Social Work Commons^™

The Voices Of Survivors Of Suicide : Experiences With Forms Of Support After A Suicide Loss, Nicole Dietze

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to identify forms of support available to and utilized by survivors of suicide, to identify barriers to receiving support, and to gather suggestions and/or critiques regarding survivors’ experiences with the supports they received. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 individuals who had lost a loved one to suicide at least one year prior to the interview. The interviews explored the participants’ experiences with accessing resources, formal and informal supports, negative experiences, and resource recommendations for other survivors of suicide. The findings from this study emphasized how coping with such a profound loss …

Provider Perceptions Of People Who Inject Drugs And Harm Reduction Approaches, Ciara Devozza

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

People who use injection drugs (PWID) continue to face high rates of death and disease, further exacerbated by the ongoing opioid epidemic. Research indicates that stigma toward this population is high among health care providers, which is shown to result in poor health outcomes and ostracize these high-risk patients from treatment. In the U.S., the dominant substance treatment model is abstinence-based, despite evidence from around the world supporting use of harm reduction interventions which focus on goals to reduce the harmful impacts of drug use to individuals and communities. This quantitative study examined nurses’ attitudes toward PWID and nurses’ receptivity …

Experiences Of First Generation College Students, Eleanor Grace Stulting Bradley

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The fact that a significant number of first-generation students drop out of college within the first year speaks to the unique struggle that these students face. Although previous studies have looked at this phenomenon, not many have purposefully explored the experiences of the students themselves. This study sought to change that by interviewing 12 first-generation students on their experiences of college and what they believe has helped them to thrive. Several themes emerged throughout the study, including: 1) the idea of shared experiences and peer contact providing a sense of understanding as well as community; and 2) the idea of …

Identified Social Supports For Women Previously Incarcerated And Avoiding Recidivism, Isabelle Scott

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study focused on the social supports women recently incarcerated perceived as promoting future success and aid in avoiding recidivism. The literature review describes available programs pertaining to women's reentry and gender responsive treatment. The main objective of this study is to understand what women recently released from incarceration need for a successful reentry as well as barriers, challenges, and motivations for staying out of prison and being productive members of society. The study considered variables such as trauma, substance use, mental health issues and children impact women’s perceived needs. Findings in this study found the correlation between enduring specific …

"As If" : An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Clincians' Theoretical Orientations And Their Conceptualizations Of Patient-Generated Metaphors In Psychotherapy, Joe Berlin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The present qualitative study explored the relationships between psychotherapists’ theoretical orientations, phenomenological understandings of their own clinical practice, and the metaphoric language used by patients in psychotherapy. This study is based upon interviews with 12 Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers who are presently practicing psychotherapy. This sample was selected using a quota method, whereby three distinct psychotherapy theoretical orientations were represented in the sample: psychodynamic, narrative, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

The findings suggest that psychotherapists actively consider the metaphors patients use in therapeutic dialogue, and that these clinicians regularly draw upon their theoretical knowledgebase in doing so. This study finds that …

Barriers To Mental Health Treatment For Refugees In Maine : An Exploratory Study, Hayley Fitzgerald

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers refugees face when it comes to accessing mental health treatment in Maine. Research suggests that refugees underutilize mental health services throughout the United States, despite equal to higher rates of mental health symptoms when compared to the general population. To acquire data, eight refugees were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Participants were asked to share about their perceptions of mental illness and mental health treatment, discuss coping mechanisms that they find useful, and offer suggestions for providers working with refugees. Major findings included that stigma, fear, language, and cultural …

"Translating The Language Of The Body" : Engaging Individuals Who Self-Harm In Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Dani Kowalski

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory study was to gain a deeper understanding of how individuals who self-harm develop ways of communicating about self-harming experiences in therapy. The study used semi-structured interviews with twelve participants to gather qualitative data about their experiences, with a focus on identifying what aspects of therapy were helpful to them, and what was difficult about engaging in therapy.

Participants spoke about the therapeutic encounter as one among many socio-cultural contexts in which changes of self-injury occurred. Findings suggest that engaging individuals who self-harm in therapy involves an understanding of self-harm as a communication of distressing experiences, …

"They Don't Say It Up Front" : Immigrant-Origin High School Students' Experiences Of Disrespect And Racial Microaggressions By Teachers : A Project Based Upon A Group Research Investigation, Leah A. Gold

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study used counter-storytelling methodology from Critical Race Theory to explore 15 racial and ethnic minority immigrant-origin high school students’ experiences of racial microaggressions by teachers. Previous research focuses on overt racism with youth or microaggressions with adults, but has not addressed subtle racism experienced by high school students. The findings suggest immigrant-origin experience teacher disrespect as racial microaggressions, including those that are related to immigrant identity. Though not conclusive, the results indicate that experiences of racial microaggressions and responses may differ for immigrant-origin youth with different generation status. Teachers’ racial sensitivity and school climate were demonstrated to be …

Understanding And Negotiating Access To Preventative Sexual Health Care Biotechnology In Online Communities : A Thematic Analysis Of The Facebook Group ""Prep Facts: Rethinking Hiv Prevention And Sex, Dorothy Manley

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This thesis seeks to understand how access is being negotiated between the U.S. health care system, resources, and institutions by locating conversations about access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) within the lay led Facebook group PrEP Facts: Rethinking HIV Prevention and Sex. The study offers insight into the fault lines within the health care system and how men who have sex with men (MSM) are managing these fault lines, and providing mentoring and guidance to each other, when seeking access to preventive care. Narratives in the Facebook group illustrate who is accounted for and who falls between the gaps within …

Working With Trauma : A Qualitative And Retrospective Exploration Of The Experiences Of Clinicians Who Work With Trauma, Allyson Rebecca Lent

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The current study explored the gap in understanding the experiences of clinicians who work with trauma given the interesting intersection of high prevalence of trauma and demonstrated lack of training in working with trauma survivors. To this end, this qualitative and exploratory study sought to gain a retrospective understanding of clinicians’ training and career experiences in an effort to glean what has worked well in preparing skilled clinicians to work with trauma. Findings confirmed that clinicians do not feel prepared to do trauma work upon graduating from their degree programs and that they must seek out training opportunities in order …

"A Whole Lot Of Conscious Effort" : Exploring How Protective Factors Contribute To Resiliency In Parents Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events In Childhood, Annelies J. Spykman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this research project is to address the multiple variables that contribute to trauma exposure in childhood and how it manifests in the traumatized person’s later parenting styles. The over-arching research question is: do protective factors provide sufficient supports to parents who were subjected to traumatic experiences in childhood in order to lessen the transmission of trauma to their own children? This qualitative study is an assessment of interviews with 18 participants who identify as parents who have experienced at least one traumatic event in childhood. Findings of this study implicate a high level of resilience that has …

Mind, Body, & Spirit : An Ecological Community-Based Approach To Healthy Aging, Emily Widra

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Based on the biopsychosocial approach of the ecological theory of aging, the present study examined the health status and social engagement of participants in an osteoporosis-prevention exercise class for adults over the age of 65 in two counties in Western Massachusetts. A self-rated health survey was developed and administered in each of the Healthy Bones & Balance classes with 226 responses in total.

Participants in this study had higher self-rated health scores than have been found in a national epidemiological study. In particular, participants who live alone were engaging in more social activities – at senior centers and places of …

Exploring Clinical Best Practices For Working With The Co-Occurrence Of Psychosis And A Trauma History, Sierra Leah Black

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative research study explored clinical practices most effective in helping people who experience co-occurring psychosis and a trauma history. The research was conducted through interviews with nine mental health professionals, who reported they created their own skill base in working with clients with a co-occurrence of psychosis and trauma. Although every respondent reported this co-occurrence as common, they all expressed a lack of confidence and expertise in treating the population. Best practices for treatment were found to be a combination of psychiatric medication, psychotherapy, and community support. Themes of treatment included the need to establish trusting relationships, appreciate client …

A Mixed-Method Study Examining The Intersection Of Race And Sexual Violence Among Lgbtq Prisoners, Sarah J. Aftab

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The current mixed-method study examined the intersection of race and sexual violence among LGBTQ prisoners while incarcerated. The study used secondary data from a survey of LGBTQ prisoners collected by an organization in 2014 (N=1093). Historically, the criminal justice system has criminalized and discriminated against LGBTQ persons, and reports show a prevalence of abuse occurs during incarceration. Quantitatively, the study aimed to determine a relationship between race and sexual violence; qualitatively, it aimed to understand how prisoners in this study experienced sexual violence. Findings suggested: Black, Latinx/Hispanic, and Mixed race prisoners had significantly lower likelihood of unwanted touching …

A Qualitative Study To Explore Puerto Rican Caregiver Needs And Supports To Better Feed Their Children, Nelly E. Carmona

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

"The worldwide prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased 10% between 1990 and 2010". Boneta, Toro, Garcia, Torres, & Palacios (2015). According to the authors, "Obesity rates of Puerto Rican children residing in mainland US and in Puerto Rico are among the highest (23-32%) when compared to other racial groups/ethnic groups". (p.2)

The purpose of this research is to first primarily understand the challenges that Puerto Rican caregivers’ have in providing a diet with high nutritional content for their school age children. A secondary purpose is to use these perspectives of Puerto Rican caregivers to inform social work practice as …

An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Religion And Spirituality And Acculturation Stress Among International Students In The Western Massachusetts, Mun Ying Kennis Cheng

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This quantitative study examined the relationship between religion and spirituality and acculturative stress among international students (n=38) in two colleges in Western Massachusetts. This study utilized three well-validated tools to measure acculturative stress for international students, religion and spirituality, and intrinsic religious motivation to test the hypothesis that religion and spirituality can help international students lessen their acculturative stress. The findings suggested no significant correlation between the variables, possibly due to a small sample size. The results showed that over 55% of students had some type of religious affiliation, and over 63% indicated they either attended churches or practiced meditation …

Do Characteristics Of Children And Families Influence Reported Caregiver Burden? : A Secondary Data Analysis Of The 2009-2010 National Survey Of Children With Special Health Care Needs, Chelsea Davies

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) make up 15% of U.S. children 18 and under. They require increased specialized care, which may pose unique challenges to families. Prior research suggests families from historically disenfranchised groups may experience greater burden due to systems of structural oppression. This quantitative secondary data analysis of the 2009-2010 National Survey of CSHCN (N=40,242) uses a cross-sectional design, testing whether family characteristics (race/ethnicity, caregiver’s gender or education level, and number of CSHCN in the home) or a child’s functional difficulty (chronic pain, behavior, anxiety/depression) are significantly associated with caregiver burden. Results suggest significantly greater time, …

Kinship Diversion : Exploring Experiences Of Relative Probate Guardianship In Los Angeles, Ca., Alison Davies

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study explored the characteristics and experiences of relative caregivers in Los Angeles County who were involved in a child welfare practice called “kinship diversion.” It specifically examined cases in which caregivers were diverted to probate court to obtain legal guardianship of their relatives' children as an alternative to opening a case with the child welfare system due to allegations of abuse or neglect against the biological parents. Five kinship caregivers were interviewed with a focus on answering the questions of who is diverted to legal guardianship, and why?

The findings of this study showed that diversion occurred …

Patient Perspectives On Mental Health Therapy For Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Me) And Chronic Fatique Syndrome (Cfs), Brooke Denmark

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored perspectives on mental health therapy of individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). ME/CFS can lead to major reduction in quality of life; however, due to limited knowledge about etiologies or effective medical treatments, symptoms may be deemed psychosomatic and patients are referred to mental health treatment. This mixed methods study gathered responses from 169 individuals who identified as having ME, CFS, and/or ME/CFS from ten reported countries. Some of the common themes for what participants found most helpful from therapy were validation, help adjusting to the changes in their lives, and processing grief …

Found In Translation : How Social Work Education Can Support Student Practice With Language-Discordant Client Systems, Martha Ann Early

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study’s research question was "How can schools of social work support their students to work with language-discordant client systems (LDCS)?" In addition to the need for general support, social work students are preparing to enter a field where the patient population is growing increasingly diverse in terms of ethnicity, culture and language ability. Participants in the study described herein were current and recent social works students who were recruited for sample membership via broad social media outreach, supplemented with outreach to the researcher's professional network

The findings of this study indicate that the role of schools of social work …

How Our Service Systems Impact Resiliency And Recovery Of Domestic Violence Survivors : Clinical Perspectives, Emily Riddle Jacobs

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative research study explores clinicians’ perceptions of how current social service systems impact domestic violence survivor resiliency and recovery from abuse. The study utilizes a narrative analytic approach examining semi-structured interviews gathered from nine clinicians working in the trauma field. Through using the theoretical frames of intersectionality, trauma theory, and post-traumatic growth theory, the study focuses on the potential for growth and resilience among trauma survivors. This study found that survivors experienced more nuanced post-traumatic growth with ambivalence around new self-development, resiliency, and feelings of empowerment. The research suggests that the current social service systems re-traumatize survivors and replicate …

"If You Lived In Your Body, You'd Be Home By Now" : Clincians' Perspectives On Somatic Practices In Psychotherapy, Natasha Sunil Jeswani

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

While the 21st century has seen increased popularity in somatic practices, there is little cohesive understanding of how these practices are effective and what common value their various branches bring to psychotherapy. This qualitative narrative research study compiles clinicians’ perspectives on their use and understanding of somatic practices in psychotherapy, along with challenges they have experienced in using such methods. The study qualifies such practices as meditation-based, trauma related, or movement-based and ultimately necessitates the inclusion of somatic practices in psychotherapy.

Benefits And Challenges Of Offering Peer Support To Student Survivors Of Campus Sexual Violence, Zoe Amanda Levenson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study examines the self-perceived benefits and challenges to college students in their role as peer supporters for survivors of campus sexual violence. The study identifies emotional, educational, professional, and social benefits and challenges experienced by peer supporters, as well as strategies used by students to mitigate challenges. The study is based on the perspectives of 11 college students who offer peer support through on-campus programs. Data was gathered through semi-structured telephone interviews.

Major benefits included positive emotions (fulfillment, sense of purpose, empowerment), influence on career paths and opportunities, a sense of community, improved interpersonal skills, and increased social capital. …

Social Climate In Social Work Training : The Influence Of The Learning Environment On The Emerging Social Worker's Professional Identity As An Agent Of Social Justice, Tatiana MartíNez

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In Master of Social Work programs, one of the objectives of the field practicum is the development of a professional self. A field placement agency may encourage, discourage, and/or limit the student’s ability to implement social justice interventions in their work with clients which may impact their development of a professional identity as it relates to social justice. In this exploratory study, qualitative data was obtained through eight semi-structured interviews. The findings confirm that the social climate of a field placement agency influences the student’s ability to develop aspects of their professional identity dedicated to engaging in social action activities. …

Playing Together : A Clinician's Perspective On The Use And Value Of Play In Therapy With Couples, Teresa Musick

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine couples therapists perceptions of their use and value of play in the therapeutic encounter. Secondary to the main hypothesis, this thesis also solicited couples therapists to comment on their experience in couples therapy as a client and how this impacted their sense of relationship satisfaction. Forty-four couples’ therapists representing a variety of licensing credentials (psychologists, LPC’s, MSW/LMSW/LICSW, MFT’s) and time in practice completed a brief online questionnaire. The questionnaire asked participants to rate their use, value, and experience of play in the therapeutic encounter. Results indicate that clinicians who participated in this …

The Translation Of Anti-Racism Values From The Professional Into The Personal For White Social Workers Who Have Lived In North Or West Philadelphia, Lauren Hope Newman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This research explores how white social workers who were exposed to anti-racism values during their social work education, execute these values while living in the gentrifying neighborhoods of North or West Philadelphia. Twelve white social workers participated in semistructured interviews in which they described their anti-racism education/training, their motivation for moving to North or West Philadelphia, and how they felt they translated the antiracism values that were learned or reinforced for them in their education into their lives in their gentrifying communities. The findings display the importance in equipping people with the tools to engage within their community and guide …

Exploring Experiences Of, And Responses To, Microaggressions As Disrespect From Teachers In High School Classrooms : A Person-Centered Approach, Emily Ann Peck

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The present study examined the relationship among high school students’ experiences of microaggressions and disrespect perpetrated by teachers and their perceptions of school connectedness and projections of their own bystander intervention behaviors. There is reason to believe that peer bystanding behavior, defined as either intervention in the moment, or active supporting after the event, are protective in terms of the otherwise cumulative impact of microaggressions. Using interviews from seventeen high school students, and quantitative data from nine participants, this research prioritized the voices of students, their narratives, and their meaning making process after such events occur. Findings suggest that participants …

You Don't Know How Strong You Are Until Being Strong Is Your Only Option : Examining Resiliency In Survivors Of A Parent Or Caregiver's Suicide, Haley A. Rice

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Suicide is a prevalent public health issue in the United States as it intimately effects many Americans annually. This study explored the bereavement and coping processes as well as strength and resiliency of adult children who lost their parent to death by suicide. Twelve adult children were recruited for this study through social media and suicide support groups. Participants were interviewed by phone and interviews were transcribed and analyzed using an inductive approach. The following themes were identified: intensity of the loss, secondary trauma of suicide, feelings of stigma, solace in talking about their parent, researching mental illness, attending grief …

Feedback Informed Care : Co-Creating Treatment Success, Eve Sandler

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative research was conducted in order to answer the question: What factors do patients think are most useful in therapy? Feedback was collected from a sample of 630 participants from The Community Psychiatry Program (CPP) at Johns Hopkins. Respondents were asked to complete a written survey answering two questions: 1. How do you know when you are getting better? and 2. What are the most important aspects of (CPP)?

This study collected data from both patients and caregivers. Brief responses for each question were coded using a general inductive approach, which revealed multiple themes and subthemes. One significant finding …

Workout Your Burnout : An Exploratory Look At The Role Of Perceived Barriers And Benefits To Physical Activity In Social Workers, Samuel Shapiro

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This mixed-methods exploratory study aimed to develop better understanding of the relationship between social workers’ participation in physical activities and their perceptions of potential barriers and benefits to participating in exercise. Sixty-four individuals completed an online survey, disclosing their physical activity habits as while growing up as well as those of their parents and/or caregivers. Quantitative questions asked participants to measure: their recent physical activity rates, defining them as light, moderate or vigorous; their perceived potential benefits of and barriers to physical activity, and, finally, their contentedness with aspects of their body and their work. Participants reported few barriers and …