Social Work Commons^™

An Historical And Policy Analysis Of The Child Abuse Prevention And Treatment Act (P.L. 93-247) And Amendments With Special Reference To The Crisis Nursery Prevention Model, Lyra L. Peterson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatrnent Act of L9l4 (P.L. 93-247) was the federal legislation that included the first definition of child maltreatment and funded both treatment and prevention projects, including crisis nursery demonstration projects.

This social policy and historical analysis examines the legislative policy that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Nixon (1974). The analysis will include subsequent amendments. This law defines child abuse and sets provisions for reporting, investigating, treating, and preventing child abuse.

This research reveals competition between the provision of treatment and prevention throughout the policy. This competition is driven by two …

A Hermeneutical Study: The Personal Meaning Of The Dying Experience Of Individuals With A Terminal Illness, Maurine E. Mccort

Theses and Graduate Projects

Most research in the study of dying has focused on the attitudes towards death, anxiety surrounding the dying experience, and bereavement. There is scant research done in examining the personal meaning of the dying process of persons with a terminal illness. This study employed the methodology of hermeneutics, a qualitative research design in the study of phenomenology using text. This study used the interpretation of the text from two 60-90 minute in-depth interviews with individuals with a terminal illness to create a deeper understanding of the personal meaning of dying. The findings indicate that the phenomena of dying are an …

Narrative Therapy: A Multi-Dimensional Case Evaluation, Brad Hanson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This case study examines the effects of narrative therapy on a client diagnosed with depression. I performed six sessions of narrative therapy with the client while measuring change in several different ways. After the referral, the study began with the client taking the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III), as well as setting two goal attainment scales that measured behaviors linked to her depression. I kept field notes during the intervention in order to track the progress of the sessions as well as my application of the model. At the conclusion of the intervention I performed a depth interview with the …

The Experience Of Alcohol Use In Adolescence: A Hermeneutic Study, Stacy O. Swenson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Alcohol use among adolescents has been a long-standing problem in the United States. This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of what the experience of using alcohol as a teenager is like. For this hermeneutic study, three participants took part in an in-depth interview that focused on their experiences with alcohol. The main theme that emerged from the experiences was Maturing. This theme and two subthemes, Peer Influence and Risk Taking, were examined for deeper meaning. These findings suggest that professionals working with adolescents can further help their clients by keeping the door open for discussion of …

The School Experience Of Gay, Lesbian And Bisexual Students, Lisa Stromquist

Theses and Graduate Projects

A content analysis was conducted on of the public school experience of 3 youth from gay-straight alliance groups, who self identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The major themes found are the importance of caring and involved teachers, the positive experience of gay-straight alliance groups, and the affects of peer harassment. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.

Social Support And Depressive Symptoms Of Older Adults Residing In An Age Segregated Housing Complex, Erica M. Doyen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research regarding social supports and depression has been extensive with the older adult population except for areas of mid-stzed communities ranging between 25,000 to 75,000. This was an exploratory, cross-sectional study examining the social supports and depressive symptoms of older adults residing in an age segregated housing complex in a Midwest city with a population under 35,000. The participants (N:8), were residents of an age segregated public housing complex. Through the completion of a scheduled stzurdardized interview, the participants answered forty-two questions from the Duke Social Support Index and the Geriatric Depression Scale. The questions were based on current mood …

Is The Overrepresentation Of Minorities In Special Education An Undesirable Consequence Of The 1975 Education For Aii Handicapped Children Act (P.L. # 94-142) And Its Amendments?, Eve M. Toomey

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research studies have shown that there is a disproportionate number of minority students being identified as needing special education services. This research study examined special education policy as it has evolved overtime, beginning with the 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act through the 1997 amendments to this Act to determine if special education law has contributed to the over representation of minorities in special education.

This historical policy analysis was performed by utilizing congressional logs between 1974 and 1997 as well as examining copies of the pertinent policies themselves. The study has found that special education policies have adequate …

Disruptive Behavior Disorders And School Based Intervention Services, Peggy S. Swenson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This explorative quantitative study investigates the perceptions and knowledge of elementary school teachers in regard to the disruptive behaviors displayed by an increasing number of students. This study also addresses the methods of intervention teachers find to be effective in reducing disruptive behaviors in the classroom. A Likert-scale survey was used to gather information from seventy-six teachers of students in first through fifth grade. Survey questions focused on factors that can contribute to disruptive behaviors as well as several methods of interventions utilized in the five schools located in the four school districts surveyed.

Family Preservation And Reunification : Do Our Nations Laws Support This Concept?, Bekah Saliterman Bauer

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study was undertaken to expand the knowledge of service providers working with children and families involved in child protection that are currently or have the possibility of developing a permanency plan for children in placement. The study intends to discover the effectiveness of concurrent planning as it pertains to family preservation. Six child protection social workers were interviewed using a structured interview schedule. The qualitative data was then examined to identify any prevailing similarities or themes that were identified between social workers employed in a county social service child protection setting. The interview focused on several aspects including …

Volunteer Motivations For College Students: Reasons For Initial And Continued Involvement In Voluntary Community Service Organizations, Tanya K. Refshauge

Theses and Graduate Projects

This descriptive study explores the motivations of college students for initial and continued involvement in community service organizations. Subjects held leadership positions in a specific collegiate volunteer organization and responded to a survey designed to elicit motivations for initial and continued involvement with voluntary service organizations. The survey also collected demographic characteristics of the sample population. Results indicate altruistic motivations are most important followed closely by egoistic motivations. This study distinguished between "ego affiliation motives" and "ego enrichment motives" and found them both to be important factors. No significant difference was shown between initial and continued motivations, although a change …

Crow Wing County Family Services Collaborative Service Worker Program Evaluation - A Parent's Perspective, Sandra Olson Larson

Theses and Graduate Projects

An evaluation of the Collaborative Service Worker Program from

the parent’s perspective was completed using a mixed method survey

design. A sample of 202 families was drawn from referrals made to the

Collaborative Service Worker Program in the past 18 months to receive a

self-administered questionnaire. Results show that parents see this early

intervention in a respectful, non-governmental based manner as

beneficial to both the child and their families. The evaluation of the

effectiveness of the Collaborative Service Worker Program added to the

body of knowledge supporting the success of early intervention with "at

risk" children and families and provided, …

A Hermeneutic Study Of Individuals With Ptsd And Their Experiences With Bodywork, Linnea L. Buffie

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of how bodywork can facilitate in the healing process of those who have suffered an emotionally traumatic experience(s), and how bodywork affects Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. An individual with PTSD who has received Rolfing (a type of bodywork) took part in an unstructured interview with an emphasis on her life experiences. The interview was then transcribed and interpreted. She reported many benefits as a result of the Rolfing including being present in the moment and being able to see more options in stressful situations. These findings suggest that professionals …

Elementary Teachers' Knowledge Of Minnesota's Mandatory Reporting Law Of Child Maltreatment, Kara Jean Rogers

Theses and Graduate Projects

Although teachers in all 50 states are designated as mandated reporters of child maltreatment, concerns have been expressed regarding their overall knowledge for reporting child abuse and neglect. The purpose of the study is to explore elementary teachers' knowledge regarding Minnesota's mandatory reporting law, the Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors, Minnesota Statute 626.556. All full-time and part-time public school elementary teachers from a school district in Central Minnesota were surveyed (N=383). Of those surveyed, 225 (59%) agreed to participate in the study. The data was analyzed by univariate and bivariate analysis. The results indicate that almost all participants who perceived …

Public And Private Responses To Infant Abandonment, Jo C. Bauer

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study seeks to review America's response to infant abandonment by using an historical analysis and a social policy framework to analyze the state and federal laws that are attempting to curtail abandonment. It surveyed 120 upper mid-west college students to learn their responses to unplanned pregnancy and their familiarity with the state's infant abandonment laws.

The results of historical analysis of infant abandonment provides an overview of mankind's social, economic, and political motivations. The second source of research data is a survey using a quantitative approach with 120 self-selected college dorm students who answered a 15-point survey which (1) …

The Experience Of Family Adaptation Of Hypertechnical Communications As It Relates To Normative Parent-Adolescent Conflict, Robert M. Lawlor

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory qualitative study examines the impact of hypertechnical communications on parent-adolescent relations. Five families with adolescents responded with their stories regarding hypertechnical communications. A degree of parent-adolescent conflict is considered normative as it relates to adolescent autonomy development. This study sought to understand the impact of hypertechnical communications on the freedom of adolescents and any resulting conflict. Family systems and parenting have changed with the adaptation of hypertechnical communications. Adolescents have been given the power, through hypertechnical communications, to have more divergent agendas from those of the family at large. Adding the power of instant communication and information to …

How Life Marker Events Affect The Grieving Process Of Elderly Caregivers Who Have Lost Their Spouses: An Exploratory Study, Gayle E. Galarneau

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study examines how life marker events, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, affect the grieving process of elderly caregivers who have lost their spouses. The study looked at what feelings the participants remembered having on life marker event days during the self-defined periods of their bereavement. The purposive sample was chosen from clients of Senior Community Services. Four women between the ages of 75 and 85 who had lost their spouses not less than eighteen months and not over two years prior to the study being conducted participated in structured interviews. The interviews consisted of open-ended questions that helped …

Minority Social Workers' Perspective Regarding The Recruitment And Retention Of People Of Color In The Social Work Profession, Dana M. Bennett

Theses and Graduate Projects

Despite the fact that a large portion of people seeking social services are of minority cultural groups, few of-the professionals providing those services are people of color. Research indicates that many factors contribute to the recruitment and retention of people of color in the social work profession. This qualitative study of 8 social work professionals of color explored contributing factors from their perspective. Findings suggest that several barriers exist to the recruitment and retention of people of color in the social work field such as racism, lack of support, and lack of understanding of cultural differences. The findings illustrate that …

The 1998 Minnesota Legislation For The Prevention Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Policy Analysis, Mary J. Arfmann

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study is an analysis of the 1998 prevention legislation in Minnesota. Interview questions were sent to the identified authors of the legislation, opponents, and selected county social service agencies. The policy framework authored by Karger and Stoesz (1998) was used to construct the interview questions. The questions were used to gather the data needed for the analysis.

The findings from the analysis suggested that there was overall support for the concept of prevention efforts but there was confusion, misunderstandings, and lack of consistent and uniform training and implementation of the legislation at the time of data collection. Evidence from …

Social Workers' Experience Of Implementing Therapeutic Touch: A Hermeneutic Study, Sheila V. Greene

Theses and Graduate Projects

Literature exists that reflects the growing use of therapeutic touch within the health care field. This qualitative study was undertaken to expand the knowledge of implementing therapeutic touch into social work practice. This interpretive study presents shared meanings and a common theme uncovered, using hermeneutics research methodology, in the transcribed tests of in-depth interviews with social workers that are utilizing therapeutic touch practices. One theme - healing - was traced throughout the participants' narratives and was verified through excerpts from the texts of their interviews. Discussion of related literature expanded the interpretations presented. Implications for social work practice and policy …

Family Members Of Gays And Lesbians Attitudes Toward Homosexuality, Diane M. Jorgensen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Homophobic attitudes are detrimental to the safety and well-being of gays and lesbians. To determine how attitudes in family members of gays and lesbians are formed, how they change, and what effect having a gay or lesbian family member has on attitudes toward homosexuality, 10 Central Minnesota parents of gays and lesbians were interviewed. Results were related to theories of social deviance, social construction, and cognitive dissonance. Findings indicate parents' initial attitudes were influenced by societal institutions, parents changed their attitudes out of love for their children, and attitudes were changed through research and membership in parent support groups. As …

Meeting The Mental Health Needs Of Adolescents With An Ebd Label: An Exploratory Study, Melanie Rivers

Theses and Graduate Projects

This is an exploratory research study focusing on identifoing and meeting the needs of middle school and high school students who have been given a label as being emotionally and/or behaviorally disabled (EBD). St. Paul Public Schools' Social workers serving EBD students were surveyed in order to provide insight into the characteristics and needs of this group, Adolescents with an EBD label (emotionally and/or behaviorally disabled/disordered) may be the most vulnerable group of the "at risk" youth population. The goal of this study was to identify gaps in the current system designed to service this population. The information was collected …

The Effects Of Client Suicide On A Therapist, Jennifer Gail Ranum Hilgers

Theses and Graduate Projects

Suicide is often described as an occupational hazard of working as a therapist because of the potential impact it has on the therapist. Using a qualitative design, five therapists were interviewed to explore their experiences of dealing with client suicide. The results were related to the theories of cognitive appraisal of stress, the theory of cognitive adaptation, and constructivist self development theory. Findings of the present study indicate that, the suicide of a client can have profound effects upon the therapist's personal and professional 1ife. Therapists found that agencies lack protocol for client suicide, often leaving the therapist feeling unprepared …

The Interaction Between Therapist Personal Sexual Trauma History And Client Sexual Trauma Material, Jennifer L. Mcvay

Theses and Graduate Projects

As it becomes more common in the United States for survivors to seek professional assistance in healing, therapists are experiencing an increase in the number of their clients identifying as sexual trauma survivors. These clients often suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are likely to reenact the traumatic events that necessitated therapy, thus exposing their therapists to vicarious trauma. In 60- to 90-minute interviews, this study explored the experiences of female therapists with personal sexual trauma histories in their work with survivors of sexual trauma. The findings demonstrate that a therapist's location in her own healing process and professional …

A Hermeneutics Study: The Spirituality Of Adults With A Terminal Illness In A Hospice Program, Ginny K. Backman

Theses and Graduate Projects

Despite the increasing literature on the significance of spirituality to individuals with a terminal illness, specific research focused on the spirituality of individuals in hospice is limited to several quantitative studies, only one with a qualitative component. This qualitative study expands understanding or experience through hermeneutic analysis of in-depth interviews with three individuals with a terminal illness. The individual's narratives revealed "believing" as the way they found meaning in the present moment. "Always believing" and "adamantly believing" in a Supreme Being gave their daily lives meaning and direction. They were steadfast in leaving all to God for this life and …

A Pilot Study On The Comprehensiveness Of The Minnesota Family Investment Program, Tracy L. Norstad

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFRP) is Minnesota's version of the welfare reform mandated hy the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996. This exploratory qualitative study looked at the comprehensiveness of MFIP by interviewing parents who were using a local Crisis Nursery drop-in center and were receiving MFIP. This study explored whether the parents perceived that being on MFIP influenced their need for crisis nursery services or the decision to use the crisis nursery drop-in service. The interview focused on MFIP resources, the parents' need to be on MFIP, and their need to use the Crisis …

Adult Children With Developmental Disabilities: The Impact On The Mothers, Tracy J. E Mitchell

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study discussed and evaluated the affect adult children with developmental disabilities have upon their mothers. Extensive research has been done on children with disabilities and the impact upon their mothers, but little has been done regarding the adult children. Interviews were conducted with 5 mothers of adult children with developmental disabilities through the use of a snowball sample. The results indicated the mothers had mostly positive feelings towards their adult child. However, the study also found many of the mothers had unresolved grief issues regarding the raising of their adult child. The findings give implications to the social …

The Attitudes Of Business Owners And Employees Towards Adults With Developmental Disabilities As Customers: An Exploratory Study, Rachel K. Olson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The future of community placement and involvement for adults with developmental disabilities has lacked empirical data. Few studies have examined the views of businesses towards customers with developmental disabilities. For this thesis, the concept of survey research was used to analyze the responses of one manager or employee from 9 community businesses to a survey based on a 2000 Business Attitudes Towards People With Intellectual Disabilities Questionnaire developed by the author of the thesis. Forced-choice and open-ended questions were compared to analyze common themes and attitudes. Overall, businesses were accepting of persons with developmental disabilities, and had few concerns about …

A Case Study Of Attachment Behaviors In A Therapeutic Milieu, Dana Elizabeth Niklaus

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this case study is to examine the effectiveness of a therapeutic preschool program for a child at developmental risk due to insecure attachment. There is a critical void in the literature regarding effective clinical interventions for such children. During regularly scheduled home visits, the Attachment Behavior Q-Set is administered to substantiate the subject's attachment insecurity. The subject is then observed in a therapeutic preschool for three months to track progress in three developmental areas: use of aggression, language competence, and social competence. This writer demonstrates positive outcomes in these areas, thus establishing the effectiveness of such a …

A Summative Evaluation Of Hennepin County's Parent Support Project's Healthy Relationship's Parent Education Class, Tina Sorenson-Ford

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to investigate what the participant has gained by attending Hennepin County's Healthy Relationship's class. The study is a summative evaluation of a Hennepin County's Parent Support Project's Healthy Relationships class.

The class was designed to provide educational and therapeutic services to mother with cognitive limitations. The class was developed to increase the mothers awareness of reciprocal relationships in her own life and to model positive relationships with others to her children. The design of the study included review of course materials. Additionally, the researcher conducted one hour in-depth interviews with four clients from the …

The Refugee Experiences Of Somali Women: A Qualitative Study, Lisa Valiquet

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research on the refugee experiences of Somali women is limited. This qualitative study contributes to the existing research on refugee issues by focusing on the experiences and meaning for Somali women who have survived war, fled from their homeland, and were resettled into a new country. An interview guide was used to conduct in-depth interviews with three Somali women about their meaning to their experiences of being a refugee and resettlement into a new country. Content analysis was used to find common themes about the Somali women's refugee experiences. Results of the study concluded that the refugee experience of leaving …