Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Issues Of Inmates Not Receiving Mental Health Treatment: A Prison-Based Counselor Perspective, Ashley Celestine Westmoreland

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental illnesses in correctional facilities have been an issue for decades and have increased over time. According to recent studies, correctional facilities have become known as mental health institutions without access to treatment. It is unclear why correctional facilities have limited resources, but research indicates that offenders are not receiving the appropriate treatment. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore how five prison-based counselors perceive the quality and quantity of mental health services provided to inmates. The data were analyzed and coded using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The current study’s findings further added to the base of knowledge that …

Exploring The Reasons People Abuse Animals, Barbara Bittinger

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research on animal abuse has grown over the years which has led to studies that determine the psychological implications of animal cruelty in relation to various societal and environmental agents. From these studies, researchers have addressed animal abuse and cruelty in general but have not established the cause of the behavior or reasons why people abuse animals. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the reasons motivating human beings to abuse animals. Using the qualitative method, this study used snowball sampling to interview a total of 10 professionals who work in the fields of veterinary medicine (veterinarians …

Clinician Perceptions Of Female Sex Offender Treatment In Modern Society, Taylor J. Bryant

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinicians are starting to see a higher population of female sex offenders enrolled in their treatment facilities. Current research indicates that both society and clinical professionals struggle with viewing women as sex offenders due to gender stereotypes and minimization of sex crimes committed by women. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine clinician perceptions of female sex offender treatment and how these perceptions may impact clinician engagement. The theoretical frameworks utilized in this study were the attachment theory and psychoanalytical theory. Data included clinician experiences with treating female sex offenders, exposure to professional trainings on this population, and …

Understanding Law Enforcement Counterterrorism Information Sharing In Homegrown Violent Extremism Cases, Danielle Corry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Local law enforcement agencies are charged with the responsibility to prevent terrorist events in the United States, including the emerging threat of homegrown violent extremism. Without the use of the terrorism prevention tool of information sharing, with other applicable state and federal law enforcement agencies, there continues to be a breakdown in the ability to prevent terrorist events, especially those associated with homegrown violent extremists, in the United States. This qualitative case study explores the information sharing process in law enforcement agencies by examining the recent Boston Marathon Bombing in Boston, Massachusetts that occurred in 2013. Five themes emerged from …

Hbcu Students’ Experience With Remote And Blended Learning Amid Covid-19, Andrew Sivan Mclear

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractLittle peer-reviewed literature existed on how the transition from face-to-face instruction to emergency remote teaching (ERT), online learning, and blended learning impacted the education of historically Black college and university (HBCU) students amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The gap in the literature was significant given the longstanding challenges HBCUs faced, which threatened their existence, and the disproportionate effect Covid-19 had on minority populations. This interpretive descriptive qualitative study explored the experiences of 10 HBCU students from six HBCUs across the United States using Garrison et al.'s community of inquiry framework to understand the participants' perceptions of the teaching, social, and cognitive …

Adaptive And Maladaptive Coping As Mediators Of The Relationship Between Impostor Phenomenon And Help Seeking Intention, Victor Mosconi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The modern workplace and public media have reported on the influence of the impostor phenomenon (IP) on leadership mental health and workplace effectiveness. The choice of coping strategy may influence leaders’ intentions to seek psychological help. Guided by the impostor cycle model, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the extent to which adaptive and maladaptive coping mediates the relationship between IP and help-seeking intention in a convenience sample of 162 participants in leadership positions. The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale assessed strength of IP, the Brief COPE measure assessed adaptive and maladaptive coping, and the Beliefs About Psychological …

Faculty-Student And Student-Student Connections Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic, Fatma Ouled Salem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic expedited the shift toward distance education by forcing institutions to adapt to the limitations of social distancing mandates. This resulted in a general sense of disconnection and isolation, compounding the other adverse effects of the pandemic. Since faculty-student and student-student connections are consistently identified as best practices in distance counselor education, the aim of this descriptive phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of counselor educators during the COVID-19 pandemic relating to faculty-student and student-student connections. A phenomenological framework was used to suspend presuppositions of the phenomenon and to describe the lived experiences of participants. In-depth …

Evacuation Emergency Management During Hurricane Katrina: A Decision-Making Analysis, Kimberli Roessing-Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emergency management policy is useful when it involves the stakeholders it serves in the decision-making process. The death toll for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was almost 2,000 people. Many of the dead and injured lived in low-income communities. There were significant challenges with the evacuation of residents of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Like many public policies, emergency management has evolved over time. Periodically, a catalyst event, such as Hurricane Katrina, shapes public opinion and eventually public policy and its administration. Punctuated equilibrium theory was used to examine the decision-making process of Ninth Ward residents to …

The Impact Of Social Media On Organ Donation, Miguel Enrique Sewer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

The organ-donor shortage remains a pressing issue facing the transplant community. There is a significant gap between supply and demand, which continues to broaden. This general qualitative study aimed to provide a road map to define the role of social media and its interrelationship with increasing organ donation. The study utilizes the potential of a communication framework to increase outreach and education, serving as an alternative to increasing organ donors’ participation. The conceptual underpinnings for this study are the Social Representations Theory, the Organ Donation Willingness Model, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. The data was collected using an …

Understanding The Lack Of Communication Between Communities And Law Enforcement Through A Community Policing Program, Patrick B. Skoczek

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Inequitable treatment by law enforcement officers has deeply impacted minority communities in the United States. Public incidents of abuse of power, discriminatory treatment, and excessive use of force have received increased attention, creating increased community mistrust of law enforcement officers. To help bridge the gap between communities and law enforcement agencies, this qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to examine the use and impact of the Policing and Public Safety Problem-Solving Programs. Data were collected through interviews with 12 retired police officers and 12 community members. Interview questions were related to participants’ perceptions regarding a breakdown in trust between law …

Mental Health Professionals’ Perceptions Of Referrals To School-Based Mental Services Among Elementary Students, Dr. Adrienne L. Stephens

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractBarriers exist to the referral process for mental-health services among elementary-school students from the perspective of school-based mental-health service professionals. The problem addressed in this study was that lack of mental-health referrals can delay or prevent treatment of mental-health issues, causing those mental-health problems to worsen over time. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of school-based mental-health service professionals regarding these barriers to mental-health referrals. Pescosolido’s theory of the revised network model was the guiding conceptual framework for this study. The study was guided by research questions focused on how school-based mental-health professionals perceived …

A Sociotechnical Systems View Of Computer Self-Efficacy And Usability Determinants Of Technical Readiness, Stefani L. Tucker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The specific research problem was that it is unknown whether computer self-efficacy and usability determine technical readiness in hourly and exempt information technology support employees in the United States. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between computer self-efficacy and technical readiness, usability and technical readiness, and computer self-efficacy, usability, and technical readiness in hourly and exempt information technology support employees in the United States. Sociotechnical system theory suggests that every transaction has a human and technical aspect; thus, the theoretical framework. The convenience sample included 136 information technology support employees aged 18-70. The regression results …

Modus Operandi And Target Selection Criteria Of Child Sexual Predators In Protestant Churches, Joshua K. White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although there has been much media focusing on child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, in many cases Protestant church leaders who committed child sexual abuse were held to no level of accountability. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the modus operandi of child sexual predators and their target selection criteria in Protestant churches. Hickey’s relational paraphilic attachment theory provided the framework for the study. Fifteen cases from the United States were analyzed using inductive coding to identify six themes: (a) Leaders from Protestant churches who were convicted of sexually abusing minors possessed gross psychological immaturity, …

African American Men’S Lived Experiences Of Stigma Regarding Use Of Mental Health Services, Leon M. Wilson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican American men are disproportionately more likely to live with untreated mental health challenges; the incidence of mental illness in African Americans is, per capita, 30% higher than among non-Hispanic Whites. African American men experience significant barriers and deterrents to psychological help seeking, which are primarily due to internalized stigma. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore and describe African American men’s experiences that influenced internalized stigma regarding seeking and using traditional mental health services. The theoretical framework included the theory of social stigma and minority stress theory. Nine purposively selected African American men from the Mid-Atlantic …

The Effect Of Crime Drama Viewing Habits And Technology On Potential Jurors, Erin Marie Cosenza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Proponents of the “CSI effect” argue that viewers of fictional crime drama television programs are inappropriately influenced and have heightened expectations for the presentation of forensic evidence during jury trials and therefore cause jurors to incorrectly weigh the importance of the evidence on the outcome of the trial. Television programs make measurable contributions to viewers’ perceptions of reality and cultivate the way people learn about the world. Cultivation theory suggests that the ability to use critical thinking is inhibited in discerning truth from glamorized portrayals of evidence collection, analyses, and the timeframe with which criminal investigation storylines are concluded. The …

Lived Experiences Of Employees Working With Homeless Veterans In Transitional Housing Programs In New Jersey, Ieshia C. Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness among veterans has been a widespread concern for over three decades. Individuals employed in transitional housing settings play a pivotal role in helping veterans overcome homelessness. There is a lack of qualitative studies that explores the experiences of these employees, which limits understanding of what is needed to help homeless veterans regain their place back in society and the ability to develop and implement better programs for the population. In this phenomenological study, semi-structured interviews were used to help understand and describe the lived experiences of employees who work directly with the homeless veteran population in transitional housing settings …

Exploring Supervisory Experiences After The Legalization Of Recreational Marijuana In Colorado, Charles Daniel Mason

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractColorado became the first state to decriminalize recreational marijuana in 2014. This new public policy resulted in unproven regulatory changes in any population in the United States. The purpose of the study was to discover the core perspective and experiences of 12 supervisors who experienced this phenomenon in their professional occupations, through the lens of accountability. The risk perceptions of supervisors’ due to policy shifts regarding recreational marijuana in Colorado were analyzed using the Delve system and hand coding. Findings indicated employees’ use of marijuana had a direct impact on productivity, which decreased significantly over time. Employees displayed signs of …

Self-Care And Psychosocial Factors That Predict Sickle Cell Disease-Related Outcomes Among African Americans In The Usa, Datonye Agina-Obu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Existing beliefs and conceptions regarding sickle cell disease (SCD) have had a significant impact on the appropriate management of the condition, including self-care and psychosocial factors, particularly among African Americans. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of self-care and psychosocial factors on SCD-related outcomes among African Americans in the United States. The study was grounded in the self-care management theory and employed a cross-sectional, quantitative design. Regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations between self-care and psychosocial factors and SCD-related outcomes sample of 180 individuals. The results indicated three factors showed significant relationships for sickle …

Student Perspective Of Alternative Education Characteristics Implemented By Public School Social Workers, Jennifer M. Fields

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public schools are facing increased challenges to address the needs of students with significant behavioral issues. In response, Alternative education (AE) programs are used to reengage students in learning and enhance personal development, through a combination of academic and therapeutic strategies. AE placement is intended to be short-term, with the goal of returning students to public school. However, the differences between these two settings make it difficult for students to sustain achievements made in AE upon reentry. The purpose of this qualitative research was to use the student perspective to identify the social-emotional characteristics of AE that have influenced change, …

Rape Myth Acceptance And Attitudes Toward Bystander Intervention Among Division Iii College Student Athletes And Nonathletes, Del Rey Honeycutt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sexual assault on college campuses is a significant concern and deemed a public health problem. Research suggested that certain groups, such as male college student athletes, may be the main offenders and contributors to the problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between acceptance of specific rape myths and attitudes toward bystander intervention in specific situations among Division III athletes and nonathletes on a college campus. The theory of planned behavior and feminist theory served as the foundation for this quantitative study. An archival dataset was analyzed that included undergraduate students (N = 313) from a …

The Externalization Of The Triarchic Psychopathy Model’S Boldness In Successful Female Psychopathy, Michelle F. Linski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The study of successful female psychopathy is one that is under researched in the field of psychopathy. Current research focuses on the criminal male psychopath which has also led to a deficit of research on boldness, a construct of psychopathy found within the triarchic psychopathy model (TriPM). It is crucial that these gaps be addressed because these individuals still can harm those around them. The more researchers understand about the roles of gender and boldness and how they work together, the more equipped they will be when piecing together the psychopathy puzzle. The current study was grounded in Bem’s gender …

The Cultural Diet Behaviors Of African Immigrants In California For Preventing Chronic Health Conditions Including Obesity, Jahswill Ukagumaoha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican immigrants to the United States face many challenges when diagnosed with obesity and other chronic health conditions. However, research concerning the role of cultural diets in preventing or ameliorating chronic health conditions including obesity has rarely focused on African immigrants. The purpose of this study was to explore the opinions, perceptions, and experiences of African immigrants on cultural diet preferences in the prevention of chronic health conditions, including obesity. Using the theory of assimilation and acculturation theory as a framework for the inquiry, the research questions focused on exploring the experiences, opinions, and perceptions of African immigrants concerning chronic …

Social Worker Perspectives On Implementation Of Harm Reduction Into Abstinence-Based Substance Abuse Programs, Susan Woomer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Opioid addiction is a growing epidemic in the United States and was declared a public health emergency by the Department of Health and Human Services in October of 2017. There is a growing recognition that the current treatment for heroin and opioid addiction, abstinence-based treatment programs, is not readily available and has minimal success in addressing the epidemic. Harm reduction therapy is recognized as an effective way to address the opioid epidemic. This study aimed to develop further insight and understanding of how to integrate harm reduction therapy in abstinence-based treatment programs. The theoretical framework for this study was the …

An Exploration Of The Lived Experiences Of Individuals Living With Hiv/Aids In Rural Uganda, Godfrey Ddungu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

HIV/AIDS is the most stigmatized health condition globally, yet there are limited studies that have examined the needs of rural Ugandans diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. At a time when Ugandan voices could assist in the development and implementation of prevention and intervention strategies to reduce the spread of the virus, these voices remain unheard and silenced. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of HIV-positive men and women in rural Uganda. A transcendental phenomenological approach provided the framework and design. This research used eight participants who were attending an AIDS health care center in Uganda. In-depth …

Homophobia In Jamaica And Its Impact On The Victimization Of Homosexual Adult Males In Montego Bay, St. James, Dr. Shahila D. Edwards-Grey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractJamaica has been listed among the most unfriendly nations for homosexual males. Previous research indicated that due to the biopolitical and sociocultural norms of the Jamaican society, homosexual males continued to be targets of various forms of discrimination based on their sexual orientation. However, research reflecting the lived experiences of homosexual males in Jamaica is sparse. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to provide details on the encounters of victimization due to homophobia of adult homosexual males in the parish of St. James, Jamaica. Data were collected through observations and in-depth interviews with eight men who identified as …

Criminology And Violent Extremist Radicalization, Starlett Michele Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, research on foreign terrorism became extensive in the United States while research on domestic terrorism and violent extremist radicalization was lacking. Despite the research that has been done, there was a lapse in scholarship analyzing terrorism radicalization and its relationship with criminology. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to analyze the perceptions of experts in terrorism and criminology about how factors of criminology can explain violent extremist radicalization. This study used two conceptual models of terrorism radicalization: (a) the staircase to terrorism and the (b) 4-stage model of the terrorist mindset. In addition, …

Occupational Burnout Factors Among Correctional Mental Health Providers, Morgan Gruhot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Burnout rates of correctional employees are higher than employees in the general public. The purpose of this study was to identify how occupational factors impact burnout rates among correctional mental health workers. Grounded in the job-demands theoretical model, this study compared burnout rates among mental health staff within county jails and state prisons. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Occupational factors were measured using the Areas of Work life Survey and Pandemic Experience and Perception Survey. Data was analyzed using IBM SSPS software to address multiple a priori directional research questions. Research questions considered how occupational factors …

Factors Leading To Alcohol Relapse During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Robert Michael Ibraham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Little research has been conducted exploring contributing stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic that may have led to alcohol relapse among individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Prior to the pandemic, alcohol use was at an all-time high; during the pandemic, the rates of substance use rose significantly more. AUDs are a leading mental health problem with over 32.6 million meeting diagnostic criteria in the United States. This study was conducted to explore self-identified factors leading up to relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals diagnosed with AUDs, with a focus on the circumstances and events leading up to relapse. …

What Contributes To A Military Veteran Turned College Instructor's Job Satisfaction?, Elizabeth Button

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Veterans may seek a second job after retirement or separation from military service. Some choose to seek employment in the field of education and earn the appropriate credentials to do so. If so, they bring motivation, leadership skills, and emotional intelligence (EI) to the classroom. While EI might be a complement to education, it is essential in the military, and veterans continue to use these attributes as they pursue employment in areas of education. The extra steps that former military service personnel must take to transition from the battlefield to the classroom, their immersive experience in the real world, and …

Exploring An Indian K-12 School’S Experience Of Culturally Adapting Multiple Intelligences Theory, Jessica Richmond

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many government-run K-12 schools in India struggle to serve their diverse student bodies in a culturally responsive manner that draws from the nation's rich cultural heritage. Academic programs based on Gardner’s multiple intelligences (MI) theory have been utilized internationally to enhance learning, but the implementation has not been explored in a school curriculum based on Indian culture. The purpose of this qualitative case study, which was grounded in MI and Ladson-Billing’s culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP), was to explore the methods and experiences of an Indian K-12 school that culturally adapted MI theory to include yogic principles of the Indian culture. …