Social Work Commons^™

The Leap Of Faith Exploring Social Workers' Role In Therapeutic Foster Care And The Impact Of Implementing The Strengths Perspective, Joshua M. Kent

Theses and Graduate Projects

The strengths perspective has received significant attention in recent years in both academic and practice settings. Examining its implementation will provide important information about how it can function as a practice model, and therefore facilitate the development of this emergent model. The present study focuses on the implementation of a pilot project designed to incorporate the strengths perspective in therapeutic foster care. The study examines how the strengths perspective affects social workers' roles and responsibilities in therapeutic foster care, and what can be learned about the strengths perspective by examining its implementation in an agency setting. The findings show that …

Attribution Of Blame In Father-Daughter Incest Cases: Perceptions Of Social Workers And Case Aides, Jane E. Leclair

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory study exarnined the attribution of blame in father-daughter incest cases by surveying the perceptions of 100 social workers and case aides. The random sample of 74 women and 26 men were mailed a self-repoft survey packet including two Likert-type, ordinal level scales: The Jackson Incest Blame Scale (JIBS) which measured offender, victim, societal and situational factors; and the JEL Blame Scale which measured mother blame. With a response rate of 30Vr, findings were reported in the median and mode. JIBS findings indicated most blame was aftributed to the offender, little to the victim, with varying amounts of blame …

The Process Of Resilience, Denise R. Vikturek

Theses and Graduate Projects

Resilience is the overcoming of some risk factor resulting in positive adaptation. Respondents from a mental health center and a medical institution who are involved in individual and family therapies completed a quantitative survey identifying specific traits, relationships and experiences impacting an individual's adaptation to adversity. The hypothesis was that if practitioners can identify these specifics they can help clients learn to recognize and seek out such traits, relationships, and experiences. The implication for practice is that through such teaching practitioners can increase the likelihood of client positive adaptation to adverse situations.

Somali Immigrant Families: A Foreign Life Experience In The United States, Elizabeth Moleye Bel

Theses and Graduate Projects

As immigrants move to the United States, many are challenged by a host of dilemmas ranging from adaptation to a new environment to assimilation into the mainstream culture. The purpose of the qualitative study is to gain a deeper Understanding of the experiences of five Somali immigrant families as they adjust to life In the United States. When asked about their experience, the participants revealed Similar feelings include those of loneliness, frustration, and loss. Implication for social work practice include providing valuable details to assist professionals as they develop Culturally sensitive programming, as well as educating the general public about …

The Concept Of Hope In Social Work Practice And Education, Wayne Luebbert

Theses and Graduate Projects

The concept of hope has been and continues to be part of the research literature in many human service fields, such as medicine, psychology and nursing. The research on hope in these fields has shown that its presence can have multiple benefits for persons in differing forms of distress. However, any discussion on hope has been conspicuously absent from most social work literature for almost forty years. This qualitative study has been designed to begin a begin a discussion on the role of hope in social work practice and education. Seven social workers were interviewed on their understanding of hope, …

Risk And Resilience Factors Linked To Problem Behavior Among Urban Culturally Diverse Adolescents, Stephanie L. Crosby

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examined several risk and resilience factors associated with sexual intercourse, gang involvement, and alcohol and drug use among 332 urban culturally diverse adolescents aged 12-16 years. In general different patterns of risk and resilience factors were found to predict the three problem behaviors. Delinquency was the only factor that was significantly linked to sexual intercourse, gang involvement, and substance use.

Discriminant analyses supported that delinquency was differentially associated with low problem vs. high problem urban adolescents. In addition when compared to the high problem urban youth the resilient youth tended to have higher academic competence and intact two …

Quality Of Life And Panic Disorder, Rebecca J. Wyatt Kinnander

Theses and Graduate Projects

Panic disorder has been associated with pervasive social and health consequences similar to or greater than those associated with major depression. Studies have been found that support findings concerning diminished quality of life for persons currently being treated, or shortly after treatment for anxiety disorders, but little is said in regards to quality of life (QOL) in years that follow treatment. This research project attempts to ascertain if there is a difference between the findings of previous studies with this more recent examination of QOL in panic disorder patients. Furthermore, implications for practice show use of quality of life assessment …

Parent Satisfaction With A Supervised Visitation Program, Mary K. Rose

Theses and Graduate Projects

Supervised visitation is contact between a non-custodial parent and one or more children under the supervision of a third party. The need for supervised visitation is great. Clients in these programs are often court ordered and are therefore involuntary. The goal of this study was to at one particular program in Hennepin County in Minnesota from the user’s perspective. A survey was distributed to 46 adult clients: twenty-three of the subjects were custodial parents and twenty-three were non-custodial parents. The items on the survey both qualitative and quantitative. The response rate was poor. Only 15.22%of the surveys were returned. However, …

Social Support Of Sudanese Refugees In Anoka County, Minnesota, Leslie Kay Anderson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Using a qualitative research design, this study reports findings from interviews with five Sudanese refugees regarding sources of social support available to them in Anoka County, Minnesota. The potential sources of support explored were family and relatives; Sudanese and other African friends; American friends; and American Sponsors and social service agencies. Themes of culture shock and differences between support in Sudan and support in the United States emerged. Implications for social work practice and research are discussed.

Parent Involvement Within An Inner-City School: Perspectives Of Parents And Educators, Lisa Zurek

Theses and Graduate Projects

This exploratory qualitative study was executed to expand the knowledge of the issues surrounding parent involvement within an inner-city school. Educators from Tuttle Elementary School responded to qualitative interview guide questions. Parents in focus groups answered questions from a guide. Factors surrounding parent involvement such as the reasons why parents chose to be involved in their child's education or not via the perception of educators and parents were emphasized in the interviews and focus groups. It was found that there are various aspects that effect whether a parent is involved in their child's education include transportation, day care, and work …

Historical Analysis Of African Immigrants With Specific Reference To Ethiopia: Their Cultural Adaptation, Resiliency And Implication For Social Work Practice, Haregewoin Tsegaye

Theses and Graduate Projects

Because of political unrest, civil wars, and economic problems in Africa, the number of African immigrants entering the United States since 1960 has greatly escalated. Beginning in 1914, for example, when junior military officers overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie's Government up to 1991, a year in which a new group took over power and introduced the administration of the country based on ethnic lines to the present time, thousands of Ethiopians fled their country to escape execution, torture, and arbitrary arrest. Although those Ethiopians who did so managed to avoid political and economic sufferings at home, the new way of life …

High School Students' Perception Of Developmental Assets, A Gender Comparison, Delia Vandyke

Theses and Graduate Projects

This quantitative study explores the findings from a local study using an instrument developed by the Search Institute: "Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors. This 156-item anonymous survey was administered to 203 suburban high school students who are receiving alternative or non-traditional educational services. The research measures developmental assets, risk, and protective factors and includes a gender comparison. The findings from the survey are compared against a national sample of 24,740 students in 11th and 12th grade. The research is relevant to social workers who want to know how this adolescent population spends their time, what are their perceptions …

The Mandate To Report Child Abuse And The Clergy Privilege Of Confidentially: How Are These Understood?, Brant Moore Thomsen

Theses and Graduate Projects

While clergy in Minnesota are mandated to report child abuse, they are also mandated to keep information confidential. While many studies have been completed looking at the behavior of mandated reporters, and many others have been completed looking at the ethical issues faced by the clergy who experience this dual mandate, little research has brought the two together. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of child protection workers in Dakota County in Minnesota, and pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who serve congregation in Dakota County.

The findings show that within each group there are a variety of …

Probation Officers Reporting Of Mental Disorders And Treatment Among Juveniles In Ramsey County, Theresa A. Pease

Theses and Graduate Projects

A descriptive research study focusing on the mental health services available to juveniles in the juvenile justice system who have mental health diagnoses. Ramsey county juvenile probation officers were surveyed to provide information regarding this population.

Juveniles in the juvenile justice system have been identified as having a high incident of mental health disorders and are a population in great need. The goal of the study was to answer several questions related to the number of youth with mental disorders in a metropolitan juvenile justice system. The information was collected using a short survey distributed to the county's 44 juvenile …

The Twin Cities Hospice Movement, David A. Larson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This historical study analyzed information about the development of hospice from ancient times to the modern hospice movement. In this study special attention is given to the modern hospice movement, which began in Britain in 1967, and began in the United States in 1974. The purpose of this historical study was to explore and discuss the development of hospice programs Twin Cities, MN, as compared to the hospice movement on a national level.

The study will describe the local hospice movement as seen through the experiences of three local death and dying activists. Throughout the study, the social ideals behind …

Surveying Parents Perceptions Of Wraparound Services In A Special Education Setting, Brenda Chapman

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study was developed and implemented to gain a better understanding of parent and caregiver perceptions on the influence of the wraparound programming in special education process. This project was completed at a Level V, special education program, located in a suburb of a large metropolitan area, which provides services using the wraparound philosophy and funding. Traditional services have not focused on addressing parents views in the change process (VanDenBerg, 1996). Seeking parent and caregiver perceptions provides the opportunity for them to voice concerns and provide input into the change process. A questionnaire was developed and used to examine parent …

A Family Resource Center's Impact On Community Connection And Social Support, Cathy A. Mumm

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify the perceived needs of participants at the Rosemount Family Resource Center as well as to explore if the family resource center was making an impact in the participant's level of social support and connection to the community. The hope was to have a clearer idea of what the participants need and to meet those needs through services and programs offered at the family resource center. One of the goals of the family resource center is to create a community where its residents feel supported and take that feeling of support back to …

Borderline Personality Disorder: Effectiveness Of The Dbt Model, Lynn Braun Larson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) has become increasingly prevalent in the mental health field (Linehan, 1993). Approximately 1-3% of the population is diagnosed with BPD (Linehan, Oldham, & Silk, 1995). Throughout the past decade, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been utilized in the treatment of BPD. Six mental health practitioners were interviewed to determine the effectiveness of DBT with BPD. The research question addressed the ability of individuals with BPD to learn effective problem-solving skills in the areas relating to suicidal/self-mutilating behaviors, number of hospitalizations, interpersonal relationships, impulsiveness, and emotional instability. Some common themes discovered from the practitioners thoughts/perceptions about the …

The Importance Of Family-Centered Professional Behaviors To Parents Of Children Receiving Day Treatment Services, Cindy A. Torborg

Theses and Graduate Projects

Although many agencies and professionals identify their services as family-centered very few have evaluated their practice to determine the legitimacy of this claim. This exploratory quantitative study elicited survey responses from a random sample of 75 parents and/or guardians of children with severe emotional disturbances who have received family services through Catholic Charities Day Programs. Parents and/or guardians used the Family-Centered Behavior Scale to evaluate the professional behaviors of the family service providers, and rate the importance of these behaviors in the service process. The results indicate that the level of satisfaction with the family practitioner directly correlates with the …

Community Assessment: Strengths And Challenges Of American Indian Youth, Yvonne L. Barrett

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study used focus groups to conduct an assessment of capacities and needs of a large upper Midwest American Indian community's views of adolescents who have mental health issues and are violent. The study elicited feedback from 1) providers serving American Indian youth and their families and, 2) the community in general. A total of eleven individuals participated in two focus groups. The interview questions covered the areas of personal experiences with adolescents, strengths and challenges of American Indian youth, available resources and whether they meet the needs of American Indian youth. Findings reveal that the strengths of family, …

The Treatment Experience Of Women Survivors Of Sexual Abuse With Co-Occurring Issues Of Substance Abuse, Barbara E. Harschutz

Theses and Graduate Projects

The high incidence of co-occurrence of women survivors of sexual abuse with substance abuse and the historical differences between mental health and substance abuse treatment were cause for exploration of current treatment available to this population. The purpose of this study was to explore what treatment encounters have been effective for this population of women to recover. Through interviews this exploratory, qualitative study gave six women survivors of sexual abuse with substance abuse who have been involved in treatment a voice that provided needed information for treatment design and implementation. It attempted to answer what treatment services currently offered are …

Section 504 Of The Rehabilitation Act Of 1973: Are Public School Social Workers Viable Candidates As Section 504 Coordinator, Melissa J. Murphy

Theses and Graduate Projects

There has been a resurgence of the use of Section 504 in the public school system in part because of the increase in diagnosed ADHD among children. Schools need to legally provide accommodations and/or modifications to a child diagnosed with a disability which significantly inhibits one or more major life activity. Traditionally, school administrators have had the responsibility of writing and coordinating Section 504 plans. Studies have shown that many of the Minnesota Public School Districts have been out of compliance with Section 504 guidelines. School social workers' primary responsibility is to work with children in the schools that are …

An Historical & Policy Analysis Of The Patient Self-Determination Act As Part Of The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1990 (P.L. 101-508), Kristine H. Kaehn

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-158) was the federal legislation that included the Patient Self-Determination Act, now referred to as advanced directives. This historical and policy analysis as a qualitative method of research will examine the legislative policy that was passed by congress and signed into law by the president of the United States as well as the public regulations developed by the executive branch. This law requires that patients in health care facilities receiving federal funds (Medicare and Medicaid) receive information regarding advanced directives. This research and its findings will attempt to provide the social work …

Social Workers And Battered Women: A Study Of Professional Beliefs, Timothy Moe

Theses and Graduate Projects

This quantitative study explored the beliefs of child protection social workers in regard to battered women and domestic violence. A self-administered, mailed survey was used to gather information on some of the key beliefs that have been identified in the literature. In general, prior studies show that social workers stereotype battered women and respond to their needs in a manner that is insensitive or inappropriate.

Surveys were mailed to all 68 child protection workers in the North Central Region of Wisconsin. The region is composed of 15 counties; each county employs social workers who perform child protection duties. Forty-six surveys …

Prevalence Of Physical And Psychological Abuse In Adolescent Dating Relationships In A Suburban High School, Stacy L. Johnson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence of violence in dating relationships in a suburban high school. Although dating violence is commonly considered male to female aggression, the research reviewed in this study indicates that girls are perpetrators more often than boys are. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scale was administered to tenth and twelfth grade students at a suburban high school. There were 126 surveys distributed and 12 were returned. The findings show that 84% of the students admitted to at least one violent incident with their dating partner in the past year. The results of this …

A Historical Comparison Of Treatment Between Male And Female Sex Offenders In The Correctional System, Weida Y. Allen

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of the historical research study is to explore the correctional system's rehabilitation and treatment perspective for both male and female sex offenders. Treatment has been deemed essential for all offenders; while it might not mean a cure, it does give offenders some tools to prevent further offenses.

Literature emphasizes the importance of treatment and rehabilitation for the sex offender. Historically, the female offender has been ignored in the area of treatment and rehabilitation. Sexual offenses are generally perceived as a male phenomenon.

This tidy will give an in-depth view of treatment process and the research on the effectiveness …

Home Of The Shepherd: A Study Of Past Program Participants' Experience Of Organizational Values, Cynthia J. Foster

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examined value congruency within an organization as experienced by clients as a measure of organizational effectiveness. Twenty-six females, all of whom were past program participants, were involved in the study. Study participants completed a self-administered questionnaire devised to elicit perceptions of their experience of the organization's values. Study participants had departed from the organization at least six months or longer prior to the study. Findings suggest that the values of the organization were evident in the services clients received. The clients' experience of the organizational values also had a positive effect on the clients' ability to accomplish their …

A Study Of Perceived Barriers Of Minnesota Family Investment Program Participants In Moving From Welfare To Work: An Analysis Of Three Perspectives, Patrick J. Pischke

Theses and Graduate Projects

The past decade of welfare reform emphasized moving welfare recipients from public assistance towards economic self-sufficiency through employment. This exploratory quantitative study compared perceived barriers,welfare recipients face when seeking employment through the perspectives of the welfare participants (n=265), county financial supervisors (n=74), and employment service supervisors (n=56). The study used secondary data from three rural studies conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. A comparative analysis was completed using a triangulation method of the most perceived barriers to employment. A theoretical analysis which utilized the general systems theory and eco-systems perspective was also completed. The findings revealed that the …

The Experience Of Recovery From The Perspective Of Chemically Dependent Women: A Qualitative Study, Heidi Kammer Jensen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research on the experience of chemically dependent women has evolved over the past two decades. This qualitative study contributes to the increasing research on women's issues by exploring the experience and meaning of recovery for women. An interview guide was used to conduct in-depth interviews with six women about their meanings of recovery and motivation for seeking and maintaining recovery Content analysis was used to find common themes of the recovering experience. Results of the study concluded that recovery for a women is not only sobriety, but also includes change and self-discovery. Findings displayed themes of insight and pain as …

Restorative Services: Inventory Of Minnesota's Restorative Services And An Examination Of Integration Of Restorative Philosophy In Service Providers' Policies And Procedures, Deanna L. Mundt Steckman

Theses and Graduate Projects

Restorative services are offered in various settings where harm has occurred and, it has been unclear what is available in Minnesota. Minnesota, as a national leader in restorative justice, has been unable to compile a comprehensive list of restorative service providers until now. An open- and closed-ended questionnaire was sent to potential Minnesota restorative service providers. The intent was to determine what types of restorative services and models are practiced by what types of agencies, where services are provided, and to examine to what extent restorative philosophy values are integrated into agency policies. Various univariate and bivariate analysis were utilized. …