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Children Without Futures: A Feasibility Study Comparing Characteristics Of Families Who Have Children Placed In Long And Short-Term Foster Care, Kaye Hutchins

Dissertations and Theses

Many children drift into unplanned long-term foster home care, under conditions unsatisfactory for the child, his own family and the foster parents. Current practice in foster care often contributes to foster children growing up without the necessary love, support and guidance from a family that he can call his own. Recent publications in social work journals have suggested that a lack of consistent family relationships may be injurious to the emotional development of children. Social workers have become increasingly dissatisfied with a "helping process" that may, in fact, generate more harm than help. Originating from the social worker's dissatisfaction with …

A Scale Of Verbal Accessibility In Mild And Borderline Retarded Adults, Keith Baker

Dissertations and Theses

This is the forth study of verbal accessibility undertaken at the Portland State University School of Social Work. The first two completed in the years 1967 (Kresse, et al., 1967) and 1968 (Walker, et al.,1968) dealt with the area of marriage. The third completed in 1969 (Metz, et al., 1969)dealt with the authoritarian family ideology. The intent of this study is to determine if that material can be applied to use with the retarded adults being placed from Fairview Hospital and Training Center . This is the major State Institution for care and treatment of the mentally retarded in the …

A Descriptive Study Of Educational Background, Contraceptive Knowledge, And Choice Of Agency Among Selected Girls 18 Years Old And Under Seeking An Abortion At The University Of Oregon Medical School, Carol A. Carter, Lititia J. Kirk, Jane F. Ogier

Dissertations and Theses

This study was conducted at the University of Oregon Medical School located in Portland, Oregon. This school has performed many abortions since Oregon liberalized its abortion law in 1969. In Oregon in 1968 before the abortion law was changed there were 238 abortions performed, 35% of these were for women under the age of 19. During 1971 there were 6,997 abortions of these 2,625 were for girls of age 19 and younger.

Selection Of Practice Models For Social Work, Linda Fritz

Dissertations and Theses

This paper will focus upon the value positions underlying two social work models: the traditional or psychodynamic and that of behavior modification. It is recognized that there are areas in which those two approaches do not seem far removed, e.g., with some neo-behaviorists and/or some ego psychologists. However, to the extent that the lines become very blurred, so does the clarity of position or practice. Like many practitioners who claim to be “eclectic,” it becomes extremely difficult to find out where they are and what they do value at a given point in time. Why do social workers become so …

Preschool Predication Of First Grade Social And Emotional Adjustment, Benjamin Sherrill

Dissertations and Theses

The prediction and/or early identification of problems of the first grader are of concern of concern to educators, school psychologists, and those engaged in elementary school social work. Social and behavioral problems interfere with the child's ability to succeed in school and it is clear that if these difficulties could be anticipated early in the first grader's school experience there could be immediate intervention to enhance his chance for success.

The Role Of Social Work In Genetics Counseling, Diane Margaret Plumridge

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this practicum is to demonstrate the need for social workers to be employed by Genetics Clinics as a member of the genetics team, the hypothesis being that there is need for social work involvement in the field of medical genetics. Research was completed through a survey of the literature in the field of: counseling problems in genetic counseling, social work involvement in genetics clinics, the role of nursing in genetic counseling, and psychological studies concerning problems of genetic counseling. Literature in these areas was extremely limited During the summer of 1971, a questionnaire was sent to ninety …

Guidelines For Agency Based Day Care Programs For Children Ages 0-3 Years, Elizabeth H. Minifie

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this practicum is to demonstrate the need and appropriateness of agency based group day care programs for children ages 0-3 years, to indicate some guidelines based on a collation of recent, but partial and not fully developed studies consistent with the aim of maximizing the socialized development of each child, with certain desired characteristics in mind as end products. Daycare needs have been studied from several approaches: on a city, state and national level describing the need in terms of "slots" to fill, and from a neighborhood based approach where needs are being met by neighbors in …

Behavioral Characteristics Associated With Accidental Poisoning In Childhood, Nancy Koroloff, Emily Tufts

Dissertations and Theses

Two groups of parents from different socio-economic levels were questioned about the behavioral characteristics of their children before 18 months and subsequent incidences of accidental poisoning. The data collected showed proportional numbers of accidental poisonings regardless of parent education, race or income. Unusual activity in the child before 18 months was the best predictor of accidental poisoning during childhood.

An Attempt To Find Predictor Variables Which Will Discriminate Between Those Patients Who Seek Aftercare Treatment And Those Who Do Not Seek Aftercare Treatment Upon Discharge From A Psychiatric Ward, Nena V. Johnstone, William D. Lynch, Philip M. Baldwin, John C. Kemp

Dissertations and Theses

This is an exploratory follow-up study of the clientele of the Psychiatric Crisis Unit, a short-term, crisis-oriented inpatient psychiatric ward. The main objective of the research was to test the following null hypothesis: there are no significant differences between those individuals who attempt to gain aftercare treatment as opposed to those individuals who do not following discharge from the Crisis Unit.

A sample of fifty-one voluntary patients who consented to participate in the study was used in testing this hypothesis. Each subject completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (M.M.P.I.) and a sociological questionnaire while in the Crisis Unit, and a …

Anxiety Level Of Graduate Students In Social Work, Sophia Kouidou-Giles, George Albert Mckee

Dissertations and Theses

This study was designed to determine (1) the trend of anxiety level of social work students, term by term, over the academic year; (2) the cyclical trend of anxiety level of social work students within each term and (3) the effects of age and sex on level of anxiety among social work students.

Anxiety was measured with the IPAT - 8 Parallel Form Anxiety Battery. This test was administered to twenty randomly selected first year students in the School of Social Work during the 1969-1970 academic year at Portland State University. Data was collected from six test administrations which …

Continuance Vs. Discontinuance In Family Counseling, Katherine Anderson, Alice Dudley, Mayetta Rocks

Dissertations and Theses

The study was designed to examine the social workers' and clients' perceptions of change in the treatment process; specifically to examine the question of why clients discontinue service prior to planful termination. Also, the authors attempted to assess the client's perception of gain and the worker's assessment of gain.

Post-Divorce Visitation Of Minor Children; Development Of A Questionnaire, Viola Cotter, Lorraine Goldenberg, Terry Mcgill

Dissertations and Theses

The present descriptive study was broadly concerned about divorces which have an impact on minor children. It was intended to build on the previous research of Griffith, Hack, Murphy, Wieman, Williams, Van Lydegraf & Glaudin (1970) in describing the relationships between parents and children after divorce. It was the objective of the present research team to come closer to the goal of selecting a representative sample of divorced parents than was possible previously. Moreover, an attempt was made to develop a highly structured questionnaire and interview schedule growing out of the earlier experience with semi-structured interviews. Data to be collected …

The Effects Of Selected Laboratory Experiences On Achievement In Educational Psychology 90, Janice E. Wieck

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this study is to ascertain the effect of some selected “laboratory experiences” when used to supplement informal lecture. The result s of a questionnaire completed by students enrolled in Educational Psychology 90 during the fall semester of 1969, indicated that the students thought the course could possibly be made more functional and efficient by the implementation of changes. According to the student response, 88 per cent indicated the content to be anywhere from somewhat adequate to very appropriate. For this study the content was not drastically changed.

Action-Oriented Group Therapy For Lower-Socio-Economic-Status Clients, Joan C. Peters

Dissertations and Theses

An attempt is made to present a model of group therapy for Lower-Socio-Economic-Status (LSES) clients. The theoretical issues include a definition of traditional group therapy along with a brief description of the more recent sensitivity training approaches. A rationale for combining these two different group approaches is presented to form the model for action-oriented group therapy (ACT groups) which utilizes both the traditional approach and action techniques of the sensitivity group. It is proposed that this hybrid, the AOT group, is more appropriate for treating the LSES client. The needs and expectations of the LSES client are discussed. The goals …

A Postulated Alternative To Current Oregon Marital Statute (Ors 106.71): A Frankly Revisionist Analysis Of The Concrete Situation, Ken Jones, Ray Kendall, Jan Nolley, Jill Weeden

Dissertations and Theses

According to the Oregon Marriage statute an applicant for a marriage license must present a physician's statement that he is free from certain mental and physical conditions. When the examining physician is not satisfied that the applicant is free from these conditions, the applicant is referred to the Committee of Three, a special standing committee appointed by the Board of Social Protection for determining whether or not a license to marry should be granted.

In the spring of 1970 such a situation was referred to the committee for its consideration. As a result of the committee's involvement with this applicant, …

The Influence Of Tradition On The Process Of Organizational Change: A Study Of Two Oregon Child Care Centers: Edgefield Lodge, Troutdale, And St. Mary's Home For Boys, Beaverton, Helen Paula Grant

Dissertations and Theses

For over two centuries, child-caring institutions in the United States have helped families care for their children, and have been solicitous as well for the dependent, neglected, and retarded children. Since the founding of the first orphanage in the United States in 1737 by the Ursuline Sisters, after the ravage of an Indian massacre, child care has developed slowly from simple custodial care to institutions giving specialized care in some one single area. This change was a result not only of the need of children for specialized care but also of the advances in the nation's social, economic, and medical …

A Demographic Study Based Upon Income, Age And Education Variables As Related To The Willingness Or Unwillingness To Accept Foster Children, John Hughes

Dissertations and Theses

The research problem in this thesis can be briefly stated as a study of a general population to test certain demographic variables, in particular those of income, age and education, which may or may not have a significant relationship to an expressed willingness to care for foster children; and to further examine whether certain special characteristics of a child, in particular those of increased age, physical handicap, minor emotional problems or mental retardation, further increase unwillingness to care for foster children.

The sample was selected by a two- stage cluster sampling taken from the Southeast catchment area of metropolitan Portland, …

Changing The Custody Of Children Whose Parents Have Been Divorced: A General View Of The Process, Dorothy E. Bateman

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this project was to obtain a preliminary description, through study of the legal files, of that group of persons who appear before the Court of Domestic Relations for a reconsideration of the custody decision made initially, at the time of divorce. A sample of 92 cases heard in Multnomah County in 1965 was obtained.

A survey of the literature revealed that much of what has been written on the subject of divorce and custody is primarily from a statistical or legalistic standpoint and very little bears directly on the granting or obtaining of custody or the problems …

Factors In Assessing Effectiveness Of Orientation Programs For Public Welfare Caseworkers, Clyde Ferguson

Dissertations and Theses

A study done in 1968-1969 by students at Portland State University School of Social Work at the request of the Oregon State Public Welfare Commission Staff Development Division sought to devise an instrument for assessing the effectiveness of teaching the casework principles of Felix P. Biestek to casework trainees in the public welfare's orientation program. The test instrument developed was found to have low, but acceptable, internal reliability.

Building on the previous year's work, this 1969-1970 study sought to determine the validity of the test instrument by relating test scores to two measures of job performance, namely the latest supervisory …

Attitudes Of Youth Toward Social Institutions: A Comparative Study, Connie Mcgonigle, James F. Bakke

Dissertations and Theses

In August, 1968, after a series of confrontations in the city parks between young dissidents and the police, the Mayor of Portland called upon the Metropolitan Youth Commission to form a special study committee to explore the areas of conflict and to recommend ways in which municipal government might constructively respond to the young people in the community. The independent research project on the alienation of youth, the results of which are reported here, was an outgrowth of the interest generated by the request from the Office of the Mayor. Under the auspices of the Metropolitan Youth Commission (MYC), a …

A Study Of The Amphetamine Abuser: Personality Characteristics And “Meaning To Life”, Terrence L. Esch

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This paper will review the literature on amphetamine abuse after which I will discuss some implications for treatment. I will propose an empirical study that should help clarify a major assumption that is apparent in the literature. This study will then point out the possibility of a method of treatment that can be effective in helping amphetamine abusers.

The papers consists of three major themes: (a) Review of the Literature, (b) Implications for treatment, and (c) a proposed empirical study questioning the difference of personality traits and “meaning to life” between amphetamine abusers and youth who are considered to be …

Evaluation By Foster Parents Of Services Received From The Children’S Aid Society Of Metropolitan Toronto, Barbara Allen

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The problem area is evaluation of service by foster parents. My concern with this problem stems first from a general concern for what recipients of service value or devalue in that service. There is sparse available data in this area. John E. Mayer and Noel Timms state that “For many years caseworkers have experimented with different ways of helping people. Curiously, the resultant innovations have stemmed not from the client’s perception of what is helpful, but from the practitioner’s. Moreover, with few exceptions, the effectiveness of help has been judged by the persons offering, not receiving, help. In a word …

An Examination Of The Personality Trait Of Dependence As A Factor Influencing Social Work Practice, Evelyn J. Eisenberg

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

No abstract provided.

The Relative Effectiveness Of Three Educational Programmes In Promoting Academic Achievement Among Latency Age Emotionally Disturbed Boys Residing In Treatment Institutions, Denis Quinn

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Several years ago, a small group of men entered what appeared to be an ordinary house in suburban Toronto. These men continued their visits, day after day, for months on end. The outcome of their persistent visits was “Warrendale”—a feature length film which violently jarred open one of the mental closets into which we, as a society, sweep away our most perplexing problems. “Warrendale” dramatically thrust into the public eye a speck of life that could no longer be blinked away. The millions who saw the film had their social blinders rudely removed by the extraordinary residents of that “ordinary” …

Social Adjustment, Personality And Behaviour In Training Schools In Ontario, Jerome Caron

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This report was chosen for analysis as we had, while working in the Children’s Aid Society worked with wards who were to be sent to training schools or who were discharged, needing foster homes. Experience during our first field placement, at Madame Vanier Children’s Services, in London, was also gained, as we daily came in contact with children who could be potentially admitted to training school. The positive response of these children to considerate and fair treatment was very evident in this setting. The social policy implications of this report, in which Dr. Grygier emphasizes the need for fair laws …

Follow-Up Survey Into The Residential Needs Of The Physically Disabled Of Waterloo County: Participation In An On-Going Research Study, Larry Elgin Brigham

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo had appointed a committee to investigate the needs of the physically handicapped in Waterloo County. A detailed account of the evolution of this committee can be found in a paper by my classmates, Edward Mavor and Judy Rees-Thomas.

The sub-committee to which I will be referring throughout this paper is the sub-committee on the residential needs of the physically disabled. This sub-committee was formed as it was felt that there were too many facets to the problems facing the physically disabled to be handled easily by one committee. In order to organize most efficiently, …

A Behavioral Therapy Program With Chronic Mental Patients: An Experimental Demonstration Proposal, Bryon Bonell

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of Foster Homes And Group Homes, William Benbow

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Pupil Personnel Services In Selected Primary Schools In Virginia, Phyllis Wiggens Fary

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

No abstract.

Verbal Accessibility And Authoritarian Family Ideology: A Study Of 50 Graduate Social Work Students And Their Spouses, Linda Louise Metz

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis is the fourth in a series of empirical investigations concerned with symbolic interaction in marriage. Its basic assumption is that personal predispositions of marital partners as well as the social context of their marriage influences marital intimacy particularly the partner's readiness to communicate verbally with each other about important attitudes and feelings.

Fifty married graduate students attending Portland State University School of Social Work and their spouses comprised the sample. The subjects responded to three instruments: (1) a personality scale (Authoritarian Family Ideology – AFI) developed by Jane Loevinger, (2) a measure of verbal accessibility (VA), and (3) …