David Jack Receives Award for Excellence for PhD Dissertation

When David Jack, PhD, RN, received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Widener University in May, he was also awarded the Dean's Award for Excellence: PhD by Widener’s School of Nursing for "exceptional work that exemplifies the high standards of scholarship and knowledge development."

Dr. Jack's dissertation had an emphasis on nursing education, specifically violence prevention for early elementary-aged children. His research involved a pre- and post-test research design that measured aggression behaviors in children. He conducted his research in the kindergarten classrooms of four schools in the archdiocese of Philadelphia and in neighborhoods that had a high degree of violence. Following the pre-test, two of the schools received the program for four months. The other two schools served as the control group.

Dr. Jack implemented the Second Step violence prevention program, which includes a scripted curriculum and story board, as well as music, puppets and skill practice activities designed to meet the developmental needs of this age-population. He also focused on modeling pro-social behavior, and encouraged the teachers to observe the lessons so they could be role models too.

"Early intervention strategies are effective, and it was great to include the violence prevention as part of the education program," says Dr. Jack. "Kindergarten is the first place where many kids experience their first consistent form of social interaction with their peers. I received a lot of satisfaction from helping the students improve their growth and development, to be socially competent and assertive in interacting with their peers."

Best of all, his data showed that the program made a difference. "At the conclusion of the program there was a statistically-significant decrease in the perpetration of aggression in the classrooms that used the violence prevention program," he shares. Meanwhile, the control group demonstrated an increase in aggression, which includes things like bullying, pushing, biting or name calling.

Dr. Jack credits a supportive team in helping him succeed, including Dr. Sandy Krafft, EdD, RN, who accompanied him during data collection, Lois Allen, PhD, RN, his dissertation committee chair and the person who nominated him for the award, and committee members Mary Ellen Santucci, DNSc, RN, and Lynn Kelly, PhD, RN. "I am also thankful to Jefferson for the support they have shown me during my project," Dr. Jack says.

Published: 6-8-09

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