Date of Award

Spring 5-2013

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Studies and Research

Committee Chair

Lilian H. Hill

Committee Chair Department

Educational Studies and Research

Committee Member 2

Kyna Shelley

Committee Member 2 Department

Educational Studies and Research

Committee Member 3

Thomas J. Lipscomb

Committee Member 3 Department

Educational Studies and Research

Committee Member 4

Jeanne Gillespie

Abstract

This study examined the readiness for self-direct learning of parenting grandmothers. The researcher investigated whether parental self-efficacy beliefs and addiction beliefs were significantly correlated to parenting grandmothers’ readiness for self-directed learning as measured by the Oddi Continuing Learning Instrument. Parental self-efficacy beliefs were investigated using the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale. Using the Addiction Belief Instrument, the researcher investigated the overall correlation of addiction belief to readiness for self-directed learning. The research also investigated whether the following beliefs significantly correlated to parenting grandmothers’ readiness for self-directed: people with substance abuse disorders are unable to control their using and are responsible for their actions, addiction is a chronic disease, addiction is genetically based, and addiction is a sign of moral weakness. Twenty-seven parenting grandmothers were recruited for the study.

In this study, the findings indicated a significant correlation between parental efficacy beliefs and readiness for self-directed learning. The findings indicated a significant correlation between the addiction belief of people who abuse drugs and alcohol have the inability to control their use and readiness for self-directed learning. iii The findings also indicated a significant correlation between the addiction belief of people who abuse drugs and alcohol are responsible for their actions and readiness for self-directed learning.

The findings of the study indicated no significant correlation between the belief of addiction is a chronic and readiness for self-directed learning, no significant correlation between the belief of addiction is genetically based and readiness for self-directed learning, and no significant correlation between the belief of addiction is a sign of moral weakness and readiness for self-directed learning. However, further research with a larger sample needs to be conducted before the findings of this study can be verified. Future adult education research that focuses on of the learning needs and learning systems of parenting grandparents through a variety of theoretical frames needs to be conducted.

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