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Full-Text Articles in Social Work
Trauma-Informed Care For Youth In Foster Care, Jordyn Hubin
Trauma-Informed Care For Youth In Foster Care, Jordyn Hubin
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Annually, in Minnesota, thousands of children enter the foster care system. The objective of this study was to use a trauma-informed lens to explore supports that are available to children, biological family members, and foster providers. Questions regarding the strengths and limitations of particular supports were also explored. This study used a qualitative design with five semi-structured interviews of mental health professionals. The main themes that were identified were: trauma-informed care, positives and challenges of formal and informal supports, involvement of biological and foster parents, differences in service to a child in foster care, and building a better system. The …
Therapist, Know Thyself: Self-Reflective Practice Through Autoethnography, Nikki Divirgilio
Therapist, Know Thyself: Self-Reflective Practice Through Autoethnography, Nikki Divirgilio
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Typically, in a social work graduate program, students are taught human behavioral theories, methods and interventions, ethical practices, policy and cultural competence among other areas. The primary tool used by social workers are themselves. Therefore, it is important the social worker is competent. The academic curriculum ensures that professionally, they are. However, how much does a social work graduate program ensure the social worker is competent personally? Theorists and current literature express the importance of a therapist possessing selfawareness— that essentially to know oneself is to know others. In this autoethnography, I aimed to enlighten the importance of self-awareness by …
Transgenerational Transmission Of Caregiver Behaviors Promoting Secure Attachments In American Indian Communities, Bryan Ellingson
Transgenerational Transmission Of Caregiver Behaviors Promoting Secure Attachments In American Indian Communities, Bryan Ellingson
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
The purpose of this study is to describe American Indian caregiver behaviors that promote secure attachments and keep tribal practices alive through transgenerational transmission. This qualitative study included interviews with three American Indian participants to describe culturally specific caregiver behaviors promoting secure attachments. The urban Indian participants in this study’s purposive sample participated in interviews that yielded four salient themes and three sub-themes. The themes included: connection to culture, importance of extended family, significance of elders, and respect as a value. The three sub-themes under connection to culture included: language, ceremonies and practices, and re-visiting the reservation. The results of …
Incorporating Caregivers Into Adolescent Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review, Kelsey Taylor
Incorporating Caregivers Into Adolescent Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review, Kelsey Taylor
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
This systematic review explores the therapeutic factors that influence how effectively caregivers are incorporated into various therapy models with their adolescents. The five therapeutic models investigated in this study are: individual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, ecologically-based family systems therapy, and attachment-based family therapy. Using the University of St. Thomas “Summons” search engine, 14 articles were selected for use in this study. The three predominant themes that emerged in the findings were a need for strong boundaries between clinicians and caregivers, sound clinical judgement in terms of when it is appropriate for caregivers to be involved, and the …
The Effectiveness Of Theraplay As Treatment For Older Children With Attachment Difficulties, Ruby Brayman
The Effectiveness Of Theraplay As Treatment For Older Children With Attachment Difficulties, Ruby Brayman
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Current research suggests that infants and young children can make great gains in the area of attachment with a consistent and nurturing caregiver; the established view has been that after the age of three forming a secure attachment is incredibly difficult. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to answer the question: What is the effectiveness of Theraplay as a form of treatment when working with children over the age of three who have difficulty in forming a secure attachment to a caregiver? This review was set up using peer-reviewed articles, books, and dissertations. The databases PsycINFO, Academic Search …
Swipe, Right? Young People And Online Dating In The Digital Age, Kyla C. Flug
Swipe, Right? Young People And Online Dating In The Digital Age, Kyla C. Flug
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
As many as 1 in 10 Americans utilize an online dating service. A sizable percentage of these users are young adults between the ages of 18 and 24, Because this social phenomenon is relatively new, little research has been conducted to examine the impact that online dating has on youth culture. The purpose of this study is to explore young people’s expectations and realities of online dating and mobile applications, whether they deem their experiences as positive or negative, to examine young people’s experiences of deception and discrimination by others and to gauge the extent that their relational styles are …
Parental Alcoholism On Attachment Within Romantic Relationships, Brooke Hendrickson
Parental Alcoholism On Attachment Within Romantic Relationships, Brooke Hendrickson
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Alcoholism is a problem in the United States, many children around the country grow up with one or more caregivers who is alcohol dependent. This study uses a systematic literature review to examine the romantic relationships of adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) with specific attention to attachment. The studies included in this review came from academic peer reviewed journals, which are empirically based, and include qualitative and quantitative studies. The studies had to include discussion on attachment in a population over 18 years of age. Studies that were excluded were those that focused on specific ethnic groups, gender, or therapy …
Alzheimer’S Disease, Spousal Caregiving Relationships, And Attachment, Mary Sherman
Alzheimer’S Disease, Spousal Caregiving Relationships, And Attachment, Mary Sherman
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Due to increased life expectancy and the lack of a current effective treatment or prevention for this disease, a growing number of older couples will face the transition to a caregiving relationship in which one partner has dementia. Studies have shown that spousal caregivers experience a greater strain than adult children in the caregiving role, and that spousal caregivers who are providing care for Alzheimer’s related dementia experience the greatest strain of any other caregiving group due to the nature of the Alzheimer’s disease process. Studies also suggest …
A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Family Conflict: Focusing On Divorce, Infidelity, And Attachment Style, Jacob B. Borst
A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Family Conflict: Focusing On Divorce, Infidelity, And Attachment Style, Jacob B. Borst
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
In this systematic review, I explored the topic of family conflict, focusing on the conflicts of infidelity and divorce, and how these conflicts affect attachment style. The literature review provided information showing that family conflicts may increase the likelihood of children committing at-risk behaviors, have negative impacts on attachment style, and may even influence the success of future relationships. Positive outcomes can also occur from family conflict such as leaving an abusive environment or gaining secure attachment figures such as a stable stepparent. A focused literature search found 25 articles and two books that provided information regarding the effects of …
Somatic Psychotherapy: Illuminating An Embodied Experience Of Self-Transformation Through Autoethnography, Ellie E. Jones
Somatic Psychotherapy: Illuminating An Embodied Experience Of Self-Transformation Through Autoethnography, Ellie E. Jones
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Somatic Psychotherapy is a contemporary embodied, experiential therapeutic modality that is difficult to understand by reading theory alone and without the benefit of direct personal experience. In this autoethnography, I aimed to illuminate the therapeutic change process in somatic psychotherapy from my perspective as a client. In reflecting on my experience as a client, I also strove to more deeply understand my own healing process to become a more effective and ethical somatic psychotherapist. The data consisted of my direct participation in four professional workshops related to somatic psychotherapy, as well as my personal experience as a continuous client of …
Friendgrief: Perspectives On The Loss Of A Friend, Katie M. Ueland
Friendgrief: Perspectives On The Loss Of A Friend, Katie M. Ueland
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
This purpose of this study was to determine the connection between friendship and grief through interviews with professionals in the grief and loss field. The literature review explored friendship and grief within the framework of adult attachment theory. The two independent topics then merged in a discussion about the concept of Friendgrief, the grief experienced due to the death of a friend. The present qualitative study interviewed five grief and loss professionals working in various settings to discover their perspectives on Friendgrief and its implications on social work practice. The content analysis of the data was accomplished through transcription and …
Disorganized Attachment And Trauma In Children, Anya K. Esch
Disorganized Attachment And Trauma In Children, Anya K. Esch
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Children who experience trauma often experience a disruption in the formation of attachment with their primary caregiver. This research aims to address how this disruption may lead to attachment disorders in children, and what developmental challenges children exposed to trauma may face. Using a qualitative interview case study of a children’s’ mental health professional, this study examines the impact of trauma on attachment, based on the experiences of this clinician. This study set out to investigate what treatment methods are currently used to treat children with histories of trauma and attachment disorders. From the qualitative interview 4 main themes were …
The Effectiveness Of Preschool Mental Health Day Treatment On Attachment Pattern Skills, Stefanie Kuhnmuench
The Effectiveness Of Preschool Mental Health Day Treatment On Attachment Pattern Skills, Stefanie Kuhnmuench
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Young children ages three to six, who have insecure or disorganized attachment styles, are more likely to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Research implies that improving attachment can lead to improved functioning. One mode of treatment for young children with emotional and behavioral disorders is day treatment, specifically day treatment that focuses on attachment. In this study, a secondary data analysis was used to assess the effectiveness of a day treatment program in a community mental health agency in the Midwest for children age’s three to six. Scores from the Attachment Pattern Scale (APS) at three points in time, …
What Do Therapists Think Is The Uniqueness Of Animal Assisted Therapy That Engages Children?, Megan Marie Mensink
What Do Therapists Think Is The Uniqueness Of Animal Assisted Therapy That Engages Children?, Megan Marie Mensink
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
What do therapists believe is the uniqueness of animal assisted therapy that engages children? This is the main question this research aims to answer. The purpose of this study was to get the opinions of therapists on how animal assisted therapies benefit children. In this qualitative study, the researcher interviewed six therapists who actively practice Animal Assisted Therapies with clients. These therapists were able to identify the benefits that children encounter when participating in animal assisted therapies. The therapists have been educated and certified to practice AAT using the EAGALA model. The findings of this research produced five main themes: …
Linking Ebd Student Achievement To Attachment: Exploring The Role Of Relationship In Encouraging School Success, Jennifer Braaten
Linking Ebd Student Achievement To Attachment: Exploring The Role Of Relationship In Encouraging School Success, Jennifer Braaten
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Less than one half of students educationally labeled Emotionally or Behaviorally Disordered (EBD) graduate. Previous research findings suggest some reasons for this lack of success including: lack of educator training, mental health issues of students, the effect of poverty and how the nature of early childhood attachment impacts learning. Specific attention has been given to early childhood attachment patterns form the neurological pathways upon which a student may base future interactions. This qualitative study focused on the nature of the student-educator relationship and how that relationship can impact the learning of EBD students. There were ten participants interviewed for this …
Therapist's Perceptions On Working With The Developmental Repair Model With Children Who Come From Disruptive Attachment Styles, Molly Murphy
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
The present study was designed to look at therapist‟s perceptions on working with the Developmental Repair Model developed by Dr. Anne Gearity (2005) with children who come from insecure or disruptive attachment styles. Nine clinicians from an agency in the Minneapolis area were interviewed for this qualitative study. Each research interview lasted approximately 30 minutes. All the questions focused on different areas of the Developmental Repair Model, and different aspects of working with the particular population. Findings suggest that clinicians must truly know oneself, be comfortable adapting and practicing the model and understand the importance of language, and how to …
Factors That Impact Parent-Child Closeness In Special Needs Adoptions, Mary Morrison
Factors That Impact Parent-Child Closeness In Special Needs Adoptions, Mary Morrison
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
This study set out to determine if adoptive parents with biological children would report a lower degree of closeness with their adoptive child with special needs than adoptive parents without biological children. A review of the literature showed that multiple factors impact the rates of adoption disruption and parental satisfaction, including; stress, externalizing behaviors exhibited by the child, family structure and levels of pre and post-adoption support provided to parents and families. One hundred and twelve adoptive parents responded by completing an online survey. Levels of closeness between the adoptive parent and their adoptive child were measured using a five …
The Emotional Challenges For Parents Regarding Attachment To Their Internationally Adopted Child, Diana Wutke
The Emotional Challenges For Parents Regarding Attachment To Their Internationally Adopted Child, Diana Wutke
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
The United States ranks number one as the principal country that receives the most international adoptees (Bergquist, 2009). The agencies that organize the adoptions are the primary source of information for the prospective parents. Many internationally adopted children who are institutionalized experience abuse, neglect, malnutrition and poor medical care prior to adoption, which can lead to problematic transitions to new families (Mathias, Petrill, Viana & Welsh, 2007). These research questions examined the emotional challenges of parents regarding attachment to their internationally adopted child. Using a qualitative design, eight participants who are parents of internationally adopted children were interviewed by audiotape. …
Effective Practice Based Therapeutic Techniques With Children Diagnosed With Reactive Attachment Disorder: From The Perspective Of Mental Health Professionals, Jennifer Lawrence
Effective Practice Based Therapeutic Techniques With Children Diagnosed With Reactive Attachment Disorder: From The Perspective Of Mental Health Professionals, Jennifer Lawrence
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Children diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) have experienced pathological care and disruption of early attachment experiences, resulting in disorganized attachment with caregivers, as well as a myriad of complex symptoms and behaviors. Little research exists regarding effective treatment for children diagnosed with RAD, leaving both mental health professionals and caregivers wanting. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore effective treatment for children diagnosed with RAD through the lens of mental health professionals. Seven experienced mental health professionals were interviewed regarding their perceptions on effective therapeutic treatment that contributes to increased attachment bonds with caregivers and decreased RAD …