2020 Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11274/13270
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Browsing 2020 Theses and Dissertations by Author "Armstrong, Joyce"
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Item A phenomenological study with African American male cardiac peer support volunteers(4/29/2020) Coleman, Charles Michael; Armstrong, JoyceThis qualitative phenomenological study was designed to focus on the lived experiences of African American male cardiovascular peer support volunteers (AAMCPSV) within a healthcare setting. There is a paucity of African American male peer support volunteers to work with the increasing numbers of African American cardiovascular patients. The scarcity of AAMCPSV warrants the question of factors contributing to the lack of organizational policies, challenges faced within hospital staff, and lessons learned from the few males who have been peer support volunteers in the past five years. The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of AAMCPSV with a goal of understanding the phenomena from their perspectives. This research was guided by one overarching research question: What are the lived experiences of African American male cardiac peer support volunteers in a healthcare setting? The findings of this study from the perspectives of the AAMCPSV are that the African American peer support volunteer is the most capable member of the healthcare team to help guide the cardiac patient and family out of the crisis; volunteering to the African American patient improves the cardiac health of the volunteer and the patient; masculinity and sexuality are underlying and under recognized concerns; and the AAMCPSV want to empower other African American males to join the cause.Item Influence of one or more domestic relocations on adolescent social skills perceived by former military parents(12/15/2020) Jackson-Lynch, Lena Mae; Hwang, Shann Hwa; Armstrong, Joyce; Moore, LinThe purpose of this research was to describe the experiences of former military parents regarding their adolescent’s social skills associated with one or more military domestic relocation. Specifically, the study highlighted the effect of domestic relocations on military adolescents’ social skills through the parents’ perspective. In addition, this study was designed using Bowen’s Family Theory and Erickson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development Theory. Interviews were used to discover the research questions that guided this study: “What past experiences occurred involving social skills in adolescents before and after a military domestic relocation” and “How would additional social skills education benefit adolescents in military families?” Seven veterans and spouses, 41 years of age and older, shared their perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs regarding military adolescents’ social skills. Emerging themes were anxiety, community, adaptability, availability, and make a difference. Previous research supports findings that emphasize military adolescents’ social skills that indicate the importance of adapting behaviors. Suggestions are provided for overcoming barriers and future research.Item The perceptions of health care providers of postpartum depression, mothers, and their families: A qualitative study(7/21/2020) Craft, Christopher; Armstrong, JoycePostpartum depression is considered a medical condition that should be taken in a severe manner (Tovino, 2009). This form of depression may impact all women who have given birth regardless of demographics, environment, or socioeconomic status (Andrews, Thomson, & Rayner, 2009). This study investigated research that focused on the perceptions of healthcare providers of postpartum depression for mothers and their respective families through a qualitative, phenomenological approach. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews in the North Texas region with nine health care providers in order to understand their perceptions of postpartum depression. From the 12 questions asked, seven themes emerged from this study, including the dangers of postpartum depression, hormone balances that contribute to depression, how postpartum depression is no respecter of person, feelings of self-devaluation that occur, fears of disclosure, internal and external support, and environmental factors. The reoccurring themes during the interviews quintessentially supported the idea that external factors play a significant role in contributing to postpartum depression. Each participant stated that family support is imperative for a mother that is experiencing postpartum depression symptoms. If family support is not available, the new mother needs to seek places such as the church or support groups for assistance. In the future, if the phenomenon of postpartum depression is viewed from a systems perspective, health care providers must screen mothers to see if they have a likelihood of experiencing postpartum depression before they give birth. If the preliminary screening revealed that the patient could potentially be at high risk for postpartum depression, precautions could be taken at that time.Item The perceptions of well-being among single Black mothers who have experienced unintended pregnancy: A qualitative study(3/30/2020) Bates, Nina, M.S.; Armstrong, JoyceThe qualitative study phenomenologically examined the perceptions of well-being among single Black mothers who have experienced unintended pregnancy. This study was framed through the lens of bioecological theory, and single Black mothers were considered as developing persons within the contexts of their microsystem settings of home and community. Unintended pregnancy among single Black women is a very significant issue with long-lasting implications, because near 70% of all Black births, nationally, are to single Black women. The researcher interviewed 10 single Black mothers who had experienced unintended pregnancy. The audio of these semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed. In response to two research questions, manual coding generated eight themes: (1) perceptions of high resilience, (2) perceptions of stressful lives, (3) perceptions of lowered mental health status, (4) perceptions that education is important, (5) interpersonal relationships contribute, (6) coping strategies contribute, (7) family structure contributes, and (8) access to reproductive healthcare contributes. Study results were compared to existing literature about single Black mothers. Strengths, limitations, and recommendations for future research, policy, and practice were discussed.