Resident Advisors' Attitudes and Beliefs About the Process of Identifying and Reporting Threatening Behaviors

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorCasten, Jill Nicoleen
dc.contributor.committeechairRudd, Rick D.en
dc.contributor.committeememberNowak, Jerzyen
dc.contributor.committeememberWestfall-Rudd, Donna M.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSpencer, Edward F. D.en
dc.contributor.departmentAgricultural and Extension Educationen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:10:27Zen
dc.date.adate2011-05-04en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:10:27Zen
dc.date.issued2011-03-29en
dc.date.rdate2011-05-04en
dc.date.sdate2011-04-12en
dc.description.abstractThreatening behavior is a cause for concern on college campuses. Even though solutions presented cannot completely prevent crime and violence, steps must be taken towards continuous improvement of violence prevention efforts. The purpose of this case study was to examine resident advisors' attitudes and beliefs about the process of identifying and choosing to report threatening behaviors. Thirteen participants from Residence Life at a major Land Grant University served as the case study group. A qualitative approach guided the inquiry of the study and was represented through observations, document analysis, and participant interviews. Analysis of the research questions supported the study's findings. Overall, students' exposure to violence prevention on campus is often through educational programs and resources, while Resident Advisors are also instrumental resources in sharing information with students. They suggest making more efforts in sharing violence prevention education with students. Because a wide range of issues face today's college students, they seek assistance from Resident Advisors, as well as peers, friends, and family. Building community through the residence halls provides a proactive approach in efforts to develop and provide students opportunities for growth, responsibility, and accountability to their communities. Finally, despite reporting systems in place and resources available, barriers still remain for students. The inconsistency between the views and perceptions of violence prevention education and barriers to reporting between Resident Advisors and administration in Residence Life indicates need for further engagement between students and Institutions of Higher Education based upon policies, educational efforts, and reporting structures. Institutions have an obligation to engage students in the prevention of violence through sustained community-building measures and working with targeted peer groups, such as Resident Advisors. Conclusions from this study were explained through the individual, information, and social background factors of The Reasoned Action Approach and guided the recommendations for practice and further research. Addressing the disconnect between the administration and Resident Advisors' perceptions is crucial in reducing barriers to reporting. A need remains for further engagement with peers, friends, family, RAs, and other influential groups to help shape students' understanding, awareness, and continued involvement in the identification and reporting of threatening behaviors.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.identifier.otheretd-04122011-091435en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-04122011-091435/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/37603en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartCasten_JillN_D_2011.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectthreatening behaviorsen
dc.subjectInstitutions of Higher Educationen
dc.subjectResident Advisoren
dc.subjectviolence preventionen
dc.titleResident Advisors' Attitudes and Beliefs About the Process of Identifying and Reporting Threatening Behaviorsen
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplineAgricultural and Extension Educationen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Casten_JillN_D_2011.pdf
Size:
7.29 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

Doctoral Dissertations