Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2002
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Advisor
Bruce Brydges
Keywords
Resiliency/Protective Factors/Overcoming Adversity/Invincible Adolescents/School-based Resiliency Training/Strength-Training.
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to research and document the affects of resiliency training on adolescents when delivered as a school-based program. The variables observed for change were school attendance, grade point average, indicators of depression, levels of self-esteem, and knowledge of resiliency. The subjects were adolescents in a populous urban school district. The target population was 23 adolescents ages 15 through 18. A needs assessment of crisis intervention strategies in this high school revealed no effective school-based programs. In addition, over a three-year period, approximately 42% of students had come to school staff with issues of emotional instability, depression, developmental crisis or other mental health concerns.
The writer developed program goals and corresponding lessons for instruction in resiliency. To receive instruction participants attended 10-60minute group sessions. Trained group facilitators taught the concept of resiliency and using resiliency skills to overcome adversity during these sessions. Participants were instructed in communication skills and methods of discovering and utilizing personal resiliency. Personal resources were explored and collaboration with community resources was encouraged.
The study utilized a one-group pretest-posttest design, with no control group. Data was collected in the following areas of grade point average, school attendance, level of self esteem, indicators of depression, and knowledge of resiliency. Upon program completion all participants improved in all areas by 60% or more. Boys demonstrated a higher rate of improvement in grade point averages and school attendance than girls.
NSUWorks Citation
Loretta Cutright. 2002. Development of a School-Based Resiliency Training Program for High School Students. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (880)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/880.