Social Work Commons^™

Structured Savings And Asset Ownership: The Role Of Rotating Savings And Credit Associations Among African Immigrants In The United States., Habiba Ibrahim

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) are commonly practiced in developing countries across the globe. The practice is also common among immigrants in developed economies. This study uses survey data collected from African immigrants in the United States to examine whether saving in ROSCAs is associated with asset ownership among the participants. The results found that after receiving the ROSCAs savings, asset ownership among participants increased. Home ownership increased by 13.6%, small businesses increased by 27.2% (including taxi and commercial trucks) and car ownership increased by almost 20%. In conclusion, ROSCA participation increased asset ownership.

Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare Vol. 47, No. 2

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Complete issue of Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare Volume 47, Number 2

Parental Practices And Maternal Warmth As Protective Factors For Problem Behaviors In Mexican Preadolescents, Jaime Fuentes-Balderrama, Cinthia Cruz Del Castillo, Jose Ruben Parra-Cardona, Bernardo Turnbull Plaza, Angélica Ojeda García, Rolando Díaz-Loving

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Epidemiological estimates indicate that approximately 12% of children and adolescents in Mexico are in clinical ranges for psychological disorders. Low-income families in need of psychological support generally encounter understaffed and sometimes inefficient public health services and thus, families frequently constitute the primary source of support for individuals affected by mental health disorders. Empirical studies in the Mexican context have demonstrated that positive parental practices are associated with positive developmental outcomes and low levels of problem behaviors for both children and adolescents. This study aims to identify if such practices act as protective factors for problem behaviors in 306 Mexican students …

Psychometric Properties Of The Job Burnout Scale Among Social Service Workers: A Pilot Study, Madhavappallil Thomas, Yong Li

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Job Burnout Scale among Social Service Workers (JBSSW). The JBSSW was administered among 248 social service workers employed in governmental and nonprofit social service agencies. Findings show that that this scale has three independent dimensions: person-related burnout, work-related burnout, and agency-related burnout. All three dimensions have good reliability and construct validity. Work-related burnout and agencyrelated burnout also have good concurrent validity. This scale may be used by social service agencies, researchers, and practitioners to gauge staff burnout and alleviate it by changing the interactions between individuals, the nature of their work, and …

Children And The Welfare State: The Need For A Child-Centered Analysis, Colleen Henry

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Variation in child well-being across rich Western nations suggests that the welfare state may play a role in shaping child well-being. However, welfare scholars have largely overlooked children in their analyses. This paper seeks to bring children to the center of welfare state analysis by examining how comparative welfare state theory can consider child well-being. The paper begins with an examination of Esping- Andersen’s seminal work, The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism, which has come to frame welfare state analysis for nearly three decades. Next, the paper explores the main critiques of Esping-Andersen’s work, with special attention paid to the …

Review Of Social Movements: The Structure Of Collective Mobilization By Paul Almeida, Melanie Reyes

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of Social Movements: The Structure of Collective Mobilization by Paul Almeida, University of California Press (2019).

Deconstructing The Racialized Cannabis User: Cannabis Criminalization And Intersections With The Social Work Profession, Amar Ghelani

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Cannabis users have been historically stigmatized and criminalized for non-violent behaviors such as consuming, producing, and distributing cannabis. Racialized cannabis users in particular have been constructed as fundamentally different, dangerous, and mentally unstable, while state actors have benefited from the subjugation of this group. The following article reviews the history of cannabis prohibition with an emphasis on the social construction of racialized cannabis users and role of social workers in the treatment of this group. As laws liberalizing cannabis use and trade are passed across North America, an emergent legal framework is maintaining racial divides and marginalizing non- White cannabis …

A Framework For Analyzing, Developing, And Applying Community Practice Interventions, Jason M. Sawyer, Shane R. Brady

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Due to multiple factors, the community practice field struggles with incongruent community practice language and activities. In this article, authors unpack various challenges associated with community practice and explore implications for analysis, development, and application of effective interventions. Grounded in applied social science paradigms, authors offer a framework incorporating multi-paradigmatic approaches to inform intervention development and application. Principally centered in praxis—that is, reflection and action—this article builds on the work of foundational scholars to cultivate contextual interventions in planned change work. The authors aim to further develop the community practice knowledge base, expand what constitutes relevant evidence, and aid practitioners …

Does Internet Access Create Or Destroy Social Capital? The Case Of West Java Province, Bayu Kharisma, Sutyastie Soemitro Remi

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Bonding social capital is within a group or community, whereas bridging social capital is between social groups, social class, race, religion, or other important sociodemographic or socioeconomic characteristics. This paper aims to investigate the determinants of household involvement and the effect of internet access on bridging and bonding social capital in West Java, Indonesia. The data used in this study were sourced from the results of a survey conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) of West Java Province in 2014, The National Socio-Economic Survey (Survei Sosial Ekonomi Nasional) on Socio-Cultural and Educational Module (Modul Sosial Budaya dan Pendidikan) …

Beyond The Neighborhood: Defining Membership In Diverse Community Contexts, Brad Forenza, Brian Dashew, Diana Cedeño, David T. Lardier

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The purpose of this research is to form an overarching definition of community membership that encompasses all community contexts. Utilizing qualitative interviews with 102 members of five known community contexts (communities of action, circumstance, interest, place, and practice), the authors use cross-case analysis to explore common, transcendent themes of membership. Three takeaways emerge: first, that individuals identify with communities to address personal needs but come to see social benefits; second, that individuals join communities to deepen existing relationships, but develop new ones; and third, that through engagement, individuals strengthen a sense of self that is unique to community context. Through …

Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare Vol. 47, Issue 4

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

No abstract provided.

Political Climate, Discrimination, And Mental Health: Understanding Latino Youth Experience During The 2016 Presidential Election, Jaime Booth, Christina Huerta

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In the last presidential election, Latino populations were the target of prejudicial language and discriminatory rhetoric. Experiences of discrimination may impact adolescent mental health, but little is known about the impact of the election cycle on Latino youth perceptions of discrimination and related emotional outcomes. The aim of this study was to understand Latino youths’ experiences, emotional reactions, and coping responses to discrimination surrounding the 2016 Presidential election. To do this, this study employed a qualitative approach that engaged 30 Latino youth ages 8 to 16 years old from Latino-serving social services agencies in the creation of art based on …

Review Of Shocks, States, And Sustainability: The Origins Of Radical Environmental Reforms By Thomas K. Rudel, Wolfe Padawer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Review of Shocks, States, and Sustainability: The Origins of Radical Environmental Reforms.

Review Of Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents By Isabel Wilkerson, Edward U. Murphy

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

No abstract provided.

Planning And Presenting A Yearly Informational Conference For Grandfamilies, Susan M. Collins 3512464

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Abstract

This practice brief describes the planning and implementation of a local yearly conference for grandparents raising grandchildren. The conference was first held in 2002, and today is offered by a task force consisting of Area Agency on Aging staff, grandparents, Human Service program staff, representatives of various provider agencies and organizations, and academics from a local university. This practice brief describes funding, venue, logistics of the conference day, topics of most interest over the years, and the challenge of reaching grandfamilies. Also described is how evaluation by grandparents has helped the conference evolve to remain relevant and meaningful for …

A Pilot Study: Baseline Educational Achievements Of Children Raised By Grandparents In A Kinship Care Program, Mary Lou Lacomb-Davis, Phd, Aprn, Cpnp-Pc, Michael Patton, Msw, Jean Pawl, Phd, Rn, Ocn, Cne

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

This pilot study reports the baseline data of a prospective longitudinal study examining the educational achievements of grandchildren being raised by grandparents in parent absent homes. The baseline data includes 117 grandchildren in grades K-12 in two school districts in a southeastern state. School records reporting 2,230 grades were examined for grade point average (GPA) and attendance for K-12 and conduct in grades K-5. The majority of the grandchildren achieved A/B averages. There were no significant differences between gender, pre-care experiences, placement by welfare agencies or paternal involvement across years of schooling. GPAs were lower in the grandchildren who had …

A Working Model For Integrating Two Basic Christian Concepts Into Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Lauren Brya

Honors Theses

Social workers and other clinicians have an opportunity to best meet the needs of children and parents working through trauma by utilizing innovative treatment methods in the therapy process. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based practice with research suggesting effectiveness in reducing PTSD and anxiety symptoms. My working model combines TF-CBT components as outlined in the acronym PRACTICE, and the Christian components of prayer and worship. Comprehensive descriptions of both the TF-CBT components and each Christian component are described for educational purposes. The working model suggests powerful resources to utilize with both adult and child clients in a …

Sexual Healing: How Racialized Black Males Use Sex To Cope With Stress, Loss And Separation, Allen Lipscomb

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

While the behaviors of Black males are widely studied and often pathologized, their internal, subjective experiences are frequently absent from contemporary research. Utilizing a qualitative research methodology, this study explores the lived experiences of Black males, focusing on sexuality as a coping strategy within the context of loss, separation and stress. A non-clinical sample of 33 Black male participants was identified using snowball and purposeful sampling via social media and word-of-mouth. The findings provide considerable insight regarding the needs of Black men navigating the vicissitudes of loss and stress. In addition, the data endorses deconstruction of the Black male masculine …

Are U.S. Congregations Patching The Social Safety Net? Trends From 1998 To 2012, Emily Warren, Melody Waring, Dan Meyer

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

As social services become increasingly privatized amid a federal policy environment that provides a means-tested, temporary social safety net, there is potential for a larger contribution by congregations as social service providers. Using data from a nationally representative sample of religious congregations collected in 1998, 2006, and 2012, we examine whether congregations have increased service activity over time, and whether provision varies by the congregation’s community-level context. We find that post-Great Recession, congregations are more likely to engage in broad social services and in “core” services that address basic economic needs. Congregations in high-poverty neighborhoods were less likely to provide …

Review Of Serving The Stigmatized: Working Within The Incarcerated Environment. Wesley T. Church Ii And David W. Springer, Carolyn Sutherby

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Wesley T. Church II and David W. Springer (Eds.), Serving the Stigmatized: Working Within the Incarcerated Environment. Oxford University Press (2018), 400 pages, $74.00 (hardcover).

Don’T “Just Call The Social Worker”: Training In Structural Competency To Enhance Collaboration Between Healthcare Social Work And Medicine, Margaret Mary Downey, Joshua Neff, Kate Dube

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

In this short paper, we argue that providing in-depth structural competency training to both social workers and physicians has the potential to promote a deeper collaboration between these two fields—to the benefit of patients as well as providers. We describe structural competency’s evolution as a pedagogical and practical framework in medicine and social work, then discuss three overlapping ways in which structural competency can enhance collaboration between physician and social work practitioners and educators. First, training in structural competency can fill gaps in both medical and social work education and training—namely a lack of curricula that consistently attend to the …

Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare Vol. 46 No. 4

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

No abstract provided.

Journal Of Sociology And Social Welfare Vol. 46 No. 3

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

No abstract provided.

Structurally Competent Social Work Research: Considering Research Methods And Approaches That Account For A Recursive Relationship Between Individuals And Structures, Jaime Booth

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Structural competence, recently introduced in the medical literature, has always been present in social work’s approach to addressing social problems. To achieve structural competence, in medicine and in social work, an evidence base for the structural determinants of social problems and interventions is needed. Social work researchers have made some strides in developing an evidence base to inform a structurally competent practice by employing structurally competent research methods in the investigation of social problems. This paper argues that Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory adds to the medical literature’s understanding of structural competence and discusses several research methods and/or approaches that have …

Review Of Social Work And Social Justice: Concepts, Challenges, And Strategies By Michael Reisch And Charles D. Garvin., Jennifer K. Allen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Michael Reisch and Charles D. Garvin, Social Work and Social Justice: Concepts, Challenges, and Strategies. Oxford University Press (2016). 448 pages,

Review Of The Group: Seven Widowed Fathers Reimagine Life. Donald L. Rosentein And Justin M. Yopp, Anao Zhang

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Donald L. Rosenstein and Justin M. Yopp, The Group: Seven Widowed Fathers Reimagine Life. Oxford University Press (2017), 190 pages, $17.95 (hardcover).

Review Of Child Welfare: An Integrative Perspective. Cathleen A. Lewandowski, Yemo Duan

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Cathleen A. Lewandowski, Child Welfare: An Integrative Perspective. Oxford University Press (2019), 320 pages, $65 (paperback).

Review Of Social Work Practice With Survivors Of Sex Trafficking And Commercial Sexual Exploitation. Amanda J. Nichols, Tonya Edmond, And Erin C. Heil (Eds.), Fei Wang

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Amanda. J. Nichols, Tonya Edmond, & Erin C. Heil (Eds.), Social Work Practice with Survivors of Sex Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation. Columbia University (2018), 448 pages, $50.00 (hardcover).

Review Of Emergent Identities: New Sexualities, Genders And Relationships In A Digital Era. Rob Cover, Melinda Mccormick

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Rob Cover, Emergent Identities: New Sexualities, Genders and Relationships in a Digital Era. Routledge (2019), 164 pages, $42.95 (paperback).

Review Of Inside Story: How Narratives Drive Mass Harm. Lois Presser, Olivia Marie Mclaughlin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Lois Presser, Inside Story: How Narratives Drive Mass Harm. University of California Press (2018), 200 pages, $85 (hardcover), $29.95 (paperback).