Social Work Commons^™

Perceptions Of Social Work And Collaboration With Clinical Social Workers: Clergy Perspectives, Susan C. Amann

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Social workers provide services to meet the needs of individuals, communities and society. Due to limited funding and high need, social workers may need to collaborate with other professionals to meet the needs. The clergy are one such group of professionals. They encounter a variety of needs presented by their parishioners and the communities to which they belong. This qualitative research study sought to identify clergy persons’ perceptions of social workers and perspectives on collaborating with social workers. Individual interviews were held with eight Protestant clergy persons holding a Master of Divinity degree and serving in suburban parishes. The major …

Acculturation And The Effects On Latino Children’S Emotional And Behavioral Well-Being, Callister J. Benson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This research project is designed to look at the relationship between Latino children’s emotional and behavioral well-being and their acculturation level. This quantitative study is designed to identify whether or not there is a relationship between the two variables. The data was collected from mental health professionals who currently work with Latino children between the ages of zero and thirteen. Each individual completed an online survey which included an Acculturation Scale and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to help determine the relationship. This quantitative study and surveys are meant to help researchers understand issues of acculturation and how such issues pertain …

Success, Desistance And Relationships Between Probation Officers And Probationers: A Social Work Perspective, Ariel Brinson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The number of individuals who are reentering communities from prison, jail, and on community supervision across the United States is vast and due to its size a limited number of programs are used on a regular basis. The purpose of this research was to better understand how adults on probation desist from reoffending. Specifically, this researcher asked both adults on probation and an accompanying sample of probation officers about how each: (1) define success, (2) challenges, and (3) how the relationships and services probation provides do and do not support efforts toward desistance, using a qualitative, exploratory design. Maruna (2001) …

Comprehensive Assessment: Interventions And Coping Strategies Professionals Use To Increase Adaptation Of A Sibling With An Ill Brother Or Sister, Carrie L. Christensen

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

No abstract provided.

The Risk And Protective Factors For Adolescents With An Addicted Parent, Marne L. Chaput

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This research project was a qualitative study that explored the risk and protective factors for adolescents who are growing up with a parent who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol using a sample of eight participants. Specifically, this research looked at the possible protective factors that may help an adolescent from becoming addicted to drugs and/or alcohol themselves. Also, this research looked at the possible risk factors that may have helped an adolescent fall into addiction like his or her parents. In addition, the study explored possible behavioral patterns exhibited in adolescents who are growing up in a home with …

Analysis Of The Real World Application Of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy For The Treatment Of Complex Trauma, Marie Elaine

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The focus of this research was to gain a better understanding of the challenges of working with clients who have experienced severe or chronic trauma. The conceptual framework used for this research project is based on neurologically informed attachment theory as it is presented by Daniel J. Siegel in his book Pocket Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology: An Integrative Handbook of the Mind (2012). The sample consisted of five professional mental health therapists who currently work with clients in the treatment of trauma. All participants also completed the Level I Trauma Training for Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. This sample of therapists reported …

The Well-Embodied Professional: Attitudes Around Integrating Massage Therapy & Psychotherapy When Treating Trauma, Deborah S. Frank

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Immediate and long-term effects of trauma result in mental, emotional, and physical symptoms that ultimately can inhibit normal daily functioning and cause dissociation and disorganized attachment. Previous studies highlight effective strategies in cognitive and physiological approaches to treating trauma. However, limited research has been found in the area of integrative approaches that include the use of touch. This qualitative study examines the professional attitudes around the integration of massage therapy and psychotherapy into a sound clinical practice for treating trauma. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five massage therapists and five licensed independent clinical social workers from Minnesota, all having clinical …

Risks And Supportive Factors Of Burnout Among School Social Workers In Early Childhood Special Education Setting, Veronica Vazquez Freeberg

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This qualitative study examined the risk and supportive factors of burnout among school social workers in the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) setting. Data was collected through semi-structured standardized interviews with 7 licensed school social workers currently working in this area. Theme coding methods were used to inductively analyze codes in the data and to find common themes from the interviews. Themes that emerged were separated into six categories: personal, organizational, and job structural risks factors, and personal, organizational, and job structural supportive factors. The majority of the findings of this study were consistent with previous research. Other themes that …

Emancipated Foster Care Youths’ Romantic Relationships As Observed By Social Workers, Kelsey I. Hanson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Past research has revealed that emancipated foster care youth are struggling as they leave care and enter into adulthood. Among other issues, this population is impacted by high rates of mental illness, substance abuse, pregnancy, and domestic violence. On top of these struggles they are also under-supported in their transition to adulthood and lack meaningful connections to the adult world and their communities. This research focuses on the romantic relationships of emancipated foster care youth as they attempt to make this difficult transition. The research question asks: what is the observed experience of emancipated foster care youth with romantic relationships …

Preschool Bullying: Does It Exist, What Does It Look Like, And What Can Be Done?, Laura Humphrey

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Bullying is a nationwide problem happening in our schools, homes, and workplaces. There have been numerous studies conducted to find out causes of bullying, prevention methods, and effects of bullying in children and adults. All of these studies have looked at children in kindergarten or older. This qualitative study had the goal of determining if bullying was happening in the preschool-age group, and if so, what was currently being done about it. In-person interviews and focus groups were done with seven preschool teachers. Through these interviews it was determined that bullying does happen as early as preschool and that there …

The Impact Of A Mental Health Court On Participants: The Professional’S Perspective, Allison A. Husman

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

People with mental illness do not receive the services they need while incarcerated. This leads to a revolving door where mentally ill inmates are released from custody no better off than they were when they went in and they frequently reoffend, putting them back in the criminal justice system. One alternative to the traditional criminal courts is mental health courts, diversion programs that steer offenders away from incarceration. They seek to reduce recidivism by connecting mentally ill offenders with community services and bettering the lives of the participants. This research examined one specific mental health court. Interviews were conducted with …

Grieving Mental Illness: Individual Experiences Of Grief, Loss, And Growth, Alissa Kaasa

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore the grief experience of people who develop severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMI). Group members and facilitators of a Grieving Mental Illness group that met at a suburban drop-in center were asked to voluntarily participant in semi-structured, qualitative, in-person interviews. Content analysis was used to find themes in the group member and facilitator interviews. The findings indicated that individuals with SPMI have a unique grief experience that is enhanced by many factors. Group participants expressed having cycling feelings of grief. These feeling were triggered by life events or reminders of the loss …

Clinicians’ Perspectives On The Developmental Repair Model, Lauren Kelly

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study gathered qualitative data on the Developmental Repair Model from clinicians working with it currently. The research question that guided this research was: What are clinicians’ perspectives on the Developmental Repair Model (DRM). The research was gathered by collecting data through standardized, structured interviews with clinicians from an inner-city agency in the Midwest. Findings of this research include themes of unique ways clinicians made the DRM their own by: creating special visuals or techniques; ways clinicians modeled fixing mistakes or narrating their own emotions; how clinicians used the strengths perspective while working with families by understanding individual struggles; how …

Social Workers' Use Of Bibliotherapy With Children & Issues Of Diversity, Andrea R. . Lichtsinn

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this research project was to explore how social workers use bibliotherapy with children, and how they consider issues of diversity in their selection of books. A mixed mode survey was sent through email to 270 social workers who work primarily with children. Sixty-eight surveys were completed and the data was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings lend support to the widespread use of books as a therapeutic tool, with 99% of respondents reporting that they use books in therapy with children. Participants reported using books for a variety of therapeutic purposes, however, the majority (62%) …

Older Adults And Substance Abuse: A Program Evaluation, Lisa Lacoursiere

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

In the year 2011, the first wave of the baby boom generation reached age 65, the age of retirement. Over the next 18 years the U. S. Administration on Aging (2010) reports that these boomers will turn 65 years old at the rate of approximately 8,000 per day. Substance abuse among this cohort has been called an invisible and silent epidemic. Many social service agencies will have to deal with the negative and complicating factors which substance abuse causes. Alcohol and substance misuse among the elderly is associated with many negative consequences, including functional impairment, increase risk of dementia, raised …

Is There A Correlation Between Building And/Or Strengthening Developmental Assets And The Reduction In Mental Health Symptoms In Youth?, Angela C. Marti Jedinak

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if developing or strengthening developmental assets in youth, can reduce mental health symptoms. Despite the multitude of risk factors youth may have in their life, if countered with a high amount of protective factors or assets; research shows that youth can still have positive youth development. In turn, this provides children with skills to become engaged, empathetic, compassionate adults. This study examines if there is a correlation between building and/or strengthening assets and the reduction of mental health symptoms in children residing at a residential facility in Northern Minnesota.

Working With Family Caregivers: Case Managers’ Perspectives, Kelsey Myers

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore from the case managers’ perspective how they work with family caregivers. Eighteen social workers from 5 community based case management agencies completed an online survey about their work family caregivers. Case managers indicated involvement with family caregivers in the areas of assessment, creating a care plan, education, making referrals, advocacy and assistance with problem solving. Case managers indicated that they typically complete the assessment with a caregiver present and invite the caregiver to participate in creating the care plan. Respondents indicated they provide updates less than once a month and use email …

Health Care Professionals’ Experiences Practicing Integrative Medicine, Amanda Muenzenmeyer

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The practice of integrative medicine has regained popularity in recent years. As a theoretical framework, integrative medicine is a viable option to consider in place of a traditional medicine model from a patient satisfaction and cost savings viewpoint. The purpose of this paper was to explore the experiences and viewpoints of healthcare professionals in regards to practicing integrative medicine. The Health Belief Model was used as a conceptual framework. Using a quantitative design, health care professionals across a variety of disciplines were recruited from three agencies within the Midwest who currently provide services to patients with an integrative medicine model. …

Older Adults In Long-Term Care: Fostering Hope Amidst Loss, Sarah J. Olsen

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

There are an increasing number of older adults who are facing major life transitions and significant losses as they age. Finding a sense of hope among the losses and changes these older adults face is one way they can maintain a quality of life or as some researchers have termed it – successfully age. Social workers are often the front line workers with these older adults and therefore can play an integral role in fostering a sense of hope. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand social workers’ perspectives on their role in fostering a sense of hope …

The Incorporation Of Integrative Medicine To Assess And Address Diabetic Patients’ Psychosocial Needs, Jennifer E. Ranallo

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to increase the understanding of the assessment, implementation and referral of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in order to meet psychosocial needs and decrease stress among diabetic patients. Using a mixed method design, both qualitative and quantitative research questions were incorporated into a survey distributed using a non-probability sample of healthcare professionals working in family medicine or general medicine practices within the metro area. The study attempted to answer the following questions: Is integrative medicine being conducted by healthcare professionals to address type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients’ psychosocial needs in family medicine …

The Effect Of Animal-Assisted Therapy On Children With Disabilities, Alison E. Ries

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This research project is a qualitative study that explores the effect of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) on children with disabilities from the perspective of Animal-Assisted Therapists. One of the goals of this research project was to provide support for this holistic inclusion of AAT in therapeutic practice with children. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with licensed and practicing Animal-Assisted Therapists, who are working with the specified population, children with mental health and neurobiological disabilities. Data analysis occurred within a two-month period. The categories that emerged were: 1) client population, 2) clinician experience, 3) initial session, 4) family involvement, 5) social and …

Investigating Techniques To Help Early English Language Learners Prepare For Kindergarten, Gjenifer Stark

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This qualitative study examines the perspectives and efforts of Minnesota Reading Corps members and Master Coaches to help Early Language Learners become kindergarten ready.

Minnesota Reading Corps is a statewide initiative to help every Minnesota child become a successful reader by the end of third grade. The program places Reading Corps members as literacy tutors in sites across Minnesota to implement a research-based early-literacy effort to help struggling readers. The Reading Corps strategies are designed for both preschool-aged children and students from kindergarten to third grade students. This phenomenological study looks at the stories and captures the essence of the …

Non-Custodial Minority Fathers Maintaining Their Livelihood, Erin E. Taylor

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of A Father’S Residential Status On The Development Of Depression, Tesia R. Vitale

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

In recognition of society’s changing family dynamics, due to divorce, separation, and the adaptation of cohabitating relationships, a significant amount of children are growing up in homes separate from that of their biological fathers, and are subsequently experiencing the addition of an alternative father figure in their lives. Further, a significant amount of American children are growing up in single-parent homes, typically headed by a mother. The implications of these changes are important to examine in relation to how they affect children’s emotional development, as depression has been associated with early attachment relationships. The father-child dyad, is of particular significance …

The Courage To Speak: Breaking The Silence Of Sexual Assault In The African American Community, Kiana Williams

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Sexual assault is a heinous crime that plagues individuals, families, and communities. The stigma associated with this crime often prevents those who are victimized, from telling anyone about these occurrences. Although both men and women, regardless of demographics, are sexually assaulted, the experiences of African American women were of particular interest to the researcher. African American survivors face cultural and societal pressures, which significantly inhibit them from breaking the silence after being assaulted. In response, the researcher investigated the following question: What empowers African American women to speak up after their sexual assault? This was a qualitative study; participants were …

Provider Opinions On Frequent Mental Health Hospitalizations, Courtney J. Funke

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Frequent mental health hospitalizations are contingent on many variables. The purpose of this study was to gather provider opinions on frequent mental health hospitalizations. A qualitative design was utilized; ten providers participated in this study which explored factors of frequent mental health hospitalizations. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicated that all providers view medication management as a precipitating factor to psychiatric hospitalization. Findings indicate that support at discharge will greatly influence the success of the patron. The findings of this study indicate further need for education and advocacy in mental health. Findings suggest that stigma and limited …

Why We Do What We Do: A Psychosocial Development Perspective On Factors That Influence Decision To Pursue A Career In Social Work, Hugh Armstrong

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Walking Two Worlds: Healing From Trauma In The American Indian Community, Sierra R. Asamoa-Tutu

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

American Indian populations are known to be affected by high rates of trauma, including the impact and perpetuating effects of historical trauma. In an effort to better understand effective ways of healing from trauma, this study explores the methods utilized by American Indian people to facilitate healing, specifically from symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Qualitative interviews were used to collect the stories and experiences of eight practitioners working with American Indian clients as they relate to the use of traditional healing practices and use of Western mental health services. Findings revealed four themes that are consistent with prior research, and yet …

Women’S Experiences Of Birth Trauma And Postpartum Mental Health, Ashley Ashbacher

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Approximately a third of childbearing women report their birth experience as traumatic (Ford, Ayers, & Bradley, 2010). This experience is subjective and what qualifies as trauma varies among the women who report it. Research surrounding birth trauma is primarily quantitative in nature and does not fully address the personal and emotional experience of birth trauma. The goal of this study was to examine the thoughts and emotional experiences among women who self-identified as having a traumatic birth. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nine women who reported the birth of at least one child as traumatic. Interviews focused on participants’ …

The Voices Of Grandparents: Views On Support Services When Raising Grandchildren, Kaitlin M. Barrett

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The current trend in foster care has shifted toward kinship care, also known as relatives caring for relatives. In many cases, this relationship involves grandparents caring for their grandchildren. While it is not the first time these grandparents are parenting, they face new challenges the second time around. The purpose of this study was to determine what support services grandparents viewed as most beneficial in caring for their grandchild. A total of four grandparents and two great grandparents were interviewed for this qualitative study in order to determine their personal experiences as a kinship caregiver reaching out for support. Data …