Date of Award

Fall 12-1-2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Communication Disorders and Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology

First Advisor

Linda Sperry

Second Advisor

Bridget Roberts-Pittman

Third Advisor

Michael R. Elmore

Abstract

During middle school, many girls experience changes toward a more negative affect and decreases in confidence, optimism, and curiosity (Kline & Short, 1991; Pipher, 1994). The aim of this dissertation is to provide a contextually grounded and multidimensional understanding of social-emotional resiliency in middle school girls as constructed and defined by the students, their teachers, their social reference groups and the researcher (Ungar, 2004). To address the subjective nature of resiliency, qualitative methodology was chosen as the most appropriate approach. Five girls from a middle school in a small, Midwestern town participated in the study. Five teachers who nominated students also pru1icipated. Data sources included interviews, social observations, and journals of students, as well as teacher interviews. Results show four general conceptualizations of resiliency, including conceptualizing resiliency as: maintaining typicality in behavior; maintaining self-esteem and motivation; maintaining spirit, morals, and beliefs; and engaging in an active process of perseverance. There were similarities and differences between the sources of student resiliency cited by students and teachers. Themes involving how the paiticipants experience their lives are divided into three sections: Core, which refers to identities and values; Perspective, referring to explanatory styles (Seligman, 1995); and World, referring to the primary subjects of the participants' talking and writing. Sources of emotional pain included: the loss of stability, feeling alone, loss of romantic love, guilt, the fear of losing control of emotions, and the fear that life is passing by. Coping occurred through two general methods: reacting to emotional pain through internalizing and making sense of emotional pain through: taking control, becoming passive or becoming indifferent; turning to religion or God; relating to music; using humor; choosing to stay strong for the benefit of other people; considering how another person would cope with the same circumstances; and appreciating one's existing supports.

Download

Share

COinS