Lapinskas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Increasingly, research has been conducted on the penal system, yet few researchers have focused on correctional staff. Due to the nature of their work, correctional officers (COs) experience a high degree of stress that is inmate related, occupational, organizational, and psycho–social. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the work experiences of COs in rural correctional facilities in Alaska and to learn how correctional staff perceive and mitigate work-related stress stemming from interpersonal conflict. The theoretical framework for this study was Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping. Data were collected using semistructured interviews conducted …

Compassion Fatigue And Intersectionality In Human Service Practitioners: Latina Low-Wage-Earners Fighting Poverty, Marlo Greponne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma among professionals are well-documented within clinical settings. Human service practitioners working directly with people experiencing poverty and trauma, hunger, homelessness, victimization, and depression are considered at risk of experiencing compassion fatigue. Latina low-wage-earners may suffer compassion fatigue when handling cases mirroring their personal experiences with poverty. The purpose of this descriptive single case study was to explore marginalized workers’ experiences with compassion fatigue using intersectionality to understand what Latina low-wage-earning human service practitioners’ experiences with compassion fatigue were and what coping strategies they developed while serving people experiencing poverty. An intersectional approach …

Former Youth Care Workers' Experiences In Residential Treatment, Sonja Yvette Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAs juvenile crime increases across the United States, so do the costs to support incarceration programs. Youth care workers play a pivotal role in supporting the rehabilitation of youth. The effectiveness of a youth residential program is critical for the long-term employment of a youth care worker. The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to obtain the lived experiences of young and departed youth care workers in residential settings about leaving employment. Pragmatism was the ontology that helped to guide this study with the aim of understanding how individuals’ reality was shaped by relational dynamics that contributed to …

Volunteer Coordinators’ Practices To Motivate And Retain Volunteers In Animal Welfare Organizations, Amy J. Clement

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Animal welfare organizations depend on volunteers to continue to take care of animals and rehome them. Animal overpopulation is estimated at 70 million animals and without enough volunteers to help socialize them, they can be unadoptable and subject to euthanasia. The problem addressed through this study was volunteer turnover in animal welfare organizations and resulting negative impacts on animal welfare. Researchers have examined person-organization fit related to employee retention in for-profit environments but not the experience of volunteer coordinators in animal welfare organizations. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to examine practices and experiences of volunteer coordinators to …

Working With Sexually Violent Persons: Grit, The Supervisory Working Alliance, And Burnout, Stalina Harris

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinicians who work with sexually violent persons (SVPs) are faced with various problems related to the nature of their job duties, job settings, and the specificity of the population they serve. Although researchers have investigated the phenomenon of burnout extensively over the last decade, research focusing on burnout among counselors who work with SVPs is insufficient. The purpose of this quantitative comparative survey study was to investigate differences in burnout among clinicians working with SVPs by examining their grit, the supervisory working alliance, and job settings. The Grit Short Scale (Grit-S), the Supervisory Working Alliance Inventory—Trainee version (SWAI-T), and the …

Paradigm In Social Security Measures: Impetus For Policy Reform In Zimbabwe, Locary Kuponandishe Hlabanu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was intended to address lack of knowledge regarding how the social security system in Zimbabwe is perceived by recipients and government employees and what policy reforms could be sought. The study explored perceptions of participants regarding the existing social security system in Zimbabwe. The welfare state theory guided the detailed inquiry. A qualitative case study research design was used to extract feelings, thoughts, and intentions of recipients of social security and government employees and to explore how the results could be applied to improve social security policy in Zimbabwe. Data were collected from a nonrandom purposefully selected sample …

Staff Education On Medication Screening Tool For Nursing Home Residents, Jinkee Sarah Beltran

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among nursing home residents continues to be high. Researchers have demonstrated that the use of a medication screening tool identifying PIMs can improve medication safety among older adults. Screening tools, such as the Beers criteria and the Screening Tool for Older Persons’ Prescriptions (STOPP), are evidence-based guidelines that use several validated criteria to identify PIMs in older adults’ medication regimens. While the use of these tools is standard in the acute care setting, limited studies have been conducted regarding their use in the nursing home setting. The purpose of this project was to …

Relationship Between Social Support And Childhood Trauma On Resilience, Carol Krieger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

People who have not overcome childhood trauma and who have developed mental illnesses have difficulties dealing with life challenges. The purpose of this quantitative study used a correlational design to test any relationship between childhood trauma experience levels and resilience against life challenges in adulthood. The theoretical framework used for this study was Barnes’ social support theory. Data were collected from 104 participants over a 7-week period. Participants voluntarily answered the ACE questionnaire, 2-way support scale, and resilience scale. Key results indicate that people with mental illness who receive social support are positive impacted by that support. Receiving adequate levels …

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 …

Understanding Female Full-Time Social Workers’ Experience Providing Informal Care For Older Loved Ones, Randi L. Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Limited research existed regarding the experience of informal caregiving that female social workers provide to older loved ones while managing a full-time social work position. The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to understand how Female Master’s level Social Workers (FMSWs) who are also informal caregivers manage these roles and whether the roles impact current and future well-being. Role spillover theory and cumulative disadvantage theory were the theoretical frameworks. Data were collected from nine participants through interviews completed on Zoom. The participants responded interview questions about significant changes in their levels of stress, resiliency, or burnout at work …

Nigeria And Boko Haram: Societal And Cultural Dysfunction Affecting Military Performance, Michael George Petranick

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 2009, the Nigerian military has been fighting the insurgent and terror group Boko Haram in the Northeast region of Nigeria. In 2016, the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) formed as an offshoot of Boko Haram and aligned with the remnants of ISIS. The Nigerian army has failed to defeat the insurgent groups and has, according to the research, committed abuses and atrocities, including extrajudicial killings, against the civilian population. The norms of military effectiveness, the normative theory of military performance and, the neorealist combat balance theory formed the theoretical basis for this study. The research questions addressed …

An Educational Program For Nursing Home Nurses On Sepsis In Older Adults, Wendy Belden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elderly nursing home patients’ high rates of hospitalization due to sepsis impact their morbidity and mortality and significantly cost the U.S. healthcare system. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) nurses who have the knowledge to assess older adults for signs and symptoms of sepsis and communicate findings to providers are instrumental in providing improved care for patients. The purpose of this doctoral project was to provide a group evidence-based educational intervention on sepsis care of older adults geared toward nurses working in SNFs. The practice-focused question asked whether an educational intervention focused on the signs and symptoms of sepsis in the elderly …

College Students’ Perceptions Regarding High School Influences On Academic Buoyancy, Jeremy Travis Irwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed by this study is the lack of student input in the development of resources to support academic buoyancy, leading to a gap in educational practices. Academic buoyancy is the ability to successfully deal with academic setbacks and challenges that are typical of the ordinary course of school life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of recent high school students regarding the common academic setbacks and challenges they experienced in high school and how high schools could support students experiencing these challenges. Research questions examined participants’ perspective of the common academic setbacks and challenges …

Juvenile Justice And The Criminalization Of Mentally Ill Individuals, Michael Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juvenile justice systems in the United States are using incarceration as a solution to the problem of youths with mental health disorders who commit violent crimes. Juvenile justice systems across the United States have a revolving door effect that arrests, adjudicates, and incarcerates youth offenders but fail to address the factors that contribute to recidivism. The purpose of the qualitative case study was to identify which treatment procedures were most appropriate for juvenile offenders who committed violent offenses in an effort to reduce recidivism for this offender population. For this study, an ecological psychology theory was used as a lens …

Effects Of Intervention And Prevention Programs On Youth Risk-Taking Behavior In Monroe County, Audrey D. Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Crime committed by adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16 is a recurring issue in the United States. Research showed a number of contributing factors associated with youth risk-taking behaviors and juvenile delinquency. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to improve the understanding of the relationship between intervention and prevention programs and curbing risk-taking and delinquency among adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16 in Monroe County, New York. This study addressed the connection between modern theories of deviance and programs of juvenile delinquency intervention as conceptualized by Chapman as the theoretical framework. Using intrinsic case …

The Importance Of Understanding Functionality In Home- And Community-Based Care And The Impact On Costs As America Ages, Shannon Stanley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States is on a trajectory to reach 20% of citizens aged 65 and over by 2030. This hyper-aging population affects the costs of healthcare, but it is not adequately represented in current U.S. models. Studies indicate other hyper-aged nations have experienced this increase and implemented long-term care measures to counter the increase in aging populations and costs with system responsiveness. This study examined the role of Medicaid home -and community- based service (HCBS) contributions in states that have the fastest-aging populations. Using the established framework and data collected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the study looked …

The Implementation Of David’S Law To Address Cyberbullying In Texas Public School Districts, Helene Marie Topping

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSince the advent of the internet and the proliferation of social media in recent decades, a new form of bullying, cyberbullying, has emerged with serious repercussions for the physical and mental health of many persons, especially youth. In response, legislation was passed in all 50 states, including Texas, where the mandate to address all bullying, including cyberbullying, behaviors in schools was formalized by David’s Law in 2017. This law requires that policy and procedures be put in place in Texas public school districts. The problem is that it has not been determined whether David’s Law has been implemented in all …

Community-Based Hiv Prevention Strategies For African American Men Who Have Sex With Men, Dean Michael Aguon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The success of community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide HIV prevention services depends on strong evaluations to ensure the effective use of resources for HIV prevention strategies. However, there is lack of frameworks or process models to provide best practices for implementing HIV interventions by CBOs, and there is a gap in understanding regarding interventions focused on reducing HIV among African American men who have sex with men (MSM). This study addressed CBO employees’ lived experiences within a single organization in Las Vegas, examining program creation, implementation, and measurable outcomes for the African American MSM population, which the research question was …

Exploring Citizen Security In The Nigeria Federated State: Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency In Perspective, Adesoji Olaitan Ogunsanya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe research problem of this study was centered on the state of insecurity in Lagos State and the intervention of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency. Evidence from previous studies supported the use of community policing, police reform, training of security personnel, and collaboration amongst security agencies as measures to address issues of insecurity in Lagos State. The purpose of this qualitative research was to examine the impact of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency on the security challenges of the state and generate additional discourse. Institutional theory was used as the theoretical foundation for this research with a purposive sampling …

The Influences Of Cultural Norms On Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Of Female Adolescents In Jamaica, Valeta Wilson-James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global epidemic that became a national crisis affecting female adolescents in Jamaica. CSA occurs in all cultures, and prevention policies are well researched to address this problem. However, little is known about the influence that cultural norms have on CSA prevention policies in Jamaica. Other researchers have focused on CSA prevention policies, but none have explored the influences of cultural norms from the perception of law enforcement and child welfare workers. With the social-ecological model, this qualitative case study addressed the cultural norms influencing the enforcement of CSA prevention policies affecting Jamaican female adolescents. …

Access To Preventive Health Care Services And Effects On Health Outcomes For Hispanic Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Shafa Al-Showk

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite elevated prevalence of diabetes among Hispanic, Hispanic older adults face challenges in self-control and management of their glucose levels, and they have less access to preventive health care services. The purpose of this retrospective quantitative cross-sectional study was to examine the associations between access to preventive health care services and Type 2 diabetes outcomes among Hispanic adults aged 65 years and older. The social-ecological model provided the framework for the study. The research question for this study examined the extent to which doctor visits, diabetes education and blood sugar checks correlate with HbA1c levels. Data were collected from 566 …

Social Support Of Caregiver Sons Of Parents With Dementia, Ralph Callanta Pascual

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the growing number of male caregivers, few researchers have examined social supports for caregiver sons of parents with dementia. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to contribute to the empirical literature on the social support of caregiver sons of aging parents with dementia. The research question centered on the lived experience of social support of caregiver sons of parents with dementia. The theoretical framework was the social role theory. The sample consisted of eight caregiver sons of parents with dementia. Participants were interviewed using semi-structured, researcher-developed questions. The results were generated from coding and thematizing processes, …

The Cbt Program "Thinking For A Change"And Its Impact On Offenders, James Wesson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe CBT Program “Thinking for a Change” and its Impact on Offenders By James Wesson

Forensic Psychology MS, Walden University, 2014Criminal Behavior MS, Tiffin University, 2012 Criminal Justice Administration BS, Tiffin University, 2011

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy General Studies –Criminal Justice with a specialization in Law and Public Policy

Walden University May 2021

Abstract One of the major problems that the United States criminal justice system faces regarding corrections is an exceedingly high rate of recidivism. The state of Ohio has been highly proactive in trying to address this …

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], …

Integration Of Morphine And Virtual Reality: Pain Management For Adult Hospice Cancer Patients, Arlisa Hurd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is currently a problem in that cancer patients engaging in hospice may experience an excessive amount of perceived pain and a decreased quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore an intervention that could lessen the perceived pain experienced by, and increase the quality of life of, cancer patients engaging in hospice. Immersion music virtual reality (IMVR) allows a user to interact with a realistic, computer-generated environment. 3D music (IMVR) is likely suited for pain management with patients in hospice and was used for this study. The theory for the study is the gate control theory. …

Experience Of Parents Receiving In-Home Behavioral Treatment For Their Child With Autism, Gerald Lavarias

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In-home applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment has well-documented results and is widely recommended for children with autism. Since 1987, parents have sought and implemented ABA treatment in their homes for their children with autism. However, research on parents’ lived experiences with in-home ABA treatment is limited. As such, there is a need to study the impact and influence of ABA treatment on parents’ quality of life (e.g., challenges, scheduling, parenting). This qualitative study explored parents’ lived experiences while their children with autism received in-home ABA treatment. A phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of 5 parent participants who …

A Narrative Policy Framework And Feminist Critical Policy Analysis Of The Welfare Reform Acts, And The Higher Education Of Single Welfare Mothers, Evelyn Jean Mangin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractScholars approached poverty through welfare reform by focusing on reductions in caseloads, timing out of benefits, and who was and not deserving of a four-year college degree. There is limited research regarding the power of narratives during the policy process and their influences on the language in welfare public laws. This qualitative study addressed the gap in the literature and policy analysis research by comparing and analyzing the welfare narratives and language used by policymakers and political actors from four presidential administrations: Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump, between 1996-2018. This study employed the narrative policy framework (NPF), a theory …

Assisted Living Transitions: Experiences Of Family Members Of Older African American Women, Carol A. Shaw Burns

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractLong-term care, also known as aging services, is evolving to meet the needs of the aging population in the United States, which is increasingly ethnically and racially diverse. The objective of this qualitative multiple case study was to understand how immediate family members experienced the transition of older African American women as they moved into assisted living facilities. Black feminist theory provided a theoretical framework. Narrative interview data were collected from four adult children family caregivers who facilitated the move. Three themes emerged from the content analysis: (a) Transition is not planned in advance and does not happen until a …

Assisted Living Transitions: Experiences Of Family Members Of Older African American Women, Carol A. Shaw Burns

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractLong-term care, also known as aging services, is evolving to meet the needs of the aging population in the United States, which is increasingly ethnically and racially diverse. The objective of this qualitative multiple case study was to understand how immediate family members experienced the transition of older African American women as they moved into assisted living facilities. Black feminist theory provided a theoretical framework. Narrative interview data were collected from four adult children family caregivers who facilitated the move. Three themes emerged from the content analysis: (a) Transition is not planned in advance and does not happen until a …