First Advisor

McConnell, Christine

First Committee Member

Kirshner, Jean

Second Committee Member

Kang, Hyun Jung

Third Committee Member

Helm, Heather

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

8-2025

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Teacher Education, Teacher Education Student Work

Abstract

The mental health of children and adolescents in the United States has been in a state of crisis for over a decade. Connectedness, defined as the level of closeness individuals have to other individuals, groups, or institutions, has been shown to be a preventative and protective factor in adolescent mental health. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how adolescents experienced connectedness and the meaning they ascribed to those experiences. This study was guided by the following questions:

Q1 How do adolescents describe their experience of connectedness both inside and outside of school?

Q2 What meaning do adolescents ascribe to those experiences?

This study used the theoretical frames of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s attachment theory (Ainsworth & Bell, 1970; Bowlby, 1969/1982) and Nel Noddings’ care theory (1984), with Elliott Eisner’s methodology, educational criticism and connoisseurship to explore these topics.

Data were collected from five adolescents through interviews and photo elicitation, which explored their experiences of connectedness with their peers, family, teachers, and school, and the meaning those experiences held for them. Findings revealed themes of inclusion, empathy, and trust. When these themes coalesced, the concept of attunement emerged. Attunement requires deep awareness and responsiveness to the emotional state, needs, and experience of others, and is a foundational component for building institutional and relational connectedness.

Abstract Format

html

Keywords

connectedness; care theory; attachment theory; relational attunement; institutional attunement

Places

Greeley, Colorado

Extent

148 pages

Local Identifiers

Strong_unco_0161D_11371.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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