Graduate School
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.
