Date of Award
Winter 1-15-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
PHD - Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Doctoral Program
First Advisor
Dr. Maureen Creegan-Quinquis
Second Advisor
Dr. Priscilla Sanville
Third Advisor
Dr. George Jennings
Abstract
Despite growing awareness of health disparities and social exclusion, there remains a significant gap in understanding how devaluation affects both individual well-being and broader community cohesion. Historically, mental health services have been dominated by clinical settings, such as hospitals and private practices, yet this approach has limitations in reaching underserved populations. "Alternative" and "non-traditional" wellness practices offer promising avenues for promoting emotional well-being outside these traditional settings, leveraging community resources and social support networks, yet they are often overlooked and devalued. This dissertation addresses this gap by exploring the complex connections between devaluation, health outcomes, and community engagement/social capital. Using a quantitative methods approach, the study examines whether and to what extent devaluation shapes well-being and physical health, as well as individuals' ability to engage meaningfully in their communities. A unique contribution of this research is the integration of Martial Arts Breaking and Narrative Inquiry, a novel approach that blends metaphor and physical practice to dismantle harmful narratives that perpetuate exclusion and marginalization. Through the lens of intersectional devaluation narratives, the findings offer fresh insights into how societal undervaluation influences health disparities and weakens community bonds. This research contributes to filling the knowledge gap on how devaluation narratives impact wellness, health and community engagement, providing a foundation for designing more inclusive, trauma-responsive and healing-centered community wellness programs. Ultimately, the study offers key pieces to a larger narrative puzzle aimed at fostering resilient communities through strategies that bridge personal experiences and systemic change.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Language
English
Number of Pages
358
Embargo Period
12-10-2024
Recommended Citation
Coy, Kenisha, "Break It Down - Examining Paradigmatic Shifts and Intersectional Devaluation through Quantitative Exploration: Martial Arts and Narrative Inquiry as Pathways for Community Wellness Programming" (2025). Educational Studies Dissertations. 235.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/education_dissertations/235
Included in
Arts and Humanities Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons, Humane Education Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, Nonprofit Studies Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Social Justice Commons
Rights
The author owns the copyright to this work.
