Neighborhood Structure, Parenting, Flourishing, and Behavioral Problems in Young Children of Immigrants

Many low-income children of immigrants live in disadvantaged neighborhoods marred by isolation, resource deficiency, and violence (Suarez-Orozco, Suarez-Orozco, & Todorova, 2008). Living in neighborhoods with low-socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with higher rates of internalizing (Lara-Cinisomo, Xue, & Brooks-Gunn, 2013) and externalizing problems (Russell, Ford, Williams, & Russell, 2016). However, there is a dearth of research examining the pathways through which neighborhood SES influences preschool-age children of immigrants’ development. Using a subsample of 3-5-year-old children (N = 1,134) from the National Survey of Children’s Health (Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, 2018), this study tests a model of direct and indirect neighborhood SES effects on young children who have at least one foreign-born parent. Based on a relational developmental systems perspective and family stress theory, the proposed model identified neighborhood structural disadvantage (i.e., cohesion, resources, and support) and parenting (i.e., parent-child interactions, aggravation, and mental health) as indirect pathways through which neighborhood SES influences preschool-aged children of immigrants’ flourishing and behavioral problems. Results indicated that there was an indirect effect of neighborhood SES on child flourishing and behavioral problems through neighborhood structural conditions and parenting (mental health, aggravation, parent-child interaction). This research contributes to increasing knowledge and understanding of the links between foreign-born parental nativity, neighborhood disadvantage, and the health of children of immigrants

Qualitative Study of Self-Narrative Identity Profiles of Elite Athletes

Elite athletes in emerging adulthood are faced with societal and developmental complexities in addition to the pressure to perform at the highest level. In this time of identity development, researchers are interested in studying the way athletes conceptualize their identities through storytelling or self-narrative identity. Previous research has suggested that athletes whose self-narrative identity is based on one\u27s purpose rather than performance experience more positive mental health wellbeing. Based on these findings, the current study aims to further explore self-narrative identity of elite athletes as it relates to one’s purpose or performance based self-narrative identity. The following study is an exploratory qualitative analysis of individual interviews. Interviews were conducted with elite athletes following participation in a short-term service trip to explore athlete’s view of one’s self after an activity that encourages individuals to think beyond the self. Utilizing a story-telling self-narrative lens, the researcher focuses analysis on athletes’ view of one’s self in the past, present and future as a way of bringing a deeper understanding to previously identified purpose and performance self-narrative profiles, and in hopes of offering new directions for future research

Social Skills and Internalizing Symptoms in Children With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo

There is a paucity of research into the degree to which children with sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) engage in internalizing behaviors and display social skills deficits. SCT symptoms can exacerbate the symptoms of comorbid disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety, and poor school performance is associated with symptoms of ADHD and SCT. Constructs of SCT, internalizing behaviors, and social impairment were extracted from a battery of neuropsychological tests for 50 children who were struggling academically. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test determined if students with high levels of SCT had greater social difficulty and endorsed more internalizing symptoms. Additionally, inattentive ADHD was factored out of the results in order to remove ADHD as a potential confounding variable. Support was found for the first hypothesis: The high SCT group displayed worse social functioning. Specifically, teachers reported greater social difficulty for their students with high SCT in a classroom setting. Support was also found for the second hypothesis: Students with high SCT scored higher on an internalizing measure indicating that they are more withdrawn and depressed. These results are distinct from children with ADHD and this knowledge may allow for applications in creating differing treatment plans for children with SCT. Students with SCT who are withdrawn and depressed in school display social difficulties different than children with inattentive ADHD. Future research should determine appropriate specialized treatment plans for children with SCT that address their social difficulty as well as social withdrawal and depression in school

Intentional Engagement: Toward an Evangelistic Initiative of Gospel Proclamation

This dissertation is aimed at increasing the practice of verbal gospel proclamation among Christ followers. Part I lays the foundation for a theological understanding of mission and evangelism. It is here where I examine the practice of evangelism as it pertains to missional engagement. Here I define evangelism as intentionally engaging others in spiritual conversations that can lead to sharing the gospel. In Part II, I share the sample groups I chose to research and the three different methods of anonymous surveys, confidential interviews, and participant observations. I disclose my findings of the three key barriers that keep Christians from intentionally participating in verbal gospel proclamation: 1) Does not want to be pushy, 2) Does not feel qualified, and 3) Does not know what to say. Part III describes the Training and Resource Platform (TRP) that is aimed at inspiring Christ followers to love the lost and to equip them to engage the lost. I was able to create instructional materials aimed at providing practical application activities for the churches that the Every Home for Christ ministry serves. In addition to training, this is a platform for informational resources that organizations and individuals can choose according to what is best for their contexts. I demonstrate how this TRP can be implemented at the local church level

Realizing Global Intercultural Ecclesiology through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church

This dissertation presents a change process within the Cumberland Presbyterian (CP) Church (a denomination) to help it better realize global intercultural ecclesiology. I look at features of intercultural ecclesiology, the relevance of the global intercultural experience on the CP Church’s participants, and aspects of ecclesial shared identity in the midst of cultural diversity. To better assist the CP Church in its vision to be globally connected as a denomination, I connect theoretical and practical concepts, as well as human subject field research to a change process that will guide the CP Church toward greater intercultural connectionalism. In Part I, I present important theoretical and practical features related to global ecclesiology. I examine theological concepts that enlighten global connecting, missiological concepts associated with cultural diversity and shared identity, and missiological concepts that explain how global connecting is relevant to participants. In Part II, I utilize focus groups, interviews, and a case study as the research methods. I explain how the data from participants in seven different countries was collected and analyzed and present key findings from CP leaders related to CP identity, cultural diversity, views on global ecclesiology, relevant experiences and concerns of participants about intercultural connectionalism. I then draw conclusions based on the findings and literature reviewed to better inform the change process. In Part III, I present a change process designed to help the CP church move toward greater global connectionalism using a taskforce to advance change. I outline a three-phase, multi-year change process leading to greater intercultural connectedness. Though this study is iii primarily to benefit the CP Church, its application is wider and provides ideas that can help Christian churches and mission organizations be more interculturally connected

Promoting Pastor Spiritual Vitality in the Christian Reformed Church Through an Online Toolkit

Spiritually healthy pastors are good for the Church.[1] This seems commonsensical, yet many pastors in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) do not engage in the healthful habits and relationships necessary to grow and sustain their spiritual wellbeing. Pressures from without and within often result in neglecting the very habits and companions promoting their spiritual flourishing. To encourage the spiritual wellbeing of CRC pastors, this project provides an online spiritual vitality toolkit. This resource includes: Assessments for strengthening self-awareness, a chart for discerning spiritual companions, Christian practices making room for God, guidance for gathering with peers, resources for pastor retreats, tips for creating a rule of life, and a bibliography for deeper exploration. As a result of using the toolkit, clergy will cultivate the lifelong practices and holy friendships necessary for growing in communion and cooperation with God.[2] With growing commitment to their own spiritual lives, pastors will “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). Part one of the project introduces the ministry challenge of healthy spirituality for CRC clergy. It explores three significant ministry contexts in which these pastors live and work and how these affect their spiritual health. Part two provides theological reflection on the spiritual life and its connection to the pastoral vocation. Based on Scripture, Reformed writings, and contemporary sources, it argues the indispensable role of spiritual companions and practices for clergy spiritual health. Part three explains the ministry initiative rising from this reflection and describes its goals, timeline, along with the people and resources needed to carry it out well. Finally, this section assesses the effectiveness of the toolkit. [1] This truism is implied in Peter Scazzero’s book The Emotionally Healthy Church: A Strategy for Discipleship that Actually Changes Lives, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010), 20. [2] According to Gregory Jones and Kevin Armstrong in their book Resurrecting Excellence: Shaping Faithful Christian Ministry (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2006), lifelong practices and holy friendships are fundamental for the well-being of ministry leaders

The Effects of Work-Family Conflict on Chinese American Clergy Marital Quality

Recent research has highlighted the importance of understanding the effects of work on individual and relational well-being. This has been especially pertinent within the clergy population, given their unique work roles in navigating a relatively fluid and ambiguous work context. In a sample of Chinese American clergy, I first explored the effects of strain-based work-family conflict on marital quality, as defined in this study by marital conflict. Second, I examined three coping strategies (self-compassion, daily spiritual experience, and mindfulness) as potential protective factors and how they might moderate the negative impact of work-family conflict. Finally, I examined how these relations may vary based on differing levels of interdependent self-construal. The current study indicated that higher endorsement of strain-based work-family conflict was positively associated with marital conflict, which suggests a negative effect on marital quality. There were no significant main effects observed for the three coping strategies on marital conflict, nor were there any significant moderating effects found for the three coping strategies between work-family conflict and marital conflict. Lastly, interactions between the three coping strategies and differing levels of interdependent construal were found to significantly impact the relations between work-family conflict and marital conflict

The God-Shaped Journey of a Church Planter: Spiritual Formation as an Integral Part of Leadership Development

This doctoral project argues for spiritual formation as essential to the church planter’s development as a leader. The level of spiritual maturity is brought into question as one faces the difficult challenges of church planting. To navigate wisely through the difficulties associated with church planting, confidence, endurance, and stamina are necessary character traits. This paper argues for pain, hardship, and failure as major parts of the spiritual formation process in shaping the development of leader/church planters. The study is based on the observation of leader/church planters in the LeaderImpac Network. They are leaders by reason of their calling into the difficult enterprise of church planting. The research author’s personal journey as a leader/church planter of three church plants in the course of sixty years will also be a contributing factor. The leader/church planters in this network are predominantly of ethnic minorities and are generally oral learners. The lessons one is able to extract from the crucible encounters are shaping moments in the spiritual formation process. The consequences of not extracting the lessons potentially factor into one’s failure to finish well. Unless an intentional rhythm of spiritual formation disciplines is in place, accomplishing one’s goal and finishing well will be exposed to possible failure. The Scriptures consistently highlight trials and hardships as contributing factors in the spiritual formation of a leader. Church planters, as leaders in the effort, are potentially at a higher risk for disappointment than the general population in the leadership community. It is critical that spiritual formation is understood as a lifelong God-shaping journey of the inner being in leader development. The project will propose guidelines to a sustainable rhythm in ministry. The project concludes with the practice provided in the writings of Terry Walling, coaching, and leader development, Will Mancini, leading the church and Dallas Willard’s writing on spiritual formation. The Doctoral Project concludes with a timeline for the process and its assessment plan

The Immersion Experience: A Contemplative Approach to Spiritual Transformation Guided by Ignatian Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises

The purpose of this project was to offer a spiritual formation program for leaders at Urban Church that introduced them to Ignatian Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises with a view to providing a holistic, contemplative approach to spiritual transformation. Such an approach to formation is a rich alternative to the historic formation approach in a Pentecostal context which tends to focus on inspiration and education rather than transformation. The first part of this paper discusses the history of Pentecostalism in Australia, with a particular focus on the genesis and subsequent development of the Australian Christian Churches (ACC) movement which is the Pentecostal denomination to which Urban Church belongs. Consideration was given to how within the Pentecostal church, discipleship has been heavily influenced by an evangelical emphasis on correct doctrinal belief and eschatological urgency. This section also provides a short history of Urban Church and demonstrates how Ignatian spirituality and a contemplative approach to formation supports the broader vision and mission of the church. The second part of this paper focuses on the theological foundation for an Ignatian approach to spiritual transformation. This section includes a literature review covering Ignatian Spirituality, The Spiritual Exercises as well as touching on the teaching of Dallas Willard. Utilizing those sources, it is argued that an Ignatian approach to spiritual formation is not only appropriate, but an exciting and energizing one for a Pentecostal context. The final part of this paper describes the content and evaluation of the Immersion Experience which was aimed at introducing participants to Ignatian spirituality, Ignatian discernment and the first movement of the Spiritual Exercises. The approach to the project was four-fold including teaching, individual and group exercises, personal reflection and communal exploration of the movements within the soul of the participants

A New Narrative: A Womanist Framework for Identity Formation and Self-recovery

Black women in America living in a White male-dominated patriarchal, capitalistic, misogynistic society are often forced to live on the margins as a shadow of themselves. They have learned the art of dissemination and acculturation causing them to shift and code switch as they seek to meet the needs of those in their life, without attending to their own needs. They have learned to wear the armor or mask of the StrongBlackWoman, as a survival mechanism that has often led to the loss of identity and sense of self. The armor of the StrongBlackWoman is negatively impacting the mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and relational well-being of Black women. These five areas of well-being are often overlooked not just by dominant culture but also by Black women and those within their community. Black women need a new modality that moves from surviving to thriving as they navigate the complexities and consequences of race, class, and gender in their daily lives and on their well-being. This project utilized a variety of methods to journey with Black women on their identity formation and self-recovery process in forming a new narrative. Part One of this paper will examine the historical context of race, class, and gender in Los Angeles County. It will also look at the ways Black women sought communal well-being and were portrayed by others. Part Two will provide an overview of controlling narratives and the impact they have on Black women. It will also provide an overview of womanist methodology, theology, and recovery models used that will be useful resources for Black women in forming a new narrative. Part Three of this paper will discuss the New Narrative project design and implementation. It will also look at areas of improvement and next steps