Social Work Commons^™

Covid-19, Social Isolation, And Msw Students’ Mental Health, Cassandra Barajas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

New literature has found that the COVID-19 pandemic has grown the prevalence of anxiety and depression amongst college students (University Communications, 2021). The purpose of this research study was to further explore how the sudden restrictions and isolation protocols enforced and caused by the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health symptoms amongst MSW students. The study sample consisted of social work students who were 18 years old or older and who were enrolled in a Master of Social Work Program at some point in time during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

This study was conducted using a post-positivism approach and by …

Success Over Stress Support Group, Sophia Pescador-Torrance

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Harden Wellness Center is located in Salinas, California on the campus of Harden Middle School. After surveying and interviewing eighth-grade students at Harden Middle School, it was determined that there was a need to provide healthy coping skills for stress and anxiety. The project provided students a place to learn healthy coping skills along with normalizing mental health services among adolescents. In order to engage students and keep them interested each week, focus on a new skill with an activity attached to reinforce the coping skill. By the end of the six weeks, the group started to talk about …

The Influence Of Child Maltreatment In The Manifestation Of Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms At The Age 18, Maria J. Velasquez

LSU Master's Theses

Child maltreatment affects thousands of children and adolescents every year. This phenomenon is multidimensional, meaning there are different subtypes (i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect) known to predict various mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. While previous research has investigated mental health outcomes in maltreated youth, results may vary based on the dimensions of abuse considered. This study aims to expand on previous literature to examine how a history of child maltreatment subtypes influences the manifestation of anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth at age 18. The current study uses secondary data analysis of the Longitudinal …

Social Worker Student’S Anxiety, And Alcohol Consumption During The Covid-19 Pandemic, David Adler

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely impactful on a vast majority of the population, either from losing a possible loved one, or the pandemonium that arose in its wake. The purpose of this study is to better understand how much of an impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on social worker students’ mental health, specifically, how it has affected their levels of stress, anxiety, and levels of alcohol consumption. This study is significant because the pandemic has had a substantial impact on the mental health of so many individuals, and it is important to research just how large these effects …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Social Work Students, Rosanne Cabonce

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research project describes the relationship between anxiety and social support in Bachelors and Masters of Social Work students (N = 80) in a public state university. College students, specifically Social Work students, have been adversely affected due to consequences of COVID-19. Different areas of their life including their academic, financial, and especially, their mental health (e.g. anxiety) have been impacted due to the pandemic. A quantitative, descriptive study is conducted utilizing instruments to investigate anxiety and social support these students face during the pandemic. Correlation analysis is utilized to determine the relationship between anxiety and social support. Not many …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On School-Aged Children’S Mental Health: Mixed-Method Study Of Families In Southern California, Christina Williams

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

On March 13, 2020, the director of Services to Students with Disabilities came out of the office and stated the employees and students were not returning to school effective immediately due to the world’s shutdown over COVID-19. COVID-19 swiftly created panic causing toilet paper and water to be rationed, but who really took the time to think about how this would affect school-aged children and their families. How does shutting down in-person learning and household dynamics change when a disease taking the lives of almost a million people sweeps across the United States of America. Were parents ready to teach …

Anxiety, Depression, And Sexual Minority Identity Among First Responders, Kayla Soohy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that first responders tend to experience high levels of anxiety and depression due to unique stressors associated with first responder employment. This increased risk level for mental health issues among first responders can be exacerbated by the addition of psychosocial stressors. The influence of interpersonal or intrapersonal factors, such as sexual minority identity, on the mental health issues experienced by first responders has remained relatively unexplored. The purpose of this research study was to explore the relationship between type of first responder, sexual identity, anxiety, and depression via a framework rooted in minority stress theory. Data were gathered …

Mental Health Outcomes Of Various Types Of Fear Among University Students Who Have An Undocumented Legal Status During The Donald Trump Presidency, Liliana Campos

Doctoral Dissertations

Having an undocumented legal status is a risk factor for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety among university students. Much of the literature on the experiences of university students who hold an undocumented legal status has primarily focused on better understanding the educational, social, financial, and legal challenges among undergraduate students. The literature has addressed how some of these difficulties impact components of their social and mental health wellness. Yet, there is still a dearth of research focused on further understanding the experiences of students who hold an undocumented legal status from a psychological perspective, and specifically, with …

Poor Academic Performance Caused By Social Anxiety, Erin Tayag, Leea Gonzales

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Social anxiety can have consequential effects on college students’ academic performance. Many students’ college experiences will involve some levels of anxiety. However, social anxiety is very distinct from natural anxiety. Considering the effects of social anxiety in a college setting, there are students whose grades can decrease due to non-performance in specific class activities or unfortunately discontinuing school. This research project desired to identify if social anxiety indeed affects college students’ academic performance. This study utilized a quantitative design by providing existing social anxiety scales to students through email and social media platforms. Within this design, three analyses were used: …

Familismo And It’S Impact On Anxiety In Latino Young Adults, Ashley M. Yoder, Maria A. Romero

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative research study is to address the effects of familismo on anxiety levels for Latino adults. In this study, the research takes a deeper look into the cultural aspects of familismo and the increased levels of anxiety for the Latino population. This study defines familismo through the concepts of honor, support, interconnectedness, and subjugation of self for family. This study defines the Latino population as individuals from the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. The concept of familismo needs to be addressed due to the lack of knowledge in social work of this area, as it …

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 …

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 …

Exploring The Relationships Of Social Media Usage And Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression In Adolescents, Morgan Culpepper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Social media is a popular form of communication and entertainment among youth. Inconsistencies are present in the literature on the potential effects it can have on mental health. Depression and anxiety disorders are common among all age groups in the US, and this study aimed to determine the relationship social media has on symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS) and the GAD-7 were used to measure symptoms of anxiety, as well as the CES-D scale to evaluate depressive symptoms in adolescents. The number of social networking sites and number of hours spent on social …

Having A Known, Trusted Support Person During Labour And Birth: Perceptions Of Indonesian (Javanese) Women, Their Support Persons And Midwives, Natalia

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Childbirth is a life changing experience for women, yet most women feel anxious with regard to this event. Research has shown that support from family or friends can help to reduce anxiety intrapartum, however, the standard procedure at most maternity centres in Indonesia is to not allow any person in the birthing room except midwives.

This study investigated the impact of the presence of a support person on the anxiety of women giving birth in Surabaya, Indonesia. The originality of this study is in trying to understand the whole picture about support during labour and childbirth by listening to women, …

Common Sources Of Anxiety For Students Who Experience Suicidal Ideation, Austin Nystrom, Fabian Ortiz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study was conducted to identify what sources of anxiety are most closely associated with experiencing SI among students in a school district in Southern California. Anxiety and suicide rates in youth continue to grow and a need for preventative services is a must. The research design consists of qualitative, biopsychosocial assessments, and qualitative, utilizing the collected data. MSW interns at the district site conducted the assessments and the writers analyzed and reviewed the data to draw out an answer to the research question. Implications for social work practice include gaining a better understanding on the common sources of anxiety …

Mental Health Disparities For Latino Immigrants & Its Impact On Psychological Well-Being, Ana Do Rosario Sousa

Counseling Psychology | Master's Theses

In the present study, the researcher sought to examine the factors associated with Latino immigrants and the barriers/challenges that are faced in mental health. The main question that the researcher focuses on in the present study is: What are some of the mental health challenges for Latino immigrants & how do these disparities further impact psychological well-being? Furthermore, the research focuses on highlighting the variables that are increasingly damaging to the minority population of Latinos in the United States. These variables include lack of health insurance, stigma, acculturation issues, legal issues, and biopsychosocial factors, such as socioeconomic class. In multiple …

Anxiety, A Growing Social Problem: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Adela Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety disorders as a stand-alone diagnosis are not recognized as a treatable mental health issue within the social services mental health realm. There are mixed results regarding if anxiety disorders are linked to suicide ideation and suicide attempts. The aim of this systematic review was to discover if there is a link between anxiety disorders and suicide ideation and suicide attempts within the current literature. All anxiety disorders were looked at, except for selective mutism and separation anxiety disorder due to these both typically only affecting those in very young childhood. The rest of the anxiety disorders affect those from …

Active Shooter Preparedness Training, Berenice Dougherty, Nyemal Thuok Chuol

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examined the effectiveness of active shooter preparedness training on students for the purpose of assessing whether or not undergoing such training helps ease students’ level of anxiety, sense of preparedness in the event of a mass shooting attack at their California State University campus, or an attack occurring at their place of internship. This data was collected by offering an active shooter training to student participants, facilitated by the Risk Management department, at a large University in Southern California. Following the training, first-year Bachelors and Masters students within the School of Social Work were given a self-administered questionnaire. …

Clinicians Perspectives When Treating Adults In Poverty Living With Anxiety Disorders, Natalie Stout, Paul Maldonado

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The study explored the perceptions of clinical therapists who have conducted treatment on adults who live in poverty with an anxiety related disorder. Previous studies have discussed the relationship between poverty and the development of anxiety related disorders, while others have discussed the negative impacts anxiety can have on physical health, mental health, and social functioning. To improve the efficacy of therapeutic intervention for low income adults with anxiety related disorders, the study explored what clinicians believe are the most effective aspects of therapy to utilize. The study elicited qualitative data, reflecting on the experiences of ten participants who had …

The Relationship Between Hospitalizations And Anxiety And Depression Symptoms In Patients With Cystic Fibrosis, Ronni T. Barker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2015, the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation collaborated with the European CF Society to develop new guidelines to screen for depression and anxiety in people with CF. The guidelines were based on a study that assessed over 6,000 patients and 4,000 caregivers among 45 centers in the United States and eight European countries. Research has proven that depression and anxiety have a negative impact on CF and overall health. 186 adolescents within the CF clinic at Children’s Health Center voluntarily completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). These screenings were completed between February 2016-March 2017 and …

The Effect Of Anxiety And Depression On College Students’ Academic Performance: Exploring Social Support As A Moderator, Katherine H. Bisson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore how social support is related to the overall well-being of college students. Literature suggests social support buffers a negative effect of distress on academic performance. This study attempts to provide practical information for a program called Student Opportunities, Advocacy, and Resources (SOAR) at Abilene Christian University (ACU), which assists students and connects them to resources available to support their path to success. A multiple linear regression was conducted to examine the association between anxiety, depression, social support, and academic performance using a sample of 93 students enrolled in this program in Fall …

Removing Stigma And Reducing Anxiety: Social Work Professionals Integrating Essential Oils In Mental Healthcare Services With African American And Native American Clients, Kamara Bauman

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into how mental health professionals could use essential oils with African Americans and Native Americans who may have experienced or have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Both African Americans and Native Americans have higher rates of Depression and Anxiety, but have lower rates of utilizing mental healthcare services than White Americans. How do essential oils reduce anxiety about seeking treatment for mental health and subsequently increase participation in therapy for African American and Native American clients? This project used a qualitative research design with semi- structured open – ended questions. …

Effects Of Yoga And Mindfulness-Based Practices On Stress And Anxiety In Children And Adolescents, Amanda Geldert

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study focused on yoga, and other mindfulness-based practices and how they impact children and adolescents who are dealing with stress and anxiety. Three interviews were conducted with Yoga Calm certified instructors who work with children and adolescents, and how they view the impacts of Yoga Calm on the population they work with. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Once analyzed, nine themes were found: Children use tools they are taught to cope with stress and anxiety, practicing mindfulness allows one to better listen to their bodies, lack of time, resistance from children, children teaching others, adaptation for developmental differences, …

Practitioner Use Of Neurofeedback In The Treatment Of Children’S Mental Health, Andrea Markworth

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study explores the use of neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback, by practitioners treating mental health conditions in children. A semi-structured interview with eight practitioners from various disciplines serves as the data source. Content analysis was utilized and data was coded and categorized. Five themes emerged from the analysis of the interview—Neurofeedback Education, How Neurofeedback Works, Neurofeedback Treatment Structure, Conditions Treated, and Feedback. These findings are in alignment with the existing literature. Specific conditions identified are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and autism spectrum disorder. Neurofeedback may improve symptomology in these conditions as well as others. Implications for …

Clinical Applications Of Aerobic Exercise With Adolescents Experiencing Depression And Anxiety, Sarah Mergens

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Despite continued growth and improvements in traditional treatments for adolescent depression and anxiety, the rates at which adolescents are experiencing depression and anxiety continue to increase. Current research indicates that physical activity has a positive correlation with mental health. While staying true to the ethics and values that guide clinical social work practice, how can clinicians use aerobic exercise to treat adolescent depression and/or anxiety? This Systematic Literature Review SLR collected and synthesized findings from similar studies in order to identify specific aerobic exercises that have been successful in treating adolescent depression, common strategies for implementation and tools and strategies …

The Retrospective Narratives Of Young Adults With Adhd : How Self-Concept Development Impacts Psychosocial Functioning, Malcolm B. Miller

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explores how young adults with ADHD construct self-concept, and how their self-concept impacts psychosocial functioning. Research shows that those with ADHD are more likely to experience significant setbacks across the lifespan due to impairments that negatively impact functioning in multiple life domains. Several studies note high comorbidity between ADHD and internalizing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Although existing research suggests neurobiological correlations, there has been little investigation into other causal relationships. This researcher interviewed eight young adults with ADHD hoping to illuminate other possible pathways between ADHD and the presentation of comorbid internalizing symptoms and …

Do Holistic Practices As An Adjunct To Traditional Psychotherapy Affect Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (Gad-7) Scores?, Samantha Suyon Woo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effect of holistic practices on anxiety. The study used a pre-experimental design and measured any differences in outcomes in Generalized Anxiety Disorder clients as measured by General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) between the two following groups: 1) the experimental group who received holistic services in addition to traditional treatment such as psychotherapy and/or medication as compared to 2) the control group who received psychotherapy and/or medication alone. Pretest of GAD-7 at intake and post-tests at about 4 months into treatment were measured along with a holistic practice survey and analyzed post-hoc through SPSS data analysis. This …

Mindfulness And The Oncology Patient: A Systematic Review, Kristina Babcock

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This systematic review was designed to gather and analyze data available regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness practice in decreasing depression or anxiety for oncology/hematology patients. The electronic databases used to identify studies for this review included the University of St. Thomas’ Summon Data Base, Psychinfo, Social Work Abstracts, SocINDEX and St. Catherine University’s Academic Search Premier. Sixteen quantitative studies met criteria and were reviewed and analyzed. All sixteen studies were divided between the categories of post cancer treatment/cancer survivors or active cancer diagnosis. The three major themes that surfaced within these two categories were depression, anxiety and stress. The studies …

Yoga For Depression And Anxiety: A Systematic Review, Rachel Hanson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Yoga is a 3,000 year-old practice that has evolved into a holistic approach to general wellness and healing. Yoga is beginning to be recognized by researchers and clinicians as a complementary therapy that encompasses multiple components of healing that are being singled out or used in pieces as parts of traditional treatment methods. The purpose of this research is to conduct an exhaustive review of the research that has been performed on using yoga or yoga therapy to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders. This review will focus on how yoga is being used to address symptoms of depression …

Substance Use Disorder Co-Occurring With Anxiety And/Or Depression: Evidence-Based Cbt, Donara Rudman

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in lieu of current treatment as usual or the siloed system for treating Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or mental health diagnosis independently. The review examines clients who have been diagnosed with co-occurring SUD and anxiety and/or depression and are receiving treatment to help reduce substance use and anxiety and/or depression symptomology. The present research study endeavored to distinguish individual aspects that may lead to more successful treatment outcomes using CBT to treat SUD with anxiety and/or depression co- currently in one integrated treatment program. …