Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Comparative Analysis Between Physical Activity Affect And Discrete Emotions In College Students, Kelly L. Simonton, Timothy M. Dasinger, Alex C. Garn

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate empirical distinctness and overlap between physical activity (PA) affect and emotions as well as potential unique relationships with PA beliefs and behaviors. Specifically, researchers wanted to explore the level of shared variance amongst discrete emotions and affect, which in effect tested the jingle-jangle fallacy that can be present in psychometric evaluation of related constructs.

Participants: College students (N=519; Mage= 20.47) enrolled in PA courses at two universities in the Southeastern United States completed questionnaires concerning their PA related emotions, affect, self-efficacy, and self-reported PA.

Methods: …

Tackling The Complexities Of The Obesity Pandemic Among The Bame Population In The Uk Through Identification Of The Social Determinants Of Mental Health And Wellbeing: A Narrative Review, Johnson Mbabazi, Fiona Macgregor, Jeff Breckon, Dorothy Irene Nalweyiso, Alan Rhodes, Edward Kunonga, Barry Tolchard, Jennifer Teke, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Obesity's multifaceted causes give rise to a complex and diverse range of health associated morbidities and comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, particularly among British Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations within in the UK. As found within the recent COVID-19 pandemic these can have wider reaching implications including increased risk of mortality within this population group. Understanding the potential social determinants of the causes of obesity is essential if effective strategies are to be developed to tackle this. A comprehensive search of the CINAHL, ASSIA and Web of Science databases was undertaken with 148 papers identified. Through application …

Testing A Theory Of Strategic Implementation Leadership, Implementation Climate, And Clinicians’ Use Of Evidence-Based Practice: A 5-Year Panel Analysis, Nathaniel J. Williams, Courtney Benjamin Wolk, Emily M. Becker-Haimes, Rinad S. Beidas

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Implementation theory suggests that first-level leaders, sometimes referred to as middle managers, can increase clinicians’ use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in healthcare settings by enacting specific leadership behaviors (i.e., proactive, knowledgeable, supportive, perseverant with regard to implementation) that develop an EBP implementation climate within the organization; however, longitudinal and quasi-experimental studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Methods: Using data collected at three waves over a 5-year period from a panel of 30 outpatient children’s mental health clinics employing 496 clinicians, we conducted a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences study to test whether within-organization change in implementation leadership predicted within-organization …

Ideological Misalignment In The Discourse(S) Of Higher Education: Comparing University Mission Statements With Texts From Commercial Learning Analytics Providers, Leif A. Nelson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes, interprets, and compares texts from different educational discourses. Using the Critical Discourse Analysis method, I reveal how texts from university mission statements and from commercial learning analytics providers communicate and construct different ideologies. To support this analysis, I explore literature strands related to public higher education in America and the emerging field of study and practice called learning analytics. Learning analytics is the administrative, research, and instructional use of large sets of digital data that are associated with and generated by students. The data in question may be generated by incidental online activity, and it may be …

A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study Of Clinicians’ Use Of Psychotherapy Techniques During 5 Years Of A System-Wide Effort To Implement Evidence-Based Practices In Philadelphia, Nathaniel J. Williams

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Little work investigates the effect of behavioral health system efforts to increase use of evidence-based practices or how organizational characteristics moderate the effect of these efforts. The objective of this study was to investigate clinician practice change in a system encouraging implementation of evidence-based practices over 5 years and how organizational characteristics moderate this effect. We hypothesized that evidence-based techniques would increase over time, whereas use of non-evidence-based techniques would remain static.

Method: Using a repeated cross-sectional design, data were collected three times from 2013 to 2017 in Philadelphia’s public behavioral health system. Clinicians from 20 behavioral health outpatient …

Understanding The Role Of Relationship Maintenance In Enduring Couple Partnerships In Later Adulthood, Jill M. Chonody, Jacqui Gabb

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Intimate relationships in later adulthood are understudied despite their positive association with health and well-being. This cross-sectional mixed methods study sought to redress this gap by investigating relationship maintenance in later adulthood. Our international sub-sample comprised 1,565 participants aged 55 + and in an ongoing relationship. Results from hierarchical multiple regression indicated that overall happiness with the relationship had the largest effect size on relationship maintenance, with 53% of the variance explained. Content analyses of open-ended questions identified companionship and laughter as some of the “best liked” aspects of the relationship. Housework/cooking and saying “I love you” were among the …

Organizational Culture And Climate Profiles: Relationships With Fidelity To Three Evidence-Based Practices For Autism In Elementary Schools, Nathaniel J. Williams

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Implementation researchers have typically studied organizational culture and climate by testing whether individual dimensions are linked to the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) rather than examining how the overarching social context influences implementation. This approach may limit implementation theory and strategy development to the extent that individual dimensions of culture and climate interact, mutually reinforce or counteract one another, or exhibit non-linear relationships. This study tests whether empirically identifiable culture and climate profiles emerge in a sample of organizations and examines how these profiles relate to EBP fidelity and work attitudes that support EBP sustainment, focusing on three EBPs …

Navigating The Storm: How Proficient Organizational Culture Promotes Clinician Retention In The Shift To Evidence-Based Practice, Nathaniel J. Williams, Rinad S. Beidas

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective

Clinician turnover is a major concern as mental health systems and organizations invest substantial resources in the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP). In this study, we identify malleable factors associated with reduced clinician turnover during a systemwide EBP implementation initiative. Specifically, we examine how proficient organizational culture (i.e., norms and behavioral expectations that clinicians prioritize improvement in client well-being and exhibit competence in up-to-date treatment practices), EBP implementation climate (i.e., perceptions that the organization’s policies, procedures, and practices support EBP use), and change in these organizational characteristics relate to clinician turnover during a system-wide EBP transformation.

Method

Data were …

Linking Molar Organizational Climate And Strategic Implementation Climate To Clinicians’ Use Of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Techniques: Cross-Sectional And Lagged Analyses From A 2-Year Observational Study, Nathaniel J. Williams, Mark G. Ehrhart, Gregory A. Aarons, Steven C. Marcus, Rinad S. Beidas

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Behavioral health organizations are characterized by multiple organizational climates, including molar climate, which encompasses clinicians’ shared perceptions of how the work environment impacts their personal well-being, and strategic implementation climate, which includes clinicians’ shared perceptions of the extent to which evidence-based practice implementation is expected, supported, and rewarded by the organization. Theory suggests these climates have joint, cross-level effects on clinicians’ implementation of evidence-based practice and that these effects may be long term (i.e., up to 2 years); however, no empirical studies have tested these relationships. We hypothesize that molar climate moderates implementation climate’s concurrent and long-term relationships with …

Perspectives On Aging Among Graduate Social Work Students: Using Photographs As An Online Pedagogical Activity, Jill M. Chonody

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

The United States is experiencing an aging of the population, and by 2030, 20% of Americans will be 65 years or older (Federal Interagency Forum, 2010). However, for many helping professions, including social work, medicine, and nursing, student interest in gerontological practice is quite low. One international study found that only 5.4% of the more than 1,000 social work students who were surveyed indicated that working with older people was their primary area of interest (Chonody & Wang, 2014). Finding ways to improve student interest and break down biases against older adults is essential to improve student interest, and incorporating …

Increasing Access To Care By Delivering Mental Health Services In Schools: The School-Based Support Program, Danielle Swick, Joelle D. Powers

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

It is widely estimated that approximately 25% of school age youth face mental and behavioral health challenges. The vast majority of these youth are insufficiently treated, leaving them vulnerable to negative school outcomes such as attendance, behavioral, and academic problems. One common barrier to treatment is a lack of access to appropriate and consistent care including assessment and intervention. Often when students are identified in schools as potentially struggling with mental health issues, the child is referred out to the community for treatment. While well-intended, this approach is largely unsuccessful if families face challenges such as a language barrier, a …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of Two Incentive-Based Implementation Strategies For Mental Health Therapists Implementing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A Pilot Study To Inform A Randomized Controlled Trial, Nathaniel J. Williams

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Informed by our prior work indicating that therapists do not feel recognized or rewarded for implementation of evidence-based practices, we tested the feasibility and acceptability of two incentive-based implementation strategies that seek to improve therapist adherence to cognitive-behavioral therapy for youth, an evidence-based practice.

Methods: This study was conducted over 6 weeks in two community mental health agencies with therapists (n = 11) and leaders (n = 4). Therapists were randomized to receive either a financial or social incentive if they achieved a predetermined criterion on adherence to cognitive-behavioral therapy. In the first intervention period (block 1; …

Differences Between Students With And Without Disabilities In College Counseling, Lindsay C. Varkula, James D. Beauchemin, Sandra D. Facemire, Emily C. Bucher

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study examined differences between college students with and without disabilities who utilized college counseling center services. Although we found no differences between students with (n = 234, 9.2%) and without (n = 2,308, 90.8%) disabilities on number of counseling sessions attended, significant findings included: students with disabilities were more likely to self-terminate and more likely to be referred out than students without disabilities. Results suggest that students with disabilities are a diverse group requiring special consideration in college counseling settings. Recommendations for college counseling practice are discussed.

Promoting Financial Capability Of Incarcerated Women For Community Reentry: A Call To Social Workers, Cynthia K. Sanders

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Female incarceration rates are increasing at unprecedented rates. The majority of women are poor single mothers, serving sentences for nonviolent drug-related and property offenses. Among challenges faced when transitioning back into society are a history of interpersonal violence and financial instability. This study examines literature with regard to the barriers women experience with an emphasis on financial struggles and explores outcomes of one initiative to begin addressing the financial capability of women in a minimum security prison. Findings reveal women benefited from the class experience. Social workers are called upon for additional financial capability programming and research in this area.

Assessing Mental Health Clinicians’ Intentions To Adopt Evidence-Based Treatments: Reliability And Validity Testing Of The Evidence-Based Treatment Intentions Scale, Nathaniel J. Williams

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Intentions play a central role in numerous empirically supported theories of behavior and behavior change and have been identified as a potentially important antecedent to successful evidence-based treatment (EBT) implementation. Despite this, few measures of mental health clinicians’ EBT intentions exist and available measures have not been subject to thorough psychometric evaluation or testing. This paper evaluates the psychometric properties of the evidence-based treatment intentions (EBTI) scale, a new measure of mental health clinicians’ intentions to adopt EBTs.

Methods: The study evaluates the reliability and validity of inferences made with the EBTI using multi-method, multi-informant criterion variables collected over …

Mental Health Disorders In Later Life, Zvi D. Gellis, Bonnie Kenaley

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Depression and anxiety disorders are common in older adults. These disorders are associated with impaired functioning, disability, and high service use and costs. Co-occurrence of depression and anxiety is common with chronic diseases. Effective psychological and pharmacological treatments are available. However, too often, depression and anxiety disorders are underdiagnosed or are not optimally treated. This chapter presents an update on the state of knowledge on depression and anxiety disorders in later life, focusing on prevalence, comorbidity, and effective evidence-based treatments.

Narrating Gender: A Feminist Approach To The Narratives Of The Transgender Experience, Jamie K. Lange

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Gender and identity are complex and often ubiquitous in nature. This is a study about gender and identity and the ways in which they manifest through the narratives of five transgender individuals, who all transitioned after the age of 45, who now live as women. This study about the transgender experience adds a significant and important perspective on gender, identity, identification, and the relationship between gender and identity. The most important conclusions are the lengths to which these people go to support gender social constructs, reinforcing the immense strength of the social construction of gender. The idea that social constructs …

Better Engaging Social Science Graduate Students In Introductory Research Methods Courses: A Class Activity, Lisa D. Zerden, Joelle D. Powers, Christopher J. Wretman

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper outlines a classroom activity to help students engage in research methods and lessen anxiety and apprehension commonly associated with research methods courses. The described class activity offers students a shared research experience to promote the skills necessary to understand, conduct and translate research into ethical social science practice. The activity was conducted in a graduate social work programme but is applicable across the social sciences. Content covered includes sampling, research design, ethical considerations, brief evaluation and helping students think critically about ways to improve research methods in order to facilitate competencies necessary for evidence-based practice (EBP). An introduction …

Using Balanced Learning Course Design To Reduce Resistance To Diversity Curricula, Misty L. Wall

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Diversity content is often met with covert and overt resistance in the classroom. Utilisation of a balanced learning model may address classroom resistance. Balanced learning models require ‘backwards’ course planning, equal attention to course content and class process, and a strategic use of cyclical course design to include introduction of new materiel, experience, followed by personal reflection. Using a balanced learning model moves classroom instruction beyond active learning strategies in the classroom, but can present unique challenges for instructors. While not without challenges, utilising a balanced learning model proves useful during course design and delivery of a graduate course on …

Testing The “Learning Journey” Of Msw Students In A Rural Program, Misty L. Wall, Will Rainford

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Using a quasi-experimental one-group, pretest–posttest design with non-random convenience sampling, the researchers assessed 61 advanced standing MSW students who matriculated at a rural intermountain Northwest school of social work. Changes in students' knowledge and attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people were measured using subscales of the LGB-KASH scale and include knowledge of LGB history, religious conflict, internalized affirmation of LGB people and issues, hatred and violence toward LGB people, and knowledge and attitudes toward extension and exclusion of civil rights for LGB people. Completion of required, highly experiential bridge course content regarding LGB history and experience appears to …

A Quasi-Experimental Test Of The Elementary School Success Profile Model Of Assessment And Prevention, Natasha K. Bowen, Aaron M. Thompson, Joelle D. Powers

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Elementary School Success Profile Model of Assessment and Prevention (ESSP MAP) is an assessment and intervention strategy designed to improve student academic performance and behavior. The current analysis uses a quasi-experimental design to examine the relationship between a 3-year implementation of the ESSP MAP and aggregate academic outcomes. Students in one 3rd grade cohort (2007-2008) from 4 schools in 1 district received the intervention as they progressed from 3rd to 5th grade. Longitudinal hierarchical linear modeling with cross-classified effects of schools (N = 10) and cohorts (N = 11) was used to compare trajectories of reading proficiency percentages for …

Better Together: Expanding Rural Partnerships To Support Families, Harriet Shaklee, Jeri Bigbee, Misty Wall

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Chronic shortages of health, social service, and mental health professionals in rural areas necessitate creative partnerships in support of families. Cooperative extension professionals in Family and Consumer Sciences and community health nurses are introduced as trusted professionals in rural communities who can bring critical skills to human services teams. Multidisciplinary prevention programs offer particularly good contexts for county extension educators and community health nurses to work in collaboration with social workers. The case of grandparents raising grandchildren illustrates the critical roles that can be filled by professionals in these two fields to extend the reach of family support programs.

Choosing A Survey Sample When Data On The Population Are Limited: A Method Using Global Positioning Systems And Aerial And Satellite Photographs, Harry S. Shannon, Royce Hutson, Athena Kolbe, Bernadette Stringer, Ted Haines

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Various methods have been proposed for sampling when data on the population are limited. However, these methods are often biased. We propose a new method to draw a population sample using Global Positioning Systems and aerial or satellite photographs.

Results: We randomly sampled Global Positioning System locations in designated areas. A circle was drawn around each location with radius representing 20 m. Buildings in the circle were identified from satellite photographs; one was randomly chosen. Interviewers selected one household from the building, and interviews were conducted with eligible household members.

Conclusions: Participants had known selection probabilities, allowing proper estimation …

The Diagnosis Of Mental Disorders In Clinical Social Work: A Review Of Standards Of Care, Daniel Harkness

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Licensed to diagnose and treat mental disorders, clinical social workers have begun to develop and practice professional standards of care commensurate with their status as the nation's largest provider of mental health care. Against the backdrop of malpractice claims and awards, this paper reviews the extant standards promulgated by our professional organizations, regulatory bodies, health-insurance and managed-care entities, and the courts to synthesize standards of care for the diagnosis of mental disorders. The limited available evidence suggests that clinical social workers merit congratulations and concern as we rise to the challenge of addressing those standards in education and practice.

A Preliminary Evaluation: Demographic And Clinical Profiles And Changes In Functioning In Children Receiving Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Bonnie L. Davis Kenaley, Nathaniel J. Williams

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

The present study is the first to examine the demographic and clinical profiles at intake of children with emotional disturbances who received Child Psychosocial Rehabilitation (CPSR), a relatively new treatment for children suffering with emotional disturbance(ED). Fifty-three children ranging in age from 4 to 18 years received CPSR from a for-profit outpatient child and adolescent mental health clinic located in southwestern Idaho for a minimum of six months. The children's demographic and clinical profiles were examined. In addition, the relationship between the relative change in psychological, emotional, and behavioral functioning as measured by CAFAS (Hodges, 1989, 1994) and PECFAS (Hodges, …

Hearing The Voices Of Lesbian Women Having Children, Misty Wall

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Whether single, or in the context of a lesbian relationship, lesbian women are choosing to become mothers, often through adoption. The path of lesbian women choosing motherhood is fraught with challenges and often disappointments (Martin, 1993, Oswald, 2002, Perrin, 2002, Stacey, 1996). In the United States, women are still very much socialized to want to be mothers and the desire to be a mother is not contradicted by sexual orientation (DiLapi, 1989; Dalton & Bielby, 2000). However, lesbian women receive messages that they should not want to be mothers and that they cannot be adequate mothers (DiLapi. 1989; Pies, 1990). …

A Descriptive Study Examining Motivation, Goal Orientations, Coaching, And Training Habits Of Women Ultrarunners, Rhonna Zena Krouse

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Ultrarunners are people who participate in running events that exceed the 26.2 mile marathon distance. Currently, women make up approximately 20% of this population. To date, no studies have investigated female ultrarunners. The present study sought to describe these women (N = 344) by evaluating motivational factors for participation, goal orientations, training habits, and coach utilization. Motivation was measured using the Motivation for Marathoners Scale (7 point Likert scale). General health orientation (M = 4.71± 1.06) and psychological coping (M = 4.71±1.03) were the two categories most endorsed whereas social motives were least endorsed (M = …

Paradoxical Views Of "Librarian" In The Rhetoric Of Library Science Literature: A Fantasy Theme Analysis, Richard A. Stoddart, Adrienne R. Lee

Library Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.