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Applying Schlossberg's transition theory to nontraditional male drop-outs
Abstract
The purpose of this exploratory and phenomenological study was to investigate how nontraditional males who dropped out of a western four-year, Title IV authorized, public university before completing a bachelor's degree described their perceptions of their situation, self, support, and strategies while moving in, moving through, and moving out of the college process. Although previous research identified multiple issues, role conflicts, and barriers for nontraditional students attending postsecondary institutions, the majority of the information focused on females. The researcher believes this study was important because it complemented the current literature and added the perspective of the male gender to the research reported. Phenomenology is the study of the shared meaning of a similar experience or situation by individuals (McCaslin & Scott, 2003, p. 449), which allows a researcher to determine how ordinary members of society determine meaning in the world around them and how they make meaning out of social interactions (Creswell, 1998, p. 53). Fourteen interviews were conducted in person. Participants met the following criteria: (a) only included males; (b) met four or more nontraditional criteria to be included in the study; (c) were enrolled in an undergraduate degree program; (d) were enrolled within the last two calendar years with the intention of earning a bachelor's degree; and, (e) dropped out before obtaining bachelor's degree. Interview questions were divided into three categories based on Schlossberg's Transition Theory: moving in, moving through, and moving out, with four areas covered in each category: situation, support, self, and strategies. There were eight recurring themes—personal and institutional related. The personal themes were: (a) participants appeared to be family oriented; (b) a perception of time issues/constraints; (c) job related issues/constraints; and, (d) financial concerns. The institutional related themes were: (a) perception of institutional support; (b) faculty interaction; (c) a perception of lack of follow up from the institution when participants did not return; and, (d) a lack of understanding of what is expected when a person attends college (unknown expectations).
Subject Area
Adult education
Recommended Citation
Powers, Monica S, "Applying Schlossberg's transition theory to nontraditional male drop-outs" (2010). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI3397864.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI3397864