04/17/2026
Congratulations to Olajide A. Opaleye, MIT, MSN, PMHNP-BC for successfully defending his dissertation last week, entitled, "Examining African American Church Teacher's Perspectives on Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Like Behavior." In a sample of 84 church teachers, he found their knowledge supported ADHD-like behavior recognition, while their subjective norms and perceived behavioral control influenced their intentions to engage in referral communication with parents. Dr. Opaleye's innovative study methods and findings will provide guidance for how faith-based settings can become meaningful partners in identifying ADHD in children. Thanks to his dissertation committee Dawn M. Aycock, PhD, RN (Chair); Regena Spratling PhD, RN; Olufowobi Gbadebo, MD, and Fayron Epps, PhD, RN.
