Social Work Commons^™

Treatment Barriers In Mental Health: Perspectives Of Using Mobile Technology, Ryan Goman

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Mental health problems are common with adolescents and given that adolescents are the biggest consumer of mobile technologies, these technologies hold a tremendous promise as a unique intervention. The research method used is a qualitative study with four clinicians to address themes in their experiences of utilziing mobiel technology with adolescents. Much of the research finds that using technology with adolescents improves patient satisfaction through areas around convenience, eas of use, and availabiltiy. The research findings show common themes related to adaptability, reduced stigma, clinical relationship and lack of access. This research is important because it highlights the social work …

Impacts Of And Alternatives To Solitary Confinement In Adult Correctional Facilities, Sarah Zyvoloski

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The use of solitary confinement in adult correctional facilities has recently been scrutinized due to concerns surrounding offenders’ mental health and what impacts come from its use. The purpose of this research was to examine the impacts of and alternatives to solitary confinement in adult correctional facilities through the lens of professionals with direct experience working with offenders. A qualitative research design was executed, contacting a total of twenty-two professionals, completing four semi-structured interviews. All participants had professional experience working with offenders in an adult correctional facility in Minnesota. Three major themes emerged within the data: working definitions of solitary …

Challenges And Opportunities In Accessing Geriatric Mental Health Services In Rural Minnesota, Kassara Kneeland

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

America’s aging population is increasing and mental illness among older adults continues to go under-diagnosed and under-treated. The purpose of this research was to collect data and information on the resources available to older adults living with mental illness in rural Minnesota. This research was informed primarily by the text Rural Mental Health: Issues, Policies, and Best Practices (2012). A survey was conducted utilizing both quantitative and qualitative questions developed by the researcher. The survey was distributed to 153 recipients in 14 counties surrounding Central Minnesota, with an 11% total response rate. Respondents were primarily county-affiliated, identified as social workers …

The Common Benefits Of School Based Mental Health Programs: A Systematic Review, Briana Lindsey

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Professional Satisfaction Within The Mental Health System, Mary Pat Seter

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Professionals providing mental health services experience various challenges that may put their potential to provide best practice and quality services at risk. The primary research question for this study is: How does a social worker derive satisfaction from their work within the mental health system? This study used a qualitative research design and was conducted through the completion of 8 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with mental health social workers. Several themes emerged from the research: Personal Satisfaction, Realistic Expectations, The Little Things, Self-Responsibility, Influence vs. Control, Sense of Support, The Value of Empathy, and Compassion and Self-Compassion. Through review of the …

Culturally Specific Interventions To Support Adolescent Immigrant And Refugee Mental Health, Lynn Whitfield

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This exploratory qualitative study examines various culturally specific interventions practitioners use to support the mental health needs of adolescent immigrants and refugees. Studies have noted that resilience, family involvement, peer support, art-based interventions, school-based interventions, and accessible community resources are all protective factors that promote positive mental health outcomes for adolescents adjusting to a new host country. The researcher conducted eight semi-structured interviews with three licensed clinical social workers (LICSW), one licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), one psychotherapist with a doctorate in psychology, a school counselor, and two clinical counselors. All of the participants of the study serve the refugee …

Work And Quality Of Life For Individuals With Smi: A Systematic Review, Scott Grandt

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This systematic review looks at the quality of life outcomes employment gives individuals with severe mental illnesses. Fourteen studies conducted between 1991 and 2016 were included for the final review. Studies that examined health and functioning generally found connections between work and improvements in both functioning and symptoms. Studies that investigated interpersonal aspects of quality of life found connections between work and the size of social networks, but also noted the dual nature work played regarding interpersonal relationships. Half of the studies discussed outcomes related to self-views, with some making the connection between work and identity formation and others noting …

How Mental Health Service Delivery Models Address The Needs Of Refugees, Sarah Rogers

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Refugees have higher rates of western defined mental health disorders, yet it has been documented there is underutilization of Western mental health services by refugees. A more holistic ecological approach is needed to serve refugees best over a conventional Western biomedical model. This systematic review was designed to explore the research question: How are mental health service delivery models addressing the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of refugees. The study was set up using peer-reviewed articles and dissertations after 2000. The databases, SocINDEX, Academic Search Premier, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses were systematically searched using the terms; “mental health service delivery models” AND …

Mental Health Care For Clients Who Are Incarcerated: A Systematic Literature Review, Deborah Williams

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this systematic literature review was to explore the question: “What scholarly literature exists which explores the interrelated themes of treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders in the presence of a Personality Disorder?”. Using the databases PILOTS: Published International Literature On Traumatic Stress , PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO and working within specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven peer-reviewed articles met the criteria and were reviewed. Each article was coded and five interrelated treatment themes emerged: 1) behavior is functional, 2) acceptance of self, 3) cognitive reappraisal, 4) collaboration, 5) healthy expression. The research shows that humans who …

Significant Emotional And Behavioral Problems In Early Childhood, Samantha Johnson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Significant emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood are a growing concern for social workers, mental health professionals, teachers, day care providers and others involved in the care of children ranging in age from 18 months to six years old. The purpose of this research study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the professional experience and perspective of mental health professionals in meeting the mental health needs of children with significant emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood. A semi-structured interview was used with the six mental health professionals that participated in the study. Three major themes from the …

Social Workers Treating The Whole Person: The Need For Holistic Therapy Coursework, Tracy A. Toner

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Holistic therapies have become an integral part of everyday life in the US. We use holistic therapies for many reasons, for exercising, relaxing, and healing alternatives to the traditional. This research survey explored the use of holistic therapies by social workers who are providing clinical social work to their clients primarily in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. Using a quantitative design, the research measured the number of clinical social workers who are now or have previously provided mental health counseling services and are using holistic therapies in addition to standard interventions. This exploratory research additionally hoped to identify the …

School Based Mental Health Services, Scott Graham

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Mental health impacts children socially, emotionally, and academically. While one of every five children/adolescents has a diagnosed mental health disorder. It is also estimated that one out of five children who need mental health services do not receive them (Van Landeghem, & Hess, 2005). Almost all children attend school for some time in their lives; therefore, school is the ideal setting for implementing collaborative interventions aimed at improving a child’s emotional development and overall mental health. Schools have become one of the largest providers of mental health services with many different stakeholders (Barrett, Eber, & Weist, 2013). This study seeks …

Women, Shame, And Mental Health: A Systematic Review Of Approaches In Psychotherapy, Vienna Miller-Prieve

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Shame is a self-conscious emotion that affects self-esteem, self-concept and evaluation of the self. Shame is seen more often in women than men; in part due to societal and cultural standards placed upon women that create negative self-evaluations in women when those standards are not met. Shame is seen in mental health diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and eating disorders. When a woman presents for therapy or counseling, shame may be apparent and necessary to work on during therapy. This systematic review was designed to answer the research question: what therapeutic approaches are used in psychotherapy targeting …

Quantitative Research: Social Workers’ Perceptions Of Mental Illness, Daniel Nordlund

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study examines Minnesota Licensed Social Workers’ perceptions of mental illness. The researcher developed a quantitative survey consisting of 39 questions from four pre- existing surveys, as well as the researcher’s own questions, to measure different types of stigma associated with mental illness. Three major themes were analyzed: level of education, personal experience, and professional experience, and how they related to possible stigma towards mental illness. A combination of frequency distributions, Chi Square, Pearson Correlation, and Independent T-test were utilized to answer the question: “What are social workers’ perceptions on mental illness related to stigma; and how does this vary …

Dbt For Co-Occurring Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders, Eric Spagenski

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Current research available identifies that when treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) the empirically supported model of choice is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and BPD is known to impact approximately 1% of the population. However, it is estimated that 23 million Americans (or 10%) of the population meets criteria for a Substance Use Disorder (SUD). With a non-completion rate in upwards of 60% when a person has co-occurring BPD & SUD this research sought out to identify what current practices DBT providers in Minnesota implemented to increase patient successes, and what the perspectives were from DBT providers as it relates to …

Understanding School Social Workers’ Roles In Bullying Prevention And Intervention, Jessica Staples

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The primary purpose for this research was to gain a better understanding how school social workers are assisting in bullying prevention and intervention efforts at schools. Semi-structured interviews were done with three school social workers and three school administrators from school districts around the Twin City metropolitan area, in Minnesota. Interview questions were asked regarding: understanding of roles, consideration of school bullying prevention programs, exploring opinions about bullying prevention policies, understandings of laws and policies, talking through the successes and lack of success of the current bullying program in the school and lastly, exploring roles in policy making. Findings from …

Millennial Men: A Correlational Study Between Masculinity, Emotional Expression, And Mental Health, Kathryn L. Driscoll

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study aimed to explore the question: do American, millennial men that try to achieve masculine ideals have less ability to express themselves emotionally and do they have less positive mental health and well-being? The population sample gathered consisted of 44 American, male participants between the ages of 35 and 21. The data was measured via a survey that consisted of two questionnaires, the Gender Role Conflict Scale and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale as well as several demographic questions consisting of a total of 55 questions for the survey. The survey was administered online via Qualtrics Survey Software. The …

Barriers Of Using Illness Management And Recovery With Adults With Severe Mental Illness, Jennifer Anne Brummer

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Adults living with severe mental illness experience a broad spectrum of difficulties, such as visual and olfactory hallucinations, internal dialogue or hearing voices, depression, anxiety, homelessness, substance use, and difficulty managing daily activities and relationships. The Illness Management and Recovery curriculum has been revealed to be a useful evidence-based practice or approach to working with individuals with severe mental illness. The Illness Management and Recovery workbook promotes symptom management in adults by creating a vision and following a step-by-step problem solving process. This recovery model is tailor to the individual and requires their input on a step-by-step path to recovery. …

Social Worker Interventions For Patients Post-Stroke, Alexander Carlson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Research suggests that when a patient experiences a stroke, the lives of the patient and family of the patient can be impacted in many different ways. The purpose of this project was to identify the ways social workers work with stroke patients in the hospital, and how do they identify mental health symptoms in these patients. Using a qualitative design, four social workers, currently providing services in hospitals were interviewed. Data was analyzed using deductive approaches in which themes were developed from the interview responses. The findings indicated that most mental health symptoms are identified in patients, and then treated …

Mental Health In The African American Community And The Impact Of Historical Trauma: Systematic Barriers, Jamie Rose Hackett

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

African Americans are overrepresented in high-risk populations and are known to experience disadvantages in mental health services. In an effort to better understand the barriers that prevent African Americans from receiving adequate mental health services; this study explores barriers on multiple system levels and the implications for clinical practice. This study also explores the relevance and impact of historical trauma. Qualitative interviews were used to collect the experiences of African American clinicians in the mental health field working with African American clients. Findings revealed twelve themes that are consistent with previous research. These themes are; historical trauma, stigma, cultural stereotypes, …

Addressing Mental Health With The Somali Population In The Twin Cities Area, Kristopher S. Jaeger

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Minnesota is home to one of the highest populations of Somali heritage in North America. Mental illness is reported to be prevalent in this population and there is an underutilization of available mental health services. The purpose of this study was to see how health providers can better identify and discuss mental illness with the Somali community to improve utilization rates of mental health clinics in the Twin Cities area. To do this, six qualitative interviews were conducted with participants who at the time were currently working with Somalis, in a hospital, clinic, or health care agency setting. Content Analysis …

Mental Health Case Management: The Perspective Of Nursing Home Social Service Personnel, Mary K. Schmitz

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Many clients who suffer from serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) are admitted to long-term residential facilities, like nursing homes, and often end up staying for years. Many studies have shown that case management helps them to achieve and maintain their highest level of independence however, clients often become ineligible to receive these services when they reside in nursing homes. This mixed methods study was able to get the perspective of nursing home social service personnel, who are often put in the primary role of assisting client’s discharge to more independent settings when case management is not available. The goal …

Effectiveness Of Animal-Assisted Therapy: Therapists’ Perspectives, Nichole M. Budahn

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Animal-assisted therapy has frequently been used with children who have autism spectrum disorder. This study examined animal-assisted therapists’ perceptions of effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy with children who have DSM-IV mental health diagnoses. The researcher recruited self-identified animal-assisted therapists using social media sites LinkedIn and Facebook. Two therapists completed the fourteen question qualitative survey in full. Three themes were found in this study; comfort, confidence, and benefits. While this study produced definite themes, more research needs to be conducted on animal-assisted therapy and children with DSM-IV mental health disorders. Very few studies have been conducted on the impacts of animal-assisted therapy …

College Student Mental Health And Use Of Counseling Center Services, Daniel J. Hinderaker

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to learn how students at a small Midwestern college were utilizing the school’s counseling center. This quantitative study used a survey to learn about the mental health concerns and distress levels of students who had not used the college’s counseling center (

n = 127). The survey results revealed that the overwhelming majority of "non-counseled" students were aware of the counseling center and that it provided free counseling services. However, many of these students had recently experienced significant levels of concern with various problem areas, including anxiety, depression, relationships, and eating/body image. These problem …

A Practical Meta-Analysis Of Prayer Efficacy In Coping With Mental Health, Benjamin M. Kimball

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Given the large number of people who identify as religious in the United States and the large number of the overall population diagnosed with a mental illness, there is a need for linking an easily accessible practice like prayer to a common and often painful problem of managing mental health symptoms. Using a Practical Meta-Analysis, this research project examined prayer’s efficacy when used as a coping strategy to relieve mental health symptoms. A Practical Meta-Analysis is a statistical method that synthesizes findings from multiple research studies and provides a quantitative measure of an intervention’s efficacy as a whole. Of 598 …

Attitudes And Perceptions Of Mental Disorders Among Individuals From Nepal, Sonam Lama

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The growing population of immigrants and refugees in the United States increases the need for culturally sensitive and appropriate mental health care. The purpose of this research project is to explore the attitudes and perceptions of mental disorders among individuals from Nepal who reside in the United States. Using a qualitative design, data was collected through an online survey. Thirty respondents completed the online survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to investigate the relationship between the participant’s level of education, their beliefs and perceptions about mental disorders and the participants’ length of stay in the United States. …

Mental Health Practitioner’S Perspective Of Early Intervention Treatment Barriers For Young Children And Their Families, Melissa J. Mccanney

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Young children are showing an increase in behavioral and emotional disturbances. Children are showing precocious knowledge of information about drugs, sex and violence. This research project reviews previous findings for causes and intervention for these behaviors. Early intervention, family barriers and access barriers concerning mental health treatment were themes that were continuously discussed in the existing research. This study focused on those themes and surveyed 29 professionals about the family and access barriers that families and children face in regards to preschool mental health treatment. The participants were surveyed anonymously and the findings were analyzed for common themes. The results …

Effects Of Unemployment On Health And Mental Health Based On Gender, Kelly Holland

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This research looks to explore three research questions: 1) What are the health concerns people believe are related to their unemployment? 2) What are the mental health concerns people believe are related to their unemployment? 3) Finally, do genders experience a difference in unemployment-related health effects and mental health issues? The research took place by an interviewing process. The respondents were found by advertising via informational flyers posted in a southern Minnesota community. Ultimately, three respondents were interviewed. The respondents discussed the financial effects of unemployment reporting that this was a deterrent in their job searching process. Additionally, all respondents …

How Can Western Providers Adapt Their Techniques When Working With The Hmong Population In A Mental Health Setting?, Joanna Johnson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Mental health is a common concern for Southeast Asian refugees who are struggling with acculturation. This study examined what therapeutic techniques Western clinicians use to assure cultural sensitivity during therapy. A qualitative study was conducted and nine clinicians were interviewed. The results of this study demonstrated it is imperative to include family, exhibit respect, and include traditional beliefs and values in an effort to be culturally sensitive. This maximizes optimal therapeutic interventions. The main diagnoses explored in this study were Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression. Both the study and the research displayed similar themes affecting clinicians when providing …

Effects Of Client Trauma On Interpreters: An Exploratory Study Of Vicarious Trauma, Mailee Lor

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This qualitative study explores the experiences of interpreters in mental health settings and examines how working with clients that have experienced torture, trauma, and war can impact their personal and professional lives. The findings from this study are not meant to be viewed as any form of incompetency that needs attention, but rather to shed light on the needs of this population within mental health settings. In working with interpreters, it is the intention of the researcher that mental health practitioners will use these findings to inform and guide their professional work with interpreters in a manner that is ethical …