Digital Commons Network^™

Fact Vs. Fiction: Uncovering The Experiences Of Homeless/Street Youths' Involvement In Survival Sex, Amber R. Mcdonald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Youth involvement in trading/selling sex has become of concern for policy makers, scholars, and the general public in recent years (Cecchet & Thorburn, 2014; Hossain, et al, 2010; Pub L No. 106-386; Reid & Piquero, 2013; Sapiro, Johnson, Postmus, & Simmel, 2016; Shared Hope International, 2015). The behavior of trading/selling sex is defined dichotomously within the literature. One body of literature, employs the term "survival sex" when empirical work focuses on trading/selling sex among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) identified individuals or youth that are homeless (Greene, Ennett & Ringwalt,1999; Halcon & Lifson, 2004; Walls & Bell, 2011). …

Implications Of Parents’ Work Travel On Youth Adjustment, Lorey Wheeler, Anisa M. Zvonkovic, Andrea R. Swenson, Caitlin Faas, Shelby Borowski, Ruth Nutting

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Guided by ecological, work–family spillover and crossover frameworks, this study examined mechanisms linking parental work travel (i.e. nights per year) to youth adjustment (i.e. externalizing and internalizing behaviors) through youth’s perceptions of parenting (i.e. knowledge, solicitation) with traveler and youth gender as moderators in a sample of 78 children in 44 two-parent families residing in the United States. The findings from multilevel analyses suggested that mothers’ travel nights predicted lower levels of maternal knowledge, with variation by traveler and youth gender. Mothers’ and fathers’ work travel and perceived parenting were predictors of youth’s externalizing behaviors, whereas only fathers’ work travel …

Video-Based Approach To Engaging Parents Into A Preventive Parenting Intervention For Divorcing Families: Results Of A Randomized Controlled Trial, Emily B. Winslow, Sanford Braver, Robert Cialdini, Irwin Sandler, Jennifer Betkowski, Jenn-Yun Tein, Lisa Hita, Mona Bapat, Lorey Wheeler, Monique Lopez

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

The public health impact of evidence-based, preventive parenting interventions has been severely constrained by low rates of participation when interventions are delivered under natural conditions. It is critical that prevention scientists develop effective and feasible parent engagement methods. This study tested video-based methods for engaging parents into an evidence-based program for divorcing parents. Three alternative versions of a video were created to test the incremental effectiveness of different theory-based engagement strategies based on social influence and health behavior models. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the three experimental videos versus two control conditions, an information-only brochure and an …

Ageism Among Healthcare Professionals: The Influence Of Personal Aging Anxiety, Job Role, And Work Setting On Attitudes Toward Older Patients, Jennifer L. K. Inker

Theses and Dissertations

Older adults make up a significant and increasing proportion of the U.S. population and are frequent users of healthcare services. Ageism in healthcare, driven by an incomplete and narrowly biomedical perspective on aging, has been linked to various problematic outcomes for older patients, including under- and over-treatment. The purpose of this study was to use the theory of relational ageism to explore the relationship between personal aging anxiety among healthcare professionals and their attitudes to older patients, considering the potentially moderating factors of job role and work setting. Using convenience sampling, clinical healthcare professionals working for a mid-sized, regional healthcare …

Teaching Children About Money: Prospective Parenting Ideas From Undergraduate Students, Ashley B. Lebaron, Christina M. Rosa-Holyoak, L. Ashley Bryce, E. Jeffrey Hill, Loren D. Marks

Faculty Publications

Many Millennials (aged 18-30 in 2016) are struggling with financial capability and independence. As efforts unfold to address this issue by improving financial education, Millennials themselves can offer helpful family-centered ideas for children 's financial learning. As part of the Whats and Hows of Family Financial $ocialization project, this qualitative study explored the ideas of 126 undergraduate students enrolled in family finance classes at three institutions from three regions of the United States about how and what they intend to teach their future children about finances. Thematic content analysis and coding of interviews revealed four core themes: (a) "Communicating Family …

Increased Immigration Enforcement And Perceived Discrimination Among Latino Immigrants, David Becerra, Jason Castillo, Maria Rosario Silva Arciniega, Michela Bou Ghosn Naddy, Van Nguyen

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of perceived discrimination among Latino immigrants in the context of recent immigration policies and immigration enforcement strategies. Data for this study were drawn from a pilot study (n=213) of adult Latino immigrants living in Arizona during the summer of 2014. The results of multivariate OLS linear regressions indicated greater perceived discrimination was significantly related to reporting: (1) avoidance of immigration officials; (2) family has suffered; and (3) friends have suffered. In addition, greater perceived discrimination was significantly related to lower confidence in a better future for the individual, their families, …

Heroes: How Hr Leaders Can Help End Sexual Violence Against Women, Wyatt Pagano

Marriott Student Review

This article explores the nature of the negative consequences of sexual violence for victims and the resulting problems that sexual misconduct can cause for businesses. Also, the article aims to demonstrate ways that HR leaders can help prevent violence and alleviate its consequences, leading to a better, safer workplace and world for women everywhere.

Fostering Strengths: Using Testimonios To Identify Community Cultural Wealth In Foster Youth, Katherine Mullin

Master's Projects and Capstones

Foster youth voices have been silenced in schools, work environments, and many other settings.There is very little research around what works well for foster youth and what their assets are. Foster youth have many skills and resources that they use to navigate systems that continually marginalize them. But these are often ignored or overlooked. This project uses youth voices through Testimonios and Community Cultural Wealth to create a training for group home staff.

Feasibility And Acceptability Of Two Incentive-Based Implementation Strategies For Mental Health Therapists Implementing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A Pilot Study To Inform A Randomized Controlled Trial, Nathaniel J. Williams

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Informed by our prior work indicating that therapists do not feel recognized or rewarded for implementation of evidence-based practices, we tested the feasibility and acceptability of two incentive-based implementation strategies that seek to improve therapist adherence to cognitive-behavioral therapy for youth, an evidence-based practice.

Methods: This study was conducted over 6 weeks in two community mental health agencies with therapists (n = 11) and leaders (n = 4). Therapists were randomized to receive either a financial or social incentive if they achieved a predetermined criterion on adherence to cognitive-behavioral therapy. In the first intervention period (block 1; …

Parental Influence On Risk Factors For Obesity In African American School Aged Children, Brittney Joy Parish

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The growing childhood obesity epidemic and its association with adverse health outcomes have prompted increasing research in the recent past. Researchers have examined numerous aspects of the obesity epidemic. For example, the impact of parent behavior on child behavior has been considered. Likewise, researchers have examined the connection between parent perceptions of obesity and concern regarding a child’s weight status. Still other research has focused on the influence of a child’s behavior on weight status.

Existing research has reported that within the African American community there is an apparent inaccuracy in perceptions regarding weight. Children who would be classified as …

Fair Housing And Inclusive Communities, Molly W. Metzger, Amy T. Khare

Center for Social Development Research

Residential segregation—by race and by income—is a fundamental driver of inequality in the United States. Segregated living patterns undergird many of the social problems faced by disadvantaged populations. Solutions to segregation include interventions that create housing opportunity in higher income areas, preserve affordability in gentrifying areas, and target investment to the areas most in need. The realization of fair housing and the creation of inclusive communities would be bolstered by innovation in community–academic partnerships.

Productive Engagement Early In Life: Civic And Volunteer Service As A Pathway To Development, Benjamin J. Lough, Margaret S. Sherraden, Amanda Moore Mcbride, Michael Sherraden, Suzanne Pritzer

Center for Social Development Research

Globalization and information-age technology have led to declines in labor market opportunity, especially for youth. In this paper, we suggest a robust emphasis on civic and volunteer service as one promising policy response. Service can promote civic engagement, meaningful roles in society, and work experience, while making substantial contributions to social and economic well-being. The classic historical example is the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created by President Franklin Roosevelt during the Depression of the 1930s. The CCC was enormously productive and enjoyed strong bipartisan political support. In order to re-create this potential, policies for civic and volunteer service should be …

Financial Literacy In China: Priorities And A Direction, Yiqing Yuan, Minchao Jin

Center for Social Development Research

Growing income disparity, a shrinking social welfare system, expanding financial markets, and diversifying financial products have pushed economically vulnerable groups in China into greater disadvantage in recent decades. The government has acknowledged the urgency of this situation, which underscores the micro- and macro-level importance of financial literacy and of its study. In general, there are two priorities in efforts to study financial literacy in China. One is theoretical, and the other is empirical. The theoretical priority, which comes from Western research, is to develop conceptual precision; the financial-literacy framework is not well defined, fails to differentiate among related concepts, and …

Experiential Learning: Teaching Research Methods With Photovoice, Mazna Patka, Rieko Miyakuni, Candice Robbins

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Despite of the emphasis on scientist-practitioner model and evidence-based practice, limited research knowledge and experience among counselors continues to be a concern. In an advanced research methods course, PhotoVoice was utilized as an experiential learning tool to facilitate student engagement as participants and researchers. Processes, successes and challenges are discussed.

A Journey Toward Feminist Supervision: A Dual Autoethnographic Inquiry, Melissa J. Fickling, Jodi L. Tangen

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The purpose of this study was to explore our development as new supervisors learning to apply feminist supervision principles. Autoethnography was used to analyze author histories and learning processes over the course of one academic semester. Using personal narratives and critical reflections, we investigated our work of supervising beginning-level supervisees from a feminist perspective, and embodying our developing feminist supervisor skills and identities. Our inquiry was informed by our encounters with supervisees, supervisors, and each other. Basic definitions of supervision and feminist supervision frame the study, and results are shared in light of current research and theory.

Using Films To Increase Cultural Competence In Working With Lgbtq Clients, Melodie H. Frick, Heather Thompson, Russ Curtis

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

There is a dearth of research on effective strategies for teaching counselors-in-training how to work more effectively with LGBTQ clients. Experiential learning activities, such as watching films, can increase students’ knowledge of their attitudes and beliefs about themselves and culturally diverse clients. This qualitative study explored, in the context of a sexuality and counseling course, how 27 students’ awareness, knowledge, and skills were influenced by the use of two films, For the Bible Tells Me So and Normal, which illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ individuals and their families. Results and implications for counselor educators are provided.

Student Perceptions Of Online Video Cases To Promote Helping Skills Training, Chris Mccarthy, Karen French

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Video case based learning was integrated with multimodal online learning to facilitate helping skills training for graduate students. Five online cases were utilized before students participated in classroom-based role-plays and live practice. Students’ reactions to the activity were positive, and recommendations for counselor training are described.

Aiding Neocolonialism? Moroccan Ngos, International Actors, And Questions Of Autonomy In Human Rights Advocacy, Neha Patel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As development studies have challenged the traditional narrative of Western “humanitarian work” developing the Global South, concerns have been raised about the shifting roles of NGOs as they are incentivized to depoliticize and professionalize in a market dominated by foreign aid. Given the legacy of colonialism and the emergence of systems of domination such as the non-profit industrial complex, NGOs have been explored as a potential avenue of neocolonialism. Based on background research, general observations and interviews with representatives of local non-governmental organizations based in Rabat, this project examines how local organizations advocating for their communities view their relationships with …

Convivendo Na Lagoa Do Mineiro: An Education In Living And Loving With, Daniela Aldrich

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

One of Brazil’s most pressing issues is unequitable land distribution and agrarian land reform. Movimento Sem Terra (MST) is at the forefront of this struggle and has redistributed land to approximately 1,250 families so far. As well as access and right to land ownership, MST addresses issues from youth development, to education, to ecology and more with the mission to create a more just and inclusive Brazil by training its future leaders. This vision includes moving away from the capitalist system that currently enables hierarchies of power to control Brazil at the expense of many of its citizens and natural …

Themes In The Supervision Of Social Care Students In Ireland: Building Resilience, Fiona Mcsweeney

Articles

The field placement is core to the education of social care practitioners and practice teachers’ behaviours influence the learning and development of future practitioners. However the practice teacher role is complex with responsibilities to the agency, clients and the student (Davys & Beddoe, 2000). Twenty practice teachers were interviewed individually about their views of their role, in particular what they saw as most and least important. Inductive thematic analysis resulted in the identification of five themes 1) the nature of the work; 2) acceptance of individuality; 3) commonality and differences from staff; 4) focus on positives and 5) practice involves …

Developing A Peer Cancer Support Group Evaluation, Glenda Kith

Master's Projects and Capstones

Introduction: For many years, health care organizations have offered peer cancer support groups to cancer survivors, but peer cancer support group evaluation is not standardized. Without a clear and consistent evaluation, it may be difficult to understand the efficacy of and gain support for peer cancer support groups. In this paper, I discuss how an evaluation was created for a peer cancer support group called Cancer Awareness Resource and Education (CARE).

Methods: In-depth interviews with CARE participants were conducted and pre-survey and a post-survey were developed. The in-depth interviews included a convenience sample of eight individuals, two individuals from the …

Annual Report On The Head Start Family Financial Capability Program: 2015–2016, Jami Curley, Anne S. Robertson

Center for Social Development Research

This report presents results from a mixed-methods evaluation of the third year of implementation of a financial-capability program with Head Start families in the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area: The Head Start Family Financial Capability (HSFFC) Program. The program combined savings incentives, budget and credit counseling, and one-on-one coaching with 10 hours of financial education on debt management, banking, budgeting, saving, and credit. The results reported here come from analyses of data on 339 adult program participants from Head Start families, 107 Head Start staff who participated in the program, and administrators and staff implementing the program at Head Start …

Promoting Resilience Amongst Young People Transitioning From Care To Independent Living: Experiences Of Residential Social Care Workers, Linda Cameron, Anne Hynes, Yvonne Maycock, Eileen O'Neill, Ann Marie O'Reilly

Journal of Social Care

The capacity for a young adult to develop and overcome obstacles in life underpins the concept of resilience building (Gilligan, 1997). A key role of the social care worker is to ensure that young adults growing up in the care system are afforded the best possible outcomes. This includes social care workers helping young people build their resilience in preparation for the transition into independent living and aftercare. The research reported here examines the experiences and perspectives of two residential social care workers regarding the promotion of resilience amongst young people transitioning from residential care to independent living. From analysis …

The Key Attributes Of A Successful Relationship With Service Users In Family Support: Views Of Family Support Workers, Kim Corless, Sharon Horan, Barbara Kirkpatrick, Nicola Crocker, Maura O'Donoghue, Veronika Steiner

Journal of Social Care

Existing research on family support suggests that key to the family’s engagement and satisfaction is the family’s perception of the quality of the relationship established with their assigned support worker (McArthur & Thompson, 2011; Mason, 2012). The research reported here explores the views of the other partner in this relationship, the family support worker. Two experienced family support workers were interviewed about their views of what where the key attributes of a successful relationship with the families they worked with. The data was thematically analysed and three themes identified. There were overcoming barriers; skills needed to build a successful working …

The Role Of Self-Awareness And Reflection In Social Care Practice, Aoife Greene

Journal of Social Care

This study examined social care workers’ understanding of self-awareness and reflection, the impact of reflection on their practice, and the factors which support and/or impede reflection in their practice. Given the limited evidence base in general on the use of reflection in social care practice, this qualitative study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by exploring the role of self-awareness and reflection in social care practice among a small group of social care practitioners in Ireland. The study included interviews with seven social care workers who were pursuing a postgraduate qualification in social care practice. The main findings indicate …

The Impact Of Intergenerational Projects On The Younger Person's View Of Older People, Ian Mcnamara

Journal of Social Care

Intergenerational projects and activities have become popular among both youth and senior citizen groups across Ireland. These programmes fill a variety of personal and societal needs as our society becomes increasingly age-segregated. This study examined the impact of intergenerational projects on a group of six girls aged 15 to 16 living in the west of Ireland. It explores preconceptions and changes in views towards older people, as well as personal impacts. All participants were members of a local youth group and had taken part in two intergenerational projects at a local nursing home. The first project involved working with residents …

Statewide Child Development Account Policies: Key Design Elements, Margaret M. Clancy, Sondra G. Beverly

Center for Social Development Research

Child Development Accounts (CDAs) aim to build assets for postsecondary education. Unlike many asset-building programs, CDAs were explicitly conceived to be universal (every child is included) and progressive (greater support for disadvantaged children). Four states have created statewide CDAs—Baby Scholars in Connecticut, the Harold Alfond College Challenge in Maine, College Kick Start in Nevada, and CollegeBoundbaby in Rhode Island. In this policy report, we describe these CDAs to provide perspective and inform new initiatives. We begin by identifying 10 key CDA policy design elements originally modeled by the CDA in the SEED for Oklahoma Kids experiment. By modeling key design …

Employee Financial Wellness Programs Project: Comprehensive Report Of Findings, Ellen Frank-Miller, Meredith Covington, Mathieu R. Despard, Geraldine Hannon, Michal Grinstein-Weiss

Center for Social Development Research

Using insights from employers and employees to generate evidence on employee financial wellness programs (EFWPs), this research report illustrates findings from a mixed-methods study assessing the potential of these programs to increase the financial stability of American workers. The research team surveyed employers that offered or were interested in offering an EFWP and subsequently conducted in-depth interviews with a subsample of those employers to acquire a greater understanding of survey responses. Further, the research team conducted intensive case studies, examining the relationship between EFWP providers and their clients as well as the dynamics of program delivery. These case studies benefitted …

Differences Between Students With And Without Disabilities In College Counseling, Lindsay C. Varkula, James D. Beauchemin, Sandra D. Facemire, Emily C. Bucher

Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study examined differences between college students with and without disabilities who utilized college counseling center services. Although we found no differences between students with (n = 234, 9.2%) and without (n = 2,308, 90.8%) disabilities on number of counseling sessions attended, significant findings included: students with disabilities were more likely to self-terminate and more likely to be referred out than students without disabilities. Results suggest that students with disabilities are a diverse group requiring special consideration in college counseling settings. Recommendations for college counseling practice are discussed.

Personal Counseling In Academic Programs With Counselor Trainees, Meredith Drew, Mark D. Stauffer, William Barkley

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counseling programs are responsible for harm caused by their counselor trainees. This study examined the effect of participating in personal counseling on basic clinical skills using the Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory. This article discusses this study’s inconclusive results and implications for the development of counselors and counseling programs.