Chasing Connections: A Phenomenological Study of How Returning Citizens Develop Close Relationships in a Restorative Community Program
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine how returning citizens in Restorative Community Programs understood the meaning of thriving in the context of close relationships over time. The research questions for this study were: What is the lived experience of returning citizens’ relationships that include those in the Restorative Community Programs? and What is the lived experience of returning citizens’ ability to thrive after coming home? A phenomenological design was used for this study and in-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with 5 Black men at three different points over a span of 19 to 24 sessions. Returning citizens defined thriving as the ability to discover a life meaning bigger than their past such as giving back and completing goals as well as feeling worthy of investment. Future research is needed to recognize how close relationships strengthen thriving and overall wellbeing.
Subject Area
Social work|Spirituality
Recommended Citation
Garner, Donald C., "Chasing Connections: A Phenomenological Study of How Returning Citizens Develop Close Relationships in a Restorative Community Program" (2020). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28540089.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28540089
