Social Work Commons^™

Incarceration And Reintegration: How It Impacts Mental Health, April M. Marier, Alex Alfredo Reyes

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Background: Previous criminal justice policies have been non-effective leading to overpopulated prisons and unsuccessful reintegration. There is a lack of effective supportive and/or rehabilitative services resulting in high rates of recidivism and mental health implications. Objective: This study investigated the perceived impact that incarceration and reintegration with little to no supportive and/or rehabilitative services has on the mental health status of an individual. The emphasis was on participant perception and not on professional reports because of underreporting and lack of attention to mental health in the criminal justice system. Methods: Focus groups in the Inland Empire and Coachella Valley …

Estimating The Prevalence And Correlates Of Psychiatric Disorders And Mental Health Problems Among Undocumented Mexican Immigrants Using The National Latino And Asian American Study, Elián P. Cabrera-Nguyen

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the prevalence and correlates of psychiatric disorders and mental health problems among undocumented Mexican immigrants using the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). Two approaches were used to obtain estimates for likely undocumented Mexican immigrants (LUMIs): (1) creation of a proxy variable, and (2) multiple imputation using chained equations. Results indicated that LUMIs had greater prevalence rates for specific anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and poor self-rated mental health compared to documented Mexican immigrants. Next, potential mediators of poor mental health were identified. Finally, LUMIs were compared with other Latino groups by nativity status. This study concludes …

Barriers Of Using Illness Management And Recovery With Adults With Severe Mental Illness, Jennifer Anne Brummer

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Adults living with severe mental illness experience a broad spectrum of difficulties, such as visual and olfactory hallucinations, internal dialogue or hearing voices, depression, anxiety, homelessness, substance use, and difficulty managing daily activities and relationships. The Illness Management and Recovery curriculum has been revealed to be a useful evidence-based practice or approach to working with individuals with severe mental illness. The Illness Management and Recovery workbook promotes symptom management in adults by creating a vision and following a step-by-step problem solving process. This recovery model is tailor to the individual and requires their input on a step-by-step path to recovery. …

Social Worker Interventions For Patients Post-Stroke, Alexander Carlson

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Research suggests that when a patient experiences a stroke, the lives of the patient and family of the patient can be impacted in many different ways. The purpose of this project was to identify the ways social workers work with stroke patients in the hospital, and how do they identify mental health symptoms in these patients. Using a qualitative design, four social workers, currently providing services in hospitals were interviewed. Data was analyzed using deductive approaches in which themes were developed from the interview responses. The findings indicated that most mental health symptoms are identified in patients, and then treated …

Mental Health In The African American Community And The Impact Of Historical Trauma: Systematic Barriers, Jamie Rose Hackett

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

African Americans are overrepresented in high-risk populations and are known to experience disadvantages in mental health services. In an effort to better understand the barriers that prevent African Americans from receiving adequate mental health services; this study explores barriers on multiple system levels and the implications for clinical practice. This study also explores the relevance and impact of historical trauma. Qualitative interviews were used to collect the experiences of African American clinicians in the mental health field working with African American clients. Findings revealed twelve themes that are consistent with previous research. These themes are; historical trauma, stigma, cultural stereotypes, …

Addressing Mental Health With The Somali Population In The Twin Cities Area, Kristopher S. Jaeger

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Minnesota is home to one of the highest populations of Somali heritage in North America. Mental illness is reported to be prevalent in this population and there is an underutilization of available mental health services. The purpose of this study was to see how health providers can better identify and discuss mental illness with the Somali community to improve utilization rates of mental health clinics in the Twin Cities area. To do this, six qualitative interviews were conducted with participants who at the time were currently working with Somalis, in a hospital, clinic, or health care agency setting. Content Analysis …

Mental Health Case Management: The Perspective Of Nursing Home Social Service Personnel, Mary K. Schmitz

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Many clients who suffer from serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) are admitted to long-term residential facilities, like nursing homes, and often end up staying for years. Many studies have shown that case management helps them to achieve and maintain their highest level of independence however, clients often become ineligible to receive these services when they reside in nursing homes. This mixed methods study was able to get the perspective of nursing home social service personnel, who are often put in the primary role of assisting client’s discharge to more independent settings when case management is not available. The goal …

Perspectives Of Social Work Students On Nutrition And The Nutrition Effects On Mental Health, Diana Tran

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Nutrition is related to the mental well-being of clients. However, the nutritional views and practices of social workers in the mental health field have not been thoroughly explored. By using the post-positivist paradigm, 15 mental health social work students were interviewed for their perspectives regarding nutrition and nutrition’s effect on stress. Their main ideas were identified, connected, and organized to develop a theoretical statement. The resulting theory focused on the development of social work students' perspectives in applying nutrition into their mental health practice. The students were influenced by a variety of background factors, including their education, barriers to applying …

Responding To A Community Need: Mobile Crisis Program Training Manuals, Kelsey Tollefson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a training curriculum for the South Central Mobile Crisis Program, which is a part of Horizon Homes, Inc. Continued education and training is required for all mental health professionals, mental health practitioners, and rehabilitative staff. Because of the requirements outlined in Minnesota statute 256B.0944, 256B.0624,and the Department of Human Services, all staff within this program must receive at least thirty hours of crisis-related training prior to working with clients.

Emerging From The Wreckage: The Exploration Of Mental Health, Stigma, And My Experiences Of Living With Obsessive-Compulsive "Disorder", Katelyn P. Harrington

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study is an autoethnography exploring my experiences of living with Obsessive Compulsive “disorder” (OCD). The stigma surrounding mental health is one of the most devastating and problematic issues in Western society today. Many individuals with a mental “disorder” suffer in silence due to the shame and fear of being ridiculed and discriminated against within their intimate and wider social networks. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is currently one of the most prevalent anxiety “disorders” and is characterized by intruding obsessive thoughts and ritualized or compulsive behaviours. Individuals experience a great deal of distress and embarrassment in dealing with the stigma and …

Dsm-Iv-Tr/Dsm-5, An Evidence-Based Comparative Analysis With Focus On The Cultural Context Of Mental Health Illness Of: Bipolar Disorders, Depression, Autism Disorders, Anxiety And Adhd., Claudia Zendejas-Finley

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The DSM-5 presents many changes in the criteria and categories used in the clinical diagnosis of clients. In addition, the proposed changes within the DSM-5 also attempts to address some of the concerns regarding the lack of a contextual assessment process regarding the role of culture within the lives of clients (Warren, 2013). This research aims to create a comparison between the DSM-IV-TR and the DSM-5 of some of the most common diagnosis used by Family Service Rochester including: bipolar disorder, depression, autism disorder, anxiety and ADHD. In addition, this project also intends to develop a comprehensive cultural analysis of …

The Changes In Major Diagnoses From Dsm Iv-Tr To Dsm 5: How To Talk To Clients About Changes In Their Diagnosis, Abigail Malterer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

• Outline and present the changes in diagnostic criteria and diagnoses between the DSM IV-TR and the DSM 5.
• Discuss how to talk to and work with clients if their diagnosis has changed or been removed.
• Upon early research, it appears that there is little literature that focuses on how staff can talk to clients about diagnosis changes or elimination.
• Learn more about changes and talking to clients
• Present this information to staff so they have an awareness of this when the changes are made in October of 2015 and the DSM 5 is to be fully implemented.

What Does The 'Q' Stand For Anyway? : Queerness And Agency Competence, Eleanor C. Taylor

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study’s purpose was to explore queer identity in mental health practice through the question, "Does queerness emerge as a distinct cultural category through the language of conversation, clinical practice, and administrative policy in mental health agencies that serve queer people, and in what practices is this reflected?” This project was undertaken in order to begin to fill gaps in existing cultural competence literature, particularly regarding queer identity.

This project entailed semi-structured interviews with ten participants, who worked in direct service at mental health agencies that serve LGBTQIA+ populations. This study examines the meanings and effects of queerness in …

Human - Animal Interaction And The Benefits To Mental Health: A Phenomenological Study, Jasmin Jau

Theses : Honours

The prevalence of mental illness is a major concern in Australia and worldwide. It is one of the leading causes of disability in Australia and it is estimated that globally one in four people will experience a mental illness at some point in their life. One of the lesser known therapies and activities in the mental health field are animal assisted interventions that incorporate animals as part of the therapeutic or ameliorative process. Although emerging research literature shows that interaction with animals has positive effects on mental health and wellbeing, it is not clearly understood how and why there are …