Social Work Commons^™

Family Experiences Of Ambiguous Loss In Response To Serious Childhood Illness: Parental Perspectives, Erin Hillegas

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The diagnosis and treatment of a serious childhood illness impacts the entire family system and causes a wide range of changes and losses. This research explored the experience of eight families faced with the extended hospitalization of a child and investigated how their experiences could be understood from an ambiguous loss framework. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight mothers to explore their perception of the changes within the family unit during extended hospitalization. Results indicated families do experience ambiguous loss during extended hospitalization, particularly family boundary ambiguity and the loss of a normative family experience. Participants indicated these losses were …

Stress And Loss Experiences Of Families Of Survivors Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Tracy J. Ketzeback

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this research study was to explore how traumatic brain injuries affected families in which there was a survivor. It was the researcher’s desire to learn what stress and loss looked like in families with a traumatic brain injury survivor. Data was gathered in a qualitative study in which nine individual family members of survivors of traumatic brain injury were interviewed. The family members were asked 13 questions in a semi-structured interview style.The qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Emerging findings indicated that stress and loss is very different for each family. Another emerging finding was financial …

Social Work Practitioners And The Identification Of Human Trafficking Victims, Kirsten Christenson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Human trafficking is a growing problem in theUnited States, specifically inMinnesota. Victims of human trafficking are difficult to locate and identify. The purpose of this study was to gather information about the knowledge level of social work practitioners when faced with the identification of human trafficking victims in a hospital setting. Using a convenience sample, 16 hospital social work practitioners were surveyed regarding their knowledge of human trafficking and trafficking victim identification. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive analysis, frequency counts, and content analysis. This data was then compared to previous related literature. The findings indicated that although the …

Interventions For Multicultural Children With Autism, Stephanie Kitzhaber

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This qualitative study examined the interventions that are helpful when working with multicultural children who have autism and their families. Data was collected through five semi-structured interviews (n=5) with professionals who work with children who have autism, which included a variety of psychotherapists, social workers, mental health practitioners, and counselors. Grounded theory methods and open coding were used to analyze codes in the data to record common themes from the interviews. Themes found from this study were separated into five categories: language, importance of play, family education, gender roles, and stigma. Findings from this study were consistent with some of …

Evaluating The Effectiveness And Utilization Of School-Based Mental Health Programs, Holly Kline

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The need for school-based mental health services has increased in the past decade, but little is known about the effectiveness and utilization of school-based mental health services. This research will focus on the reported effectiveness and utilization of school-based mental health services in Minnesota. This research focuses on surveying a total of 150 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools in Minnesota. The survey consisted of quantitative and qualitative questions, as developed by the researcher. The targeted respondents were school social workers school psychologists. Integration of education and mental health services in schools continues to grow rapidly. This research also …

Burnout Among Mental Health Workers In A Nonprofit Organizational Setting, Danielle Fox

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this research is to examination the burnout tendencies of mental health social workers in an organizational setting. Specifically, looking at: What are the tendencies of burnout in mental health social workers in a nonprofit organizational setting and what are their interpretations of burnout? This research provides further insight into the actual numbers of mental health social workers experiencing burnout in a local organizational setting, and provides information around what these social workers identify as burnout and what they believe are the main causes.

Social workers in mental health and other professions are experiencing burnout at an alarming …

Motivation And Retention Strategies For Reaching Volunteers Across Generations, Stephanie Mccabe

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

While volunteer recruiters seek to better understand motivation and retention strategies throughout nonprofit settings, business literature provides an understanding of generationally significant motivation strategies. Along with traditional motivational theorists, this study focused on what methods best motivate and retain volunteers across an intergenerational perspective in nonprofit settings. By conducting interviews and using sensitizing concepts from business and traditional motivational theories, this research examined how best to motivate and retain volunteers from the Y, X, Boomer, and Senior generations. Study findings suggest the importance of attunement to generational motivation factors for initial recruitment and the importance of traditional motivational theories for …

Graduate Social Workers’ Perceived Level Of Competency In Working With Couples, Melanie Cicmil

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This research study explores graduate social workers’ self-perceived competence in couples work. While literature on this topic is sparse, previous studies have indicated that graduate social work programs lack adequate incorporation of couples work material into their curricula. As a result, social work students are graduating with little confidence in their ability to be couples therapists. The current study consisted of an online survey, which was emailed to licensed graduate social workers in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Information collected by the survey included demographic characteristics of respondents and their graduate school experiences, such as coursework and internship(s). Results …

The Effects Of Mindfulness Meditation On Mental Health, Geraldine Fedorowicz

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Current research supports the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in clinical social work, yet more rigorous research is needed to determine what makes it effective, and through which mechanisms. This study looked at the relationship between meditation experience and self-reported trait mindfulness and emotion regulation, two proposed mechanisms of change in mindfulness, and perceived levels of well-being. Data was collected using a quantitative survey involving 29 adults who currently have a mindfulness meditation practice. People who meditated more frequently each week scored significantly higher on measures of trait mindfulness. In addition, higher levels of trait mindfulness were correlated with less difficulty …

Substance Abuse Education In Master's Of Social Work Programs: A Content Analysis, Alex Johnson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Prior research suggests that inadequate substance abuse education in social work programs contributes to misdiagnosis, bias, and produces students who are unprepared to work with substance abuse. This study assessed for the presence of substance abuse education in Minnesota MSW programs’ core curriculum. Using 19 educational objectives based on Minnesota statute for Alcohol and Drug Counseling licensure, this study sought to determine if current graduates are adequately prepared to work with substance abusing and dependent people and their families. Five of six MSW programs were assessed. This study found that only 4 of 19 objectives were met by all schools, …

Sibling Relationships Of Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disability, Cecile Kudela

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This is a small, qualitative study about the lived experiences of adult siblings of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Previous research has focused primarily on the caregiving experiences of parents with adult children with I/DD. However, as people are living longer, healthier lives, it is increasingly becoming the role of adult siblings to support their brother or sister with I/DD. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of siblings of adults with I/DD regarding decision-making around quality of life and end-of-life. The goals of this study were to 1) contribute to the literature on …

An Analysis Of Violence In Teen Dating Relationships, Jennifer Uttech

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

In an effort to better understand and prevent teen dating violence, this study examined the risk factors associated with teen dating violence as well as methods of intervention/prevention. Eight mental health practitioners who work with adolescents who are involved in teen dating violence or who work with teen dating violence prevention programs were interviewed regarding their experiences with these adolescents. Six themes were found from these interviews: (a) the prevalence of teen dating violence, (b) the negative effects of teen dating violence, (c) the risk factors of teen dating violence, (d) reasons victims stay in abusive relationships, (e) support systems …

Perspectives Of Having Celiac Disease And Eating Disorders, Heather Vargo

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The issue of eating disorders among individuals with celiac disease is a growing concern; yet, it receives little clinical research attention. The purpose of this project is to explore perspectives of individuals who have celiac disease and eating disorders. The research sought to learn more about the development of eating disorders and celiac disease for individuals, how individuals perceive the interaction between the two disorders, and what individuals think would be beneficial in treating these comorbid diseases? Using a qualitative design, nine individuals agreed to be interviewed about their experience of having celiac disease and an eating disorder. Data was …

Adapting Dialectical Behavior Therapy For Clients With Developmental Disabilities And Borderline Personality Disorder, Maija Seavey

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore the research question: how should clinicians adapt and provide therapeutic interventions within the framework of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) while engaging in clinical practice with individuals diagnosed with both Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and a Developmental Disability (DD)? Using a qualitative design, seven participants from a Minnesota Department of Human Services

Certified DBT Provider agency were interviewed. A semi-structured interview of twelve formal questions was used based on the literature review to further explore 1) occurrences of clinicians having clients with the identified co-morbid diagnoses, 2)barriers to treatment of this population, 3) …

Thyroid Autoimmunity: Lived Experiences Of Identity And Community Through Word And Image, Ivy C. Wagner

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Internal and external environments influence holistic well-being as humans live in a constant cycle of self and other regulation. When this process is misguided and the body does not distinguish between what is self and what is not self, it begins to destroy its own bodies' healthy tissue. Autoimmune diseases affect 5-10% of the developed world's populations. When the 80+ autoimmune diseases are combined together, they are the one of the 10 leading causes of death of women under the age of 65. There is no known cure for any autoimmune disease and few studies have been conducted on the …

“I Became Proud Of Being Gay And Proud Of Being Christian”: Faith Experiences Of Queer Christian Women, Rachel Murr

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Involvement in religious communities is associated with many physical, social, mental and emotional benefits. Religious people report better health, more energy, and better relationships (Deaton, 2009). Religious people were also more likely to report that they are treated with respect. Religious involvement has also been found to lessen the impact of negative experiences such as poverty, depression, physical illness and even trauma (Bradshaw and Ellison, 2010; Farley, 2007; Jeongim Heo & Koeske, 2010). Frequently lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) people of faith are denied these benefits of religious involvement.

This study will focus on the experiences of lesbian …

Licsw's Perspectives On The Causes Of Community Violence, Krista Churness

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This research will examine clinical social workers (LICSWs) perspectives on the causes of community violence. It is important that clinical social workers have an understanding of the interplay of causes that converge to make a community prone to violence. LICSWs are trained to have an understanding of the ecological perspective and when looking at community violence from this perspective, they can then work towards holistic solutions in their labor with individuals, families, and communities. There are micro, macro, and mezzo causes of violence in communities, therefore, ideally, clinical social workers should work to address the causes at each level.

Hypnosis In Clinical Social Work Practice: What Contributes To Its Under-Utilization?, Amanda Olson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Within the social work profession the clinical practice of hypnosis has generally been under-utilized and under-researched. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore some of the components related to its lack of use in the profession. Qualitative interviews were conducted with four LICSW respondents who practice clinical hypnosis and three LICSW respondents who do not practice hypnosis. Content analysis was used to evaluate the data from the transcripts. Limited exposure and understanding of hypnosis affected respondents’ opinions regarding the alignment of hypnosis with the social work profession and code of ethics. Concerns surrounding public and provider apprehensions were …

Homeless And Highly Mobile Students: What Is The Situation 25 Years After Mckinney-Vento Legislation?, Megan Betters

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which was passed in the late 1980’s, set provisions to help remove the barriers to receiving an education for the more than 1.35 million children living in homelessness today. In the 25 years that have passed since the enactment of this legislation McKinney-Vento continues to define the educational rights afforded to homeless and highly mobile students. The purpose of this research paper was to determine if this legislation continues to meet the needs of homeless and highly mobile students. In this qualitative study, four district liaisons to homeless and highly mobile students were interviewed. The …

Attitudes Toward Religion And Spirituality In Social Work Practice, David M. Allick

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

What are the attitudes that social workers have toward religion and spirituality and how does it affect their practice? What affect does religion and spirituality have on clients in therapy and how big of an impact is it making in their lives? How much education are social workers receiving in their undergraduate and graduate curriculum? These questions and a few others are all addressed in this research. In this qualitative study the researcher interviewed seven Licensed Independent Clinical social workers (LICSWs) with at least seven years of experience, serving in diverse areas of social work. Social workers attitudes toward religion …

Motivations To Volunteer: Factors That Promote Longevity, Daniel Bubna

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Qualitative data was obtained to better understand the motivations and experiences of volunteer counselors. The procedural method of this study utilized exploratory interviews of six volunteer counselors. The participants are non-professionals who are actively engaged in individual counseling of members of the community who don’t have insurance. Participants reflected on their motivations, experiences, and level of satisfaction with their service as a volunteer counselor. Results indicated high levels of satisfaction due to intrinsic motivations of the individual participants as well as organizational competencies in regards to training and supervision. The study highlights both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can contribute …

The Importance Of Cultural Competency In Alzheimer’S Disease Care Giving, Jacquelyn M. Lotter

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

While the importance of cultural sensitivity has been actively researched in healthcare settings, there is little research about the importance of culture as it relates to people with Alzheimer’s disease. As the most common cause of dementia, there are currently over 5 million Americans over the age of 65 who are believed to have AD and is it expected to increase to over 15 million by 2050. Previous social work research has revealed two major themes in the study of caregiving and Alzheimer’s disease: 1) importance of a familiar environment and 2) management of aggressive responses, both of which factors …

What Factors Contribute To The Identity Development Of International Adoptees?, Natalie Sinkler

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

International adoptees face a unique challenge in their ethnic identity development because they are raised in a different culture than they were born, usually by parents of a different race. Understanding what helps develop an adoptees ethnic identity helps adoption professionals and adoptive parents facilitate a positive identity development among adoptees. The study consisted of four qualitative interviews with adult international adoptees regarding the factors that contributed to their ethnic identity development. Using a developmental framework and grounded theory the interview were analyzed and coded for themes. Participants shared a common development over time starting at a pride of their …

Recovery Mentorship Programs And Recovery From Addiction, Carmen Berzinski

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

New roles in service grow from an unmet need. In the current world of addiction treatment and addiction recovery, a new role is emerging to bridge the gap between professional treatment and sustainable recovery within a client’s natural environment. This role has been identified as many different titles: recovery coach, recovery mentor, peer recovery, and specialist. Peer-to-peer recovery support services are designed and delivered by peers in recovery. A review of the literature has found that recent growth in peer-based recovery support services as an addition and alternative to addiction treatment has created some uncertainty about the separation of responsibilities …

Support Groups With Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, And Transgender Youth In Schools, Marisa Biolo

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) youth are in need of school support groups given their higher risk for mental health issues, sexual risk taking behaviors, eating disorders, substance use, victimization, and more. The current study examined the use of school support groups with GLBT youth. The researcher gathered qualitative data about GLBT school support groups from the Twin Cities metro in the state of Minnesota.

Data were collected from four school social workers and one teacher, who all have experience facilitating GLBT support groups. The major themes that emerged from this study were risk factors, group effectiveness, sense of …

Youth Workers' Perceptions Of Their Career Choice And Helping Ability In Relationship With Their Own Lived Experiences, Kristina Bonello

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This research endeavor examined youth workers’ perspectives of their own helping ability in relationship to their lived experience. The intent of the project was to determine what extent youth workers’ lived experiences, especially experiences in their families of origin, impacted their career choice, helping ability, and ability to maintain boundaries with the youth they served. Limited research exists regarding the field of youth work. Youth workers of interest in this study work primarily with vulnerable populations of youth in crisis between the ages of ten to twenty-three. Qualitative semistandardized interviews were conducted in an exploratory study of 10 voluntary participants …

Practitioners' Perpectives On The Impact Of Migratory Separation On Attachment Among Southeast Asian Clients: An Exploratory Study, Diem T. Cao

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Evidenced by the multitude of literature across disciplines, attachment theory has ignited one of today’s most prolific lines of research. Attachment Theory’s core themes of security, separation, and loss apply well into the common experience of immigrants and refugees who have dealt with these issues in their immigration experience. Consistently, studies have shown that separation and traumas before, during, and after the migration journey have been identified as potential predictors for serious psychological distress and mental health problems among immigrants and refugees. Given the profound implications from recent studies, there exists limited research on how migratory separation affects attachment. Thus, …

Best Practices Of Hospice Social Workers Who Work With Families Experiencing Grief And Loss, Bethany Butzow

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This qualitative study examined the best practices of hospice social workers who work with patients and families during their hospice journey. Data was collected through semi-structured standardized interviews with hospice social workers currently working in the area. Open coding methods were used to inductively analyze codes in the data and to find common themes from the interviews. Themes that emerged from this study were separated into three categories: family roles and functioning, collaboration among the interdisciplinary team, and the hospice social worker role. Additionally, sub themes that correlated with these three major findings were discussed. The majority of the findings …

Nursing Home Social Worker Preparedness For Serving Bgl&T Residents, Rachel Bialostosky

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Current census data indicates that there are over 38 million Americans over the age of 65 at this time. (U.S. Census, 2010). It is estimated that as many as 3.8 million older adults in the United States identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian, or transgender. Though there is a growing body of literature on the needs and concerns of BGL&T older adults with regards to accessing health care services as they age, there is very little literature on how prepared providers feel to provide culturally competent care to BGL&T people. In an attempt to address this gap, this researcher conducted a …

The Effect Of Interpersonal Dynamics On Quality Of Supervision From A Correctional Client's Perspective, Anne Cartman

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study assessed the perception of interpersonal relationships between staff member and clients at a halfway house facility from the client’s perspective. The relationship quality was divided into three major constructs: Trust, Caring-Fairness and Toughness. Eighty surveys were sent out to five halfway houses in northwestern Wisconsin with 47 of them being returned. The literature reviewed examined the evolution and philosophy of halfway houses, the principles of effective correctional treatment and therapeutic alliances and dual role relationships. The findings indicated that respondents valued the relationship quality with halfway house staff although did not report this as a main factor in …