Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Social Class And Social Work In The Age Of Trump, Hanna Karpman, Joshua Miller

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

Social class has many meanings and components – economic, social, political, one’s sense of identity, and how class intersects with other social identities – so it is difficult to define it briefly and succinctly. These definitions are further complicated by a global lens, where family of origin, geography, and other factors can pre-determine social class. In this article, we explore the complexities and contradictions of social class in the context of the United States as we believe that this is important for social work, particularly in the age of Donald Trump, where class, and its intersection with race and immigration …

Found In Translation : How Social Work Education Can Support Student Practice With Language-Discordant Client Systems, Martha Ann Early

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study’s research question was "How can schools of social work support their students to work with language-discordant client systems (LDCS)?" In addition to the need for general support, social work students are preparing to enter a field where the patient population is growing increasingly diverse in terms of ethnicity, culture and language ability. Participants in the study described herein were current and recent social works students who were recruited for sample membership via broad social media outreach, supplemented with outreach to the researcher's professional network

The findings of this study indicate that the role of schools of social work …

Exploring Clinical Best Practices For Working With The Co-Occurrence Of Psychosis And A Trauma History, Sierra Leah Black

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative research study explored clinical practices most effective in helping people who experience co-occurring psychosis and a trauma history. The research was conducted through interviews with nine mental health professionals, who reported they created their own skill base in working with clients with a co-occurrence of psychosis and trauma. Although every respondent reported this co-occurrence as common, they all expressed a lack of confidence and expertise in treating the population. Best practices for treatment were found to be a combination of psychiatric medication, psychotherapy, and community support. Themes of treatment included the need to establish trusting relationships, appreciate client …

Parenting One's Birth Child After Adoption Plans Dissolve, Elise Trujillo

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

I come to this work as someone who as a potential birth mother withdrew from an open adoption plan after giving birth. During my training as a clinical social worker, I have found little literature and research which speaks to the aftermath of the adoption process on the prospective birth parent. For the purpose of this thesis, I am interested in exploring the lasting impacts on birth mothers of creating and withdrawing from an adoption plan after giving birth. I hope through this thesis I will be able explore resources available to potential birth mothers and parents who sever their …

In Their Skin : A Discourse On The Modern Tattoo Experience For Adults Aged Thirty And Over, Margaret Feeney

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study was undertaken to determine what meaning individuals aged 30 and over with large scale tattoos place upon those tattoos. More specifically, to establish the motivating factors led these individuals to get tattooed, along with the meaning, if any, is placed upon them. Ten individuals aged 32-64 were interviewed regarding their tattoos. Half of the individuals were tattooed for the first time during adolescence. All individuals were interviewed regarding their motivations for getting tattooed as well as any meanings they place on specific pieces. The findings of the research showed the driving force behind getting tattooed to be …

Social Workers' Experiences Related To Online Dating : A Descriptive Study, Miriam B. Stevens

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This descriptive, mixed methods study was undertaken to explore social workers' experiences related to online dating. This study aimed to describe social workers' attitudes and approaches to online dating, determine the type and frequency of ethical and clinical issues that social workers may encounter in the course of online dating, learn how social workers are addressing these issues, and determine the extent to which there is a need for guidance and policies related to online dating as a social worker.

Using availability and snowball sampling, data was collected from 577 social workers and social work students using an online survey …

Hospice Social Work And The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act, Christine A. Couture

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to explore how hospice social workers based at United States hospice agencies perceive changes in their work responsibilities in relation to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Secondly, this study sought to explore hospice social worker support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act healthcare policy reform.

A nonprobability sample of availability was used to find research participants. The researcher recruited participants through online social and professional networking groups and forums and by snowball sampling methods. Self-selected participants electronically confirmed their eligibility for participation in the study, prior to completing the 20-question online …

Does Degree Matter? : An Exploration Into The Stigmatization Of Mental Illness By Social Workers And Other Mental Health Professionals, Alexandria R. Huber

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This quantitative descriptive study sought to explore any differences in stigmatization by social workers and other mental health professionals. The second research question explored whether mental health professionals felt their degree program actively challenged them to explore stigma towards those with mental illness. Fifty participants completed an anonymous online survey that included the Community Attitudes Towards Mental Illness scale, measuring stigma of mental illness. There were an additional four Likert scale questions exploring stigma of mental illness, and the participants perspectives of their education about stigma. The findings indicated that social workers had a lower mean score on the subscale …

Mind The Gap: The Importance Of Pluralistic Discourse In Computing For Mental Health, R. Jordan Crouser, Morganne Ray Crouser

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

A large amount of HCI research leverages studies from psychology to try to understand how humans work. Unfortunately, there is often a disconnect between the tightly- controlled laboratory studies being referenced and the application of this knowledge in practice. At the same time, many mental health practitioners are beginning to turn toward computational tools to help stretch limited resources and support equitable access to mental healthcare. These efforts could be dramatically enhanced by leveraging what the HCI community has learned about promoting active engagement and designing unobtrusive interfaces. By facilitating collaboration between HCI researchers and practitioners in the field of …

We Were Treated Like Machines : Professionalism And Anti-Blackness In Social Work Agency Culture, Mark D. Davis

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study sought to answer two overarching research questions: (1) To what extent is there color-blind anti-Black bias in the way that professionalism is defined and enforced in social work agency culture? (2) What are exacerbating and ameliorating factors for this anti-Black bias? I developed a mixed-methods online questionnaire and recruited 246 participants via e-mail and Facebook. Participants were mostly White female social workers 18-39 years old, though the sample was disproportionately African American as compared with the general social worker population. When participants were asked if they perceived anti-Black bias in professionalism at their agencies, 42.7% answered yes …

"You Have To Know Whether Or Not You Can Really Compassionately Hold White Folks" : Perspectives Of Instructors On White Msw Student Engagement With Race And Racism Course Material, Eleanor H. Broh

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative, exploratory thesis explores the perspectives of instructors of courses on race and racism in social work masters programs. It looks at how these instructors are teaching race and racism content and how White students in their classes engage with the content. In doing so, this study addresses a gap in the social work literature on pedagogy for race and racism, which often fails to address the particular dynamics of teaching this material to White students in the United States.

Through qualitative, semi-structured interviewed with eleven instructors, this project describes the many ways White students engage with this material, …

Experiences Of Multilingual Social Workers : Trauma Therapy In Spanish And English, Emily H. Aviles

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study examines the experiences of social workers engaging in multilingual—Spanish and English—therapy with individuals who speak both Spanish and English, identify as Latino/a, have a history of trauma, and identify as having a history (personal, familial) of immigration to the U.S. The study uses semi-structured interviews with 10 social workers to gather qualitative data about their experiences engaging in trauma therapy with individuals who identify as multilingual as well as Latino/a immigrants to the U.S. The project examines ways that multilingual clinicians process trauma with individuals in more than one language; paying attention to the ways clinicians think …

Exploring Military Social Worker's Dual Professional Identities, Sarah E. Bakst

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative, exploratory study examines how active duty military social workers negotiate their dual roles as military officers and as social workers. This study used a demographic survey and semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions to interview twelve military social workers. The primary research question was "What are the experiences of active duty social workers in negotiating their dual professional identity as both social workers and military officers?" The major findings focus on the differences between military and civilian social work and implications for military social work practice. Recommendations include the need for workload management as well as education for …

Social Work And Human Sexuality : An Examination Of The Country's Top 25-Cwse Ranked Msw Curricula, Hannah R. Wineburg

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Graduate students of social work seek education and training to increase their competency to practice in dynamic, multicultural environments that allow them to help diverse clients with a multitude of mental health and sociological related issues. Moreover, social work programs have long been known for teaching students to be agents of change, in particular preparing social workers to effectively and ethically enhance the wellbeing and productivity of an increasingly diverse client base. This often translates into confronting oppressive systems that uphold traditional policies and practices in areas such as race, class, gender identity, and human sexuality. How are social work …

Client Perceptions On The Therapeutic Quality Of Care When Disclosing Spiritual And Religious Beliefs : A Mixed Methods Study, Maia Nikitovich

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The spiritual and religious life of clients is an important clinical factor in therapy; it holds significant meaning and may support therapeutic outcome. This study explored client perceptions of the quality of care they received in therapy when disclosing their spiritual/religious life to their therapists as well as the factors that might contribute to their perceptions of care and disclosure. A total of 75 respondents participated in an online survey tool composed of quantitative and qualitative questions. Qualitative responses were coded and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that most clients (73%) shared some or all of their …

It Takes A Village : A Survey Of Women's Experiences Of Emotional Support During Prenatal Care Visits, Elizabeth M. Du Toit

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Research has shown that post-partum depression often begins during pregnancy. This study seeks to examine the extent to which prenatal care providers (PNCP's) are sufficiently attending to the emotional concerns of their patients. This study consisted of 117 women. Participants were asked a series of rating questions to determine their overall satisfaction with their PNCP's ability to attend to their emotional concerns. In addition to the rating questions, respondents were asked two open ended questions to better illustrate their experience with their PNCP, as well as to discuss which resources they felt would be helpful to women during pregnancy. While …

Surviving The Divorce : The Power Of The Sibling Relationship, Jessica Hallberlin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Out of all family relationships, the sibling relationship remains the least studied. Due to the limited research on sibling relationships, the study aimed to provide a greater understanding of the importance of sibling relationships and the significant role that siblings may play in one another's lives when coping with the stressful effects of parental divorce. In this qualitative exploratory study, 14 adult sibling dyads were interviewed to explore the ways in which they helped one another deal with the effects of parental divorce. The three main themes that emerged from this study are (a) positive impact of sibling relationships on …

The Dyad Of Colleagues : Transferential Experiences Of Clinical Trainees With Their Personal Therapists And Its Impact On Practice, Aubrey J. Koch

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was conducted in pursuit of the answer to the following question: what is the experience of transference in the personal therapy of clinicians-in-training and how does this unique therapeutic relationship influence the practice of clinical trainees? This study utilized exploratory qualitative intensive interviews. Participants included individuals who were enrolled in a masters in social work (MSW), counseling, or clinical psychology program; participant had to have aspirations to be a therapist, voluntarily be in personal therapy, and reside in the United States. Questions were designed to draw from subjects their experiences of transference, specifically those that arose as a …

Altruism In Relationship To The Therapeutic Process : An Exploratory Study Of The Perspectives And Experiences Of Clinical Social Workers, Leslie M. Hammer

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

While engaging in altruism has been found to be therapeutic in many settings including mutual aid groups, there is a lack of empirical data regarding altruism in the context of clinical social work with individuals. Using qualitative methods, this study gathered perspectives on the current state of altruism in clinical social work, and inquired specifically about the use of altruism as a clinical tool. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 13 licensed clinical social workers. Participants varied in their perspectives about engaging in conversations about altruism with clients and the therapeutic use of participating in altruistic acts. Clinicians expressed being guided …

Trans Enough : Trans/Gender Identities And (Mis)Representation In Social Work, Christopher C. Hamann

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study critically examines the current discourse in social work on transgender individuals in an attempt to be a starting point for those seeking to gain a better understanding of the ways in which the profession has conceptualized and served this population over the last 25 years. Queer theory and critical discourse analysis were used to analyze a final sample of 30 social work articles that focus on the transgender subject. Analytical focus was aimed at the production and reproduction of social norms, particularly those that function through heteronormativity, as well as forces of power operating within the discourse. Through …

Exploring The Experience Of Biological Children Of Foster Parents : Their Views On Family As Adults, Jessica J. Studer

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Despite the fact that family foster care is a large part of the current child welfare system, little is known about the experience of biological children of foster parents. This qualitative research study analyzed the stories of ten adults who grew up in foster homes as biological children of foster parents from a family systems perspective. Common themes and areas for future research were identified. Participants identified and described diverse experiences in which both positive aspects as well as individual and family struggles . Participants described exposure to foster siblings behaviors and knowledge about their lives. Due to this exposure, …

The Application Of Yoga As A Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Approach To Social Work, Karen L. Tsai

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

There is growing evidence emerging from the biomedical, behavioral science, and mental health literature suggesting that yoga may be an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health symptoms. Curiously, there has been very little social work literature published about yoga's therapeutic potential. As one of the most popular complementary and alternative approaches to health in the United States, yoga is not to be overlooked as a potential social work methodology to reach diverse populations and improve or complement mental health treatment rates and outcomes. Yoga's multifaceted ability to affect well-being makes it an important therapeutic approach to mental …

Attractiveness Privilege : The Unearned Advantages Of Physical Attractivenesss, Kelsey P. Yonce

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In this theoretical investigation, I explore level of physical attractiveness as a characteristic that privileges people who are more attractive and oppresses those who are less attractive. I discuss the concept of privilege, societal standards of physical attractiveness, and the ways in which people who are more physically attractive are treated and perceived more positively by others. To examine this phenomenon more deeply, I introduce the theoretical perspectives of intersectionality and conflict theory. Intersectionality refers to the idea that different areas of privilege and oppression interact with each other in ways that create unique experiences of privilege and oppression for …

Identity, Colonial Mentality, And Decolonizing The Mind : Exploring Narratives And Examining Mental Health Implications For Filipino Americans, Ashley M. Decena

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Colonial mentality is defined as the perception of ethnic and cultural inferiority and a form of internalized racial oppression. It is deemed a direct consequence of the Philippines' long history of colonialism. This empirical, qualitative study explored whether colonial mentality resonated with Filipino Americans who were born and raised in the United States. This study also investigated if and how the process of decolonization of the mind transpired within individuals. One way decolonization of the mind can be conceptualized is the process of understanding one's history to understand the present. Also examined was Filipino/Filipino American identity and how these perceptions …

Clinicians Behind The Curtain : Are White Smith Students Addressing Race And Racism, Why Or Why Not? If So, How?, Malcolm R. Pradia

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The literature confirms the importance of providing cross-cultural education and the development of cross-cultural skills for trainees entering clinical practice. In recognition of this, Smith College School for Social Work has a written commitment to anti-racism and as part of this commitment the college has developed a curriculum that addresses race and racism in clinical practice and the social work profession. Given this commitment, this study surveyed twelve white Smith College School for Social Work students to understand if white Smith students were addressing race and racism with clients of color in clinical practice, why or why not, and if …

All The World's A Stage And All The Men And Women Merely Players : The Use Of Performance In Therapy, T. Lee Shostack

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative exploratory study examined the use of performance and drama in clinical work with adults in the United States. Seven clinicians were interviewed about their training, work, techniques, clinical conditions they addressed, populations they worked with, and outcomes. All interviewees for this study were white and female. Clinicians shared their clinical experience and expertise. They discussed how they came to use performance in their clinical work. Many of the interviewees used performance with all clients with all clinical presenting issues. Clinicians also discussed the lack of training in these techniques in social work training programs. Clinicians all had training …

Social Workers Who Become Life Coaches : What Does The Social Work Field Have To Learn, Alexandra A. Jost

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory, qualitative study of social worker/coach practitioners elucidates themes about what motivates social workers to become coaches, how they integrate these roles in practice, and how this integration impacts their social work identity, adherence to professional ethics, and the types of clients they serve. The sample of 14 participants was recruited through professional listserves, social media, and a snowball technique. Key findings include that participants who integrated the role of coaching into their practices were able to connect more closely to a strengths-based and client-centered approach, feel more authentic and empowered, and make use of training in both disciplines …

Positive Interventions For Children Diagnosed With Learning Disabilities : An Exploration Of Educators' Lived Experiences, Chelsea M. Dann

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of the study was to examine the practices used by teachers within the classroom environment that lead learning disability (LD) diagnosed children to a positive learning experience. This study focused on exploring the practices in place that support these children in a positive way in the classroom post-diagnosis. Further, the purpose of this study was to investigate how classroom teachers interact with elementary students ages 7 -12 who have an LD and who are on an IEP. This study explored how educators implemented supportive practices to provide these children with a positive school experience, which in turn, determine …

Is Social Work The Work Of Love? : Love Practice And Queer Doing In The Process For Full Self-Determination, Sady K. Horn

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The 1915 National Conference of Charities and Corrections, during which Abraham Flexner stated that social work was not a profession because it lacked a "communicable technique", is understood as a historically significant event in social work history. Part of the discourse regarding the legacy of this conference has spoken to social work's struggle with comprehending the nature of its purpose and definition as a profession. In this thesis I explore the phenomenon of social work, understood as a profession, and how its professionalization may contribute to its struggle in developing a comprehensive practice method that makes its stated values of …

Hip-Hop As Healer : Black Males' Experience Of Hip-Hop Culture, Tawnee Sae-Saue

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study was developed to explore the experiences that Black men have of hip-hop and its potential healing function. Ten Black men were interviewed in the Los Angeles and Bay Area regarding their experiences as either practitioners or followers of hip-hop. Participants were asked to reflect on the role that hip-hop has played in their lives, hip-hop's effect on their racial identities and its impact on their emotions. All subjects described themselves as having a relationship with hip-hop that was, and continues to be, transformative. Participants described hip-hop as a chosen kinship and described the culture as having a …