Social Work Commons^™

Understanding The Practitioner’S Role In The Therapeutic Setting: Working With Youth That Identify As Black Or African American And Lgbt, Katie L. Ubl

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This systematic review aimed to find responses for practitioners to better engage in the therapeutic setting with multiple minority youth that identify as LGBT Black or African American. These multiple minority populations are at high risk for mental health. A systematic review analyzed data using grounded theory. Twelve articles categorized data within the ecological framework: micro, mezzo, and macro levels. For practitioners to better engage with LGBT Black or African American youth in the therapeutic setting, responses were found in all three levels of the ecological framework. Dominant responses for social work practitioners to better engage in the therapeutic setting …

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 …

Strategies And Outcomes In Working With Adolescents Diagnosed With Conduct Disorder, Elisabeth A. Boegeman

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Conduct disorder is defined by the American Psychiatric Association (2013) as: A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age appropriate societal norms or rules are violated, as manifested by the presence of at least three of fifteen criteria, in the past twelve months, with at least one criterion present in the past six months. Conduct disorder is generally considered to be a serious, chronic childhood disorder that is often the primary precursor to an adult presenting with chronic antisocial behavior. According to Lahey, Loeber, Hart, Frick, & al, et (1995), it …

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 …

Adolescent Yoga: Goals And Settings In Therapeutic Practice, Alison Roberts

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Mindfulness practices, such as yoga, involve being fully present in the moment and practicing a non-judgmental acceptance of experiences. Among the last 10 years there has been an increased popularity of mind-body practices, but there is limited information examining how yoga is practiced by adolescents in therapeutic settings. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to answer how certified professionals use mind-body techniques, such as yoga and mindfulness, with adolescents and the intended goals. Synthesis of qualified articles revealed six common themes involving improved academic performance, stress, mood, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence and resilience. It is recommended to seek …

Diagnosis Of Borderline Personality Disorder In Adolescence: Issues And Practice, Rebecca Denaway

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to discover what drives the diagnostic practices of clinicians working with adolescents with a possible Borderline Personality Disorder. The DSMV allows this diagnosis in adolescents but it is rarely utilized by practitioners for this age group. A qualitative research method was used for the project, in which, participants were interviewed inperson to collect data. There were nine total participants in the Twin Cities metro area, who were all qualified to render mental health diagnoses and worked with adolescents. The interviews focused on the participant's personal practices and experiences with regard to diagnosis of BPD …

Family Based Treatment For Adolescents With Eating Disorders: A Clinician’S Perspective, Madeline Asp

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore the nuances of Family-Based Treatment (FBT) in a clinical setting, as well as the areas of growth and development within the use and implementation of this treatment modality as it relates to adolescents with eating disorders. Qualitative interviews were conducted with four mental health clinicians who primarily use FBT in their work with adolescents with eating disorders. Through the use of grounded theory methodology, each interview was audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded over the course of a month to produce four main themes. The most common themes within the interview transcripts included: 1) …

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy With Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review, Melissa M. Conway

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This systematic review examines the efficacy of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) as an intervention in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents. Upon thorough review of the present literature, 7 articles met criteria. Common themes identified throughout the reviewed studies include TF-CBT versus other interventions, use of an engagement intervention, outcome influences, reduction in PTSD symptoms, and integrating TF-CBT into practice. Results of this review conclude TF-CBT is an effective treatment intervention for reducing PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents, yet further research needs to be done to be able to properly integrate the program …

How Is Social Networking Sites Effecting Teen’S Social And Emotional Development: A Systemic Review, Jenna Palermo Christofferson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Teenagers are today’s most profuse users of social networking sites (SNS). Contemporary youth are growing up in a cultural setting in which many aspects of their lives will be mediated by social media and many of their experiences and opportunities will be shaped by their engagement with SNS. Subsequently, questions and controversies emerge about the effects SNS have on adolescent development due to how embedded their lives are in social media. A systematic review of fifteen articles was used in gathering information on the effects of SNS on adolescents’ social and emotional development. The studies gathered concluded that there are …

Grieving Students: School Social Workers’ Perspectives, Kaitlin Salscheider

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Children and adolescents often experience a wide variety of loss and disruptive change throughout their lives. School is where children and adolescents are expected to perform at their best intellectual, emotional, social, and behavioral capacity; however, the reaction after a loss can impact a student’s academic performance and include regressive behavior. Schools are a fundamental place for the development of children, and school social workers in particular work with students who have experienced a wide variety of stressful incidents and are critical in improving the social-emotional well-being in students. The purpose of this study was to explore school social workers’ …

Playing To Find Out: Adapting Story Games For Group Therapy With Teens, Adam Mcconnaughey

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Millions of adolescents in the United States face childhood trauma and its sequelae, and group therapy is a common treatment. The purpose of this project was to examine the field of role-playing game design with an eye toward developing future group therapy methods for adolescents with trauma histories. Using a qualitative textual analysis research design that was a mix of grounded theory and content analysis, two contemporary role-playing game texts, Apocalypse World and Monsterhearts, were analyzed. The text was coded, and themes were generated to organize the findings. Findings indicated that RPGs and group therapy share a great deal …

Effectiveness Of Mbsr And Mbct In Reducing Clinical Symptoms In Adolescents, Amber Statz

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Like adults, many adolescents live with mental health diagnoses and struggle to manage their symptoms. If adolescents do not find effective strategies to manage their symptoms, they may have a profound effect on their quality of life. While mindfulness has been practiced around the globe for thousands of years, it is an emerging method of practice in the mental health field. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was developed as a treatment for adults. Mindfulness base cogitative therapy (MBCT) is an intervention adapted from MBSR. The purpose of this systemic review is to explore the effectiveness of MBSR and MBCT in reducing …

Visual Media And Asd: Impact On Social Interactions Of Adolescents, Audra J. Hanly

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

There’s a wealth of research that provides evidence of an association between visual media and behavior problems among typically developing children. However, no research was located that examines the association between these variables in adolescents with ASDs. This current study begins to fill this gap in literature while examining possible positive effects of visual media on social behavior through the following research question: What effect does visual media have on the social interactions of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders? The design of the present study was a cross-sectional, quantitative study in which twenty participants completed an online questionnaire.

The present …

Clinician’S Perspectives On Physical Holds: The Impact On Adolescents With Abuse History, Keeli N. Wagner

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Recently, the use of physical holds or physical restraints on adolescents in residential and psychiatric treatment facilities has become a rising controversy among the professionals working in these settings. The literature discusses the debate more in detail, touching on the potential psychological risks associated with these holds and whether or not this outweighs the need to perform these holds to ensure safety for these adolescents. This research was designed to study this controversy in more detail, specifically examining the effects of physical holds on adolescents with a history of abuse through the experiences and perceptions of the clinicians who have …

Adjustment Differences In Teenage Children: Foster Care Versus Group Homes, Torrie Katya Ward

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The number of adolescents who are in the social welfare system is growing yearly due to a variety of family circumstances such as inadequate care for the adolescents, physical or mental abuse, and drug use or charges of some type. The purpose of this study was to explore the adjustment differences with adolescents who have been placed in foster care versus group homes. Using the qualitative design, six social work volunteers were interviewed regarding their general knowledge about the struggles of teenagers in foster care or group homes. Data were analyzed using both inductive and deductive approaches in which categories …

Adolescent Help-Seeking: The Promise Of Text Counseling, Danielle L. Kuka

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This qualitative study addresses the need for additional approaches to reaching youth who are struggling with mental health issues. The paper describes common barriers to serving a youth population, especially in a time of crisis. It explores the use of text counseling as a therapeutic response to youth in crisis or distress. It discusses the use of empowerment theory when developing and implementing services for a youth population. The study concludes with a description and discussion of the common themes identified through an inductive secondary data analysis of 14 text counseling sessions. The findings from this study were consistent with …

Exploring Factors Of Non-Compliance For Adolescents With Celiac Disease, Alicia A. Darling

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Individuals with celiac disease face many challenges when navigating the world around them. Adolescents with celiac disease must face the challenge of standing out in a world that is heavily influenced by peers and the pressure to fit in. The purpose of this project was to explore factors of non-compliance for adolescents with celiac disease. Using a qualitative design, two adolescent female volunteers participated in a focus group regarding factors in their lives that led them to not comply with the gluten-free diet. Data were analyzed and the focus group responses were then linked to previous related literature. The findings …

Gender Differences In Treating Adolescents With Eating Disorders, Cameron Green

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Previous research indicates that female and male adolescents have many differences and similarities in contributing factors to and treatment of eating disorders. The goal of this study was to further explore treatment differences between male and female adolescents with eating disorders. Other objectives in this study explored the contributing factors to eating disorders, treatment success rates among respondents, and treatment modalities used by respondents. The present study explored the following research question: What are the similarities and differences between genders in treating adolescents with eating disorders? This is an exploratory design with a quantitative research design. The findings of this …

The Impact Of Parenting Styles On The Emotional Regulation Of Adolescents, Amber L. Pearson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Teenagers under the influence of strong emotions, without the tools to regulate them, can be identified as dangerous. Throughout the past decade many cases of poor emotional regulation in adolescents have been documented, including school shootings, murders, and suicides. The literature discussed the impact attachment and parenting styles have on the development of adolescents and the positive outcomes individual work with parents, in therapy, has had for family systems. This research aims to further the knowledge of the impact parenting styles have on the development of emotional regulation in adolescents and to describe effective means of helping adolescents develop the …

Gender Differences In Treating Adolescents With Eating Disorders, Cameron Green

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Previous research indicates that female and male adolescents have many differences and similarities in contributing factors to and treatment of eating disorders. The goal of this study was to further explore treatment differences between male and female adolescents with eating disorders. Other objectives in this study explored the contributing factors to eating disorders, treatment success rates among respondents, and treatment modalities used by respondents. The present study explored the following research question: What are the similarities and differences between genders in treating adolescents with eating disorders? This is an exploratory design with a quantitative research design. The findings of this …