ERIC Number: ED654236
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 174
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3827-5167-2
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Utilization of On-Campus Counseling Services by Single-Mother Students in Higher Education: A Grounded Theory Research
Bharati Shah Chakraborty
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of Hartford
The Institute for Women's Policy Studies (2017, September) reported that only eight percent of single mothers enrolled in higher education completed their studies and graduated with a degree in six years. This may be due to a lack of social support and not using the counseling services for their own well-being. Studies show that behavioral problems may affect college students' academic success and retention (Svanum & Zody, 2001). Studies demonstrate the challenges and success of single mothers in completing their bachelor's degree and found that single mothers' dropout rate is higher in comparison with other students or that they take longer to graduate (Fluellen, 2016; Vyskocil, 2018). Given challenging enrollment and completion rates, additional research is needed to ascertain what single mother students in higher education were reporting on the use of on-campus counseling services. Employing a qualitative research methodology, interviews were conducted with 12 participants who met the eligibility criteria for the study. I have used constructive grounded theory research design. I have reviewed transcript data line by line and sorted the data with concepts, initial coding, and focused coding. Constant line-by-line data analysis, and memoing based on the concepts, and through initial and focused coding, a theory was developed regarding single-mother students' perceptions about the use of on-campus counseling. Findings reveal that the use of on-campus counseling helped the single mothers in higher education with better mental health, physical health and decision making. They reported they became better parents to their children because they learnt healthy coping skills and parenting skills from their counselors. Participants felt talking to someone not related to them or not judging them was extremely useful, therapeutic, and reported that counseling made them feel relaxed and burden free when they "pour out their pent-up emotions." Since on-campus counseling is free to full time students, it alleviated financial stress because health insurance typically had a co-pay for providers in and out of network. All reported that their grades improved markedly after they started using on campus counseling, which helped them in academic success. Lastly, participants shared that a shortage of staff in the on-campus counseling center caused them longer wait periods to be seen for the first time. The study has implications for on-campus counseling services, and higher education policy and practice for single mothers going through the education system. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Campuses, One Parent Family, Mothers, Counseling, Parent Attitudes, Mental Health, Physical Health, Decision Making Skills, Health Behavior, Parenting Skills, Coping, Skill Development, Higher Education
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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