Influence of Natural Mentoring in Religiosity/Spirituality of Formerly Homeschooled Adults

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Thank you for taking a few minutes to fill out this survey. Please read the following informed consent form:

·      I authorize Cynthia Stephens, a doctoral student of the Educational Ministry and Leadership department at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, and/or any designated research assistants to gather information from me on the topic of natural mentoring, religiosity, and spirituality as a formerly homeschooled adult.

·      I understand that the overall purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of homeschoolers, how the presence or absence of natural mentoring influences their spiritual formation, and that the approximate total time of my involvement will be 10-20 minutes.

·      I understand that I will remain anonymous unless I choose to share my contact information to be considered for phase two of the research, which entails participating in an audio-recorded online platform and/or an in-person interview that will take 45-60 minutes.

·      I understand that the research study is being conducted and analyzed by a doctoral student for the purpose of academic research and improvement of homeschooling and is not being officially sanctioned as a study endorsed by the leadership of Dallas Theological Seminary.

·      I understand that I will engage in an online platform survey and that my participation in this study is voluntary with no monetary compensation. The potential benefits of the study include providing insight into natural mentoring and its influences on formerly homeschooled adults.

·      I am aware that I may choose not to answer any questions that I find embarrassing or offensive, as well as that my participation is voluntary and that I may refuse to participate or discontinue my participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which I am otherwise entitled.

·      There is no foreseeable risk to safety or personal wellbeing in participation, however I understand that if, after my participation, I experience any undue anxiety or stress or have questions about the research or my rights as a participant, that may have been provoked by the experience, Cynthia Stephens will be available for consultation and will also be available to provide direction regarding medical assistance in the unlikely event of physical injury incurred during participation in the research. Confidentiality of research results will be maintained by the researcher (paper documents will be a placed in locked cabinet; electronic data will be password protected, audio files will be destroyed after data analysis, and names will be changed to pseudonyms and/or other identifiable information such as profession, place of employment or personal address will be removed from transcript). My individual results will not be released without my written consent.

If you agree with the above elements of this informed consent form, check "Yes" in the next question. Questions and comments may be addressed to Cynthia Stephens at cindystephens@dallasseminary.edu.
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I agree with all the elements of the informed consent form.* This field is required.
Yes
No
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Please select your age group.* This field is required.
Please Select
Please Select
18-24
25-34
35-44
45 and above
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How long were you homeschooled? * This field is required.
(Answer in total number of years, e.g., from second to twelfth grade would be 11 years.)
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Were you homeschooled in the United States from age 12 to high school graduation for at least one year or more?* This field is required.
YESNO
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In your experience was instilling Christian faith one of your parents/guardians' primary motivations for homeschooling?* This field is required.
YESNO
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What was your religious affiliation as a homeschooled adolescent?* This field is required.
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What is your religious affiliation now as an adult?* This field is required.
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In your homeschooling years, did you ever participate in a natural mentorship relationship, defined as a supportive relationship between a youth and older nonparental adult (such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, relative, coach, teacher, older friend, or other adult) in a natural, organically-occurring unstructured relationship (i.e. not a structured school-based or community-based program where you were assigned a specific mentor)?* This field is required.
YESNO
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How long (measured by months) were you mentored?* This field is required.
(e.g., two years would be 24 months or a half a year would be 6 months.)
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If you prefer to remain anonymous, skip this part. If you are willing to participate in an online interview concerning your homeschooling experience and the presence or absence of natural mentoring, please provide your name and contact information (email address and/or phone number) where you can be reached.
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I often read books and magazines about my faith.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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Totally true of me
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I make financial contributions to my religious organization.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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I spend time trying to grow in understanding of my faith.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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Religion is especially important to me because it answers many questions about the meaning of life.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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My religious beliefs lie behind my whole approach to life.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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I enjoy spending time with others of my religious affiliation.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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Religious beliefs influence all my dealings in life.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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It is important to me to spend periods of time in private religious thought and reflection.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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I enjoy working in the activities of my religious affiliation.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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I keep well informed about my local religious group and have some influence in its decisions.* This field is required.1) Not at all true 2) Somewhat true 3) Moderately true 4) Mostly true 5) Totally true
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Thank you for filling out this survey!

Before submitting, if you know people who fit the criteria of adults who were homeschooled during adolescence, please share the link below with them.

The more perspectives collected, the more impactful the findings will be.

https://form.jotform.com/242447098911058
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