Education Commons^™

University Student Success In Graduation: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Of The “Aha” Moment, When A College Graduate Realized They Could Finish Their Degree, Justin M. Shannon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the college graduate experience of a junior officer who decided to finish their bachelor’s degree despite any temptation to drop out of school; participants were selected from a midwestern military installation. The guiding theory of this study was Duckworth’s grit theory; the study related to her theory by examining participants’ passion and perseverance and their relation to the motivation in the context of choice to finish the goal of graduating from college and commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army. This qualitative design used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach; data collection …

An Exploratory Case Study Of Student Grit With Educational Technology In Learning Environments, Crystal Rees

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to understand the expectations Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha), those born between 2010 and 2024, has on educational technology (edtech) in learning environments and how those students rate their grit with 12 participants in third through ninth grade. The theory guiding this study was grit theory by Angela Duckworth regarding grit. This qualitative study was conducted with 12 student participants in their learning environment using a qualitative questionnaire, student interview, and student observation during their dedicated homework time. Memoing was used during observations and interviews to record common phrases between participants when describing …

Resiliency, Mindset, And Academic Performance: A College Athlete's Perspective, Trisha C. Giacomazzi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this qualitative case study was the low graduation rates self-reported by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics institutions when compared to the general student population at a small Christian university in the Southern United States. In this study, I sought to acquire a deeper understanding of the degree to which an athlete’s mindset and psychological resilience influenced their perseverance and academic achievement on their path toward graduation. Utilizing semistructured interviews as the primary data collection method, I used purposive, convenience, and snowball selection methods to enlist a total of 10 participants from a pool of 52 …

The Relationship Of Grit And Social Media Addiction For College Students, Tobias K. England

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study explored the relationship between grit and social media. Researchers have noted a significant increase in the use of social media among college students that often results in negative outcomes, both personally and academically. Previous studies have shown that grit is a trait that negatively relates to various types of addictive behavior. However, little is known about the correlation between grit and social media addiction specifically. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between grit and social media addiction. This study collected data from the student populations of three private colleges and followed a correlational …

How Exemplary Female Executive Leaders In Higher Education Use Five Principles Of Grit—Courage, Conscientiousness, Long-Term Goals, Resilience, And Excellence Versus Perfection—To Accomplish Extraordinary Results In Their Organizations, Julie Pettitt

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe how exemplary female leaders who hold executive roles in higher education use five principles associated with grit (courage, conscientiousness, long-term goals, resilience, and excellence versus perfection) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organizations. It challenges the notion that academic credentials and intelligence alone drive leadership success, emphasizing the role of grit in extraordinary leadership. This study delves into the barriers women encounter in reaching executive roles, their strategies for overcoming challenges, and how they leverage gritty qualities to facilitate and sustain transformative change. Methodology: A phenomenological design was …

A Phenomenological Study That Examines The Perseverance Of Young Single Mothers Who Have Earned A College Degree, Christine Marie Kirkpatrick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand perseverance in young single mothers who have earned a college degree. The theory guiding this study is Duckworth’s theory of grit since many students who complete undergraduate degrees experience barriers related to the components of grit. Participants for this study were single mothers who have completed a college degree from an institution of higher learning in central Pennsylvania by the age of thirty. Data for the study were collected utilizing one-on-one interviews, personal timelines, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using Moustakas’ data analysis processes, including horizonalization, reduction, and …

Fostering Grit In The University Student, Hope Ballentine, Diana Dunbar

TFSC Publications and Presentations

Second Annual University of Arkansas Teaching and Learning Symposium: Sharing Teaching Ideas

In the preeminent work on grit, Duckworth et al. (2007) first defined grit as “perseverance and passion for long term-goals.” Evidence is overwhelming that grit is a predictor of success in various arenas of life, often when no other valid predictors can be identified. Grit was the only statistically significant predictor of both academic and clinical success in an Australian study of over 2000 university students (Terry & Peck, 2020). Both job satisfaction and performance are improved with increased grit (Cho & Kim, 2022). Clear evidence that a …

Dog Days: Does Interaction With A Therapy Dog Improve The Well-Being In A High School Classroom?, Carley E. Downing

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine influences of interaction with a trained facility therapy dog on a sample of high school students. Much of the existing literature on animal assisted therapy interaction engages with populations of younger children, college-aged adults, the elderly. This small sample (n=8) of adolescents provides insight into a population that despite benefiting from the interventions, is not widely studied. Emotional regulation and grit inventories were used to compare scores before and after direct interactions with the therapy dog. Emotional regulation scores improved following direct exposure to the therapy dog over a one-week period, …

Grit And Leadership: How Exemplary Middle School Principals Use The Principles Of Grit To Accomplish Extraordinary Results, Gabriela Aldana

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe how exemplary middle school principals use the five principles associated with grit (courage, conscientiousness, long-term goals, resilience, and excellence versus perfection) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organization.

Methodology: This phenomenological study described the lived experiences of exemplary middle school principals in Los Angeles and Orange County. The participants were selected through nonprobability purposeful sampling and met the criteria for exemplary middle school principals. As a member of a thematic research team of nine peer researchers and three faculty advisors, we developed a semistructured interview protocol for data …

‘It Is The Journey Not The Finish Line’: Predictors Of Grit In The Way Of St. James Pilgrimage, Ana Rita Nunes, Pedro Rosário, José Carlos Núñez, Armanda Pereira, Tânia Moreira, Cleia Zanatta

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Few studies have explored how individuals can develop perseverance and passion towards longterm goals. This study addresses this research topic. Predictors of grit were tested while participants progressed on the Way of St. James, a long walk completed by foot or bicycle, taking several days or weeks, to Santiago de Compostela (Spain). 575 pilgrims of various nationalities self-reported measures of grit, harmonious passion, autonomous functioning, and lifelong learning attitudes. To study the association between these variables, path analysis modelling was conducted. The results show that autonomous pilgrims demonstrate more perseverance and passion towards their long-term goals than less autonomous pilgrims. …

How Exemplary Directors Of Special Education Use The Five Principles Associated With Grit To Accomplish Extraordinary Results: A Phenomenological Study, Maria L. Moore

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe how exemplary directors of special education use the five principles associated with grit (courage, conscientiousness, long-term goals, resilience, and excellence versus perfection) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organizations.

Methodology: This qualitative study was part of a larger thematic research study conducted by nine peer researchers under the guidance of three University of Massachusetts Global faculty chairs. The qualitative research design encompassed a phenomenological model. Data for this study were gathered through a combination of eight semistructured interviews of exemplary directors of special education who met the predetermined …

Exploring Grit In Exemplary School Superintendents, Denise Jaramillo

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe how exemplary superintendents use five principles associated with grit (courage, conscientiousness, long-term goals, resilience, and excellence versus perfection) to accomplish extraordinary results in their organizations.

Methodology: This qualitative study was part of a larger thematic study conducted by nine doctoral candidates under the supervision of three University of Massachusetts Global faculty. The study used a phenomenological design to identify and describe how exemplary superintendents use five principles associated with grit to accomplish extraordinary results. Data were gathered through a combination of eight semistructured interviews, related observations, and a …

An Intentional Wholeness Focus And The Association With Burnout In Graduate Students, Stacey B. Cunningham, Susanne B. Montgomery, Brian J. Distelberg, Qais Alemi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout for university students are concerning. As in other competitive professional fields, graduate students in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology face many performance pressures. Creating supportive learning and wholeness climates along with individual grit, resilience, and healthy spirituality have the potential to positively impact these pressures. The study’s purpose was to examine factors related to burnout within an institution committed to creating supportive learning and wholeness environments. Three hundred and fifty-three graduate students from occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology graduate programs were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional …

Doctoral Students’ Experiences Of The Pandemic And Their Perceptions Of Grit, Josie Bryant

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The pandemic has significantly changed societal structures and individuals’ lives. The early tragedies and stress of the pandemic affected health, relationships, families, education, work, travel, and immigration. Students who entered doctoral programs in 2020 chose a unique time to pursue an already arduous goal amidst unprecedented challenges. Using a phenomenological approach, this study explored doctoral students’ experiences during the pandemic and sought to understand their perspectives of grit. The study aimed to offer first-hand insight into the pandemic’s effects on doctoral students, and add critical contributions to understanding the necessary actions, support systems, and policies for a life in a …

Grit, Efficacy, Commitment And Career Planning, Mary Clare Newsham

MSU Graduate Theses

This current study advanced understanding of the career goal-setting and relevant goal-related attitudes to the career planning process. Specifically, this study evaluated how career goal commitment, career goal self-efficacy and grit affect career goal structures and effort. A multidimensional career goal commitment scale was developed to differentiate intrinsic (affective) from rational types of commitments. Findings supported affective career goal commitment as consequential to the completeness of career goal structures and in career-relevant effort. Also, career goal self-efficacy was found to predict career planners’ self-efficacy for shorter term performance.

The Relationship Between Grit, Perceived Social Support, And Educational Gains In The Adult Basic Education Classroom, Jennifer D. Shearon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a critical part of the educational landscape in the United States; its aim is to improve the basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills of the very diverse population of adults in America who lack proficiency in these skills, and more often than not, a high school graduation credential (U.S. Department of Education, 2021a). Each program year, federal funding for ABE state administrated programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, 2014) is tied to percentages of participants who make measurable skills gains (MSGs). One type of MSG is Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gains, which …

Classroom Climate, Culture, Parenting Skills, And Student Grit, Karen Ochoa

Dissertations

The education system has noted that student motivation and perseverance are lacking, yet the focus on standardized testing over the last decade has increased the rigor and expectations in the classroom. As such, educational researchers are always looking for new and inventive ways to enhance student achievement without increasing the financial burden on the schools. Grit is the non-cognitive skill that a person processes that enable them to work hard, endure, and persevere through challenging times. A person who exhibits grit often succeeds over those who have the cognitive ability but do not have grit. Children in countries with collectivist …

The Predictive Relationship Between Grit, Servant Leadership, And Growth Mindset In Public School Administrators, Dawn E. Lyons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research on grit, growth mindset, and servant leadership theories has found that implementing these theories in school settings can positively impact student achievement. However, a study has not been conducted investigating the combined effects of the three theories. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive linear relationship of grit (criterion variable), growth mindset (predictor variable), and servant leadership (predictor variable) with school administrators. This study used a quantitative prediction design utilizing the self-report measures of the Grit-S Scale, the Growth Mindset Scale, and the SL-7. Thirty-four principals, 25 assistant principals, and nine elementary interns in a school …

A Correlational Study Of Noncognitive Variables And Student Success In Dental Education, Jennifer Lynn Keim Wibbeler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In 1995, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published Dental Education at the Crossroads: Challenges and Change, advocating for a revolution in dental education. Notably, it recommended that course content, structure, and delivery be modernized in response to graduating clinicians lacking the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required in a patient care setting. To help determine if current dental education trends are promoting these skills, the purpose of this cross-sectional, correlational study is to investigate the relationship between students' noncognitive variables (self-regulation, intrinsic motivation, autonomous functioning, learning strategies, and grit), as predictor variables, and self-directed academic performance (as measured by end-of-term …

Grit As A Predictor Of Academic Achievement Among Street-Connected Boys In Bungoma, Kenya: A Quantitative Study, Brigid Siobhan Scripa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive, correlational study was to examine the relationship between street-connected children’s grit while enrolled in Reach International Children’s Center and street-connected children’s grit while living with family of origin. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to examine hypothesized predictors of rank-ordered academic achievement among street-connected children, recently rescued street-connected children, recently reintegrated street-connected children, and home-connected children. A world phenomenon is currently occurring where children are migrating to the streets in search of shelter, security, and safety; children are migrating to the streets in search of meeting their basic needs. While the factors that …

The Grit To Not Quit - An Examination Of The Relationship Between Grit And Teacher Retention, Alexia W. Bultman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the level of grit that best predict years in teaching. The study sought to answer the research question, How accurately can years of teaching experience be predicted from the linear combination of grit score (meaning the consistency of interest and perseverance of effort), age, gender, level of education, grade level taught, and subjects taught? Teachers (N = 468) of preschool-12th grade in a large suburban Atlanta school district responded to survey questions from the Grit-S Scale questionnaire along with demographic questions. Multiple linear regression was conducted to analyze the data. The …

A Study Of Self Efficacy, Grit, Persistence, And Professional Development Of Select Texas Public School Principals Participating In The Principal Pipeline Program, M. Veronica Garza-Kortan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if a relationship existed between the self-efficacy and grit of selected principals; the differences in self-efficacy and grit among the principals who did and did not participate in a principal development program; and the differences in self-efficacy, grit, and persistence in the job role of the selected principals with varying years of experience. The study focused on Texas public school districts in the Principal Pipeline program and included 101 principal responses. Data collection occurred via an electronic survey. In this quantitative study …

Developing Mental Toughness In Collegiate Football: A Phenomenological Study, Tarrah D. Bisch

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to enhance the phenomenon of mental toughness, by addressing the literature gap of how mental toughness can be developed in college football. This qualitative study used a tri-level snowball method, first interviewing head coach participants recommended from a collegiate football expert. Then, interviewing assistant coaches who were recommended by each head coach. Lastly, interviewing a focus group of current collegiate football athletes, who were recommended by both head coaches and assistant coaches. This study addressed four research questions surrounding the development of mental toughness in college football athletes, the differences between coaches’ and athletes’ …

The Effect Of Grit On Leisure Time Physical Activity. An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behaviour, Vello Hein, Andre Koka, Hanna Kalajas-Tilga, Henri Tilga, Lennart Raudsepp

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Grit as a personal trait has an important role in achieving different behavioural outcomes. The present study aimed to test the validity of an extended model of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, in which domains of grit, such as perseverance of effort and consistence of interest are mediators between the attitude and intention, and between attitude and self-reported leisure time physical activity behaviour. Material and methods: The participants were school children: 106 boys (M age = 13.00, SD = 0.98) and 240 girls (M age = 13.13, SD = 0.95) Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the …

Strategies To Teach Grit And Perseverance To Students With Special Needs Through The Growth Mindset, Melissa J. Anderson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recently, there has been increased attention on the importance of non-cognitive skills in achieving academic success. Grit and The Growth Mindset are two of the characteristics. Research has established a positive correlation between Grit and The Growth Mindset with academic achievement, higher graduation rates, and better self-esteem. Evidence strongly suggests the benefits of developing strong cognitive skills reach beyond the school-aged years, providing individuals with the skills to be productive and successful adults. However, research on this topic is still in the early stages. There is limited qualitative information available. The studies offer quantitative information linking Grit and The Growth …

Utilizing Parent And Educator Self Efficacy And Grit Training To Encourage The Pursuit Of Stem Careers For Elementary Students From Traditionally Underrepresented Groups, Twianie Roberts,, Annette Roberts-Murray

Teaching and Learning Faculty Research

In the United States, there is an increased demand for professionals in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Research indicates that individuals with higher levels of self-efficacy and grit have higher levels of academic achievement. Traditional research has focused on the self-efficacy and grit of students. Realizing the impact that parents and educators have in the lives of students, the purpose of this model is to determine the effect that parent and educator self-efficacy and grit training has on the pursuit of STEM careers for elementary students from traditionally underrepresented groups. The data gathered, will examine the impact that professional …

Increasing Stem Grit Among Underrepresented Groups: Lessons From Our Fathers, Twianie Roberts, Orville Bignall, Sibyl Moore

Teaching and Learning Faculty Research

Research indicates that students with a high level of Grit and self-efficacy have higher levels of academic achievement. Grit is comprised of passion (consistency of interest) and perseverance of effort, for long-term goals. The purpose of this model is to increase Grit among underrepresented groups. It utilizes one aspect of self-efficacy, “vicarious experiences”, to increase STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Grit among underrepresented groups. Historical contributions from individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM fields are used vicariously to promote student Grit by showing examples of perseverance resulting in academic excellence. This model has implications for curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional …

Recognizing Capital: A Study Of Cultural Wealth, Grit, And Student Success, Jessica Lauritsen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The widening gap between the demographics of faculty and students in higher education is exemplified by the racial, ethnic, and economic disparities in student achievement outcomes. Expecting students to adapt to an unwritten set of rules to successfully navigate higher education is not the solution. Understanding the strengths of students is essential to validating their ability to be successful in college. This study will measure two-year college student recognition of their individual aspirational capital, navigational capital, and grit connected to their perceived academic success, as well as their perceptions of faculty understanding of and recognition of their skills and experiences.

The Relationships Between Grit, Mindset, And The Academic Success Of Nontraditional Students At Online Colleges, David W. Franklin Jr

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Grit and mindset are two of the hottest topics in education today, but research on their predictive power for academic success is inconclusive and rife with gaps and limitations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between grit, mindset, self-regulated learning (SRL), and academic outcomes for adult students attending online colleges. This was investigated using data from the Diagnostic Assessment and Achievement of College Skills (DAACS) project, and includes 9,276 undergraduate, mostly adult students from two online institutions in the United States. The results indicate that while grit, its two components, and mindset were significantly correlated with …

The Business Of Behavior: Appalachian Teachers’ Experiences In Using Positive Behavior Interventions And Support, Erin Michele Coffield

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of Appalachian elementary and middle school teachers who have been identified as working in Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) schools. This study used Lifeworld Theory to engage in discussion about the teachers’ individual experiences in using PBIS in their classrooms in relation to resilience frameworks and childhood trauma. The teachers’ individual experiences were analyzed using a Whole-Part-Whole analysis to bring the individual stories together to better understand how PBIS and childhood trauma are experienced in a specific Appalachian school. Discussion opens up through the participants' experiences about grit models in school, trauma their …