21867 research outputs found
Sort by
Care and Resource Support for Surrogate End-of-life Decision-Makers
Get PDFSurrogate end-of-life decision-makers are family members facing the emergent task of making end-of-life care decisions for their loved ones many times without prior knowledge of what their family members would want. Afterward, the surrogate decision-maker is often without support to process their experience and grief. The purpose of this DMIN action research project is to provide a faith-based support group for those who have had the experience of being a surrogate end-of-life decision-maker and through an advance care planning and advance directives seminar and workshop provide an informational resource for individuals who have not had the experience and want to prepare. Seven experienced surrogate end-of-life decision-makers voluntarily participated in a six-week grief support group, and thirteen volunteer participants attended the two-week Advance Care Planning seminar and workshop presented by the PHG Urban Life Center at Power, Hope and Grace Bible Church in Detroit, MI. Research methods included recruitment interviews, qualitative questionnaires, satisfaction surveys, and pre and post-test assessments. The findings indicate that grief support allows for safe catharsis of the feelings of anger, guilt, regret, and relief. Findings regarding the advance care planning and advance directives seminar and workshop indicate that information and training will not result in completed advanced directives without addressing emotions and family dynamics
The Virtual Workforce: A Phenomenological Study of Perceived Factors that Influence Employee Engagement
Get PDFThis qualitative study aimed to examine the lived experiences of employees working in the virtual workforce who have previously worked at an onsite location to better understand the tools needed to keep them engaged. This study aimed to fill the gap in research by gaining insight into the aspects unique to the virtual workplace that promote employee autonomy, competence, and connectedness. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect relevant informational data from 13 participants recruited from the professional social media platform LinkedIn. Participants were individuals aged 21 or older who had worked in a traditional and remote working environment, were currently employed at least 35 hours per week, had worked virtually at least two days a week for at least one year, and were able to converse without an interpreter or guardian. Important components of Self-Determination Theory discovered that autonomy is improved through increased leadership trust and job flexibility, competence is increased through provided learning opportunities, and connectedness through regular co-worker connections. This study also revealed that the components of Kahn’s engagement model strongly emphasize organizational support systems and the importance of overall well-being as strong driving factors of increased employee engagement. The information gained from this study can help facilitate organizational change in the fast-growing virtual workforce
Counseling Professionals’ Perceptions on the Demand for School-Based Counseling in Public Schools: Addressing the Mental and Behavioral Health Challenges of At-Risk Youth, Including Gang-Involved Youth
Get PDFThe objective of this qualitative descriptive research study was to deeply explore the perceptions of school-based counseling professionals, specifically within the St. Lucie Public Schools (Florida), and their role in addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of at-risk youth, including gang-involved youth. This includes middle and high school counseling professionals, Mental Health Counselors, and Social Workers, each playing a critical role in supporting this vulnerable population. The study sought to gather rich and nuanced insights into how these professionals view their capabilities to effectively aid at-risk youth, including those entangled in gang involvement, utilizing the resources and established therapeutic modalities at their disposal. It aimed to illuminate the challenges they encounter in this demanding field, the strategies they employ to overcome these obstacles, and the specific resources they depend on to provide meaningful support to these youth. Guided by the social support theory, which emphasizes the significance of strong relational networks and the interactions that occur within these connections (Kort-Butler, 2017). This research posits that individuals with robust social support will likely experience fewer physical and mental health problems than those with weaker social support systems (Kort-Butler, 2017; Wiley-Blackwell, 2018). The theoretical framework of this qualitative descriptive study centered on various school-based counseling resources from the perspective of mental and behavioral health professionals who actively facilitate and administer these essential services to identified middle and high school at-risk youth, including gang-involved youth, in an academic setting. Data collection involved thematic analysis of participants’ semi-structured interviews, supplemented by triangulation with survey data to understand their experiences comprehensively. Participants articulated their methodologies in utilizing school-based counseling to address the intricate mental and behavioral health challenges faced by at-risk youth, including gang-involved youth. The study\u27s overarching findings indicate that school-based counseling professionals perceive the necessity of providing counseling in public schools to effectively address the mental and behavioral health challenges faced by at-risk youth, including those involved in gangs. They view this need as critical to the overall health and safety of the students and the educational environments in which they operate. The counseling professionals within the St. Lucie Public School District (Florida) – specifically Mental Health Counselors and Social Workers – characterize their roles as protective factors in the lives of the youth they assist. Despite facing challenges such as negative attitudes, non-compliant behaviors, mental and behavioral health disorders, external risk factors, and personal limitations regarding time, space, and resources, they remain dedicate
Leadership Transition Failure in Small to Medium-Size Enterprises
Get PDFExpanding companies may inevitably encounter leadership transition situations that involve challenges for employees, leaders, and founders. Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) members have experienced leadership transition complications, sometimes due to the loss of tribal and predecessor-specific knowledge, resulting in compromised firm functionality and the long-term viability of businesses. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge on leadership transition failure, including an examination of mechanisms that influence the success and failure of leadership transitions. To address identified knowledge gaps, a flexible design, single-case study was conducted using a constructivist paradigm. Data were collected from a diverse selection of interviewees, reinforced by a focus group and secondary data. Transformational leadership theory and social identity theory were foundational to exploring key areas, including knowledge transfer, organizational culture, leadership alignment, and development and mentorship practices. As a result of reading this study, senior leaders and business founders will equip themselves with actionable insights derived from the study to confidently navigate leadership transitions, sustaining organizational momentum during periods of change
The Moderating Effects of Adult Attachment and Emotional Intimacy on the Relationship Between ACEs and Mental Health in Social Work Students
Get PDFSocial work students report significantly more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than other majors or the general population. ACEs increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) and can impact students’ ability to effectively serve future clients. Attachment theory and current research suggest a substantial potential therapeutic impact of secure adult attachments, particularly those with high emotional intimacy (EI), for those with ACEs. This study explored the moderating effect of primary adult attachment (PAA) on the relationship between ACEs and mental health. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE-10) Scale, the State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM), the Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Intimacy Scale (FAPIS), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were administered to a diverse group of 347 undergraduate and graduate social work students. Statistical analyses did not find support for a three-way interaction of secure PAA and EI on the relationship between ACEs and DAS. However, direct and conditional direct effects were noted. Anxious attachment and emotional intimacy (EI) each contributed substantially to the variance in DAS in various models, with anxious attachment having a positive association, and EI relating inversely, to DAS. An interaction between anxious attachment and ACEs was found in which the effect of ACES on DAS was strengthened as anxious attachment increased. Both anxious attachment and EI moderated the impact of ACEs on DAS at low and moderate levels of ACEs. Secure attachment and EI were associated with reduced DAS. Social work educators are encouraged to promote awareness of ACEs and their long-term effects through curriculum, experiential learning, self-reflection, and supporting students in identifying and strengthening PAAs and increasing EI, to enhance student well-being and equip them to serve future clients and the profession
Compassion Fatigue and Secondary Traumatization on Foster Mothers’ Perceived Quality of Provided Care: A Phenomenological Study
Get PDFCompassion fatigue and secondary traumatization are related phenomenon that contribute to the emotional and mental exhaustion of people in caring professions and roles. Of care, feminist ethicist Gilligan says that care is a reciprocal act that can repair the damage of past wrongs yet benefit both parties involved. This study examined the testimonies of eight foster mothers in the United States Midwest regarding their experiences with compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization and their manifestations of quality care, as the literature lacks thorough descriptions of both. Through hermeneutical phenomenological research, specifically interviews, this study confirmed that the foster mothers experienced compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization along a continuum; they also endured primary trauma. Their experiences with compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization did not alter their perceptions of how well they can care for their foster children, but they did change their view of themselves as carers. Their descriptions of care mirrored Gilligan’s ethics of care in some ways and diverted from it in others. This study had the practical ramifications of impacting the child welfare field, possibly including training and supports offered to foster parents, and the theoretical and empirical ramifications of better understanding women’s experiences of care and foster mothers’ experiences that differentiate compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization
Judicial Deference in Immigration Cases: A Qualitative Inquiry into How Judicial Decision Making Shapes Immigration Policy
Get PDFIn the United States, the inherent right of a sovereign nation to regulate immigration and naturalization has been a privilege long recognized. The judicially established plenary power doctrine affirmed that right in 1889, only to be forgotten to history through shifting judicial focus. This study analyzed the connection between the political branch’s constitutional and statutory authority on immigration regulation and the influence of the federal judiciary on that power by reviewing immigration law, executive action, and judicial decisions. Increased judicial review into immigration-related matters has affected immigration policy. Soliciting firsthand insight from 17 federal judges provided unparalleled insight when investigating the basis for that intervention. With a framework guided by the theories of judicial behavior, this study demonstrated the importance of understanding how judicial behavior and judicial philosophy influence decision making when faced with issues relating to executive or legislative action on immigration. The combination of semistructured interviews and a case study confirmed a variety of explanatory variables that contribute to judicial decision making. The results produced two themes with five respective subthemes that successfully encapsulated what factors were prevalent in participants’ judicial process, culminating with the judicial thought equation (jd = jb + jp). Findings revealed professional experience prior to taking the bench, outside influences, and discretion were the main contributors to decision making in immigration-related cases. Future studies should include continued qualitative discussions with individual judges who have presided over cases with immigration policy implications
Okinawan-American Organizational Cross-Cultural Communication Behaviors
Get PDFExisting literature relating to Okinawa is sparse and outdated. There is a crucial need to study Okinawan-American cross-cultural organizational communication behaviors, as many U.S. military members and civilians work throughout Okinawa. Additionally, Japanese-American or Eastern-to-Western-cultured communication literature fails to identify and often misinterprets communication behaviors. Current literature also fails to account for the societal and personal constructs of cross-cultural communication differences that cause misinterpretations. Utilizing sociocultural and sociopsychological traditions, the research is grounded primarily in Identity Negotiation Theory, with aspects of Expectancy Violations Theory. Using qualitative research that relied on semi-structured interviews, twenty-four participants, equal parts Okinawan and American, were interviewed about their cross-cultural communication experiences. Findings showed that both Americans and Okinawans encountered cross-cultural communication behavior differences in an organizational setting and willingly adjusted their own communication behaviors to account for these differences. For the purpose of this study, findings and literature connect to the main island of Okinawa, and not the archipelago of 160 islands
How the Book of Genesis Addresses the Problem of Evil from a Biblical Theological Perspective
Get PDFThe study focuses on the conventional conception of God, specifically, the question of the problem of evil from a Biblical theological perspective. Theists believe that God is supremely powerful, completely benevolent, and all-knowing. Evil may be found everywhere, as seen in our everyday lives: sickness, natural catastrophes, warfare, a lack of opportunity for advancement, poverty, bigotry, murder, animal abuse, and the list goes on.1 According to conventional beliefs, the problem of evil arises from the apparent contradiction in stating that the Lord, who possesses unlimited power and is kind-hearted, is the origin of all that is good while also acknowledging the existence of evil.2 The contradictions between different views are important aspects of conventional belief systems. The fundamental goal of this research is to explore the question of the problem of evil within the book of Genesis from a Biblical Theological approach. It highlights the origin and narrative involved in addressing the issue from a biblical theology perspective to philosophical and systematic approaches. The methodology provides a theoretical underpinning of the topic. It explores the paradigms of God\u27s existence, the reality of evil, emerging themes, symbolism, and the mystery of the concept regarding the book of Genesis
An Applied Multimethod Study: Addressing the Problem of Property Integrity Issues in the State of Alabama
Get PDFThis applied multimethod study addressed the problem of property integrity issues in the state of Alabama. The central research question aimed to discover how property integrity issues could be identified and reduced within the state. The multimethod design utilized qualitative and quantitative data collection methods framed with Cohen and Felson’s (1979) routine activity theory across semi-structured interviews, content analysis of online news articles posted to the International Association for Property and Evidence’s Headline News webpage, and a survey questionnaire. Data observations revealed the problem of property integrity issues was complex. Target suitability for property items being stolen was found to be high for guns, drugs, and money. The most frequently cited property integrity issue was mishandled issues, which included cross-contamination issues. Yet, 97.5% of public service employees reported having never been asked to voluntarily submit a known DNA reference sample to help identify cross-contamination issues. Over 70% of public service employees also reported a level of misunderstanding for entering a DNA reference sample into the Combined DNA Index System. Data findings were used to recommend a state-level policy solution. This solution included providing a comprehensive Combined DNA Index System eligibility education/training module to be taught to public service employees in Alabama at the Regional Training Center