Education Commons^™

A Retrospective View Of Bullying, Janie M. Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An Abstract of the Dissertation Presented

in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
(in Education)
December 2015

Bullying in schools is one of the most prevalent challenges for teachers, administrators, and counselors all over the world (Esbensen & Carson, 2009; Merrell, Gueldner, Ross & Isava, 2008). The increase in bullying is evident by the growing interest in the behaviour, as well as intervention and prevention programs (Esbensen & Carson, 2009). This study examines the retrospective view of 10 university students who were identified as bullies during junior high years. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted, …

Suicide Prevention Strategies In Tennessee Community Colleges: A Case Study, Sandra Perley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students; annually approximately 1,100 students in institutions of higher education die by suicide. However, most research related to college student suicide was conducted using the sample of 4-year institutions. Community colleges have seldom been included in the sample of suicide research studies. This qualitative case study research explored the student suicide prevention strategies in the 13 community colleges in the Tennessee Board of Regents higher education system. Data were collected from surveys, institutional web sites, and interviews with institutional personnel.

Approximately half of the institutions offer suicide prevention information to …

Meta-Analyses Of Cardiovascular Responses To Rumination : Exploring Mechanisms Linking Depression And Hostility To Cardiovascular Disease., Lorna Y. Busch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rumination intensifies and prolongs cardiovascular responses to stress. This emotion regulation strategy is characteristic of depression and hostility and may be a mechanism linking these dispositions to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The current meta-analyses investigate the magnitude of cardiovascular responses to rumination and the effectiveness of distraction in curtailing these responses. A literature search identified studies with rumination conditions and corresponding cardiovascular measures. A random effects model was applied to calculate heart rate (HR), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) weighted effect sizes for reactivity and recovery to angry rumination, sadness rumination, and rumination on positive emotion; heart …

Relational Processes In Prayer : A Reflection Of The Effects Of Culture On Religious Experience., Benjamin David Jeppsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the mediating effect of one’s perceived relationship with God on the relationship between prayer and mental health in a cultural context. As an interpersonal activity, prayer may operate along relational constructs. Research supports a theoretical mechanism of prayer that aligns with the benefits of supportive interpersonal relationships. It is possible, then, that as relational processes change across dimensions of individualism and collectivism, prayer may mirror these same changes. A model for collectivistic and individualistic approaches to prayer is proposed and placed within a relational model for prayer’s effects on mental health. However, due to instrument failure, the …

Exploring The Associations Between Teaching Behaviors And Affect In Upper Elementary School Students Before And After Controlling For Parenting Behaviors., Allison D. Barnard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the associations between student perceived teaching behaviors and negative and positive affect in upper elementary age students, both before and after controlling for perceived parenting behaviors. The Teaching Behavior Questionnaire (TBQ), the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS-C) were completed by 777 students in third through fifth grade across nine elementary schools. Two-level hierarchical linear model (HLM) analyses not controlling for parenting behavior found that the Instructional Teaching Behavior scale of the TBQ was negatively associated with negative affect (NA) and positively associated with positive affect (PA). The Socio-Emotional …

The Role Of Self-Discrepancies In American Jewish Identities On Mental And Spiritual Well-Being., Jason Goldstein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary American Jews individually define their own Jewish identity developed through both religious and cultural foundations (Cohen & Eisen, 2000), yet there is limited empirical research on the experience of Jewish identity and its impact on mental and spiritual well-being. Beyond denominational affiliation, each Jewish individual builds a Jewish identity based on personally desired levels of participation in one’s Jewish community (Ideal Jewish Identity) as well as perceived expectations and obligations of a Jewish life (Ought Jewish Identity), although the internalized desires and expectations may not be fulfilled. Building upon the foundation established by Rogers (1954) and Higgins (1986), the …

The Impact Of Participation In A First-Year Seminar On Increased Usage Of Campus Resources, Academic And Social Integration And First-To-Second-Semester Persistence At A Two-Year Community And Technical College., Kaye Lafferty 1964-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student attrition has been a focus of college administrators for many years and will remain a critical concern for higher education (Bean, 1985; Tinto, 1987). The problem of student attrition is more severe at community colleges than at four-year institutions (Andreu, 2002; Lundberg, 2002; McCabe, 2000). Many institutions are implementing first-year seminar programs to increase persistence during the first year of college. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether participating in a first-year seminar course will increase a student’s academic engagement and attachment to the environment, usage of campus resources and participation in campus events, use of the …

High School Educators’ Perceptions Of Their Schools’ Conduciveness To English Language Learners’ Success, Jill Winiger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of administrators, guidance counselors, and classroom teachers in the high schools of Northeast Tennessee regarding their schools’ academics, climate, culture, parent engagement, and their English Language Learners’ school experiences. The researcher sought to ascertain if significant differences exist between the perceptions of different groups of educational professionals in the school, with those groups to include school administrators, guidance counselors, and classroom teachers. Data were analyzed from 50 survey questions with 42 of those questions measured on a 5-point Likert scale, 5 questions as multiple choice, and 3 questions as open-ended. …

An Evaluation Of A Secondary Student Advisement Program, Barbara A. Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods program evaluation examines the effectiveness of a high school advisory program in meeting its stated goals from the perspective of its various stakeholders. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods and applying a concurrent embedded strategy, the researcher uses Stufflebeam’s CIPP Model (Stufflebeam, McKee & McKee, 2003) as a framework to conduct a study of the Teachers-As-Advisors (TAA) Program in a rural high school in Georgia. Surveys were administered to 205 students, 40 parents, and 17 advisors. Two district administrators, three school administrators, and two counselors were interviewed. In addition, focus group discussions were held with a purposeful …