ERIC Number: ED552910
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 392
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3030-2106-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Protestant Evangelical Christian Fathers and Their Intentional Involvement in the Relational Christian Spiritual Formation of Their Children
Clark, Steve Richard
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Biola University
This quantitative study explored paternal intentional involvement in the relational spiritual formation of their children. The main research question was to what degree are Protestant Evangelical fathers intentionally involved in the relational spiritual formation of their children? The research was based on two domains: relational spiritual formation of children and paternal intentional involvement. Theological principles gleaned from exegesis of Biblical passages pertaining to paternal leadership were considered. A target population of Protestant Evangelical Christian fathers, married, with children 4-18 years old living at home, was identified in some 241 churches that adhered to the National Association of Evangelicals in the Greater Spokane, Washington area (GSAE). An accessible population of 64 of those 241 churches yielded a usable sample from 19 churches and 249 respondents. The survey instrument implemented via SurveyMonkey was composed of reliable Likert scale oriented instruments (the "Personal Fathering Profile" and the "Spiritual Assessment Inventory") that show construct validity and have been used extensively nationally. Researcher designed Likert scale questions and open ended responses based on past research and biblical principles were used as well. Data was downloaded from SurveyMonkey to SPSS for statistical analysis. It was found that multiple positive, significant relationships exist around intentional fathering, spiritual maturity, spiritual intentionality, fathering satisfaction, involvement in the spiritual formation of their children, support from spouse and others, spousal oneness, primary reasonability, and spirituality as the most important area. With respect to involvement in their children's spiritual formation, these factors were positively and significantly related: intentional fathering, fathering satisfaction, spousal oneness, support from spouse and others, spiritual intentionality, spiritual maturity, and relational closeness to God. With respect to fathers seeing the most important area of their child's life as being the child's spiritual formation and the father being primarily responsible in this formation, there was a moderate correlation between these two factors. Multiple practical implications based on the empirical results and theological input were given in order to encourage and equip Protestant Evangelical fathers in their intentional involvement in the relational spiritual formation of their children as well as to assist fatherless families. Limitations of the study were noted as well as recommendations for future research. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Fathers, Parent Participation, Parent Child Relationship, Spiritual Development, Christianity, Children, Adolescents, Churches, Online Surveys, Likert Scales, Profiles, Child Rearing, Construct Validity, Biblical Literature, Statistical Analysis, Spouses, Protestants
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A