Social Work Commons^™

Predictors Of Empirically-Supported Interventions Following Structured Functional Assessment., Alton Nathaniel Verbist

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Assessment is foundational to the process of evidence-based practice yet has received little research attention. Project SAFESPACE has recently initiated screening and assessment for all children entering out of home care in Kentucky with the goal of providing assessment-driven, evidence-based treatment. The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment—the instrument adopted in this service system—is designed to link the assessment process with the selection of appropriate interventions. Informed by naturalistic decision making, this dissertation sought to investigate the relationship between responses on the CANS assessment and the empirically supported interventions subsequently prescribed by the assessing clinician. Using secondary data …

Understanding Trauma And Victimization In Women's Incarceration: California's Treatment Response, Marissa Tuttle-Roache

Social Sciences

The purpose of this review is to provide an exploration of past research on women's pathways to incarceration, specifically discussing how this problem affects California women. Using research from various case studies, both quantitative and qualitative, this review examines the correlation between life experiences and incarceration for women. California laws and policies that mitigate the impact incarceration has historically had on women will be discussed. This research provides a better understanding of the treatment needs of incarcerated women and the programs that could provide them with some positive resources to succeed post incarceration and avoid recidivism.

The Effects Of Trauma From Multiple Placements Of Foster Youth, Savannah Perez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Over the course of several decades, the foster youth population continues to grow due to various forms of abuse that have occurred in the biological home. Many foster children experience multiple placements which ultimately cause a significant amount of trauma due to placement instability. The study examined trauma of instability among foster youth and discussed interventions that could be implemented when working with resource families and foster youth within the field of social work.

A post-positivism paradigm was used to focus on understanding the trauma of placement instability. A total of six face-to-face interviews of master’s level social workers were …

After The Attack: Police Perspectives On Promoting Resiliency Following The 2015 San Bernardino Attack, Hannah Patricia Capps

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide an exploration of the experiences and perceptions of law enforcement officers who responded to the December 2^nd, 2015 San Bernardino Attacks, specifically addressing what interventions and factors they found helpful in promoting their well-being following the attack. To do this, eight semi-structured interviews were held with officers who either were involved in the scene at the Inland Regional Center or were involved in the shoot-out with the attackers later that day. From these interviews several themes emerged, including: the importance of social support, critique of department responses, unique characteristics of …

A Population-Based Study On The Correlates Of Trauma And Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behaviors Among Adolescents Aging Out Of Foster Care., Jennifer Artis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children in foster care are confirmed victims of maltreatment who may suffer from chronic trauma. These adverse childhood experiences will often increase the risk of physical and psychological adversities such as self-harm (SH), substance abuse, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), heart disease, depression, etc. Based on previous and current research studies, youth in foster care are less likely to receive adequate treatment for their self-harm behaviors and mental health needs. Failing to provide proper treatment could lead to harmful activities such as deliberate self-harm and potential suicide. This population-based study focuses on the prevalence of SH among youth in foster …

“Navigating The Impact Of Trauma In The Classroom: An Analysis Of The Trauma-Informed Care In Three Alternative Public Schools”, Hanna Mcwilliams

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Trauma-informed care is a growing strengths-based model in the world of social and human services that focuses on understanding past trauma to create sustainability and build a strong relationship between the client and service provider. Though it is used in various types of agencies, this thesis focuses on the implementation of the trauma-informed care model within three alternative public schools in three cities. The trauma-informed care model is used specifically in public school systems’ alternative schools to influence success for children who have experienced behavioral issues within traditional school settings in light of the consideration that these issues may have …

The Implications Of Ace Science: A Call To Respond, Valerie Norcross

The Diana McDonald Writer's Challenge

In “The Implications of ACE Science: A Call to Respond,” Valerie Norcross employs a professional format for writing in the field of psychology. Her essay cites studies linking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with higher mortality rates due to a range of causes. Norcross explains some of the scientific theories for why childhood traumas contribute to shorter life expectancies. She describes efforts to screen children for ACEs and interventions for diminishing the long-term detrimental health effects of ACEs.

The Role Of Adverse Childhood Experiences In Relation To Opioids, Kay Hanson, Kimberlee Lamoth, Amelia Smith

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The aim of this study is to address the current gap in research regarding the relationship between childhood trauma and the misuse of opioids among women ages eighteen to thirty-five. Research participants were recruited at community service agencies throughout the Portland area and completed questionnaires measuring Adverse Childhood Experiences, substance use, and use of community supports. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess whether a correlation exists between childhood trauma and opioid use and whether community supports moderate this relationship. Findings of this study have the potential to confirm the existence of a correlation between childhood trauma and opioid misuse that …

A Potential Loss Of Childhood: Trauma, Its Effects, & The Elements Of Healing, Kayla J. Reis

Selected Honors Theses

Trauma is likely to be experienced by many children in many different ways. Through an exploration of the current literature, this thesis, unearths a detailed look into four different trauma types: unaccompanied migrant youth, manmade disaster, natural disaster, and the domestic child welfare system. Regardless of how the child experienced trauma there were similarities amongst consequences and symptomology of the trauma. Many of the effects of trauma being evident through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, poor educational achievement, and poor relationship skills. Six current and well-established interventions were analyzed for their efficacy amongst the four trauma …

Unveiling The Mask:Sexual Trauma's Impact On Academic Achievement, Behavior, And Self-Identity, Teshaunda Hannor-Walker, Sarah Kitchens, Lacey Ricks

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

Sexual trauma is an unfortunate but a common and often masked experience for many students in America. While sexual trauma in itself is not a mental health disorder, it can become a risk factor for many academic and mental health problems. Trauma-informed schools can play an important role in helping students deal with the aftercare of a traumatic experience.

School Social Workers: Important Assets In Rural Areas, Dana C. Branson

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

As the American educational system continues to evolve and take on more social service responsibilities for students, their families, and the community, the need for school social workers has intensified. However, the demand considerably exceeds developed positions for school social workers. The increase in awareness of childhood trauma, toxic stress, poverty, and potential to spill over into the classroom places schools in a position where they need to be responsive to students’ multi-faceted needs. This conceptual article will discuss the overwhelming need for school social workers, barriers to obtaining school social workers, and the benefits school social workers can bring.

Lived Experiences Of Homeless Adults With Companion Animals In Utilizing Community Services, Sandra Harp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over 71% of American homeless individuals are adults over 25 years of age, and the numbers are increasing. Approximately 25% of homeless individuals own a companion animal (CA). Because most service providers do not allow CAs within their facilities, the current $60.2 billion dollar national budget for homeless resources may be underutilized or forfeited altogether by homeless adults with a CA. The purpose of this study was to explore community service utilization by homeless adults with a CA through the lens of attachment theory. The research question addressed the lived experiences and perceptions of homeless adults who own CAs regarding …

Military Wife Participation In The Family Readiness Group During The Deployment Cycle, Donetta Doris Quinones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A comparative review of statistical summary results of the Survey of Army Families demonstrated that there is a gap in the research on the emotional experiences of civilian military wives who do not participate in the Family Readiness Group (FRG). The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to supplement the limited amount of scholarly research on the emotional experiences of civilian military wives and their lack of participation in the FRG during the deployment cycle. The theoretical framework of this study explored the military family syndrome through application of the double ABCX model in examining this phenomenon. The foundational …

Trauma Social Workers' Perspectives On The Response Of Rural Social Work Agencies To Vicarious Trauma, Tiffany Ann Hardman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers are susceptible to the potential negative impacts of vicarious trauma. Perspectives of trauma social workers on the responsiveness of rural social work agencies to vicarious trauma have not been explored even though the trauma-informed care model has been available since 2006 and outlines best practice in all settings of trauma social work. Considering the risk factors and negative effects vicarious trauma has on social workers, an increased understanding of the perspectives of social workers on how rural social work agencies are responding to vicarious trauma was needed. The purpose of this study was to explore this response through …