Date of Graduation

Summer 2014

Degree

Master of Arts in Communication

Department

Communication

Committee Chair

Charlene Berquist

Abstract

The Girls Circle Model was founded in 1996 with a goal of helping young girls make healthy decisions, increase interpersonal connections, build empathic skills, and develop resiliency (Roa, Irvine, Cervantez, 2007). This study investigates the perceived long-term improvement (6 months or longer) of Girls Circle Program participants in areas of conflict resolution, communication, and social relationships. A qualitative method, making use of focus groups and interviews, explored the experiences of previous Girls Circle Program participants, their guardians, and school counselors. Participant experiences imply the Girls Circle Program has a long-term influence on the lives of girls in areas of conflict resolution, communication, and relationships. The most impactful circle activities attributed to long-term changes included discussion and journaling. Furthermore, suggestions were made as to how the Girls Circle Program could further improve, including the creation of mandatory parent support group, "refresher” circle sessions, and implementation of a circle program aimed at helping young men.

Keywords

adolescent girls, Girls Circle, communication, conflict resolution, relationships, relational-cultural theory, stand-point theory

Subject Categories

Communication

Copyright

© Denea Elizabeth Malone

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