Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Minority Stress Theory: An Examination Of Factors Surrounding Sexual Risk Behavior Among Gay And Bisexual Men Who Use Club Drugs, Michael Dentato, Perry Halkitis, John Orwat

John Orwat

Background: Few studies have examined the impact of minority stress theory (MST) upon sexual risk behavior among gay and bisexual men using club drugs. Similar studies have focused on ethnic minorities and women; however, gay and bisexual men demonstrate greater likelihood for risk behaviors leading to HIV/AIDS. Objective: This study examines sexual risk behavior from the perspective of minority stress theory upon substance-using gay and bisexual men and their partners. Methods: Multivariable logistic regression analysis examined minority stress associations with participant sexual risk behaviors, drug use, and partner type, controlling for demographics. Results: 396 gay and 54 bisexual respondents, ages …

Social Work Students Obtain Hands-On Experience At Lobby Day, Derek B. Brown

Derek B Brown

Sacred Heart University’s Social Work Club sponsored 29 Sacred Heart students and faculty on a trip to Hartford at the end of October for Lobby Day—a statewide event that serves to educate social workers on the lobbying process. Hosted by the National Association of Social Workers – Connecticut Chapter (NASW – CT), Lobby Day was attended by some 200 students, faculty and social work professionals.

Prescription Drug Diversion: Predictors Of Illicit Acquisition And Redistribution In Three U.S. Metropolitan Areas, Alana Gunn

Alana Gunn

Professor Bronwyn Cross-Denny Earns Social Work Award, Bronwyn Cross-Denny

Bronwyn Cross-Denny

From Wall Street to social worker, Sacred Heart University’s Bronwyn Cross-Denny’s ability to effectively teach social work research to students in an innovative way led to her winning the SAGE Publications and Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) Award for Innovative Teaching in Social Work Education this year.

From Placement To Prison Revisited: Do Mental Health Services Disrupt The Delinquency Pipeline Among Latino, African American And Caucasian Youth In The Child Welfare System?, Antonio R. Garcia, Johanna K.P. Greeson, Minseop Kim, Allison E. Thompson, Christina Denard

Johanna K.P. Greeson, PhD, MSS, MLSP

Racial and ethnic disparities in delinquency among child welfare-involved youth are well documented. However, less is known about the mechanisms through which these disparities occur. This study explores the extent to which sets of variables predict the occurrence of juvenile delinquency and whether race/ethnicity moderates the strength of the relationships between (1) social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) problems and delinquency and (2) mental health service use and delinquency. We used a nationally representative sample of 727 African American, Caucasian, and Latino youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who were referred to the child welfare system. Controlling for age, …

Older Adults With Hiv/Aids, Charles A. Emlet, Anne K. Hughes

Charles Emlet

No abstract provided.

Self-Management And Regulation Training (Smart) For Criminogenic Behaviors In Males, Bonnie Kenaley, Richard Craig, Patrick Wolberd

Bonnie Kenaley

• Explain the objectives and components of the Self-Management and Regulation Training model
• Demonstrate the sequential steps of the SMART program, including the in-group and homework assignments
• Describe how to assess the effectiveness of the SMART program

Rents The Bane Of Poor: Charity, Hilary Gallagher

Hilary Gallagher

No abstract provided.

Spiritual Direction & Soul Care: Embracing God’S Presence In Your Practice (Aacc World Conference 2015), John C. Thomas

John C. Thomas

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Homelessness Among Families And Single Adults After Exit From Homelessness Prevention And Rapid Rehousing Programs: Evidence From The Department Of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services For Veteran Families Program, Thomas Byrne, Daniel Treglia, Dennis P. Culhane, John Kuhn, Vincent Kane

Dennis P. Culhane

Cross-Border Talks Are Underway On How To Help Homeless People On The Gold Coast, Hilary Gallagher

Hilary Gallagher

No abstract provided.

Talks Underway On How To Accomodate Homeless People On The Gold Coast, Hilary Gallagher

Hilary Gallagher

No abstract provided.

The Social Practice Of Human Rights, Joel Pruce

Joel Pruce

The Social Practice of Human Rights bridges the conventional scholar-practitioner divide by focusing on the space in between. In capturing this cutting edge research program, the volume proposes a perspective that motivates critical self-reflection of the strategies that drive communities dedicated to the advocacy and implementation of human rights. The social practice of human rights takes place not in front of a judge, but in the streets and alleys, in the backrooms and out-of-the-way places where change occurs. Contributors to this volume investigate the contexts and efforts of activists and professionals devoted to promoting human rights norms. This research takes …

An Exploratory Study Examining Needs, Access, And Competent Social Services For The Transgender Community In Phoenix, Arizona, Megan E. Salisbury, Michael P. Dentato Phd, Msw

Michael P. Dentato

A Chair Based Yoga Workshop For Self-Care And Stress Management For Social Workers And Mental Health Professionals, Aileen J. Mccabe-Maucher

Aileen J McCabe-Maucher

ABSTRACT This dissertation is a continuing education unit (CEU) course that teaches social workers and other mental health professionals how to cultivate resiliency and enhance self-care through the ancient practice of yoga. The course explores emerging research that reveals how yoga and other mindfulness-based practices can positively impact neurochemistry and brain biology. Most of the yoga positions and breathing exercises are practiced from a chair and can be adapted to any level of flexibility and fitness level. Designed to make yoga accessible for everyone, the techniques are gentle and available to individuals with various physical abilities, including participants who may …

Health Characteristics Of Solo Gp Caregivers - Whitley, Fuller-T. Brennenstuhl.Pdf, Deborah M. Whitley

Deborah M. Whitley

Youth Homelessness: Prevalence And Associations With Weight In Three Regions, J. J. Cutuli, Caren Steinway, Staci Perlman, Janette E. Herbers, Karin M. Eyrich-Garg, Joe Willard

J. J. Cutuli

This study investigated the utility of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to document associations between homeless status and weight while estimating the prevalence of youth homelessness in three regions. A school-based survey, the YRBS includes youths who have been difficult to involve in past research. Analysis of 2011 YRBS data produced populationweighted estimates of youth homelessness prevalence separately for Connecticut, Delaware, and Philadelphia. Public high school students anonymously reported their housing status, height, and weight on the YRBS. Height and weight were converted to body mass index (BMI) percentile-for-age scores. Homelessness was associated with higher BMI percentile scores for …

Stories From The Street: A Theology Of Homelessness By David Nixon, Laura Stivers

Laura Stivers

David Nixon in his book Stories from the Street: A Theology of Homelessness places stories of people who are homeless in dialogue with Christian scriptures, Church tradition, and particular theologies to construct a “theology of homelessness” (7). Drawing on liberation theology, Nixon argues that stories told by poor people can offer a deeper sense of the meaning of God and relationship, can reinvigorate the Christian story, and can in fact, change the world. Nixon shares a number of life histories of homeless people and teases out biographical and emotional themes from their stories in relation to spirituality. He also recounts …

Stories From The Street: A Theology Of Homelessness By David Nixon, Laura Stivers

Laura Stivers

David Nixon in his book Stories from the Street: A Theology of Homelessness places stories of people who are homeless in dialogue with Christian scriptures, Church tradition, and particular theologies to construct a “theology of homelessness” (7). Drawing on liberation theology, Nixon argues that stories told by poor people can offer a deeper sense of the meaning of God and relationship, can reinvigorate the Christian story, and can in fact, change the world. Nixon shares a number of life histories of homeless people and teases out biographical and emotional themes from their stories in relation to spirituality. He also recounts …

Legislators' Perceptions About Poverty: Views From The Georgia General Assembly, Elizabeth L. Beck, Deborah M. Whitley, James L. Wolk

Deborah M. Whitley

This study sought to explore legislators perspectives about causes of poverty. Members of the Georgia General Assembly rated the importance of 10 behavioral and structural explanations of poverty, and indicated whether they thought poor women and children would be better served under AFDC or TANF. Whereas all groups of legislators found behavioral explanations moderately important, there was significant variation by race, gender, and political party about the importance of structural explanations of poverty. Support for several structural explanations of poverty correlated with a preference for AFDC, but no correlations were found with behavioral explanations. This study holds implications for affecting …

Grandmother Kinship Care Providers: Predictors Of Elevated Psychological Distress, Deborah M. Whitley

Deborah M. Whitley

Most children in kinship care with grandmothers in the U.S. have been abandoned or maltreated. The challenges these caregivers encounter often include poverty, social isolation, and diminished health. These factors may hinder the grandmother’s ability to provide a supportive family environment. The purpose of the present study was to determine levels of psychological distress in African American caregiving grandmothers and identify predictors of increased distress in African American custodial grandmothers. We hypothesized that diminished grandmother health, family resources and support, as well as increased child behavior problems, will predict psychological distress.

Perceptions Of Family Empowerment In African American Custodial Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren: Thoughts For Research And Practice, Deborah Whitley, Susan Kelley, Peter Campos

Deborah M. Whitley

Empowerment practice is an approach to help marginalized families reduce their sense of powerlessness. The present study explores empowerment practice with a sample of low-income African American custodial grandmothers. It specifically describes how the effects of a strengths-based community service program influenced caregivers’ sense of empowerment. Using the Family Empowerment Scale, the results suggest that the service intervention supports the empowerment dimensions and three subscales (knowledge, advocacy, and self-efficacy); the results did not support the competency subscale. Although all age groups experienced an increase in empowerment, older grandmothers had significant differences in perceptions regarding social systems, as well as a …

Legal And Relational Permanence In Older Foster Care Youths, Allison Thompson, Johanna Greeson

Johanna K.P. Greeson, PhD, MSS, MLSP

Permanency may be conceptualized as two separate but related dimensions. It is ideal, but not always possible, for youth to attain both.

Discrimination Vs. Acceptance Of Homosexuality At Valparaiso University, Jennifer Johnson, Jennifer Pokorny, Brittany Smiejek

Jennifer Johnson

Views of homosexuality have been a major issue for many years and still are to this day. As stated in the Declaration of Independence, all citizens should be granted equal rights and respect. However, many still are struggling to offer their acceptance to those of diverse populations, especially to those who identify themselves as members of the GLBTQ community. This lack of equality has escalated to a nation full of discriminating views, attitudes, and stereotypes. While all ages have portrayed negative attitudes towards members of the GLBTQ population, it is most visually prevalent among students at college campuses. Because of …

In Search Of The Continuum: Graduate School Performance Of Bsw And Non-Bsw Degree Holders, Anne E. Fortune, Robert G. Green, Michael S. Kolevzon

Robert A. Green

Do students with prior academic preparation in social work perform better in graduate school than students who do not have a BSW? Master's students in a southeastern school of social work were surveyed about their background, general psychosocial adjustment, adjustment to and attitudes toward graduate school, and graduate academic performance. Forced-entry multiple regression was used to control simultaneously for the effect of background and adjustment factors on four outcome variables: Grade Point Average in the most recent semesters; Stress as a Student; Educational Program Satisfaction; and Professional Social Work Commitment. Having a BSW was unrelated to Educational Program Satisfaction and …

A Critique Of ‘Liberal Peace’ And ‘Conflict Resolution’: A Critical Peace Alternative, Nicos Trimikliniotis

Nicos Trimikliniotis

This paper critiques the notions of peace, peace-building, which often goes together with state-building, development and transitional justice, are connected to the liberal peace model. It proposes that alternative readings are required that to allow reconceptualising of peace and better route in a dynamic and conflict-based reading of society. The critique of liberal peace can pave the way for reading the dialectics peace/war and ethnic conflict/reconciliation in deeply divided societies suffering from ethnic-related violence. It critiques Conflict Resolution (CR) approaches and considers how a sociological reading can enrich, restructure and reconceptualise of peace-in-society in terms of critical peace. Unlike those …

Testing Alternative Definitions Of Chronic Homelessness, Thomas Byrne, Dennis P. Culhane

Dennis P. Culhane

Wood County Project Connect, Final Report For Event Held October 15, 2014, Melissa Burek, Mamta Ojha, Morgan Fair

Melissa Burek

Project Connect is an outreach and an awareness raising event based on a model endorsed by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The event is an opportunity to inform the community about the need that exists, as well as a chance to address that need. Project Connect (PC) is designed to provide immediate goods and services to at risk individuals in one day at one location. Our report presents that descriptive data and evaluation of a PC event that occurred in October of 2014 in Wood County, Ohio.

Community Practice Social Entrepreneurship: An Interdisciplinary Approach To Graduate Education, Monica Nandan, Manuel London, Terry C. Blum

Monica Nandan

The rapidly changing global environment for community practice social workers (CPSWs) has challenged these practitioners to devise innovative intervention strategies. Some practitioners are utilising community organising, community planning, community development and policy practice intervention strategies simultaneously to create sustainable changes and are unwittingly, or purposefully, acting as social entrepreneurs. This article delineates similarities between community practice social work and social entrepreneurship – orientation and behaviours – and introduces the concept of community practice social entrepreneurship (CPSE). The authors propose interdisciplinary venues to teach graduate students in social work and in other disciplines skills for practicing as community practice social entrepreneurs.

Interdisciplinary Professional Education: Training College Students For Collaborative Social Change, Monica Nandan, Manuel London

Monica Nandan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale for developing interprofessional competencies among graduates from professional and graduate programs, so that they are well prepared to participate in local, national and global social change strategies. Design/methodology/approach – After reviewing the literature on strategic social change initiatives the authors briefly describe two such initiatives: corporate social responsibility initiatives and social entrepreneurial ventures. After reviewing the interprofessional literature from various disciplines and professions, the authors categorized them into “competencies,” “rationale,” “conceptual framework,” “principles” and “challenges.” An examination of exemplar pedagogy from this body of literature suggests ways to …