Date
12-16-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Diane M. Pearce
Keywords
specific learning disorder, learning disability, incarceration, jail, prison, learning-based post-traumatic stress disorder
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Martinez, Sirsey H., "A Phenomenological Study: The Lived Learning Experience of Learning-Disabled Formerly Incarcerated Individuals With Learning-Based PTSD Symptoms" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7772.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7772
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived K—12th grade learning experience of formerly incarcerated adults with specific learning disorders (SLDs) and learning-based posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. This study aimed to understand how specific learning disorders affected school learning experiences and obtain input on how to improve learning in schools. A transcendental phenomenological approach was utilized in this qualitative study to obtain and report trustworthy research findings that represented the overall essence of the participants’ lived learning experiences. Ten formerly incarcerated adult males with specific learning disorders and learning-based PTSD symptoms were interviewed. Data was analyzed using a modified version of Moustakas’ method. Ten themes were generated from noticeable patterns that emerged, including (1) negative learning experience, (2) being bullied, (3) negative self-perception, (4) lacking engagement, (5) emotional distress, (6) negative behavior, (7) passing grade levels without comprehension, (8) effective learning ideas, (9) continuing to struggle as adults, and (10) learning-based PTSD symptoms. This study provided a unique and in-depth understanding of the learning phenomena of an underrepresented group. The research findings bring awareness and knowledge that can improve education, help mitigate current and future children from dropping out of school, committing crimes, becoming incarcerated, becoming recidivists, experiencing ongoing academic struggles, and experiencing learning-based PTSD symptoms.
