Women Working in Leadership Roles Who were Raised in Father-Absent Families

167 Pages·2017·0.75 MB·English

Walden University
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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2016
Women Working in Leadership Roles Who were
Raised in Father-Absent Families
Lauren Huff
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Lauren Huff

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Anne Hacker, Committee Chairperson,
Public Policy and Administration Faculty

Dr. Marilyn Simon, Committee Member,
Public Policy and Administration Faculty

Dr. Tanya Settles, University Reviewer,
Public Policy and Administration Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2016
Abstract
Women Working in Leadership Roles Who Were Raised in Father-Absent Families
by
Lauren Nysha Huff

MPA, Troy University, 2007
BA, Clayton State University, 2005

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Public Policy and Administration

Walden University
November 2016
Abstract
Girls from father-absent families tend to form low levels of trust that may dictate
relationships throughout life, including progression into leadership roles. There is
evidence to suggest that girls raised in father-absent families fail to reach their potential,
and therefore public programs that address the development of strong interpersonal and
leadership skills would enhance these capacities. Unfortunately, public programming
gaps exist for girls raised in father-absent families that would provide the skills needed to
be effective leaders in their schools, communities, and careers. Using House’s path-goal
leadership theory as the framework, this phenomenological study explored how girls
from father-absent families developed the skills to lead and what factors the women
perceived to be contributors or barriers to their development as organization leaders. A
sample of 10 women who were raised in father-absent families, and who held leadership
positions in public or nonprofit sectors in the southeastern area of the United States
participated in the in-depth interviews that generated data for this study. The data were
coded and analyzed using a modified van Kaam method. Findings suggest that lack of
trust hindered the transition and development into a leadership role, as did the leadership
style of the participant. Alternatively, participants reported that their sense of resiliency
and spiritual connections were factors that helped in their development as leaders. These
results may contribute to social change by providing policymakers, leaders, and service
organizations recommendations that will encourage support for public programming
initiatives for girls from father-absent families.
Women Working in Leadership Roles Who were Raised in Father-Absent Families
by
Lauren Nysha Huff

MPA, Troy University, 2007
BA, Clayton State University, 2005

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Public Policy and Administration

Walden University
November 2016
Dedication
I am dedicating this paper to Audrey Nefertiti Donaldson, “Aunt Neff.” She was
always encouraging me, but she passed away before seeing me make it to the end of this
process. My sister, Aisha, was fatherless due to her father’s death. My sisters, Ashley
and Christina, were fatherless due to our father’s incarceration. My sisters, Drew and
Rachel, were fatherless due to a divorce. To all fatherless women who may be feeling
broken and empty, you, too, can overcome the pain and be successful.
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to all my committee members: Dr. Anne Hacker, Dr. Marilyn
Simon, and Dr. Tanya Settles who assisted me through this process. I would like to thank
Bobby Huff for his support. I would also like to thank everyone whom I may not have
mentioned, but who contributed to the successful completion of this dissertation.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi
List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………vii

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1
Background ....................................................................................................................2
Statement of the Problem ...............................................................................................4
Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................4
Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................5
Research Question .........................................................................................................7
Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................7
Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................8
Assumptions .................................................................................................................10
Limitations ...................................................................................................................10
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................10
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................11
Summary ......................................................................................................................13
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................15
Introduction ........................................................................................................................15
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................16
Background ..................................................................................................................16
Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................19
i
Leadership Styles and Path-Goal .................................................................................23
Attachment Patterns .....................................................................................................28
Girls from Father-Absent Families ..............................................................................32
Social Issues of Being Raised in a Father-Absent Family ...........................................34
Current Public Programs ..............................................................................................40
Women Raised in Father-Absent Families ..................................................................43
Public Sector and Nonprofit Leadership ......................................................................43
Summary ......................................................................................................................45
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................46
Introduction ........................................................................................................................46
Research Design and Approach ...................................................................................46
Research Question .......................................................................................................48
The Role of the Researcher ..........................................................................................49
Methodology ................................................................................................................49
Procedures for Recruitment .........................................................................................51
Data Collection and Analysis.......................................................................................53
Trustworthiness ............................................................................................................57
Transferability ..............................................................................................................57
Dependability ...............................................................................................................58
Confirmability ..............................................................................................................58
Coding Framework ......................................................................................................59
Protection of Human Participants ................................................................................61
ii
Summary ......................................................................................................................62
Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................62
Introduction ........................................................................................................................63
Pilot Study ....................................................................................................................63
Setting …......................................................................................................................64
Data Collection ............................................................................................................64
Demographic Information ............................................................................................66
Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................69
Horizonalization ...........................................................................................................71
Reduction and Elimination ..........................................................................................71
Clustering and Thematizing .........................................................................................72
Final Identification and Validation ..............................................................................72
Fundamental Textural and Structural Descriptions .....................................................72
Individual and Textural Structural Descriptions ..........................................................73
Participant A - Alice ............................................................................................. 73
Participant B - Becky ............................................................................................ 75
Participant C – Cathy ............................................................................................ 78
Participant D - Denise ........................................................................................... 80
Participant E - Elisa .............................................................................................. 86
Participant F - Freda.............................................................................................. 90
Participant G - Gloria ............................................................................................ 91
Participant H - Heidi ............................................................................................. 93
iii