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The Experience of Help Seeking for African American Pastors in Personal Crises
Get PDFThe U.S. population faces enormous challenges coping with disease, financial stress, failure, and general mental health concerns. Rather than seeking care from psychotherapists, increasing numbers of people in religious communities seek help from clergy, who must then balance the needs of their constituents while navigating their own personal crises and need for support. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of help-seeking for African American clergy during personal crises, guided by Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 African American senior pastors of congregations in the United States. Study participants defined help-seeking as multifaceted, involving reliance on God, mental health professionals, or recognizing personal limits, as well as choosing not to seek assistance. Findings revealed that some African American senior pastors sought help for personal crises through sources including family, trusted friends, spiritual counselors, and mental health professionals. In contrast, other clergy sought no help at all. Barriers to help-seeking included denial, fear of judgment, stigma, lack of resources, and unrealistic expectations of pastors. These findings illuminate the complex dynamics of help-seeking and the barriers African American pastors face during personal crises. The implications for positive social change include the potential for reducing the stigma associated with help-seeking and increasing the overall mental health of the African American clergy community, improving the overall health and safety of the community
Religious Identity, Sexual Identity, and Internalized Homophobia in Adults Who Have Deidentified From Christianity
Get PDFOver the past three decades, the percentage of the United States population that identifies as Christian has dropped significantly. At the same time, the level of acceptance of gay, lesbian, and bisexual identities has increased. However, this overall acceptance does not necessarily lead to an acceptance of these identities within specific Christian communities, leading to gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals having contradictory experiences between their Christian upbringing and secular society. Individuals who no longer identify as Christian after being so raised may experience additional dissonance as their sexuality identity conflicts with the teachings they were raised to believe yet no longer endorse. Research has suggested that individuals who deidentify from a religion tend to retain cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns that may lead to identity conflicts. Using religious residue and social identity theories as a theoretical framework, this cross-sectional, correlational quantitative study utilizing survey methodology sought to identify the relationships between sexual identity and religious identity variables in gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults who were raised in a Christian religious tradition and have since deidentified from that faith. Results of this study, using backwards regression and moderation analysis, found that religious fundamentalism, religiosity, outness, current and former religious identity, and geographic location all significantly predicted internalized homophobia. As more adults are identifying as nonreligious, it is important to better understand the experiences of those who change religious identities and how those former identities impact present psychological functioning, identity formation, and mental health
Administrators\u27 Perceptions of Their Roles in Facilitating Data-Driven Classroom Instruction in Elementary Schools
Get PDFIn the United States, a critical issue in contemporary education is the role of elementary school administrators in promoting data-driven instructional strategies to improve educational outcomes in the elementary classroom. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore elementary school administrators’ perceptions of their roles in helping teachers utilize data in the facilitation of instruction in the classroom. The conceptual framework guiding this study was the leadership for learning theory. For this basic qualitative design, purposeful sampling resulted in semistructured interviews with 10 elementary school administrators from three elementary schools within a district in an Eastern County and whose experience ranged from 3 to 12 years using their personal email. Data analysis involved thematic coding in identifying patterns and insights, which revealed the following seven themes: administrator support for effective data utilization, clear alignment of data with instructional objectives, balancing diverse data needs and instructional priorities, teacher professional development and instructional support systems, administrator perceptions of effective data-driven practices, consistent alignment between educational policy and practice application, and collaborative teacher efforts for implementing data-driven instruction. The results indicated that while some administrators see data as valuable, they prioritize its use in adaptable, context-sensitive ways that allow for teacher discretion and a holistic approach to student needs. These results may promote social change as administrator support of teacher discretion and a holistic approach to student needs. These results may promote social change as administrator support of teachers could ultimately benefit student success and improve instruction by enabling them to better understand and address their students’ progress
Pediatric Immunization Program to Lessen the Lack of Services in Rural Communities
Get PDFThe lack of resources in rural communities encourages new programs to improve outcomes in health and wellness. This project aimed to reduce the vaccination barriers of transportation and time by bringing vaccines to the children in the existing medical clinic. The purpose of this doctor of nursing practice project was the development of a sustainable vaccination program for rural communities. The practice-focused question was: Can a community team develop a sustainable plan to provide education and the provision of vaccines in a rural community? This included proposing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for providers regarding the education of patients, families, and the community as well as the correct provision of vaccines according to current medical guidelines. The theoretical framework that guided the project was Mobilizing for Action Through Planning and Partnerships, a community-driven strategic planning process to achieve health equity. A team consisting of a physician, immunization consultant from the county health department, and staff met over 4 weeks and developed the CPGs and an action plan to provide immunizations at the family practice clinic project site. Staff will provide support for supplies, storage, and documentation. The future plan is to offer an onsite clinic at a local school serving K–12 students. The implementation of this plan and its impact on social change will include evaluating immunization rates, parental acceptance, and the disease rates in this county. The project is replicable at other small rural clinics to address the equity and inclusion of the very diverse rural populations in these communities. Implementing this plan improves child, family, and community health and wellness, then more clinics that implement the plan, the greater the outcomes
Understanding Grief Experiences of Pet Loss Among African Americans
Get PDFDisenfranchised grief responses and associated stigma from pet loss have been documented among researchers; however, the unique lived experiences of African American adults facing pet bereavement have been underrepresented in research. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to deepen the understanding of grief responses after pet loss, specifically focusing on African Americans’ experiences of human–pet bereavement. Grounded in the dual process model of coping with bereavement, which emphasizes the oscillation between loss- and restoration-oriented coping strategies, this study explored how African American pet owners experience and make meaning of grief following pet loss. A phenomenological design was employed with a purposeful sample of 23 African American adults in the Midwest United States who had lost a pet during adulthood. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis, which reflected the lived experiences of participants through eight primary themes: (a) familial bonds and pet relationships, (b) anticipatory grief, (c) disenfranchised grief, (d) grief confrontation, (e) grief avoidance, (f) post-loss social support, (g) grief inequities, and (h) spiritual and emotional growth. Findings from this study can inform human services researchers and professionals in developing culturally relevant public health policies, programs, and practices. Such contributions not only enhance support systems within diverse cultural contexts but also have significant implications for positive social change by addressing inequities in bereavement care and fostering inclusive approaches to grief support
Education of Nursing Staff on Management of Aggression and Violence in Mental Health Patients Using Less Restrictive Measures.
Get PDFMental health nurses frequently face physical and emotional challenges due to the high prevalence of violence in psychiatric settings. A 2023 survey by the American Nurses Association revealed that 62% of nurses reported abuse from patients, underscoring the need for improved training on managing violent behaviors without excessive reliance on restraint and seclusion. This project addressed a critical knowledge gap in de-escalation techniques among mental health nurses by developing and implementing an educational program for violence prevention. The training included de-escalation strategies and alternative management practices aimed at reducing patient aggression while enhancing nurse safety and confidence. Forty-five of sixty nurses (75%) participated in the training sessions, conducted over three days. Outcome data showed a significant reduction in violent incidents, emergency calls, and restrictive interventions following the program, with further improvements over successive quarters. Admission assessments and communication rates also increased, contributing to better patient outcomes and reduced material losses. Organizational benefits include potential reductions in legal costs, staff injuries, and turnover. Despite limitations, such as scheduling conflicts and the need for hybrid learning formats, the project highlights the value of embedding violence management training into standard nurse orientation and annual reviews. Future dissemination will target psychiatric hospitals, recovery centers, and emergency rooms to promote a safer, more inclusive, and equitable mental healthcare environment
Smoking Cessation and Prevention in Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Get PDFGoal Statement: My goal for this prevention portfolio is to reduce the percentage of adults in Spartanburg County, South Carolina who smoke tobacco. Significant
Findings: In this social change portfolio, I highlight the profound impact of adult smoking in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where in 2021, 18% of adults smoked; higher than both the state (16%) and national (15%) averages. Also, that year, 17.1 million pounds of tobacco were harvested in South Carolina, contributing to the crisis. In this paper, I examine the risk and protective factors that influence whether an individual smokes. Smoking rates are disproportionately high among American Indian or Alaskan Native men, partly due to cultural tobacco use for sacred ceremonies and medicinal purposes. Addressing this issue requires advocacy and prevention efforts at institutional, community, and policy levels. Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: Increase access to smoking cessation resources, such as the Multicomponent Smoking Cessation Program, which includes counseling, medications, education, and a Smoker’s Helpline. Launch public health campaigns via TV, social media, and community outreach to raise awareness about smoking risks and quitting benefits. Promote smoke-free workplaces and businesses to support quitting efforts and discourage smoking. Lobby for higher tobacco taxes to deter smoking by making tobacco products less affordable, particularly among youth and low-income groups. Continue supporting behavioral therapy and counseling to help smokers manage triggers and cravings to promote long-term success in quitting
Reducing Stigma and Enhancing Outcomes: An Antistigma Education Program for Mental Healthcare Professionals
Get PDFThis Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education project that addressed the stigmatization of patients with mental illness (PMI) within psychiatric contexts. The project site healthcare organization’s mental health professionals had a high rate of stigmatization of PMI. Stigma is linked to poor medication adherence rates, delays in accessing healthcare, lower healthcare utilization among PMI, psychiatric morbidity and mortality, and poor quality of life. Despite recognizing this problem, the healthcare organization had no targeted antistigma interventions. I developed an antistigma education to improve outcomes. The practice-focused question was: In mental health staff, will an educational program on antistigma, compared to no education program, increase staff knowledge? I conducted this DNP project to determine whether implementing an antistigma education program would improve staff knowledge and awareness to lower stigma towards PMI. A total of 16 mental health staff participated and completed pre- and posttest knowledge questionnaires and a self-rated Likert-type program evaluation. Data were analyzed via percentages. Postimplementation, participants’ average knowledge score increased to 80.625% from the 48.75% recorded preimplementation. About 81.25% of participants agreed that the training could help staff lower the stigma towards PMI. Participants gained knowledge on mental health stigma, its impact on outcomes, and how to combat stigma. Further recommendations include contact-based, educational interventions and culturally sensitive practice interventions. The staff education project is expected to make a positive social impact by improving care quality, decreasing health inequalities, and developing a psychiatric healthcare system that is inclusive, efficient, and meets the needs of PMI
Strategies Managers Use to Improve Employee Retention
Get PDFAddressing employee turnover and boosting retention are major challenges for companies looking to achieve long-term success. Project managers are crucial in tackling this issue, as high turnover can undermine team performance and increase operational costs. Grounded in Herzberg’s two factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore strategies that some project managers use to reduce high employee turnover. The participants included six project managers in Mississippi who had an active role in using strategies to increase employee retention. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, organizational documentation, and research statistics. Thematic analysis identified six key strategies: (a) communication and feedback, (b) compensation and rewards, (c) employee development and training, (d) employee engagement and satisfaction, (e) employee retention and turnover, and (f) strengthening leadership. A key recommendation was that consistent communication and feedback were foundational to successful retention efforts. The implications for positive social change include the potential for project managers to implement retention strategies that may decrease unemployment, increase consumer spending power, and strengthen community economic sustainability
Leading Through Times of Financial Uncertainty in Nonprofit Organizations
Get PDFThis macro analysis examines the leadership effectiveness of a CEO within a nonprofit re-entry organization dedicated to reducing the 36% recidivism rate in a Southwestern U.S. state. The organization serves up to 50 clients recently released from the state prison system, offering housing and support services. The organizations leadership faced imminent closure due to a financial crisis driven by limited funding, high employee turnover, and a lack of community partnerships, allowing for an examination of the CEO’s response to the crisis. The quantitative study includes a review of peer-reviewed literature, assessments based on the Baldrige Framework of Excellence, and interviews with the CEO, staff, management, and clients. The findings reveal key leadership qualities essential for navigating financial crises successfully, emphasizing the avoidance of Destructive Leadership while implementing techniques of Creative funding, strategic resilience, adaptability, and community engagement. This research provides insights into effective organizational leadership in highly consequential environments, or environments of constrained resources. This study provides implications for enhanced sustainability and service delivery in nonprofit management