Stress Research by Priscilla Dawn Johnson

8/6/2019 Stress Research by Priscilla Dawn Johnson

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WHAT’S EATING PRAIRIE VIEW PANTHERS?

AN EXPLORATORY QUEST FOR HEALING & HELPING OF STRESS AMONG

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP DOCTORAL STUDENTS

PRISCILLA DAWN JOHNSON

Educational Leadership Doctoral Student

Whitlowe R. Green College of Education

Prairie View A&M University

March 2011



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Acknowledgements

n The researcher would like to thank those

students who provided personal insight

about their doctoral experience. Specialthanks to Dr. William A. Kritsonis for

introducing me to the Ways of Knowing

Through the Realms of Meaning philosophy

and Dr. Lisa Hobson for providing statisticalinformation to complete this study.



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Statement of the Problem

n Professors and students state that obtaining a

doctorate degree is a selfish, surprising, and

rewarding experience. Participants did notforesee the difficulty in pursuing a doctorate.

As students finish their degree, others are

stuck in ABD (all but dissertation). Doctoral

students waddle in stress as their mind and

body becomes affected. Stress is a serious

condition that has the ability to turn an emotion

into physical form.



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Purpose of This Study

n The purpose of this exploratory research is tounderstand what causes stress in EducationalLeadership (EDUL) Doctoral students at Prairie

View A&M University (PVAMU). The researcherseeks to find the elixir used to achieve thesense of healing and inspiration. This study

was conducted to examine whether a larger

scale research is necessary to find causes andhealing for stressors in the lives of doctoralstudents. Results show a larger scale study isappropriate.



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Objectives/Research Questions

What causes stress in the life of adoctoral student?

What are the fears of doctoralstudents?

What are the sources of healing fromstress?



+Theoretical Framework

n The theoretical realm of Synnoetics is a branchfrom the Ways of Knowing Through the Realms of

Meaning by Dr. William A. Kritsonis. Synnoetics

is a reflection of our personal life and the skills

utilized to master personal knowledge. Our

interactions with others weave the spiritual

sense of significance. Our spirit is the sphere in which all relations dwell (2007).

PersonalKnowledge

Synnoetics

SkillsReflectionof Personal

Life &Spirituality



+Review of Literature

² According to WDC, spiritual healing involves improving the wholeness of a person’s mind, body, and spirit (2011). Our spiritis a living force. Healing the spirit requires moving it to anormal state by altering behaviors and mind frames.

² Gockel’s 2009 study with 12 participants, who identifiedspirituality as a source of healing, found a new coping strategy.Spiritual coping took place when participants exhibited“undoing patterns” by reconstructing the meaning of theirproblem.

² Gardner’s 2008 study identified attrition factors among 60doctoral students. Women left their program due to personalreasons pertaining to family and marriage. In addition, studentsidentified poor advising, politics, and preparation for graduateschool as reasons for leaving their doctoral program.



+Review of Literature

² Flinders University (2008) conducted a study to examine the

effectiveness of their PhD preparation program. They found

that when inhibiting factors such as anxiety, fear of failure,

perfectionism, and procrastination were addressed, students were more confident about completing their PhD.

² In a study of 15 fit PhD students, the metabolite

allopregnanolone increased during PhD examinations.

Allopregnanolone can accrue in the brain and become

synthesized as a neurosteriod. This is important becauseneurosteriods play a part in nervous system malfunctions

like depression, anxiety, learning, and memory

dysfunctions.



+Methodology

Purposefulsample of EDULPhD Studentsin COE

Surveyed 28students fromapproximatepopulation of 75

students taking EDUL doctoralclasses

Instrument:Researchergenerated;phoneinterviews; 10open-endedquestions

Code of datafor themes

Survey Sample:§ Years in program ranged from 7 months – 2 1/2 years

§ Surveyed males & females

§ Ages ranged from 25-64

§ Two other researchers validated and reviewed this methodology

§ All students verbally agreed to participate in this study



+Major FindingsWhat’s Eating PVAMU EDUL Doctoral Students?

Causes of Stress

Assignments

Balance of work in

classes

Time management(family, work, &

school)

Their Fears

Their dissertation

Comprehensive

exams

Not doing well ornot finishing

Sources of Healing From

Stress

Planning

Exercise/physicalactivity

Religion

Family, friends,professors



+Major Findings

Ø MoststudentssurveyedarepursuingaPhD

becauseitisalifegoal,forupwardmobility,orto

havethecreden;alstohelpothersinagreatercapacity

Ø Studentsstaymo;vatedbyfragmentsthat

constructtheirmindframe:“beginwithendin

mind!”



+Conclusions & Recommendations From this Study: Increase the realm of Synnoetics to increase your spirit of success and

personal knowledge!

INCRESE YOUR SKILLS

Dissertationpreparation course,books, and guides

Seek guidance onexpectations for

comprehensive exams

Build timemanagements skills

INCREASE PERSONAL REFLECTION

Celebrate youraccomplishments

Create a routine or

hobby that relievesstress

Create an action plan

to defeat yourchallenges



+References

n Droogleever Fortuyn, H. A., van Broekhoven, F., Span, P. N., Bäckström, T., Zitman, F. G., & Verkes, R. J. (2004). Effects of PhD examination stress on allopregnanolone and cortisolplasma levels and peripheral benzodiazepine receptor density. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 29(10), 1341-1344. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.02.003

n Gardner, S. K. (2009). Student and faculty attributions of attrition in high and low-completing doctoral programs in the united states. Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning , 58(1), 97-112.

n Gockel, A. (2009). Spirituality and the process of healing: A narrative study. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 19(4), 217-230. doi:10.1080/10508610903143248

n Kearns, H., Gardiner, M., & Marshall, K. (2008). Innovation in PhD completion: the hardyshall succeed (and be happy!). Higher Education Research & Development , 27 (1), 77-89.doi:10.1080/07294360701658781

n Kritsonis, W. A. (2007). Ways of knowing through the realms of meaning . Houston, TX:National Forum Journals.

n WDC. (2011, n.d.). Re: Wellness destinations central: Take the journey [Web logmessage]. Retrieved from http://www.wellnessdestinationscentral.com/about/therapy-glossary/

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Stress Research by Priscilla Dawn Johnson