Date
8-29-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Jichan Kim
Keywords
Adolescents, Moral Development, Moral Formation, Moral Influence, Educators, Catholic Schools, Biblical Principles.
Disciplines
Education | Psychology
Recommended Citation
Sanchez, Jesus Julian, "Investigating the Influence of Biblical Principles on Adolescent Moral Development: Perspectives of Educators" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7384.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7384
Abstract
This qualitative study explored how Christian educators in Catholic schools describe and incorporate biblical principles to support adolescent moral development. Conducted in San Antonio, Texas, the research involved semi-structured Zoom interviews with 20 purposefully selected educators experienced in biblically integrated instruction. Using Braun and Clarke (2006) six-phase thematic analysis, the study addressed two research questions: (1) How do Christian educators describe the impact of biblical principles on adolescent moral development in Catholic schools? and (2) How do Christian educators incorporate biblical principles in the curriculum that impact adolescent moral development? Nine core themes emerged, five reflecting educators descriptions of moral development which included Theological and Scriptural Foundations, Moral and Virtue Development, Educator Influence and Role, Student-Centered Growth, and Contextual and Environmental Influences, and four illustrating curriculum-based integration which included, Curriculum Foundations and Integration, Pedagogical Strategy and Implementation, Student Formation and Moral Response, and Institutional and Collaborative Support. Findings highlighted the use of Scripture as a moral compass, the role of educator modeling, student-centered growth, and the influence of environmental factors. Educators described embedding biblical principles across subjects, employing strategies such as storytelling, reflective dialogue, and liturgical alignment. The study emphasized that moral formation is a theological, pedagogical, and institutional endeavors. Implications include the need to integrate faith and learning across developmental, psychological, and ecclesial contexts. This research contributes to educational theory and practice by illustrating how biblical principles guide adolescent’s ethical reasoning and character development within Catholic school settings.
