Dissertation Defense Announcement

The College of Education announces the final dissertation defense of

Laura Ann Bailey Smith

for the degree of Doctor of Education

April 5, 2016 at 11:00 am in 103 Ball Hall

Major Advisor: Douglas Strohmer, PhD

Differential Prediction of Resilience among Individuals with and without a History of Abuse

ABSTRACT:
This study evaluated the differential relationship between spirituality, hope, and mutuality for predicting resilience among 253 young adult participants (47 men, 206 women; Mean age = 22 years; SD = 5.66 years) with history of abuse (n = 64) or no history of abuse (n = 189). Backwards-stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed statistically significant, yet different models between participants with and without history of abuse wherein subscales of spirituality (existential well-being with abuse, β = .40, p = .03; without abuse, β = .27, p < .01) and hope (time/future without abuse, β = .32, p < .01) were substantial predictors of resilience. Implications for counseling practice and public policy are provided.