This dissertation examines the experiences of low-socioeconomic (SES) women in the 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, investigating how they perceive and reflect on their interactions and relationships within their chapters. Guided by Social Identity, Self-Categorization, and Schlossberg’s Transition Theories, the study addressed the central question: How do low SES members of NPC sororities reflect on their interactions, connections, and relationships within their chapters? Through a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, this research explored how economic background shapes feelings of belonging, social identity, and resilience in these traditionally affluent organizations. The findings aim to reveal the unique social dynamics faced by low-SES members, contributing insights to enhance inclusivity and support in fraternity and sorority communities.
","abstract_html":"<p>This dissertation examines the experiences of low-socioeconomic (SES) women in the 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, investigating how they perceive and reflect on their interactions and relationships within their chapters. Guided by Social Identity, Self-Categorization, and Schlossberg’s Transition Theories, the study addressed the central question: How do low SES members of NPC sororities reflect on their interactions, connections, and relationships within their chapters? Through a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, this research explored how economic background shapes feelings of belonging, social identity, and resilience in these traditionally affluent organizations. The findings aim to reveal the unique social dynamics faced by low-SES members, contributing insights to enhance inclusivity and support in fraternity and sorority communities.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Pulliam, Morgan L"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Doctor of Education","degree_level":"Dissertation","degree_discipline":"Secondary Education and Educational Leadership","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Dr. Barbara Qualls","Dr. Marigold Hudock","Dr. Beth Gound"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-08-08T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2025-08-08T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:30:49Z","subjects":["low-socioeconomic status","National Panhellenic Conference","sense of belonging","social identity theory","narrative inquiry","sorority inclusion","Educational Leadership","Higher Education"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/643","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Dr. Barbara Qualls","Dr. Marigold Hudock","Dr. Beth Gound"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Pulliam, Morgan L"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2030-07-02T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Secondary Education and Educational Leadership"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Education"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["low-socioeconomic status","National Panhellenic Conference","sense of belonging","social identity theory","narrative inquiry","sorority inclusion","Educational Leadership","Higher Education"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/643"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This dissertation examines the experiences of low-socioeconomic (SES) women in the 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, investigating how they perceive and reflect on their interactions and relationships within their chapters. Guided by Social Identity, Self-Categorization, and Schlossberg’s Transition Theories, the study addressed the central question: How do low SES members of NPC sororities reflect on their interactions, connections, and relationships within their chapters? Through a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, this research explored how economic background shapes feelings of belonging, social identity, and resilience in these traditionally affluent organizations. The findings aim to reveal the unique social dynamics faced by low-SES members, contributing insights to enhance inclusivity and support in fraternity and sorority communities.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Sisterhood and Socioeconomic Status: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study of Low-Income Women in National Panhellenic Conference Sororities"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Dr. Barbara Qualls","Dr. Marigold Hudock","Dr. Beth Gound"],"dc:creator":["Pulliam, Morgan L"],"dc:date.available":["2030-07-02T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["This dissertation examines the experiences of low-socioeconomic (SES) women in the 26 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, investigating how they perceive and reflect on their interactions and relationships within their chapters. Guided by Social Identity, Self-Categorization, and Schlossberg’s Transition Theories, the study addressed the central question: How do low SES members of NPC sororities reflect on their interactions, connections, and relationships within their chapters? Through a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, this research explored how economic background shapes feelings of belonging, social identity, and resilience in these traditionally affluent organizations. The findings aim to reveal the unique social dynamics faced by low-SES members, contributing insights to enhance inclusivity and support in fraternity and sorority communities.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/643"],"dc:subject":["low-socioeconomic status","National Panhellenic Conference","sense of belonging","social identity theory","narrative inquiry","sorority inclusion","Educational Leadership","Higher Education"],"dc:title":["Sisterhood and Socioeconomic Status: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study of Low-Income Women in National Panhellenic Conference Sororities"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Secondary Education and Educational Leadership"],"thesis:degree_level":["Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_name":["Doctor of Education"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:30:49Z"}