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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Articles 1591 - 1620 of 4997

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Resilience And Intimacy For Adult Lesbian Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse, Karen L. John Jan 2021

Resilience And Intimacy For Adult Lesbian Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse, Karen L. John

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDespite the existence of extensive research on child sexual abuse (CSA) for heterosexual women, lesbian women remain an understudied population, particularly regarding their lived experiences of resilience and intimacy as adult CSA survivors. While researchers have considered the uniqueness of the lived experience of the heterosexual female CSA survivor, consideration must also be given to the unique lived experiences of the lesbian CSA survivor. Such knowledge contributes to an increased understanding of resilience and intimacy for these survivors, further advancing the understanding for practitioners regarding these complex dynamics. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences …


Social Worker Perceptions Of Lgbt Cultural Competent Practice Within Hospitals, Ronald Davis Jan 2021

Social Worker Perceptions Of Lgbt Cultural Competent Practice Within Hospitals, Ronald Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social work cultural competence within a hospital setting has gained importance due to the various changes to how health care is delivered within the United States hospital system. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) individuals seeking care have reported negative experiences and discrimination, adversely impacting their treatment in a hospital setting. Those experiences have resulted in decreased use of medical treatment. Researchers have established the need for increased levels of cultural competence from social workers within hospital settings to develop rapport with LGBT individuals when delivering social work services as a part of the hospital treatment team. With cultural humility …


Black Mothers’ Birthing Center Experiences And Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices, Natashia King-Conner Jan 2021

Black Mothers’ Birthing Center Experiences And Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices, Natashia King-Conner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The persistence of racial disparities in breastfeeding is associated with a range of interconnected factors, such as historical, cultural, social, social, and psychological. The current gap in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among Black mothers and White mothers has led to rising concerns in the United States. A basic qualitative approach was used to conceptualize the multidimensional constructs of the social–ecological model to investigate the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and community-level structures and existing policies in birthing centers that inadvertently harbor biases that impede care for Black mothers. Data were gathered through purposeful sampling and semistructured interviews with 10 Black mothers …


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 …


The Impact Of Medicaid Expansion On Private Behavioral Health Organizations, Syreeta Mae Garner Jan 2021

The Impact Of Medicaid Expansion On Private Behavioral Health Organizations, Syreeta Mae Garner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Communities prosper when the mental health needs of community members are met, but unaddressed mental health problems can contribute to enormous social and economic cost. Behavioral health resources are integral to the successful mitigation of adverse implications associated with mental illness. This qualitative case study was conducted to determine if Medicaid expansion has provided benefits for individuals with behavioral health needs and if behavioral health providers have been able to continue to provide quality services, despite the increase in referrals. The organization identified for this study is located in the southeastern United States and is known for providing not only …


The Experience Of Conflicting Identities Amongst African American Law Enforcement Officers, Jeremy R. Jones Jan 2021

The Experience Of Conflicting Identities Amongst African American Law Enforcement Officers, Jeremy R. Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Law enforcement’s unjust treatment of African Americans is a worldwide concern but impacts the African American community in different ways, particularly African American law enforcement officers who are placed in conflicting positions. They aspire to see change and more conforming police treatment, compared to other racial populations, but work for the same organization that exhibits the biased treatment they desire to have abolished. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore African American law enforcement officers’ experiences of conflicting identities. The theoretical foundation was based on Turner’s theory of self-categorization (SCT). The key research questions addressed African American …


Junior Managers’ Perceptions Of Executives Leadership Styles And Communication Practices, Kaprina Townsend Jan 2021

Junior Managers’ Perceptions Of Executives Leadership Styles And Communication Practices, Kaprina Townsend

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Ineffective communication and leadership practices continue to be an ongoing problem within organizations due to executives’ inability to effectively lead and communicate. The primary concern in this study was how junior managers perceive the effectiveness of executives’ communication practices as well as how executives’ leadership styles influence the junior managers. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of junior managers. The leader-member exchange theory provides the framework for this study on exploring junior managers lived experiences and their perceptions on how executives’ leadership styles influence them and their perception of executive’s ability to disseminate top …


Attitudes Of Marriage And Divorce In Adult Children Of Gray Divorce, Brittany M. Freeze Jan 2021

Attitudes Of Marriage And Divorce In Adult Children Of Gray Divorce, Brittany M. Freeze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Divorce over the age of 50 years is called gray divorce and has been steadily on the rise. Past studies have shown the impact divorce can have on children regarding attitudes toward marriage and divorce, but research has not investigated the attitudes of adult children whose parents divorce late in life. An intrinsic, single case study was done using eight participants who were adult children of gray divorce. Semi-structured interviews were completed, guided by the principles of social learning theory. Data were analyzed into codes, categories, and then into seven overarching themes using categorical aggregation. Six themes regarding the attitudes …


A Sense Of Hope: Parents Treating Their Epileptic Child With Cannabidiol, Jennifer Nguyen Potage Jan 2021

A Sense Of Hope: Parents Treating Their Epileptic Child With Cannabidiol, Jennifer Nguyen Potage

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in the world. Of those affected, about 30% are treatment-resistant, making it difficult for symptom relief. Children are also among those affected by epilepsy, and the unpredictable epileptic symptoms often induce stress, anxiety, confusion, depression for the parents/caretakers. Furthermore, epilepsy is a condition that can impair cognitive abilities, social interaction, and physical ailments. Antiepileptic drugs are the common medical treatment for epileptic symptoms. However, parents have often reported minimal positive change, ineffectiveness, and negative side effects that included nausea, fatigue, rash, insomnia, change in personality, cognitive impairment, and diarrhea. A review of the …


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 Role Of Psychological Distress In Maintaining Exercise After Cancer Diagnosis, Patrick Tertulien Jan 2021

The Role Of Psychological Distress In Maintaining Exercise After Cancer Diagnosis, Patrick Tertulien

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractCancer affects the lives of thousands of people every day and is a leading cause of death. Exercise has been shown to yield mental and physical benefits for patients and survivors, but the experiences of cancer patients who face a multiplicity of psychological stressors have not been clearly described. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the psychological factors that are associated with continuing to exercise after cancer diagnosis, during and/or following their treatment. The focus was on how cancer survivors maintained a regular routine of exercise while experiencing psychological distress associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment, and concerns …


The Lived Experiences Of Muslim Americans Regarding Prejudice And Discrimination By Non-Muslims, Munder Abderrazzaq Jan 2021

The Lived Experiences Of Muslim Americans Regarding Prejudice And Discrimination By Non-Muslims, Munder Abderrazzaq

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Opposition to Muslim Americans in the United States is openly expressed by majority members, which includes profiling and a recent presidential campaign proposing a “ban on Muslims.” There is a lack of qualitative studies in the United States that explore minorities’ point of view of about the tolerance displayed by majority members. Tolerance involves a degree of restraint about the disapproval and dislike of others of different religious, racial, political, and cultural backgrounds. This limits the ability to develop and implement appropriate policies that are needed to promote positive social change. In this phenomenological study, semistructured interviews were used to …


Parents' Perceptions Of And Reactions To Their Child's Intergroup Marriage, Theresa Aikens Jan 2021

Parents' Perceptions Of And Reactions To Their Child's Intergroup Marriage, Theresa Aikens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found that parental support and acceptance are integral to the success of interracial romantic relationships (IRRs) and well-being of interracial romantic relationship participants (IRRPs). Research on couples involved in IRRs is prevalent, but researchers neglected to include the perspectives of the parents of the IRRPs. The lived experiences of parents of adult children involved in Black-White IRRs and their perceptions of societal reactions to the IRR were explored to better understand the mechanisms behind parental support or disapproval of IRRs. Bronfenbrenner's PPCT model of bioecological theory allowed for a focus on a parent's development within the parent-child relationship …


Understanding Successful Strategies Human Service First-Level Managers Utilize When Addressing Workplace Incivility, Mary Elizabeth Barlow Jan 2021

Understanding Successful Strategies Human Service First-Level Managers Utilize When Addressing Workplace Incivility, Mary Elizabeth Barlow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The social problem of workplace incivility is a well-researched issue that impacts employees, work groups, and organizations across the nation. The purpose of this study was to understand how first-level human service managers describe employee turnover in relation to workplace incivility and what first-level human service managers view as successful strategies they have used to address workplace incivility. The theoretical framework utilized for this study was incivility spiral theory, as described by Andersson and Pearson. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to gain an understanding of successful strategies that first-level human service managers utilize when addressing workplace incivility …


Examining Clinicians' Perspectives Screening For Depression In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Vickie Lavette Bland Jan 2021

Examining Clinicians' Perspectives Screening For Depression In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Vickie Lavette Bland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States has a significant diabetes problem. This chronic disease affects the body physically and mentally. One of the emotional effects of diabetes is depression. Depression is often present in individuals with diabetes, chiefly in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While depression is common in T2DM and can interfere with treatment adherence, clinician screening for depression in T2DM patients is low. The purpose of this study was to examine clinicians' attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions concerning screening patients with T2DM for depression. Through a qualitative case study approach centered on reasoned action theory, 3 physicians and 5 nurse …


A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Exploring Aviation Communication Experiences Of North American Pilots, Sonia Fay Bush Jan 2021

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Exploring Aviation Communication Experiences Of North American Pilots, Sonia Fay Bush

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human factors contribute to approximately 75% of aviation accidents. The lack of effective flight deck communication has caused numerous aviation accidents which has resulted in the loss of many human lives. The specific management problem was that standardized flight deck communication of airline pilots may not be sufficient to prevent aviation accidents. The focus of the study was the lived flight deck communication experiences of North American pilots. Using the Observer Model of Communicology formed the conceptual framework for this study, 15 participants were selected, using purposive sampling. Data collection was accomplished via one-on-one interviews. Coding and thematic analysis were …


Lived Experience Of Geographically Dispersed Employees In The Absence Of Shared-Air Organizational Interactions, Tommie Ann Saragas Jan 2021

Lived Experience Of Geographically Dispersed Employees In The Absence Of Shared-Air Organizational Interactions, Tommie Ann Saragas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of employees choosing an off-site employment option increased annually. During COVID-19-related work-life modifications, many organizations worldwide were required to transition to a geographically dispersed, off-site workforce. While some individuals may enjoy the flexibility, convenience, and work-life balance of a geographically dispersed position, there is a need for organizations and employees to explore how workers perceive social support, experience feeling valued by and connected with leaders and team members and are impacted by technology and virtual interactions for those who work wholly off-site or at such a distance that face-to-face organizational interactions are not …


African American Students’ Experiences With Teachers’ Discriminatory Behavior In The School-To-Prison Pipeline, James Anthony Douglas Jan 2021

African American Students’ Experiences With Teachers’ Discriminatory Behavior In The School-To-Prison Pipeline, James Anthony Douglas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican American students have been affected by the School-to-Prison pipeline detrimentally. The disproportionate expulsions of African American students from schools have resulted in their overrepresentation in prison. Racial inequity has made African American students more prone to suspensions than Caucasian students, resulting in African American students missing classes and falling behind academically. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how minor disciplinary violations may be perceived as a threat to African American students, funneling them into the school-to-prison pipeline. The theoretical framework was based on Bertalanffy’s general system theory. Data were collected using open-ended, semi structured interviews …


Understanding Female Full-Time Social Workers’ Experience Providing Informal Care For Older Loved Ones, Randi L. Anderson Jan 2021

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 …


Florida’S Veteran Treatment Courts, John Rocco Capra Jan 2021

Florida’S Veteran Treatment Courts, John Rocco Capra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Following the terror attacks on the United States, an increasing number of veterans are returning to civilian life after having experienced service in active combat zones. As a result, many of these veterans are returning from their military service suffering from serious mental health issues and other injuries that include posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and major depression. Since the early 1990s, several specialized therapeutic courts have been developed as part of an effort to address a specific population within the state criminal justice systems. One of these recent court systems is the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), created first …


A Comparison Of Mental Health Service Providers And Their Services For Adolescents, Carly Christine Ramirez Hardge Jan 2021

A Comparison Of Mental Health Service Providers And Their Services For Adolescents, Carly Christine Ramirez Hardge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Quality mental health services for adolescents continues to be in high demand across the United States regardless of the adolescent’s background. Adolescents in rural, urban, high-income, and low-income regions are all showing increased signs of depression and other mental illness. This study examined the quality of mental health services for adolescents by comparing four behavioral health organizations in the United States that offer treatment for adolescents in an outpatient setting. The study used the Baldrige Framework of Excellence to examine specific areas within each organization. A qualitative case study design allowed for descriptions of the organizations and similarities and differences …


Stressors Of Single Fatherhood In California, Dr. Kenneth Jones, Jr. Jan 2021

Stressors Of Single Fatherhood In California, Dr. Kenneth Jones, Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This grounded theory study aimed to address the lack of awareness and resources available for single custodial fathers to address stressors in caring for their children. The findings of this qualitative study were derived from electronic correspondence and semi-structured individual interviews with 16 single primary custodial fathers residing in the state of California. The data were analyzed inductively following Percy et al.’s step-by-step process, which generated the following overarching themes: (a) societal stressors, (b) the aftermath of separation from child’s mother, (c) the reason for separation from child’s mother, (d) hands-on work in raising a child and accomplishing chores, (e) …


East African Immigrants’ Perceptions Of Mental Illness In The United States, Marion R. Kwoba Jan 2021

East African Immigrants’ Perceptions Of Mental Illness In The United States, Marion R. Kwoba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMental illness is considered a silent killer in East Africa as it affects 1 in 4 people. Differences exist in how individuals from Western countries perceive mental illness compared to East Africans’ perceptions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of East African immigrants to the United States and the impact of these experiences on their perceptions of mental illness. Social learning theory and Berry’s acculturation model provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from 12 semistructured individual interviews with participants 20 years and older. The three themes that emerged from coding analysis …


The Effect Of Social Media Use On Physical Isolation In Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder, Davena Limitless Longshore Jan 2021

The Effect Of Social Media Use On Physical Isolation In Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder, Davena Limitless Longshore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience extreme interpersonal conflict, crippling their ability to sustain successful relationships. Consequently, clinicians within the psychological field face difficulty in devising treatments plans which can assist these individuals with suffering minimal relationship loss. The purpose of this study was to understand how current technological methods of social interaction affect individuals who suffer from BPD to improve treatment outcomes. This research was guided by the principles of attachment theory and social baseline theory. A quantitative correlational design using social network analysis and multiple regression analysis was used to examine data from surveys. Participants were solicited …


Comparison Of Course Grades Among Learning Modalities In Historically Black College And Universities, Murdell Walker Mcfarlin Jan 2021

Comparison Of Course Grades Among Learning Modalities In Historically Black College And Universities, Murdell Walker Mcfarlin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe growth of online courses in higher education, combined with the distinct situational identity of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their continued emphasis on face-to-face (F2F) instruction, provided an opportunity to learn more about learning modalities and student grades at HBCUs. The problem was previous research findings are contradictory regarding grades among modalities at HBCUs. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in grades among three learning modalities (F2F, hybrid, and online) for three student groups (African American, non-African American, and all students) at three public, 4-year HBCUs in one U.S. state. This cross-sectional, ex post …


Strategies For Establishing A Diverse Workforce Within A University Health System’S Department, Shanee Chantel Morgan Jan 2021

Strategies For Establishing A Diverse Workforce Within A University Health System’S Department, Shanee Chantel Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Balanced diversity in health care promotes patient satisfaction and enhances innovation. Obtaining a culturally balanced workplace requires recruitment strategies that encourage inclusiveness among team members from various backgrounds. The purpose of this doctoral study was to explore the issue of lack of diversity in a behavioral health organization’s (BHO’s) student intern program and identify strategies for creating greater diversity in the workplace. The Baldrige excellence framework, the conceptual framework that guided the research, was designed to help BHOs to improve their overall business performance to accomplish goals and increase organizational sustainability. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: diversity training, …


The Role Of Leadership Communication Patterns On Organizational Effectiveness, Nidal Pascoe Jan 2021

The Role Of Leadership Communication Patterns On Organizational Effectiveness, Nidal Pascoe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract The communication patterns of leaders in the workplace are vital to ensuring productivity and meeting organizational mission and goals. The quality of workplace communication from the leaders impacts the perceptions of employees about the workplace and their ability to fulfill organizational missions and goals. Communication can be delivered through multiple technological means, in person, and in writing. Message delivery also can convey the tone of the sender. The purpose of this case study was to identify the communication patterns between the executive leaders and six of eight site leaders of a nonprofit counseling center focused on serving children and …


Impact Of Intersectionality Of School Discipline And Race On Boys Of Color, Melvin Lewis Shepard Jan 2021

Impact Of Intersectionality Of School Discipline And Race On Boys Of Color, Melvin Lewis Shepard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disciplinary practices in California result in minority boys receiving a high rate of disproportionate discipline in the public-school system requiring those students to decide whether to return to school to achieve their high school diploma. The purpose of this case study was to explore what impacts the expelled student’s education decisions from the perspective of individuals who have experience with the California disciplinary system and counseling students who were expelled. The theoretical foundation used was critical race theory by Derick Bell and a conceptual framework of intersectionality and race context developed by the Combahee Initiative and Crenshaw. The study used …


Exploring How Organizations Ensure The Hiring Process Is Conducted Appropriately To Avoid Legal Issues, Natashia Stafford - Cotton Jan 2021

Exploring How Organizations Ensure The Hiring Process Is Conducted Appropriately To Avoid Legal Issues, Natashia Stafford - Cotton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The overall research problem of interest in this study was the need for human resource (HR) leaders and hiring managers (HMs) to conform to a wide array of complex state and federal legal requirements concerning hiring practices. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was two-fold: (a) to understand how HR leaders can ensure that ethically and legally acceptable hiring practices are used in their organizations and (b) to identify the perceptions of the employee selection procedures and legal defensibility of HR personnel and HMs in Northern California in order to develop timely and informed answers to the study’s research …


Five Years Of The Ferguson Effect: An Officer Perspective, Darrin Neil Wilcox Jan 2021

Five Years Of The Ferguson Effect: An Officer Perspective, Darrin Neil Wilcox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

De-policing or pulling back from proactive policing existed before the shooting death of Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014. Shortly after this incident, de-policing was blamed for alleged increasing national crime rates and this connection came to be called the “Ferguson Effect.” Since then, most Ferguson Effect research has focused mainly on this connection, with little research into officer perceptions. This nonexperimental quantitative study examined officer perceptions of the Ferguson Effect 5 years after the incident and compared it with their views of government oversight of local law enforcement, legal liability, and officer …