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Fall 12-2013
The Journey to Becoming-Authentic from the Voices of Nursing
Students Living with Attention Defcit Hyperactivity Disorder
Sheryl Lynn Allen
University of Southern Mississippi
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Allen, Sheryl Lynn, "The Journey to Becoming-Authentic from the Voices of Nursing Students Living with
Attention Defcit Hyperactivity Disorder" (2013). Dissertations. 213.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/213
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The University of Southern Mississippi
THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING-AUTHENTIC FROM THE VOICES OF NURSING
STUDENTS LIVING WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
by
Sheryl Lynn Allen
Abstract of a Dissertation
Submitted to the Graduate School
of The University of Southern Mississippi
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
December 2013
ABSTRACT
THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING-AUTHENTIC FROM THE VOICES OF NURSING
STUDENTS LIVING WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
by Sheryl Lynn Allen
December 2013
Research and literature on nursing students living with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in higher education is deficient in supporting the needs of
a growing population. The aim of this study sought to uncover the essence of nursing
students’ experiences through a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and promote
deeper understanding of the meaning of lifeworld experiences through the lens of critical
social theory (CST). CST sustains freedom from ideological restraints to allow
exploration into individual experiences. The voices of student participants provide the
medium for articulating meaning. An integrative approach using van Manen’s (1990) and
Munhall’s (2012) methods guided this study.
Research data was obtained from six student participants enrolled in an associate
degree nursing program and a baccalaureate-nursing program located in the southeastern
U.S. Findings revealed how student participants became aware of their differences in
filtering distractions when compared to other nursing students. Student participants
experienced ontological anxiety with an innate desire to be like others when they
discovered they could not ignore their differences. The perception of stigma associated
with ADHD and the desire to succeed in nursing school guided student participants into
becoming-authentic by facilitating unique experimental methods of coping with their
ii
differences. Becoming-authentic ultimately guided student participants into recognizing
their own uniqueness in Being.
Research findings uncovered the fundamental need to embrace understanding of
adults living with ADHD in the nursing profession and institutions of higher learning.
The study illuminated meaning through an artistic approach and validated hermeneutic
phenomenology through its scientific approach. The art and science of nursing practice
discovered in this study implicates the need to further research and the development of
support systems.
iii
COPYRIGHT BY
SHERYL LYNN ALLEN
2013
The University of Southern Mississippi
THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING-AUTHENTIC FROM THE VOICES OF NURSING
STUDENTS LIVING WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
by
Sheryl Lynn Allen
A Dissertation
Submitted to the Graduate School
of The University of Southern Mississippi
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Approved:
Janie B. Butts
Director
Kay S. Lundy
Sarah H. Lauterbach
Bonnie L. Harbaugh
Karen L. Rich
Susan A. Siltanen
Dean of the Graduate School
December 2013
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to Dr. Janie Butts for her patience, understanding, and willingness
to set frameworks I needed to achieve this important goal. You have helped guide me
through a very difficult adventure and achieve a milestone I did not think was possible a
few years ago. To Dr. Kay Lundy, thank you for opening my eyes to the world of
phenomenology and philosophy. Your experiential knowledge showed me a world I have
come to appreciate and want to share with others. Thanks to Dr. Karen Rich and Dr.
Bonnie Harbaugh for challenging me and offering your valued knowledge and experience
throughout this special project. Special thanks to Dr. Sarah Lauterbach for paving the
road that guided me toward understanding the value of appreciating the art of nursing
through research. This entire committee brought a wealth of knowledge and helped me
achieve a life-long goal. Thank you so much.
Most importantly, I would like to express my gratitude toward the nursing
students who volunteered to give voice to their unique experiences of living with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Your voices provide a unique
perspective into an unknown phenomenon where nursing and higher education can
develop understanding and expand research to help others who live with ADHD.
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................. iv
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.............................................................................................vii
CHAPTER
I. AIM OF THE STUDY ................................................................................ 1
Phenomenon of Interest
Justification for Phenomenological Study
Specific Context of the Phenomenon
Phenomenological Research Importance
Qualitative Methodology and Justification
Relevance for Nursing Education
Summary
II. EVOLUTION OF THE STUDY................................................................20
Rationale
Historical Context
Experiential Context
Philosophical Context
Summary
III. THE METHOD OF INQUIRY ................................................................. 52
Introduction to the Phenomenological Approach
Van Manen and Munhall: General Approach
Van Manen and Munhall: Specific Method
Proposal
Summary
IV. METHOD OF INQUIRY AND DISCOVERY: BEING-AWARE,
ONTOLOGICAL ANXIETY AND BECOMING-AUTHENTIC...............92
Turning Toward the Phenomenon of Interest
Articulation of the Phenomenological Question
Distinguishing Experience and Bracketing
Phenomenon Orientation and Immersion
Experiential Investigation, Reflection, and Analysis
Summary
v
IV. DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS................................................................121
Dwelling in the Findings
Limitations
Significance of the Study
Implications for Nursing Research and Education
Summary
APPENDIXES.................................................................................................................138
REFERENCES................................................................................................................147
vi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure
1. A Pair of Shoes [Painting] by Vincent van Gogh..................................................21
2. Window in the Studio [Painting] by Vincent van Gogh.........................................52
3. Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approach...........................................................63
4. Reflections on the Lake [Photograph] by Samantha Coon Allen........................122
vii
