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Articles 3121 - 3150 of 5392

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Examining The Lived Experiences Of Divorce Among Hispanic Parents, Maria Rosa Perez Jan 2019

Examining The Lived Experiences Of Divorce Among Hispanic Parents, Maria Rosa Perez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parental divorce does not have the same effect on all children, and the cultural background of families may have an impact on children's experience of divorce. The purpose of this research was to investigate the lived experiences of Hispanic parents of school-aged children who are divorced or are going through the divorce process in order to examine how their children adjust to this family change. Crisis theory and critical race theory were used as theoretical frameworks, and a phenomenological approach was used to collect data from 13 parents through semi-structured interviews. Twenty-seven themes (six minor, five major, 14 subthemes, and …

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Adolescent Girls Of Color And Leadership Development, Veronda Lea Rooks-Price Jan 2019

Adolescent Girls Of Color And Leadership Development, Veronda Lea Rooks-Price

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Adolescent girls of color (GOC) experience significant changes in social expectations during puberty based on gender and racial inequity. This divergence usually changes the trajectory for GOC relative to leadership development and may affect their career choices, life decisions, and overall directions for growth. This qualitative study explored the experiences of women of color (WOC) who hold senior leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies. Critical theory grounded this study as its aim is to identify marginalization of any kind and determine ways to free those who are oppressed. Research questions focused on the perceived challenges the participants experienced during adolescence …

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Using The Identity Capital Model To Understand Master's Counseling Students' Program Retention, Tammison Rene Smith Jan 2019

Using The Identity Capital Model To Understand Master's Counseling Students' Program Retention, Tammison Rene Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Master's education is a quickly growing area of higher education that provides students higher lifetime earnings and lower levels of unemployment. Despite the benefits, the little research conducted over the past 20 years, using institutional, programmatic, and sociological student factors (e.g., age, race, and financial status) has had minimal success creating a universal model to understand what promotes the retention and graduation of master's students. C�t�'s identity capital model (ICM) holds that interactions of both sociological and agentic capital aid in the development of an individual's identity. While cultural capital is essential for building the foundation of identity, it is …

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The Prediction And Relationship Between Age, Ethnicity, Gender, And Quality Of Life Using Self-Efficacy Scores Among Stroke Survivors, Sabrina Angela Thornton Jan 2019

The Prediction And Relationship Between Age, Ethnicity, Gender, And Quality Of Life Using Self-Efficacy Scores Among Stroke Survivors, Sabrina Angela Thornton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Stroke is a serious illness that requires urgent attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether age, ethnicity, gender, and quality of life predict self-efficacy scores in stroke survivors. The theoretical foundation of the study was the social cognitive theory of perceived self-efficacy that was developed by Bandura. There were 4 specific research questions investigated. A correlational research design was used to sample 115 stroke survivors from several Arkansas rehabilitation facilities who completed a pilot study, demographic form, QOL rating scale, and the Daily Living Self-Efficacy Scale (DLSES). Stepwise multiple regression analysis was applied to identify the independent …

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The Lived Experiences Of Lesbian And Gay Clients Who Terminated Counseling Prematurely, Jaymie Vanmeter Jan 2019

The Lived Experiences Of Lesbian And Gay Clients Who Terminated Counseling Prematurely, Jaymie Vanmeter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Due to a lack of understanding lesbian and gay lived experiences in counseling, the counseling field is also lacking understanding of the lesbian and gay experiences in counseling that lead to premature termination. Without the knowledge of personal understanding of these experiences, it is difficult to also understand how to retain lesbian and gay clients, provide appropriate counselor training, and even explore cultural humility. The term cultural humility represents the implicit and explicit impact that culture has on the counselor and challenges assumptions made by the practitioner as well as assumptions about client culture (Fisher-Borne et al., 2015). The experiences …

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Communication Strategies To Motivate Virtual Team Members In The Banking Industry, Kristina Nicole Wade Jan 2019

Communication Strategies To Motivate Virtual Team Members In The Banking Industry, Kristina Nicole Wade

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Frontline managers in the banking industry support geographically dispersed employees and face significant obstacles in communicating effectively to motivate their virtual team members. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore communication strategies frontline managers in the banking industry used to motivate virtual team members. Vroom's expectancy theory was the conceptual framework for the study. Participants consisted of 5 frontline banking managers in Michigan who had successfully implemented communication strategies to motivate virtual team members. Data were collected using face-to-face semistructured interviews, a review of company documents, and a review of company websites. Data were analyzed using thematic …

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The Use Of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy With The Native American Population In The Southwest, Joseph Elias Woodruff Jan 2019

The Use Of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy With The Native American Population In The Southwest, Joseph Elias Woodruff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Compared to other races, Native Americans have significantly higher rates of suicide and substance abuse. Dialectical behavioral therapy is an evidence-based program with efficacy for reducing suicidality and comorbid disorders within general populations but may not be effective for Native Americans because it is based in Western ideology. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Native American therapists who use DBT with Native American populations. Using biosocial theory, I investigated the perceptions and lived experiences of 8 Native American therapists through a phenomenological approach. The research questions encompassed the experiences, including the cultural appropriateness, …

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Understanding Caregiver Perceptions Of Attachment With Drug Exposed Foster Children, Sarah Elizabeth Barr Jan 2019

Understanding Caregiver Perceptions Of Attachment With Drug Exposed Foster Children, Sarah Elizabeth Barr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lacking a healthy attachment to a caregiver and having in-utero methamphetamine exposure have been linked to a variety of cognitive delays, developmental delays, and mental health issues throughout a person's lifespan. It is unknown if there is a relationship between in-utero methamphetamine exposure and the ability to build a healthy attachment to a caregiver. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to improve understanding of the perceptions of caregivers about attachment efforts for foster children under the age of 3, who have had in-utero methamphetamine exposure. This study was guided by attachment theory. Purposeful sampling was used to select …

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Effects Of Canines On Humans' Physiological And Perceived Stress, Beth Marie Bowin Jan 2019

Effects Of Canines On Humans' Physiological And Perceived Stress, Beth Marie Bowin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The bond between pet and owner has been shown to decrease stress-related physical, mental, and emotional disorders by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a nonpet canine would have the same effect in reducing physical symptoms of stress as a known dog. Human-animal bond theory, Human pressor test. Data were analyzed using repeated measures, analyses of variance, and t tests. Results indicated that interaction with a strange dog lowered heart rate and blood pressure significantly faster in the experimental group than in the control group. The positive social change implications of …

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Effect Of Supportive Versus Assertive Case Management On Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitalization For Patients With Schizophrenic Diagnoses, Quentin Brown Jan 2019

Effect Of Supportive Versus Assertive Case Management On Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitalization For Patients With Schizophrenic Diagnoses, Quentin Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Schizophrenia has been a public mental health barometer for many decades, and health professionals and government agencies continue to look for treatment options that produce the best outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of assertive community treatment (ACT) and supportive case management (SCM) outpatient treatment interventions as an alternative to inpatient psychiatric hospital care. Social cognitive learning theory and choice theory provided the framework for the study. Archival data from inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations for 153 adult men and women with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia who received ACT or SCM services were analyzed using regression …

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Academic Accountability Between Charter And Public-School Principals In New Jersey, Nicole Goodman Jan 2019

Academic Accountability Between Charter And Public-School Principals In New Jersey, Nicole Goodman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this study was to explore school principals' accountability with student academic performance. Charter and public-school principals are responsible for the learning process and academic development. Previously published literature did not reveal a clear understanding of the policies and practices that contributed in obtaining the desired student academic outcomes. Parsons's theory of action served as the foundation for analyzing principals' decisions to achieve accountability and comply with the policies established by the regulating authorities. A snowball sampling of school principals included a public charter school principal and 5 traditional public-school principals in the state of New Jersey. A …

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Informal Caregivers' Lived Experiences Caring For A Black Man Receiving Hemodialysis, Tanikka Joy Greene Jan 2019

Informal Caregivers' Lived Experiences Caring For A Black Man Receiving Hemodialysis, Tanikka Joy Greene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Numerous quantitative studies have assessed caregiver burden in multiple chronic diseases, but an identified gap and underrepresentation exists in the literature regarding studies using an inductive approach that allow informal caregivers to describe the lived experiences of caring for Black men receiving hemodialysis. The transactional model of stress and coping and the stress process model guided this study. The key research questions centered on the experiences, psychological, physical, and financial limitations associated with caregiving. This phenomenological study used a purposive sample of 15 unpaid primary caregivers over the age of 18 caring for a Black male on hemodialysis from Mecklenburg …

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The Impact Of Faith-Based Organizations On Schools And Families For Prevention Of Bullying And Youth Violence, Jason L. Groce Jan 2019

The Impact Of Faith-Based Organizations On Schools And Families For Prevention Of Bullying And Youth Violence, Jason L. Groce

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of research regarding the potential relationship between the reduction of bullying through participation in faith-based organizations may have failed to expand available bullying intervention methods. Faith-based organizations could assist in reducing bullying via moral instruction, boundary-setting guidance, social engagement techniques, and understanding social engagement with the bully's parents. This study explored the relationship between bullying and involvement in faith-based activities through (a) discovering the association between the reduction of bullying incidence or inclinations and faith-based activities, and (b) identifying the mechanisms responsible for the suppression of bullying orientations and behaviors through faith-based activities. The theoretical construct of the …

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The Experiences Of Witnesses To Prison Sexual Violence: A Case Study, Edyth Zada Hendricks Jan 2019

The Experiences Of Witnesses To Prison Sexual Violence: A Case Study, Edyth Zada Hendricks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prison sexual violence is prevalent and impacts the witnesses to it. Previous literature has fully discussed the victims of prison sexual violence; however there remains an important gap in the current literature regarding the experiences of witnesses. The purpose of the present qualitative case study was to explore the lived experiences of witnesses to prison sexual violence. The theoretical foundation of this study was the self-categorization theory linked to the prison code of silence. Four ex-inmates answered semi structured interview questions. Transcripts were coded and themes developed. Five themes that emerged were exposure (to prison sexual violence), ineffective guards, avoidance …

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Effect Of Hot Spot Policing On Reducing Officer Stress, Alfred Henry Hollie Jan 2019

Effect Of Hot Spot Policing On Reducing Officer Stress, Alfred Henry Hollie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Police officers endure various threats ranging from verbal abuse to physical attacks, which can escalate and lead to police officer stress. Despite the abundant research exploring the relationship between high-stress occupations and environmental health, adequate exploration of the relationship between officer stress and hot spot policing (HSP; area with an above-average level of crime) has yet to occur. The purpose of this correlational study was to use Cohen and McKay's conceptualization of the stress-buffering hypothesis to explore whether HSP mitigates the negative impact of job stress, leading to improved officer performance and ultimately improved relationships between the police and communities …

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Perceptions Of Online Cheating: Impact Of Age, Gender, And Sexual Preference, Rosanna Helen Kallay Jan 2019

Perceptions Of Online Cheating: Impact Of Age, Gender, And Sexual Preference, Rosanna Helen Kallay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The current quantitative study examined perceptions of online infidelity using ANCOVA calculations to determine if significant differences existed between variables of gender, age, orientation. The study considered the applicability of sexual strategy theory (SST) in today's culture and whether it remains relevant in current to today's relationships. SST and previous research suggested a clear trend in differences in perceptions of infidelity based on gender and age, with more mixed results in differences based on sexuality. This study expanded previous research by surveying 148 younger and older demographics, as well as men and women who are in opposite-sex and same-sex relationships. …

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A Comparison Of Motivational Differences Among Older Marathon Runners And Their Injury Status, Marsha Renee Kaufman Jan 2019

A Comparison Of Motivational Differences Among Older Marathon Runners And Their Injury Status, Marsha Renee Kaufman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the high occurrence of running-related injuries, master level runners, those aged 40 years and older, account for 50% of all marathon finishers. What is not known is the common motive sustaining participation, especially among this age demographic. The self-determination theory was the theoretical framework to support how behavior is regulated by the individual. The purpose of this quantitative research was to identify a difference in the motives (psychological, physical, social, and achievement) and their subcategorical motives (health orientation, weight concern, affiliation, recognition, psychological coping, life meaning, self-esteem, competition, and personal goals) via the Motivations of Marathoners Scales by master …

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Practicing Self-Efficacy And Transparency To Achieve Long-Term Recovery And Reduce Recidivism, Lisa Kent Jan 2019

Practicing Self-Efficacy And Transparency To Achieve Long-Term Recovery And Reduce Recidivism, Lisa Kent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is limited data about the positive application of self-efficacy and the practice of transparency for individuals in recovery to achieve long-term recovery from substance addiction and criminal recidivism. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to gain more insight and knowledge about how the application of self-efficacy and the practice of transparency help individuals in recovery achieve long-term recovery from substance addiction and criminal recidivism for two or more years. The conceptual framework used to guide this study was Albert Bandura's self-efficacy theory. This study is significant because it explains that long-term recovery is not an easy task …

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Effects Of Psychiatric Hospital Closures On Local Jail Administrators, Correctional Staff, And Inmates, Mark Christian Lasko Jan 2019

Effects Of Psychiatric Hospital Closures On Local Jail Administrators, Correctional Staff, And Inmates, Mark Christian Lasko

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A series of psychiatric hospital closures has led to a movement of care for individuals with mental illness from state-run facilities to managed care centers. Many of the individuals who no longer reside in psychiatric hospitals have become ensnared in the criminal justice system. Correctional facilities have an increased burden to care for the needs of the mentally ill, but lack the training and facilities to do so adequately. In this study, the lived experiences of correctional staff who have experienced the process of a hospital closure were examined. Psychiatric rehabilitation and gatekeeper theories served as the theoretical framework for …

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Employer Perceptions When Applying Criminal History Information To The Hiring Process, Karen S. Levy Mccanna Jan 2019

Employer Perceptions When Applying Criminal History Information To The Hiring Process, Karen S. Levy Mccanna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In recent years, the state of Illinois has joined the "ban the box" movement which typically prohibits employers from inquiring about a prospective employee's criminal history until it has been determined whether the candidate meets the core qualifications for the position. Little, however, is known whether this legislative change has impacted how private employers use criminal history information and to what extent knowledge of criminal history impacts final hiring decisions. Using Kingdon's policy streams concept as a guide, the purpose of this general qualitative study was to understand whether implementation of "ban the box" principles impacts final hiring decisions. Data …

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Law Enforcement Seat Belt Use: Impact Of Policy And Phenomena On Use, Zach Loken Jan 2019

Law Enforcement Seat Belt Use: Impact Of Policy And Phenomena On Use, Zach Loken

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Studies show that seat belt use by law enforcement officers is estimated to be at 50%, well below the national average. The purpose of this study was to explore what may be leading to reduced seat belt use by law enforcement patrol officers while also determining if different types of policies effect the level of seat belt usage by this population. The theoretical framework used in this study was Shafritz, Ott and Jang's theory of organizational culture and change. This quantitative study was conducted using a casual, quasi-experimental design; the research questions focused on understanding what phenomena may be occurring …

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Financial Accountability In U.S. Nonprofit Organizations, Evangeline Asafor Ngwashi Jan 2019

Financial Accountability In U.S. Nonprofit Organizations, Evangeline Asafor Ngwashi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Financial accountability is a pressing issue in United States NPOs because there is a demand, by donors and the public they serve, to implement clear accountability practices. The purpose of this study was to explore and document the financial oversight and accountability policies and procedures that successful NPOs employ to maintain clear financial accountability practices. The theoretical framework underlining this qualitative phenomenological study was a combination of social construction theory and institutional rational choice theory. The research question was focused on understanding essential financial oversight and accountability policies and procedures that should be designed for NPOs to create and maintain …

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Recidivism Differences And Measures Of Predictability For Federally Convicted Child Pornographers, Ricardo J. Rodriguez Jan 2019

Recidivism Differences And Measures Of Predictability For Federally Convicted Child Pornographers, Ricardo J. Rodriguez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a gap in research on the effectiveness of mandatory-minimum sentences on the recidivism rates of federal child pornography offenders, resulting in policy that may be ineffective and costly. Relevant research can further understanding of criminogenic behavior that results in the exploitation of children and aid future policy making decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between federal sentencing and federal child pornographer recidivism. Central to this study is the research question of whether there exists a statistically significant difference between the likelihood of recidivism in 2 child pornographer cohorts that receive different …

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Cybersecurity Policy Development At The State Level: A Case Study Of Middle Tennessee, Daniel Leslie Scherr Jan 2019

Cybersecurity Policy Development At The State Level: A Case Study Of Middle Tennessee, Daniel Leslie Scherr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cybersecurity is a growing threat not only to nations, critical infrastructure, and major entities, but also to smaller organizations and individuals. The growing number of successful attacks on all manner of U.S. targets highlights the need for effective and comprehensive policy from the local to federal level, though most research focuses on federal policy issues, not state issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the decision-making process within the current cybersecurity policy environment in a southern state of the United States. Sabatier's advocacy coalition framework served as the theoretical framework for the study. Data were …

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Appointment Follow-Up, Health Outcomes, And Hospitalizations For Individuals Receiving Psychological Treatment, Sandra Ivelisse Silvestre Jan 2019

Appointment Follow-Up, Health Outcomes, And Hospitalizations For Individuals Receiving Psychological Treatment, Sandra Ivelisse Silvestre

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

To improve how healthcare is being provided, many states have focused on enhancing patients' health experiences and outcomes and reducing the per capita cost of care. Even though appointment follow-up is an important part in outpatient treatment programs, not much is known about practical methods to help individuals with mental illnesses into ongoing treatment. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine to what extent patient appointment follow-up adherence at a family health center in New York predicts negative health outcomes and hospitalizations among patients receiving psychological treatment. The theoretical foundation that framed this study was the theory of …

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Correctional Social Work Practice With Female Offenders In A Midwestern State, Veronica Labrell Smith Jan 2019

Correctional Social Work Practice With Female Offenders In A Midwestern State, Veronica Labrell Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A women's prison in the midwestern region of the United States experienced an increase of female inmates. Incarcerated women have reported higher rates of substance abuse problems, prior victimization, and mental illness than their male counterparts. Clinical social workers are often the primary service providers in criminal justice settings. The purpose of this action research project was to explore the challenges faced by social workers in a midwestern state when providing clinical treatment services to female offenders. Postmodern feminist theory and pathways theory provided a framework for understanding the factors related to female offending. The practice-focused research question explored the …

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Social Work Crisis Interventions With Traumatic Death Survivors In Medical Settings, Sabrina R. Spencer Jan 2019

Social Work Crisis Interventions With Traumatic Death Survivors In Medical Settings, Sabrina R. Spencer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic death survivors are an at-risk population that could benefit from social work interventions. This action research study explored social work perspectives on crisis practice with traumatic death survivors in acute medical settings. The research questions focused on whether early crisis interventions by social workers would benefit traumatic death survivors, which interventions were recommended in crisis practice with this population, the potential effects of repeated trauma exposure on the social workers providing the crisis interventions, and recommendations to manage this professional exposure to trauma. The purpose of the study was to explore social work perspectives on potential benefits of crisis …

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Policy Knowledge Communication In Nursing, Curtiss John Vavra Jan 2019

Policy Knowledge Communication In Nursing, Curtiss John Vavra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Evidence-based practices in nursing improve patient outcomes, decrease healthcare costs, and can be implemented with policies and procedures. However, there is limited literature describing how nurses acquire policy knowledge, the dissemination of which may require a significant investment of resources by a hospital. The purpose of this study was to learn more about how nurses obtain policy knowledge. Rogers's diffusion of innovations theory guided the examination of communication channels and how they relate to the formation of policy knowledge. The research questions were designed to gather information on the relationship of policy communication channels, demographic factors, and the frequency of …

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Social Workers' Perceptions Of The Effects On United States Soldiers Of Multiple Deployments, Cynthia Louise Wilson Jan 2019

Social Workers' Perceptions Of The Effects On United States Soldiers Of Multiple Deployments, Cynthia Louise Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military personnel who have served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn have experienced longer and more frequent deployments than U.S. personnel involved in any previous conflict. These multiple tours in combat zones have resulted in complex psychosocial needs for military personnel. The goal of this action research study was to understand social workers' perceptions and experiences of military personnel who experienced 3 or more deployments in a combat zone. The theoretical foundation for the study was narrative theory. Research questions sought to understand the social workers' perceptions of the psychosocial treatment needs of these veterans, …

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Reducing Antipsychotic Medication Use In Long-Term Care Settings, Martha Ofeibea Agbeli Jan 2019

Reducing Antipsychotic Medication Use In Long-Term Care Settings, Martha Ofeibea Agbeli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prescription rate of antipsychotics in patients with dementia varies between 20% and 50% for the common and troubling neuropsychiatric symptoms experienced by patients with dementia. The use of these antipsychotic medications has been linked with increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to associated Parkinsonism, over sedation, gait disturbances, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular adverse events. The purpose of this project was to assess whether development of an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) for a long-term care facility would increase awareness about issues that govern the safe use of antipsychotic medications. The conceptual framework for the project was Watson's model …

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