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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?
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+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
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+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.
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+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.
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+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
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+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
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+Major Findings
Ø MoststudentssurveyedarepursuingaPhD
becauseitisalifegoal,forupwardmobility,orto
havethecreden;alstohelpothersinagreatercapacity
Ø Studentsstaymo;vatedbyfragmentsthat
constructtheirmindframe:“beginwithendin
mind!”
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+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
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+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/