Psychology, Developmental

Oscar Joel Contreras Rojas

The indiscriminate use that adolescents give to information and communication technologies has generated a social problem in Guatemala. Some pastors, leaders, and parents are struggling or failing to provide desperately needed pastoral care to teens due to the abuse of technology. This dissertation seeks to answer the question: “What kind of pastoral care is faithful and effective in ministry with victims of information and communication technology use in Guatemala?” using Richard Osmer's four tasks of practical theology. Based on the knowledge of psychology, sociology and theology, the current pastoral care of adolescent victims of the abuse of information technologies in Guatemala could be guided towards a more faithful and effective praxis. An effective praxis is defined through the proposal of a model of pastoral care by implementing the detection of needs, observation and spiritual accompaniment, transmitting a sensitive, courageous vision, empowering and strengthening the ministry of pastoral care with adolescents and young people.

Stanley Alex Augustine OFMCap D.Min.

Man’s search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life and not a secondary rationalization.”1 This is one of the quotes which well fits into my research. Life is complete with meaning, and seeking meaning should be the primary motivation of everyone. This thesis project is concerned with understanding how Sri-Lankan Tamil refugees find meaning in suffering and might be helped by to find meaning in their suffering through the spiritual practices of pastors. “If there is meaning in life at all, then there must be meaning in suffering.”2 Though there is meaning, the simple people, like refugees, are often unable to find the meaning for their suffering.

RAYMOND C COOK D.Min.

Community exegesis is gaining interest among preachers as a means to communicate the Word of God to a particular group, time, and location. The work of Lenora Tubbs Tisdale and her study of communal exegesis marks a significant influence on this interest. The Second Vatican Council also calls upon the preacher to utilize language to tailor the Word of God for the listener. Relying on the study of social location and combining that effort with psychological, social, and spiritual disciplines, preachers engage concepts that aid in the exegesis of today’s university students. This study demonstrates that exegeting the Scriptures and the community is beneficial to the psycho-spiritual cognitive development of students.
This thesis examines disciplines that equip preachers to exegete the university student community, thereby contributing to a better preaching event. To that end, the first chapter describes the importance of studying the historical and observable social location in which the students are living. The second chapter treats psychological stage development and current struggles that today’s undergraduates are experiencing. The third chapter considers two specific research methods and ways that preachers might implement them. These research methods uncover the language of university students, as reflected in conversations with focus groups. The fourth chapter examines the fruits of Emmaus Walks that lead towards Paschal Preaching, and the witness that university students give when preaching moves into action. The preacher also calls to mind the role of the Holy Spirit in creating a preaching event. The conclusion highlights the benefits of this thesis as an exegetical resource, suggesting that preachers can preach more effectively to students on their campuses by gaining knowledge of the social location, updating their understanding of proposed theories of psychological stage development, using a variety of research methods, and intentionally journeying with the students.

Tyler P. Roach D.Min.

This project was developed for the purpose of lowering the anxiety level of the participants of the First Baptist Church, Morganton, NC. It will be accomplished by providing a baseline awareness of their anxiety level and introducing tools to bring their baseline down. The tools used were Bible stories, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Family Systems Theory, and centering prayer. The tools were presented in the form of a Friday night and Saturday morning retreat. Data was collected in three different ways. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used during the retreat to track baseline anxiety. An essay questionnaire was given a month after the retreat to gain progress and engagement. Finally, six months out from the retreat, a survey using a Likert scale of 1-10 was submitted by the participants. The conclusion was favorable and with some adjustments could be used, at least in part, with other groups.

J A T

There is a documented need for caring education regarding patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for nursing students and nursing staff. The autism spectrum population is increasing, one in 59 children in the United States as reported by the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network (as cited in Baio et al., 2018). Nurses are expected to provide appropriate care, showing respect and understanding at all times to both the client and family. Through lack of knowledge and misunderstanding the ASD population has not been given this care. Based on Watson’s Theory of Caring, an educational ASD caring program was created for a summer session Family Nurse Practitioner assessment class. This educational program provided basic knowledge of ASD and appropriate communication skills for caregivers, guided by caring science concepts. Using the Caring Factor Survey-Care Provider Version, Short Version (CFS-CPV) by Nelson, Thiel, Hozak, and Thomas (2016), and the Autism Knowledge Survey-Revised (AKS-R) by Swiezy, Stuart, and Ashby (2005), student perceived ability to care and student knowledge of ASD were measured. Nursing curriculums and continuing education offerings should include knowledge related to working with special populations, such as those with communication disorders. Nursing practice guided by caring science principles help nurses to build authentic relationships with patients and families resulting in better health outcomes. THIS WAS PLACED IN INCORRECT LOCATION. PLEASE DISMISS. Thank you.

Duane L Flowler

There are differences in listening comprehension at differing developmental stages of life. The differences exist between young children under about age 7, children from around 7 to 11, teenagers who have the adult tools for mature listening comprehension, and more mature adult listeners. This paper examines how preachers in intergenerational worship services preach intentionally to all generations without sacrificing the essentials of expository Christ-centered preaching. It also includes segments on pitfalls to avoid and suggestions for obtaining and using feedback. The hope is to help preachers preach the Word of God to reach everyone from the infant to the nonagenarian.

Vaughn K Grant

This project seeks to assess the significant relationship between the Seventh-day Adventist tradition and the first seven crisis stages of Erik Erikson's model of psychosocial development. Participants who report a high score in one of Erikson's stages are expected to report a high score as a result of the influence of religious tradition, for that stage. The Seventh-day Adventist church has its own unique culture, traditions, conservative principles and philosophy that are grounded in the 28 fundamental beliefs of the church. This project sought to find correlations between religious tradition and Erikson's stages.

Barbara Wilkins-Crowder

This doctor of ministry research project examines the relationship between personality, theology and spirituality. Research was conducted with members of a liberal Disciples of Christ congregation in Boulder, Colorado. Volunteers received spiritual genogram interviews designed to stimulate reflectivity about ego, spiritual and relationship needs. A subgroup also participated in twelve hours of support group work. Theories of object relations, transpersonal psychology and the theological framework of Paul Tillich were applied. The data provide a rich look at the characteristics of spirituality in a liberal environment. The analysis supports the thesis that spiritual growth and development are inextricably interwoven.

Meredyth Bellows

The project evolved from the question: "Does a systematic life review result in more positive feelings held by the elderly?" The Church can facilitate positive changes of perspectives on end of life issues with its aging parishioners through a narrative theology paradigm by reforming and re-authoring the events of their lives. the primary hypothesis was that through the guided life review, elderly parishioners experienced increased self-actualization. The hypothesis was proven to be measurable and correct. This was a functional change model based in Maslow's work on self-actualization, archetypal process of Jung and Hillman, and the eighth stage of human development of Erikson. Life review can be a valuable pastoral care tool for clergy in helping their elderly parishioners through issues of grief and loss.

Maria Reimer Friesen

In this qualitative study the author explores the research question: how does participation in community service affect personal and interpersonal development? Research data was gathered through personal interviews from six participants who were enrolled in an independent secondary school where participation in community service was a requirement for all students. The literature review includes research learning theories as well as a theological framework of service. The author concludes that service experience does influence personal development and that the particular service program of this study was perceived by the participants as having significant influence on their personal and interpersonal development.