Social Work Commons^™

La Mera Verdad: Exploring Immigrant Latino Fatherhood, Jessica Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the current experiences of immigrant Latino fathers and their families in Southern California, and to examine the barriers and facilitators that impacted their paternal involvement. The literature suggests that father-absence diminishes the ability of a child to thrive in life and yet immigrant Latino fathers are more at risk of all the factors that lead to father-absence, such as poverty and other added stressors. Likewise, these fathers have been noted to experience a lack of fathering in their childhood, which speaks on generational trauma creating the father wound …

Social Work Graduate Students Self-Reported Knowledge Of Treatment Options For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Kerry Morgan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Students who study to obtain the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree will undoubtedly serve clients with histories of family violence, chronic or terminal illness, immigration, racism, mass violence/terrorism, or even natural disasters. With the theme of trauma being ever prevalent in their internships and work, it is important to consider the perceptions that MSW Students have about PTSD treatment modalities and exploring their interests in expanding their knowledge about PTSD. A selection of MSW students were asked questions about their knowledge and interest in treatment options for PTSD. The results showed a diverse variation of knowledge for the seven …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Services To Combat Homelessness At A Southern California Rescue Mission, Cody Cheyenne Kennedy

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research study was to examine the effectiveness of the services provided at a Southern California rescue mission aimed at combating homelessness in the region. The Constructivist paradigm was used to examine the relevant services provided at this facility. The integrated approach is optimal to provide comprehensive service. Because of this, Functional Theory was the preferred theoretical orientation for this study. Participants were selected though critical case and maximum variation sampling. Data was gathered through questions asked by the researcher, and data analysis occurred using open coding. Findings supported the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to combat homelessness which incorporates …

Awareness Of Domestic Violence: A Cross Sectional Study Of University Students In Southern California, Sarita E. Johnson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Although a major public health concern in the United States and abroad, domestic violence/intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) remains an unfamiliar topic to many university students. The existing literature is limited in that most studies examined DV/IPV perpetrated by men against women. This study aimed to expand the literature by focusing on violence committed by women against men. Taking a cross-sectional design, this study sought to establish the relationship between gender and awareness of DV/IPV among 200 university students in urban university in Southern California. Multivariate logistic regression results revealed that female university students were twice as likely to be …

The Impact Of Social Media On Mental Health: A Mixed-Methods Research Of Service Providers’ Awareness, Sarah Nichole Koehler, Bobbie Rose Parrell

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The relationship between heavy use of social media and an increase in mental health disorders has long been established. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding mental health practitioners/providers’ responses to this issue. This mixed-methods research embraced two theoretical perspectives—Ecological Model and Generalist Intervention Model—toward determining the extent to which mental health practitioners/providers assess for the impact of heightened use of social media on mental health. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 95 mental health practitioners (N = 95) via Qualtrics.

Non-parametric tests and descriptive statistics showed that prior training, agency’s values, and credentials impact mental health …

Adverse Childhood Experiences Of Social Work Students And Implications For Field Specialization And Practice, Maria Negrete

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of the following study is to examine the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) of social work students as well as any associations between specific ACE questionnaire scores and professional field specializations or interests. Previous research has indicated that scoring on the ACE questionnaire can potentially lead to a number of psychological and physiological related issues. Given that many social workers enter the field as what some researchers refer to as “wounded healers”, this study aimed to explore whether social workers who have specific adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) choose field specializations or interests which relate to any previous childhood trauma …

Interventions In Group Homes, Nicole Prytherch

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Understanding difficult behaviors that contribute to placement loss for foster children could aid in developing interventions to stabilize placement and increase progress moves. Thus, this research project explores the behaviors exhibited by adolescents in a group home through interviews with direct care staff to provide insight into the behaviors that contribute to placement disruption and possible interventions to address traumatic symptoms in foster children.

This was a post- positivist study, utilizing qualitative methods to gather information through face-to-face interviews with group home staff. Eight group home staff were asked questions about their experiences with difficult behaviors and the interventions they …

Disproportionality Of African American Children In The Child Welfare System: Social Workers' Perspectives, Estelita Abigael Hassler, Acacia Gretchen Lovett

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

African American children are detained at quadruple the rate in comparison to other ethnic groups within the child welfare system. This overrepresentation has been a controversial topic for decades. This study presents caseworkers’ perceptions as to the reasons for the disproportionality.

The literature review revealed that African American families have unequal access to resources and opportunities and outcomes. That is, their length of stay in foster care is prolonged and the reunification process is also longer.

This qualitative study involved face-to-face interviews with 12 caseworkers with past and current experience in two California county child welfare agencies. The interview …

Challenges To Rural Child Welfare Services, Raymond Gaffney

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research project is an examination of the challenges of service delivery to clients in the child welfare system in a rural eastern California county. Coordinating and delivering services is an ongoing difficulty for all rural service providers working with child welfare throughout the country as many clients are isolated, the resources are scarce, programs may be lacking adequate structure or funding, long-distance travel is challenging, and specialized staffing is limited. This particular county is spread over 3,000 square miles of mountainous terrain, is neighbored by other rural counties, and the closest California metropolitan city is about 300 miles away. …

Recovery Oriented Services And Engagement In Psychiatric Services, Graciela Arzola, Mayra Beas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study focused on individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition and are currently engaged in mental health services in the local community. The research question was to determine if a correlation exists between individuals who participate in recovery-oriented services and the rate of engagement to psychiatric services. The research was a descriptive study design. The data gathered was quantitative as it is based on survey data which was selected using snowball sampling. The researchers reviewed 72 surveys administered to mental health professionals at outpatient mental health clinics throughout Southern California. Using the Pearson coefficient test, the …

What Are The Relationships Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Age Of Initiaton Of Substance Use?, Alisha Dozier

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Child abuse and substance abuse are significant health problems in the United States and they negatively impact the physical, emotional, and biological health of millions of individuals. It is estimated that one in four children experience child abuse, which is a risk factor for the development of substance abuse problems later in life (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2018). Rates of substance abuse are increasing nationally, making the relationship between child abuse and the development of substance abuse problems important to study.

This research project analyzes the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and subsequent age of …

Extended Foster Care: Self-Sufficiency Needs In The Perspective Of The Youth, Miranda Renee Rubio, Carmen Covarrubias

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this research project was to analyze current and former foster youths’ experiences in the Extended Foster Care (EFC) program. The program was created to better support youths’ self-sufficiency needs for recipients ages eighteen to twenty-one. This vulnerable population continues to grow in the public child welfare system and research is limited on how recipients far after leaving EFC. Previous literature illustrates foster youth who exited the program struggled to transition into adulthood. Many youth faced challenges such as homelessness, unstable employment, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

The researchers conducted a qualitative study of seven participants’ …

Substance Abuse And Family Reunification: Perceptions And Potential Contributing Factors To Family Reunification, Ashley Odam, Tina Macmaster

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the contributing factors of family reunification (FR) according to social workers and other professionals working in child welfare. Existing research highlights the importance of the social worker’s relationship with the person with substance abuse as a contributing factor to FR; however, there is little research as to what influenced the social worker and other professionals from their perspective.

A quantitative self-administered survey was distributed to social workers and professionals in San Bernardino County and Riverside County that included questions about the participant’s background, experience, possible contributing factors, and influences potentially impacting family …

Reducing Depression And Anxiety With Equine Activities, Denise Todd

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Anxiety and depression are among the most popular mental health issues in the United States and across the globe, as many people continue to face personal, familial, and systemic challenges in their lives. It is believed that equine activities (those that involve interactions with horses) can play a significant role in alleviating anxiety and depression levels in adults. So far, however, the existing scholarship contains just a handful of studies supporting such a claim. Using a pre-experimental design, this study sought to extend the mental health literature by assessing the impact of equine activities on anxiety and depression among …

Professionals’ Perceptions Of Readiness For Providing Services To Sexually And Commercially Exploited Youth, Raeven Mayes

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a social phenomenon that is affecting youth in large numbers. This qualitative research study focused on professionals’ perceptions of readiness to provide services to CSEC youth based on the professional training and experience they have acquired. The professionals' perceptions were gathered through the use of face-to-face interviews. Participants were debriefed following the interviews and their participation was terminated. The data gathered from the interviews was analyzed using a bottom up approach through the use of open and axial coding. The study found that many employees had a lack of training in regard to …

Body Image Role On Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Maria Ceja, Stephani Aguiar-Vasquez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the association between adolescents body image concerns and self-injurious behaviors among students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. The study is exploratory in nature and uses a quantitative design. The study collected archival data from counseling services provided through alocal school district’s counseling program. More specifically, the archival data was retrieved from initial assessments gathered from students participating in the local school district’s counseling program. Additionally, this research is a call for action that seeks to examine and support the further development of programs geared towards students. This study seeks to expand on the research that guides …

Social Workers' Perspectives On Chronic Pain And Mental Health, Ashley Danielle Patterson, Cynthia Christine Sanchez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explored social workers’ perceived level of competency in addressing chronic pain and mental health. Chronic pain is a prevalent issue and individuals with chronic pain are more likely to experience a mental health concern (Dahlhamer et al., 2016; Gureje et al., 2008). The research design of this study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey distributed through social networks such as Facebook and Reddit. There were a total of 278 respondents, however, 79 were omitted due to not fully completing the survey leaving 199 respondents. The results indicate social workers have a moderate level of competency when working with this …

Removing Barriers To Mental Health Service Utilization For Individuals With Sensory Impairments, Kery Silva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The present study explored common themes and barriers associated with mental health service utilization among people with sensory impairments. The ultimate goal is to promote social workers’ preparedness to serve individuals with sensory disabilities. This study is significant considering that (1) a large proportion of people with sensory disabilities do not receive mental health services and (2) there is a paucity of studies within the field of social work that examine barriers to mental health services for the aforementioned population. In this qualitative study, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 professional social workers (N =14) who have direct experience …

Burnout Mediated By Master Of Social Work Enrollment Status, Donna Andrea Villaseñor, Vanessa Lopez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The social work profession is widely known to be fulfilling, yet demanding. Burnout has been found to begin during the academic career in pursuit of social work profession. Therefore, addressing burnout in the academic setting can later impact job retention. This study was significant because it allowed for the identification, understanding, and recognition of burnout as a student which then could in turn delay the onset and alleviate the amount of burnout in the transition from student to professional. A cross sectional methods approach was applied by surveying Master of Social Work students from a local Southern California Master of …

Are Social Work Services Provided To Deployed Military Families Adequate, Janet Walker

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study was initiated to discover if Social Work services are as prevalent as they should be for deployed service families and troops abroad. Previous studies seem to suggest that social workers are minimally portioned without a true dedicated purpose. This study determined through input from enlisted personnel and their families what social work services are available to deployed military personnel and their families.

Deployed enlisted personnel and their families have a unique experience that from time to time cause trauma, both physical and mental. Whereas in the past, trauma was experienced only by fighting men, today’s military is multi-gendered …

Athletes With Mental Health Illnesses, Trenton Allmang

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus for this research study is to understand the development of mental health symptoms that result from sports engagement. Participating in sports for several years within different developmental stages of human life can increase the probability of identity conflict and mental distress. This study addresses the risk factors that contribute to the development of mental health illnesses from former athletes’ perspectives through qualitative research. The study includes former male and female participants ages 18 and older as well as their family members, friends, sports stakeholders, sports officials, coaches, social workers, and athletic training staff. This study was conducted from …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Mediation Orientation Programs For Child Custody Recommending Counseling, Arlene Trevizo, Ana Paulina Romero Baltazar

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of a Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) orientation program on encouraging parental agreements in child custody and visitation cases. We used qualitative research methods by interviewing CCRC counselors to identify common case factors involved in obtaining full agreements. The interview questions addressed commonly noted case factors, perspectives of the mediators in regard to tools used by parents from the orientation programs, and areas of potential enhancement to the orientation. Eight mediators were interviewed, and their interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed using conventional content analysis. As a result of this study, the themes that arose …

Masters In Social Work Student And Professor Understandings Of The Connectedness Of Social Work And Public Health In Education And Practice, Ashley Swatman

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to understand Masters in Social Work (MSW) student and professor perspectives on the connectedness of public health and social work, and inquire about their opinions of barriers and facilitators to further merging these two areas in practice and education. The study was formulated on the knowledge that social well being directly impacts health outcomes, and public health and social work share many target objectives and populations. The study implements a qualitative design using face to face interviews with five advanced year MSW students, and two MSW professors at California State University, San Bernardino. The …

Vicarious Trauma Among Social Workers: The Impact Of Client Trauma, Raelynn Berrios, Monique Zarate

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social workers in the field of practice work with clients who share their personal trauma history. By listening to traumatic events vicarious trauma can develop and affect social workers mental health. Vicarious trauma is the consequences of working with clients that have a traumatic past. This trauma impacts social workers' job satisfaction, personal life, and mental health. This paper will focus on the impacts of vicarious trauma and the level of experience in the field of social work. Utilizing interviews and surveys the research intends to understand the level of comprehension of new and experienced social workers in vicarious trauma. …

Social Workers' Knowledge And Experience Working With Mixed Race Youth And Families, Ashley R. Bennett, Mellissa M. Duchesne

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of social workers’ knowledge and experience in working with mixed race youth and families. The literature review suggested that biracial and multiracial individuals struggle with identity issues, along with several barriers that affect their interactions with social workers, and the social workers’ abilities to provide services for mixed race clients. The literature review also discussed the public's perception of social workers in dealing with minorities, most of which included the notion that social workers are biased. The literature review also discussed the use of technology in child welfare, and …

Measuring Teacher Self-Efficacy In Addressing Pupil Mental Health Post Assembly Bill 2246, Samantha J. Ross, Christel Salas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Assembly Bill 2246, known as the pupil suicide prevention policies, was implemented into law at the start of the 2017-2018 academic school year. This legislation mandates that all secondary schools in the state of California implement a suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention policy for at-risk students. Assembly Bill 2246 specifically recognizes the role of teachers in addressing pupil mental health and aims to provide support through policy. The purpose of this study is to measure teacher self-efficacy in addressing pupil mental health post Assembly Bill 2246. This study’s research design is comprised of a quantitative, pretest/posttest model using an independent …

Exploring The Need Of Soft Skills Development In Alternative Education Settings Serving Youth-At-Risk, Ana Hernandez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Today’s young 21^st century workforce has so much to offer in an array of industry sectors. Yet, so many are not achieving their full potential with underdeveloped or lack of soft skills. Vulnerable youth-at-risk who have not experienced healthy developmental stages growing up are at a higher risk of not developing soft skills essential for workforce and lifelong success. This study aims to analyze the gap in soft skills development in youth-at-risk who are attending alternative education. Using a Constructivist paradigm, this qualitative research was completed using maximum variation and snowball sampling to capture the full experience and the …

Self-Care, Burnout, And Compassion Fatigue, Among Child Welfare Workers, Angelica Castrejon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Child welfare is recognized as a stressful and overwhelming career the demands of which can result in poor retention and high turnover. Many factors contribute to the high turnover including, high caseloads, unmanageable administration requirements, challenging clients, and increasing amount of paperwork. Thus, this study aimed to explore child welfare social workers’ understanding of burnout and compassion fatigue, its effects on their work, and how self-care is integrated into their daily practice to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue. The study used qualitative methods to explore burnout and compassion fatigue among seven child welfare social workers employed by a large child …

Perception Of Burnout Among Social Workers And Coping Mechanisms Used To Combat It, Natasha Hogan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate how many social workers are experiencing burnout as well as to learn what kinds of methods they use in order to reduce the symptoms of burnout. During this study, the researcher interviewed six participants who are social workers in San Bernardino County. Each participant disclosed their feelings and thoughts surrounding their experience with burnout. To interpret the findings the open coding method as well as a qualitative data analysis was used. It was found that many participants not only experienced burnout in their job as social workers, but many also were experiencing …

Factors Leading To Foster Youth Obtaining Higher Education, Stephen Burwell, Keyln Leeker

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Former foster youth face many challenges in obtaining higher education. This research project gathered data through face to face, qualitative interviews with seven former foster youth and two former child welfare workers. The purpose of this study was to identify various contributing factors that the participants identified as positive or negative reasons for obtaining higher education.

This study utilized an interview questionnaire, using open ended questions to gather personal insight and develop a better understanding from the perspectives of the nine participants. Each former foster youth shared their own personal experiences of being in the foster care system. Both former …