Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-129).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. Vita. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 141).

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Academic persistence among African American college students has become an important issue due to the consistent lack of increase in the retention rates of these students. Despite the importance of this issue in the field of education, little has been done to study how family factors may influence college student's academic success from a family science perspective. Further, students attending HBCUs are rarely utilized in empirical research even though HBCUs have proven to be effective in graduating African American students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the ways in which African American college students' perceive family relationships and support as impacting their academic persistence. Fourteen African American college students attending an HBCU were interviewed about their perceptions of the impact of family relationships and support on their academic persistence. Participants included nine females and five males all identifying as juniors or seniors. Findings for the study included four major themes: (a) family structure and family relationships, (b) challenges/overcoming obstacles, (c) coping strategies, and (d) success and perseverance. Family structure and relationships were defined in a variety of ways by participants, which included immediate family, non-kin, and extended family. Participants faced several challenges and obstacles including transitioning to college, family issues at home, and being a burden, particularly financially, on other family members. Several coping strategies were utilized by participants. Family support, religiosity, peer relationships, and music were cited most often by participants in this study. The study concluded that family relationships and support are indeed important in academic persistence of African American college students. / Ph. D.

This dissertation analyzes a black family's social, cultural, and educational experiences including factors related to their successes and failures during the past century in the United States. These experiences span the eras of segregation, desegregation, and integration. Specifically, the study examines what this family's members view as their strengths and weaknesses and how each has contributed to their high and low levels of achievement in school and society. Such data can be useful and applicable to black families and other cultural groups as they strive to achieve in school and society. This first-hand information can be valuable for identifying the specific issues and problems impacting the families being studied. Findings from these empirical data can contribute to the betterment of schools and society as families, educators, policy makers, and others focus on addressing these issues and seeking solutions to the problems. Sleeter's (1991) research includes varying theoretical views regarding the value of voice and empowerment for the betterment of individuals, education, and society. Ruiz (as cited in Sleeter, 1991) theorizes that having a voice implies not just that people can say things but that they are heard (that is, their words have status and influence), and Banks (as cited in Sleeter, 1991) suggests that "the position of the U.S. as a world leader demands that we deal more effectively and constructively with the enormous cultural differences in our society" (p. 297). Given the cultural diversity within the American population, it is deemed appropriate to include for this black family study an in-depth discussion regarding other families from various cultures, namely, Native Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Jews. Chapter 2 examines each group's experiences since their initial contact with the Anglo or dominant cultural group. Findings from this family research study can contribute to the betterment of America by providing perspectives to enhance intra/intercultural relationships among various cultural groups in our society. Enhanced familial and cultural relationships can be valuable not only to my family but to other groups and their families as they seek success in school and society.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1994. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 232-234).

Thesis (S.T.M.)--Yale University Divinity School, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-95).