<p> The concept of shepherding others goes back thousands of years, yet the shepherding metaphor received limited review in academic circles. A study transpired in order to better understand what shepherding entails. It was not known how self-declared leaders from the ecclesiastic, business, and education fields, perceived, described, and practiced shepherd leadership in the greater New York metropolitan area. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how 30 self-declared leaders from the ecclesiastic, business, and education fields, perceived, described, and practiced shepherd leadership. The researcher conducted a qualitative case study involving 30 experienced leaders from three Abrahamic faiths (Jewish, Christian, Islamic) and three fields (ecclesiastic, business, education). All 30 participants completed the Shepherd Leader Inventory and the Brodie Ranking of Shepherd Leadership Skills. Combining 13 open-ended interviews with the two surveys enabled the researcher to triangulate the data. When participants were asked to describe practices unique to shepherding, the leaders in the study mentioned that the shepherd leader cares about others, behaves in a professional manner, builds up others, thinks through actions, builds relationships, shares authority, develops others, shows flexibility, and provides guidance. The researcher discovered that shepherding consists of similar constructs as several positive leadership models. Shepherding proceeds from Theory Z where the leader maintains authority in times of crisis and shares authority in times of ease. </p><p> <i>Keywords</i>: Leadership, Shepherd leadership, Shepherding, Servant leadership, Spiritual leadership, Positive leadership, Transformational leadership, Leader-member exchange, Agapao love, Ecclesiastic, Business, Education, Leadership theory, Spirituality</p>

Stigma is multi-faceted and intersects with other damaging forms of social suffering. The evolving nature of HIV stigma is particularly evident in HIV communities, where community members adopt hegemonic views of biomedicine and incorporate them into their shared social space. I argue that such structural discrimination is a product of embracing “biomedical moralities,” where older community members adopt biomedically defined medical management as the standard of conduct. Such standards of living become so pervasive that HIV stigma nearly functions as a form of structural violence producing negative stereotypes of members who do not demonstrate “correct” ways of living with HIV. Such “biomedical moralities” lie at the nexus of community formation, contingent identities, and perceived stigma that members of HIV communities enact and embody. In this work I propose a newly identified stigma-linked syndemic which is thought to contribute to HIV spread, pose challenges for HIV medication adherence, and promote known syndemic interactions between HIV and other STIs. Through ethnographic research I present HIV communities’ experiences with stigma and how that can worsen overall health effects. I suggest that such research highlights needed improvements in anti-stigma campaigns and calls for an expansion of existing stigma-related HIV syndemics research.

<p> Smokeless tobacco use is an increasingly growing health concern among South Asians immigrants. Different studied suggested that prolonged use of smokeless and chewing tobacco has adverse impact on physical and neurological health. However, there is lack of research on psychological effects of smokeless tobacco among South Asian population. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychological dependence that develops from using smokeless and chewing tobacco among South Asian immigrants in the USA. The study utilized a quantitative research design using survey method including standardized questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with 24 male and 48 females (N=72) from South Asian immigrants in the USA. Overall, there was no significant differences were found between gender, level of education, types of employment, and attempts to stop and positive dependence. Although there is a small positive correlation between age and positive dependence (r=.26). Results suggest that there is strong correlation between positive dependence and tolerance (r=.95) and strong positive correlations between positive dependence and cravings (r=.92). The results also indicated a positive relationship between positive relations and smokeless tobacco use (r=.91, ?.05) and secondary dependence and smoke?less tobacco use (r=.98, ?.05). The study also showed that there is a positive correlation between behavior patterns (frequency of daily use and number of use) and level of craving and withdrawals was higher. The implications of the study for both researchers and health professionals need to understand the culture-specific reasons for its use along with other covariates to assess the prevalence, screen for risks, and build culture specific intervention strategies. </p><p>

<p> During 2013, approximately 87,000 parents in the U.S. experienced the death of a child to drug overdose, however we do not know how the experience affected the bereaved parents. From a theoretical perspective of social constructivism and symbolic interaction, this grounded theory study explored the grief experience of eight parents to understand the social influence on the grief experience and on the meaning ascribed to the child&rsquo;s death. Data collection and analysis were consistent with constructivist grounded theory methodology that identified the assumptions and opinions that influenced how parents made meaning of the child&rsquo;s death, and how they integrated the deceased child into their life in a way that fostered a new purpose. The emergent theory stated, &ldquo;The ability of the bereaved to transform following the drug overdose death of their child was indicated by a process that brought meaning to the death in a way that honored the decedent and through the discovery of a purpose that ensured a continued and heartfelt relationship with the decedent prevailed.&rdquo; Based on this theory, the resolution of grief benefited when the bereaved thought that they were making meaningful contributions, often accomplished by a transformed identity and a new purpose that promoted a decrease in the rate of drug overdose death and a reduction in the social stigma common to drug overdose death. Proposed solutions called for guidelines to assist physicians in the prescribing of opiates, promoted the availability of Naloxone to first responders and family members who could potentially save a life, and revisions to the Good Samaritan Law throughout the U.S. to encourage more individuals to call 911 for help in overdose situations. Recommendations for future research were included.</p>

<p> Wellness is enough of a vital concern in the United States that as of 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enacted to encourage employers to adopt evidence-based workplace wellness programs. Although it is believed that these wellness programs will decrease both chronic disease and healthcare costs, participation has been minimal. Existing research has identified the positive impact of both the individual&rsquo;s role and the use of technology in wellness planning. This inquiry used an action research case study design to explore how theory-driven web-based wellness planning impacted study participants&rsquo; decisions, actions, and perceptions about wellness. The researcher created a free, open access, proprietary web-based wellness planning tool based on stages of change and integral theory. Over the 4-month period of this study, the web site had 307 visitors and 29 registered users, 12 of whom also were employees of technology companies and were recruited to take part in the case study. Web site observation, the wellness-planning tool, and individual interviews served as the primary sources of data. Analysed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics, the findings demonstrated that this web-based planning tool increased the users&rsquo; wellness awareness and may impact their intention to make improvements. Although the tool had a positive impact on users&rsquo; wellness planning skills and enhanced their understanding of wellness, most users continued to overemphasize physical wellness and underemphasize spirit and community, as represented by the lower quadrants of integral theory. Interviews further revealed that there may be an interest for employers to expand workplace wellness (WPW) program offerings, involve employees in program design, and expand WPW activities, with the intention of increasing self-care of both employees and their family members. These findings are limited to the participants and conditions of this research but warrant further study with more participants spanning a longer time period to determine whether changes may be generalizable and sustainable.</p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple-case study was to explore the lived experiences and the challenges African American male nurses faced in leadership roles and in providing quality care for minority patients. Participants included 15 African American male registered nurses (RNs) working in executive, administrative, and managerial leadership positions in Florida&rsquo;s hospitals and other healthcare organizations. The participation criteria included being an African American male RN working in a leadership position in Florida with experiences in leadership and providing quality care for minority patients and at least 5 years of leadership experience. Participants completed in-depth face-to-face, digitally recorded interviews answering open-ended questions. Analysis of the interview data identified emerging themes and patterns using NVivo 10 qualitative data analysis software. Four major themes were identified: (a) specific leadership challenges associated with being an African American male leader, (b) general leadership challenges, (c) patient-level challenges limit the ability to provide quality care for minority patients, and (d) systemic challenges limit the ability to provide quality care for minority patients. Recommendations to healthcare leaders include a work environment free of gender segregation and racial discrimination, organizations adequately funded to deliver quality care, and strong leadership support for nurses and staff. Future studies should include additional geographic locations to increase the generalizability of findings to other populations.</p>

<p> This phenomenological study investigated the experience of battered women, in an effort to understand how affect, social and environmental systems influence the lives of sheltered-battered women who have left the initial stage of domestic violence shelters and are living in the second stage of transitional housing. The research question that guided the study was, &ldquo;<i>What is the lived experience of battered women who have lived in domestic violence shelters and who currently reside in transitional housing? </i>&rdquo; Three theoretical frameworks for this study potentially addressed and explained the complexities of domestic violence and the lived experience of its survivors. These theories&mdash;ecological systems theory, feminist theory and social learning theory&mdash;were presented, as well as their connections to the research question that guided this study. Ten residents of second stage transitional housing were purposefully selected through criterion sampling. Each participant had to meet inclusion criteria of being 18 years or older, experienced two or more incidents of abuse by a partner with whom they had an intimate or marital relationship, were residents of a domestic violence shelter prior to entering the transitional housing program, and lived in the transitional housing program for at least 6 months. Six themes emerged from the data analysis. The themes that materialized were: fear, depression, survival, coping mechanisms and communal living. While living in transitional housing, the majority of participants experienced immense emotional turmoil, and the majority of the participants faced mental health challenges that caused them concern. Anxiety and depression was common in several of the participants. The results of this study supports that second stage transitional housing for battered women is providing a critical service that should be furthered expanded. After battered women enter second stage transitional housing, time and a series of steps are required for them to become self-sufficient. Implications for counseling professionals include gaining a more comprehensive understanding of what battered women in transitional housing need, while healing from domestic violence. This type of knowledge may contribute to interventions that help to strengthen women and reinforce their ability to be resourceful for long term stability.</p>

<p> The Department of Defense, at the time of this study, had over 38 combat Forward Operating Bases (FOB) with both U.S. military and non-military personnel residing and engaged in the mission. Also in these FOBs, are local nationals of the countries, who are employed to perform certain duties in these FOBs after having had certain security and medical background checks. However, while on military mission in Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern countries between 2009 and 2011, this researcher, observed and detected more than once, local nationals (LNs), Afghans, with certain infectious skin conditions working in the DIFACs (dining facilities) at major FOBs, serving food to soldiers inside the base. These LNs reside outside the FOB facility and gain entrance into the FOB daily, passing through already set security parameters put in place by the Department of Defense (DoD). There are Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) to prevent or mitigate Person-borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED), Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), and to also respond to, or recover from, Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, and Nuclear (CBRN) attacks on FOBs. Researcher is unaware of any TTP specific for HB-BA terrorist, capable of detecting, deterring or destroying a terrorist with bioagents breaching a combat post ECP; nor the training of soldiers of how to conduct a search on a bio-agent (BA) &ndash; or even what a bio-agent would look like if they found one. The purpose of this research was to determine whether there are current military counter bioterrorism measures in place to combat a human-borne with a bioagent (HB-BA) terrorist attempting to breach a combat FOB at the ECP, and how effective they are. </p><p> To accomplish this, a survey tool had to be developed and employed to determine the perceptions about the effectiveness of current ECP TTPs in detecting, deterring preventing, and mitigating a HBBA terrorist at the ECP, from military personnel. A survey tool (questionnaire) was developed, validated, and subjected to a reliability testing using Cronbach&rsquo;s Alpha on a mix-method cross sectional survey, a pretest. Results showed a Cronbach&rsquo;s Alpha of 0.82 and 0.89 for the survey&rsquo;s two constructs. Also, 92.3% of respondents had recently been in combat deployment. All of them claimed that bioterrorism is very possible, but 61.5% believe it is either very possible or possible for a terrorist with a bioagent (BA) to successfully breach a FOB ECP. Only 3.8% felt that it would be impossible to breach the FOB ECP with a bioagent. Similarly, only 28% of respondents surveyed believe that current ECP TTPs are effective against a BA, 48% believe that current CBRN TTPs are either not effective, or somewhat effective, against BA at the ECP. In conclusion, the preliminary study, indicated that combat FOBs are vulnerable to breach by human-borne with BA terrorist at the ECP, as there exists no currently effective ECP TTP that could detect, deter or destroy a terrorist with a biological agent at a combat FOB ECP.</p>

<p> In the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the role of the local police has undergone a continual expansion process that has become a vital component in safeguarding our national security. Despite numerous technological advancements in intelligence operations, the local police remains the only 24/7 emergency operations entity that is capable of gathering intelligence, investigating, mobilizing operations, and apprehending threats to our nation. With this expanded role in national security, police leadership and management is faced with increased levels of accountability, including the safeguarding of critical infrastructure in their respective jurisdictions, often without financial commitments and resources acquisitions. This qualitative study served to address the local police as a component of national security through five police chiefs&rsquo;/directors&rsquo; perceptions of their roles in safeguarding critical infrastructure, examining their perceptions as they pertain to their current delivery mission model, through interviews and the development of pervasive themes. Themes from the data were well-saturated, as well as overarching, and emerged as follows: (a) critical infrastructure (CI) identification, (b) policy and patrol practice, (c) police officer knowledge, (d) technology impacts on critical infrastructure, and (e) budget. Identification regarding the relationships between local police and civil/national security, leadership/management and policy were made that suggest changes and sweeping support for future frameworks. The paper concludes with a discussion of the research, along with recommendations for policy, practice and future research.</p>

<p> Durable power of attorney has been recognized as a powerful legal document that is used to financially exploit the elderly across the United States. The existing research indicated elder financial abuse undermines the economic security of the financially exploited older adult. </p><p> Despite the findings, however, a recent review of the existing literature showed a lack of research that computed how much elder financial abuse was attributed to durable power of attorney abuse. Studies, such as the one published by the MetLife Market Institute, reported that $2.9B was stolen from the elderly nationwide in 2010. If the durable power of attorney is used to financially exploit the elderly, then the question becomes: How much money is stolen from the elderly by the misuse of a durable power of attorney? The existing research that quantified elder financial abuse did not delineate and show how much was attributed to durable power of attorney abuse. That is the missing link. </p><p> Adult Protective Services is a nationwide government agency that receives and investigates reports of suspected elder abuse, physical and financial. The elder financial abuse cases include those in which a durable power of attorney was used to gain access to the older adults&rsquo; money. </p><p> This dissertation was the first attempt to calculate in dollars how much money was taken from older persons in Bergen County, New Jersey through the misuse of a durable power of attorney, with a sole focus on durable power of attorney abuse apart from the other ways in which senior citizens are financially exploited. This researcher examined an open-source document prepared by Bergen County Adult Protective Services and estimated in dollars how much money was taken from the elderly in Bergen County, New Jersey over a specific period of time. </p><p> This researcher examined civil security, the human security paradigm, and national security. The focus was on the economic component of the human security paradigm and through a narrow lens, the study results demonstrated that durable power of attorney abuse is a critical threat to the economic security of the nation&rsquo;s older population and poses a potential threat to our nation&rsquo;s security. </p><p> The most significant result was that the data compiled in this study seemed to indicate that between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, the majority of the elder financial abuse cases reported to and investigated by Bergen County Adult Protective Services were committed by a means other than the misuse of a durable power of attorney. When it was used, however, it resulted in the older persons having their monthly social security income stolen on a regular basis, or in other cases hundreds of thousands of dollars were taken over time.</p>