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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

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Articles 2941 - 2970 of 4997

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

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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An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Equine Therapy Specialists, Jaime Lyn Battestella-Williams Jan 2019

An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Equine Therapy Specialists, Jaime Lyn Battestella-Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Horses have been an integral part of human history and progress for centuries. Horses and humans have united in diverse ways, including farming, war, construction, racing, and other areas of sports. Researchers have indicated that the use of horses for mental health and wellness is a growing trend that continues to lack strong, empirical evidence. Currently, there is limited research available on the experiences of certified equine specialists incorporating horses into mental health and wellness. It is essential to gain further insight into the incorporation of horses into psychology and counseling for therapists, as well as potential clients, interested in …

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Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Counter-Narrative Tactics In Preventing Radicalization, Ellen Berman Jan 2019

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Counter-Narrative Tactics In Preventing Radicalization, Ellen Berman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. Department of State disseminates counter-radicalization information through social media but has been unable to reach users due to an inability to create engaging posts due to a lack of understanding of the interests of the general population. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the utility of data analytics when administering counter-radicalization social media campaigns. The population for this study were social media posts published on the Quilliam Facebook page between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018. The nonexperimental quantitative descriptive research design sought to examine the correlation between the independent variables (topic of a …

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Examining The Utility Of The Hexaco-Pi-R For Predicting Positive And Negative Indicators Of Police Officer Performance, Angela Marie Ripley Jan 2019

Examining The Utility Of The Hexaco-Pi-R For Predicting Positive And Negative Indicators Of Police Officer Performance, Angela Marie Ripley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Identifying behaviors that are either counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs) or organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) may assist law enforcement agencies in selecting and aligning police officers for the various roles asked of them. The 6 dimensions of personality are not currently being used in law enforcement agencies to predict overall job performance of police officers. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the extent to which the 6 personality dimensions as measured by the HEXACO Personality Inventory Revised (HEXACO-PI-R) predicted overall indicators (OCB and CWB) of police officer job performance. A sample of 51 police officers from a variety …

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Relationship Between Preparedness Training And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Severity In Combat Veterans, Charles F. Snay Jan 2019

Relationship Between Preparedness Training And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Severity In Combat Veterans, Charles F. Snay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the past decade, the military has deployed approximately 1 million members into combat, and a factor that plagues the military veterans returning from combat is the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A factor to examine is preparedness training before combat because the research has shown that postcombat resilience training has been effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD. Using the social cognitive theory, the purpose of this study was to determine whether self-reported preparedness training before deployments was related to lower severity of self-reported PTSD. Based on prior research, age and gender are other variables that this study examined. …

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Understanding Self-Care Techniques Among Currently Practicing Behavior Analysts, Shane T. Spiker Jan 2019

Understanding Self-Care Techniques Among Currently Practicing Behavior Analysts, Shane T. Spiker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) serve as the primary practitioners within this field, providing direct services to individuals with socially significant problem behaviors. The purpose of this study was to expand research on the behavior analytic practitioner regarding their self-care practices and develop an understanding of their lived experience using Orem's theory of self-care. Data were collected from 10 BCBAs via face-to-face interviews derived of questions regarding self-care practices. The interview questions included discussions around self-care behaviors as well as beneficial and problematic effects regarding individual self-care practices. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to gather information regarding practices and interpret …

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Depression Screening For Bariatric Surgical Patients, Cova Teresa Stidham Jan 2019

Depression Screening For Bariatric Surgical Patients, Cova Teresa Stidham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity in the United States has increased to epidemic numbers over the last decade. Practitioners need to reverse the trend. To address the problem of depression in obesity, a practice guideline from a bariatric clinic for under-served populations was proposed to an expert panel. The Spell Out on First Use (PHQ-9) screening is a valid and reliable self-screening tool to assist the practitioner in determining the level of depression if any. The PHQ-9 has nine questions. No formal screening existed at the bariatric clinic, and the practice guideline (with algorithm and revised workflow) was proposed for use at the clinic. …

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The Relationship Between Acculturation, Body Dissatisfaction, Anxiety, And Depression In Latino Males, Ana Eugenia Varay Jan 2019

The Relationship Between Acculturation, Body Dissatisfaction, Anxiety, And Depression In Latino Males, Ana Eugenia Varay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Western culture has set unrealistic norms for physical appearance which can lead individuals to be dissatisfied with their bodies. Extensive research on body dissatisfaction and its psychological implications reveals this problem has increased in men, with the added dimension of acculturation. The level of acculturation and its relationship to body dissatisfaction in Latino men need further exploration because this population is projected to double by 2050. The purpose of this research study was to explore the relationship between the different levels of acculturation, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression among Latino men. Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory is applicable to this study …

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Patient Views On Social Media Communication With Their Health Care Providers, Brenda Elaine Welch Jan 2019

Patient Views On Social Media Communication With Their Health Care Providers, Brenda Elaine Welch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Communication between patients and health care providers at hospital discharge is a critical factor that determines whether a patient understands their treatment plan and self-care instructions. Lack of effective health management after hospital discharge can decrease the quality of life for a patient and increase the likelihood of costly hospital readmission. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore factors affecting the receptivity of patients using social media as a platform for post discharge, provider-client communication, and assessment. This was explored using social presence theory. Twenty patients between 45 to 65 years of age, who received care from hospitals …

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Social Workers And Early Intervention With Diabetic Clients, Rievu Agiri Jan 2019

Social Workers And Early Intervention With Diabetic Clients, Rievu Agiri

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers are uniquely positioned to facilitate early intervention services that minimize the impact and burden of Type 2 diabetes. There is little evidence on the specific role that social workers play in addressing the psychosocial factors that exacerbate the condition or impact treatment outcomes. The purpose of the study was to examine the role of social workers in facilitating early interventions for clients with Type 2 diabetes. The theories of role and organizational systems provided the conceptual framework. Data was collected from interviews with eight participants with Master'€™s degrees in Social Work in a large Southwestern state in the …

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The Influence Of Mission Valence And Intrinsic Incentives On Employee Motivation, Darren Edward Christle Jan 2019

The Influence Of Mission Valence And Intrinsic Incentives On Employee Motivation, Darren Edward Christle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Worker motivation is relevant to public sector leaders because motivated workers are more efficient and productive, demonstrate positive behaviors, and are happier. Scholars have focused on differing approaches on how to incentivise public service employees using extrinsic or intrinsic incentives. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the value and effectiveness of mission valence and other intrinsic means used to influence employee motivation and productivity. Using Festinger'€™s cognitive dissonance theory as a guide, a homogeneous group of key participants was interviewed with the intent of answering research questions. The research questions focused on mission valence deployment and …

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Understanding Social Workers' Roles Providing Case Management To Medicaid Managed Care Enrollees, Vontija Deeshawn Dean-El Jan 2019

Understanding Social Workers' Roles Providing Case Management To Medicaid Managed Care Enrollees, Vontija Deeshawn Dean-El

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers often take on the role of providing case management to Medicaid recipients; however, there is little clinical research on social workers' perceptions of their case management role. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the social worker case management role by exploring social workers' perceptions of their roles when providing case management to Ohio Medicaid managed care enrollees. This action research study was grounded in organizational role theory. A semi structured focus group was facilitated using open-ended questions related to social workers' role perceptions, role conflict, role ambiguity, case management, and managed care. Qualitative …

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Perceptions Of Court Appointed Special Advocates On Volunteer Turnover, Salwa Mohamed El Habib Jan 2019

Perceptions Of Court Appointed Special Advocates On Volunteer Turnover, Salwa Mohamed El Habib

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a high turnover rate among court-appointed special advocates (CASA) in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perception of the retention of CASA volunteers. Maslach'€™s burnout theory and Greene'€™s theory of resilience provided the framework for the study. A sample of9 active and 5 inactive CASA volunteers, one CASA volunteer recruiter, 3 program supervisors, and one administrator were interviewed. The data was organized and coded manually to facilitate auto-coding using qualitative data software. All responses to each question were compiled in one place allowing for thematic analysis based on the frequency …

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Perceptions Of Fear Of Falling In Older Adults, Ken Germano Jan 2019

Perceptions Of Fear Of Falling In Older Adults, Ken Germano

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many adults are afraid of falling. While aging can affect one'€™s physical and cognitive abilities related to fear of falling (FOF), research has revealed that FOF increases risk of falls and adversely affects independence levels among older adults. The purpose of this study was to explore older adults'€™ perceptions of FOF and risk of falling. Guided by the health belief model, the research questions focused on older adults'€™ perceptions of FOF, contributing factors of FOF, and how FOF may affect independence levels. How older adults perceive FOF, and how FOF may affect an individual older adult'€™s fall risk and independence …

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Experience Versus Education: Empathy In Substance Use Disorder Counselors, Frances Malcolm Horn-Charnesky Jan 2019

Experience Versus Education: Empathy In Substance Use Disorder Counselors, Frances Malcolm Horn-Charnesky

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Empathy is one of the most important skills a mental health counselor can have. For instance, empathy plays a key role in retention and engagement in therapy for substance use disorder (SUD), which leads to improved client outcomes. Historically, SUD treatment has been provided by those in recovery with little formal education about counseling. Currently, academic requirements for SUD counselors vary, and most master'€™s level education programs rarely address SUDs. To determine whether SUD experience alone is related to empathy, a 2x2 factorial ANOVA was used in this study to examine the relationship between two independent variables (education status and …

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The Perceived Impact Of Alternative Specialized Education Services On Former Teen Mothers, Malinda Starr Hudson Jan 2019

The Perceived Impact Of Alternative Specialized Education Services On Former Teen Mothers, Malinda Starr Hudson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many teen parents face challenges when completing secondary education resulting in unsustainable family units. Previous researchers focused on services to teen mothers while completing secondary education, with little addressing the long-term impact of Alternative Specialized Education Services (ASES) as the former teen mother matured. This phenomenological study explored the perceptions of 8 former teen mothers (ranging in age from 20 to 54) of ASES'€™ impact on their values and decision-making as they matured. Program theory was the overarching framework and values clarification the interpretive lens. Data were inductively coded and subjected to interpretive phenomenological and thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: …

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Attitudes And Perceptions Among African Americans About Dating Individuals With Bipolar Disorder, Casey Michelle Johnson Jan 2019

Attitudes And Perceptions Among African Americans About Dating Individuals With Bipolar Disorder, Casey Michelle Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Individuals who experience bipolar disorder may have difficulty acquiring and maintaining relationships due to the stigma associated with mental illness. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to examine the attitudes and perceptions of African American men and women regarding their experiences of dating and relationships with individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder. The theory used in this study was equity theory. The research question for this study explored how African American adults experience relationship acquisition and maintenance with a partner who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. For this generic qualitative study, there were 12 respondents. Participants were …

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