Resilience Experiences of Navy Wives during Midyear School Transitions of a Child

Resilience Experiences of Navy Wives during Midyear School Transitions of a Child by Alicia Brengman MS, Walden University, 2016 BA, Washington State University, 2011 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services Walden University November 2019 Abstract The social problem of school dropout is a well-researched issue that impacts students, schools, and the nation. The research problem of this study was how U.S. Navy wives experience resiliency during school transitions of their child(ren) midyear to a new school. The theoretical framework utilized for this study was resilience theory, as described by Rutter. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to gain insight into how U.S. Navy wives experience resilience when transitioning their students to a new school once the school year has begun. Semi structured interviews were conducted over the phone with 9 current wives of active duty members of the U.S. Navy. These interviews were transcribed and coded, with themes emerging that expressed not only the challenges these women endured, but the instances of personal resilience each woman experienced. Challenges included struggles with the new school, paperwork issues, and the need to support the unique needs of each of their children. Resilience experiences included conducting research on the new school, focusing attention on their children over themselves, and utilizing available resources for support. Implications for positive social change include the potential to address concerns regarding the dissemination of information and using the study findings to develop training to facilitateThe social problem of school dropout is a well-researched issue that impacts students, schools, and the nation. The research problem of this study was how U.S. Navy wives experience resiliency during school transitions of their child(ren) midyear to a new school. The theoretical framework utilized for this study was resilience theory, as described by Rutter. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to gain insight into how U.S. Navy wives experience resilience when transitioning their students to a new school once the school year has begun. Semi structured interviews were conducted over the phone with 9 current wives of active duty members of the U.S. Navy. These interviews were transcribed and coded, with themes emerging that expressed not only the challenges these women endured, but the instances of personal resilience each woman experienced. Challenges included struggles with the new school, paperwork issues, and the need to support the unique needs of each of their children. Resilience experiences included conducting research on the new school, focusing attention on their children over themselves, and utilizing available resources for support. Implications for positive social change include the potential to address concerns regarding the dissemination of information and using the study findings to develop training to facilitate more effective paperwork processes along with increased awareness of available support for military families. Such changes could reduce stress for military families and create a smoother transition for the schools and students. Resilience Experiences of Navy Wives during Midyear School Transitions of a Child by Alicia Brengman MS, Walden University, 2016 BA, Washington State University, 2011 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services Walden University November 2019 Dedication This is dedicated to my beautiful children, with an ocean of love. Thank you for challenging and inspiring me every single day. Thank you to my mother. You showed me by example the power of a woman who does not let others define her and taught me the values of hard work and perseverance. I love you! Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge the incredible individuals who have supported me during this journey. Dr Hickman, Dr Jaeckle, and Dr Stout, I am grateful for your hard work and encouragement. Greg, I truly never would have started the exploration into school dropout if not for you and your book. Thank you for pushing me and helping me on this marathon. I am grateful you took a chance on me, despite my struggles at the start of this process. I worked hard to prove you right, that I had what it takes to get this done. Dr Jaeckle, I am grateful you took me on and am in awe of all you do. I appreciate your honesty and free sharing of your thoughts. I am a researcher because of the two of you! I never would have gotten here without the love, help, and frequent nagging of my husband. Erik, I am forever grateful for all the times you encouraged me and reminded me of my goals. I love you more than you can imagine. Your patience and support during these last two years was exactly what I needed to succeed. I cannot thank you enough for being my lighthouse, always there to help me find my way.