Digital Commons Network^™

Gratitude Intervention And Its Effect On Substance Abusers, Patricia Kelleen Mcclanahan

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of an intervention seen to increase life satisfaction in substance abuse treatment. While treatment models have improved, results remain low for long-term abstinence. The study participants were substance-abuse treatment clients at Mental Health Systems (MHS). This study will measure, in terms of increased life satisfaction, the effectiveness of a daily gratitude list on the negative mindset of substance abusers in treatment. The focus of this study will be the use of intervention that has been seen as beneficial in enhancing personal well-being.

Social Workers' Perceptions Regarding "At Risk" And Delinquent Foster Care Youth, Laura June Deluca, Mallory Michelle Flores

Theses Digitization Project

This thesis explores the experiences of social workers within San Bernardino County's Children and Family Services who are working with delinquent and high-risk youth within foster care. Social workers were asked to describe services that are available and the potential protective risk factors that may exist. It is imperative to understand this population and the services that exist in order to address this problem and better meet the needs of youth.

What Children Should Know About Cancer: Parent's Perception, Kristyn Gina Sutton

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project will focus on how and for what reasons parents inform their children of their cancer. Through the use of focus groups and the participation of parents, sick and healthy, this study will bring to light the truth of what parents feel their children should know about their cancer and why they may feel it necessary to tell them about their cancer.

Substance Abuse Services And Their Effects On Parental Reunification With Children Within The Child Welfare System, Jacqueline Ann Myers

Theses Digitization Project

This study explained the affect of the parental substance abuse services on the reuniting of the parents with their children. Understanding the significance of parental substance abuse treatment services in regards to reunification with children within the child welfare system is necessary in providing children with a healthy and safe environment.

What Are The Characteristics Of Families With Three Or More Referrals To Children And Family Services Within A Twelve Month Period?, Elizabeth Irene Valenzuela

Theses Digitization Project

In order to better serve those famailies that are chronically involved with Children and Family Services and prevent their future involvement with the system, social service workers should be able to identify and understand what characteristics are causing referral. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of families with three or more referrals within a twelve month period that significantly impact the number of referrals a family receives.

Effects Of Substance Abuse Services On Child Reunification, Peter Charles Shorts

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to conduct a descriptive and inferential analysis of the effect of substance abuse treatment upon the family reunification process. The research revealed a significant relationship between the median age of custodial parents whose parental rights were terminated and the median age of parents whose parental rights were not terminated.

The Stigmatization Of Methadone Maintenance Treatment And Its Effect On Social Support, Kenia Gabriela Rivas, Franceen Mary Rosales

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between perceived stigmatization from family as well as friends and its probable effects on social support from the same. Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) is a treatment modality that has been proven to help achieve abstinence. However, due to controversy over MMT, this has brought stigmatization, social injustice and powerlessness to those who seek out treatment.

African-Americans' Perceptions Of Hospice Care, Gina Elizabeth Wagner

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to reveal how African Americans view hospice care and how cultural values, economic factors and the amount of knowledge about hospice further impact the experiences African Americans have with hospice.

Court Mandated Treatments: Participation In Alcoholics Anonymous, Ruth Sophia Guerrero

Theses Digitization Project

This study provides a building block for future studies to further explore the meanings of Alcholics Anonymous (A.A.) and what makes it work. It specfically focused on the effects of A.A. on court mandated substance abuse treatment programs. Social workers may not always understand A.A.'s impact because there are no 'experts' providing services, yet it works because of the peer support system within the group and Social Workers need to encourage clients to participate in the court mandated treatment as part of their recovery.

Psychosocial Needs Of Family Caregivers Of Cancer Patients, Graziano Mario Mauriz

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine caregivers' psychosocial needs in order to develop supportive programs and implement proper interventions intending to improve their quality of life and quality of care for their loved one's affected by cancer.

Quality Of Service And Treatment Adherence In Individuals With End Stage Renal Disease, Kyle Joseph Fraga

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study will focus on the patient's attitudes about their treatment. There is a certain stigma attached to dialysis that makes it an undesirable form of treatment. Individuals on dialysis may feel dependent and vulnerable. In addition, hospitals and dialysis clinics can be an unwelcoming and intimidating place. A person's belief about their treatment will influence how well they adhere to it.

Relationship Between Graduate Students' Statistics Self-Efficacy, Statistics Anxiety, Attitude Toward Statistics, And Social Support, Michelle Perepiczka, Nichelle Chandler, Michael Becerra

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Statistics plays an integral role in graduate programs. However, numerous intra- and interpersonal factors may lead to successful completion of needed coursework in this area. The authors examined the extent of the relationship between self-efficacy to learn statistics and statistics anxiety, attitude towards statistics, and social support of 166 graduate students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs within colleges of education. Results indicated that statistics anxiety and attitude towards statistics were statistically significant predictors of self-efficacy to learn statistics, yet social support was not a statistically significant predictor of self-efficacy. Insight into how this population responds to statistics courses and …

Assessing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Attitudes Among African Immigrants, Hazel Namona Nachembe

Theses Digitization Project

This study attempted to assess and explore the attitudes of African immigrants towards HIV testing and seeking HIV services in the U.S. The pool of HIV/AIDS cases among blacks at risk in the United States does not clearly distinguish between African Americans and Black African immigrants in regard to attitudes on HIV testing. A closer exploration of African immigrants as specific black sub-groups within the larger group of blacks or African Americans infected with HIV may help distinguish and explain the increase in incidents and high risk behaviors among blacks.

The Effects Of Childhood Sexual Abuse On Women In Recovery For Substance Abuse, Barbara Eileen Egan

Theses Digitization Project

This study assessed if women who are survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and receive treatment for this issue, when they were in treatment for substance abuse, stayed sober longer and thus experienced a healthier and happier recovery. The benefit of this research is two-fold as it not only leads to better treatment programs for women who have this co-occurring condition, it also allows for better treatment outcomes and as a result is more cost effective for treatment agencies. The data was collected confidentially through surveys that were distributed at 10 local Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings in the Inland Empire area.

Needs Assessment For A Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Outpatient Services, Mary Beth Patterson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research has indicated there is limited specialist multidisciplinary care in non-metropolitan regions and rural communities for eating disorder treatment, leaving patients and professionals dissatisfied with quality of care. The purpose of this project was to assess the need for multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment service in South-Central Minnesota, and if so, to obtain information about the current patient population and treatment of such patients.

Supervisor's Experience Of Empathetic Understanding When Using Art-Making In Art Therapy Supervision: A Dissertation, Hyejin Yoo

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The purpose of this two-part study was to understand supervisors’ current attitudes and perspectives of using art-making in art therapy supervision and supervisors’ experiences of empathy when using art-making in art therapy supervision.

In Study 1, 229 members of American Art Therapy Association (AATA) completed a survey about supervisors’ attitudes and perspectives of using art-making in supervision. In addition, three participants who used art-making in supervision were interviewed on their empathetic understanding when using art-making in supervision. Follow-up interviews were conducted with the three previous participants for Study 2. The survey data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and the interview …

Social Workers' Knowledge And Attitudes About Treating Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Angelah Dawn Gomez

Wayne State University Theses

The current research seeks to understand how social work students and social work professionals increase their knowledge about AD/HD and how they formulate their attitudes about the disorder. The literature provided illustrates the many components of AD/HD risks, etiology, treatments, and professional opinions about the disorder. AD/HD is one of the most studied childhood mental health disorders in the nation. However, there is little research providing insight to social workers' knowledge and attitudes about the disorder. This is especially alarming because social workers are one of the largest professional populations to provide mental health services to children and their families. …

Characteristics Of Patients Admitted With Alcohol Related Traumatic Injuries, Jessica Wolf

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Alcohol use is well recognized as a contributor to traumatic injury. The purpose of this review was to describe the demographics of patients admitted to a regional trauma center with alcohol related traumatic injuries in order to improve service to this population and provide injury prevention programs directed towards this population.

Research Question: What are the characteristics of patients admitted to St. Marys Hospital with an alcohol related traumatic injury?

Effective Trauma Assessment Tools For Women With Severe Mental Illness, Heather A. Bangu

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Minnesota Security Hospital (MSH) serves individuals under civil commitment as Mentally Ill and Dangerous by the State of Minnesota. MSH is evaluating its practices to ensure the treatment environment encompasses a recovery oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed program. Understanding and assessing trauma will assist clinicians in providing patients with the most effective and efficient treatment (Carlson, 1997). Long term negative outcomes exists for individuals with severe mental illness who have experienced trauma including more severe psychiatric symptoms, substance abuse, and homelessness (Mueser, Salyers, Rosenberg, Ford, Fox, & Carty, 2001). The purpose of this Capstone project was to identify and recommend evidence-based …

Best Practices Of A Social Worker's Role In Supporting Family Caregivers Enrolled In Hospice Care, Jessie Wolf

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to explore best practices are for hospice social worker’s providing care to family caregivers enrolled in hospice. This project explored processes and assessment tools that other hospice agencies in rural Minnesota utilized while caring for the family members of hospice patients. The information obtained was used to provide recommendations to Mayo Clinic Health System- Mankato Hospice program to further improve the hospice programming and the social worker’s role.

Measuring A Community-Based Mental Health Organization’S Culture And Climate Scores Stability, David A. Patterson Silver Wolf (Adelv Unegv Waya) Phd, Eugene Maguin Phd, Catherine N. Dulmus Phd, Bruce C. Nisbet

Brown School Faculty Publications

This project builds on the work of Glisson et al., (2008) and the knowledge learned from community-based mental health organization’s internal structures (e.g., culture and climate), which possibly impede the implantation and adoption of new technologies. The Organizational Social Context (OSC) Model measurement system is guided by a model of social context that composes both organizational and individual level constructs, including individual and shared perceptions that are believed to mediate the impact of the organization on the individual. Although the OSC has been developed and validated over time, the literature does not provide guidance on test-retest reliability of the scale.

Evidence-Based Strategies For Working With Veterans, Bethany Fopma

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

According to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 3.3 million veterans (41%) live in rural areas. Due to geographical barriers, these veterans often lack access to needed services and providers. This research project analyzed studies that utilized telehealth in delivering services to veterans with PTSD. While more research in this area needs to be conducted, telehealth technology shows promising results for improving veterans’ symptoms and providing veterans with satisfactory services. Research Question: Is telehealth medicine an effective intervention in treating veterans with PTSD?

In Memoriam: James A. Inciardi, Professor Of Sociology & Criminal Justice And Director Of The Center For Drug & Alcohol Studies At The University Of Delaware, Wendee Wechsberg, Duane C. Mcbride, Hilary Surratt

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Well-Being Of Foster Children Of Parents With Substance Abuse Problems In Family Dependency Treatment Courts, Barbara M. Howes

Dissertations

The aim of this three-paper format dissertation is to explore how the well-being of foster children of parents with substance abuse problems is defined and promoted through Family Dependency Treatment Courts (FDTC) within the context of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA). The benefit to the author of the three-paper method is the task of submitting the findings of the study for publication is eased as the dissertation contains three stand-alone articles. A drawback for the reader of the three paper method is that there is redundancy in reading the same sections in each paper. The reader is encouraged …

Best Practice In Working With The Somali Population, Ilhan Duale

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Since the early 1990s, the state of Minnesota has had an unprecedented increase in refugees from Somalia. These individuals have emigrated from a war-zone country and arrived in the United States with a range of trauma-related injuries and mental health issues. As a result, Somali individuals and families who have migrated to the United States will require physical and mental health support. There is, however, a lack of research on effective interventions with Somali individuals and families. With the stigma that surrounds mental health and negative cultural views of mental health in the Somali population, practitioners at Comunidades Latinas Unidas …

Natural Connections: A Recommendation To Implement An Animal Assisted Therapy (Aat) Program Within The Shakopee Mdewakantonsioux Community, Heidi Simon

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Currently the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community does not have an Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) program. The purpose of this project was to research AAT programs that exist in First Nation Communities. The ultimate goal was to present evidence to support the implementation of a culturally based AAT program into the current mental health model within the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The Animal Assisted Therapeutic Learning (ATTL) program would incorporate traditional beliefs with contemporary ways of life in regard to healing and mental health.

The Power Of Service Work: Developing A Consumer Volunteer Program For The House Of Hope, Inc., Darcy Wennes

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

House of Hope, Inc. (HOH) is a rural residential chemical dependency treatment center serving adults over the age of 18. HOH is a non-profit non-sectarian agency. Many clients at HOH have a dual diagnosis of chemical dependency and mental illness. Consumers at HOH are encouraged to volunteer, but are given limited support to do so. They have several hours in their day where there is no programming, and many consumers feel bored and unproductive. The literature suggests that there is a relationship between volunteer work carried out by consumers and their personal feelings of empowerment (Cohen, 2009) . Consumers’ feelings …

Living With Bipolar Disorder: A Qualitative Investigation, Richard P. Freedberg

Dissertations

The specific aims of this study were to gain a broader understanding of the lived experience of adults with bipolar disorder and to explore how people diagnosed with bipolar disorder used cognitively, affectively, and spiritually oriented strategies to cope with life stressors and circumstances. The cognitive domain in this investigation was defined as those activities related to how one knows, thinks, or perceives phenomena in a way distinct from emotion. The affective domain referred to the feelings and emotions associated with phenomena that are distinct from cognitive reasoning or knowledge. The spiritual domain was defined as values, attitudes, and beliefs …

Family Systems And Mental Health Issues: A Resilience Approach, Lynne Cohen, Catherine Ferguson, Craig Harms, Julie Ann Pooley, Stuart Tomlinson

Research outputs 2011

In many cases the consumers of mental health information and support are the families of mental health sufferers. The aim of the project was to understand resilience in people who live with or support a family member with a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness. Participants were 15 carers (one male, 14 female). Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Eight recurring themes emerged which indicated the challenges the carers faced and provided indications of the positive and negative personal, family and social factors that impacted on their lives. These themes were 'Getting to CLAN WA', 'Accessing help including …

Understanding Psychosocial Rehabilitation Workers' Perceptions Of Difficult Psychiatric Situations, James B. Arnold

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) is a community-based service that addresses the challenges faced by people diagnosed as having psychiatric disabilities. While working with co workers and clients, PSR workers may harbor perceptions that could lower the effectiveness of their work and hinder recovery by their clients. Although cognitive-behavioral theory has suggested an association, research has not yet connected PSR worker attitudes about psychiatric situations to their feelings and behavior. In this nonexperimental factorial design, 196 PSR workers were surveyed about the frustrations presented by stressful interpersonal job situations using the Psychiatric Situations Scale to identify whether occupation (case workers, residential workers, …