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Informing Social Work Practice Through The Enhancement Of The Biological Perspective: A Course Intervention Model For Human Service Professionals Working With Youth And Problems Of Conduct., Allison Sampson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention model designed to enhance practitioners’ biological lens when using a biopsychosocial-spiritual model of holistic assessment and planning. The specific intervention utilized is a course curriculum developed to broaden human service professionals’ (including clinical social work professionals) understanding of attachment theory, neuroscience and trauma informed methods of practice. The course teaches professionals how to apply this knowledge to clinical assessment and intervention planning with youth who have experienced significant trauma in their lives and exhibit problems of conduct. Using an experimental design, participants from a large private mental …

Does Context Matter In Determining Psychological Abuse? Effects Of Pattern, Harm, Relationship, And Norms, Dana D. Dehart, Diane R. Follingstad, Alice M. Fields

Faculty and Staff Publications

This study explored contextual influences in determining whether psychologically aggressive actions constitute abuse. One hundred and thirty-one undergraduates completed measures of key experiences, attitudes, and traits, and rated abusiveness of behaviors in a series of vignettes. Vignettes varied contexts in which behaviors occurred, including whether the behavior was a pattern, whether there was harm to the recipient, characteristics of the initiator-recipient relationship, and whether behavior was normative. Results showed no effects for participants' gender, past experiences with psychological aggression, and traits or attitudes. Findings indicated that behaviors were rated as more abusive when harm to recipient was evident. Findings regarding …

Review Of Homelessness In America (3 Volumes). Robert Hartman Mcnamara. Reviewed By John Q. Hodges., John Q. Hodges

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Robert Hartman McNamara, Homelessness in America (3 Volumes). Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2008. $300.00 hardcover.

Preventing Violence In Low-Income Communities: Facilitating Residents' Ability To Intervene In Neighborhood Problems, Mary L. Ohmer, Barbara D. Warner, Elizabeth Beck

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The violence found in low-income communities, including areas of concentrated poverty, is often extensive and can involve illegal drugs, juvenile delinquency, and even homicide. A large body of research has emerged which points to the positive effects of informal social control and social capital in preventing violence in lowincome communities, including neighbors taking leadership roles by intervening themselves. This article contains a description of an exploratory study ofa pilot training program the authors developed to facilitate residents' ability to intervene in neighborhood problems in a low-income community in Atlanta, Georgia. The training incorporated concepts from restorative justice, peacemaking criminology, and …

Women's Rights=Human Rights: Pakistani Women Against Gender Violence, Filomena M. Critelli

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Gender-based violence constitutes a major public health risk and is a serious violation of basic human rights throughout the world. Counter to many Western images of Muslim women as passive victims, women's groups in Pakistan have begun to organize to respond to these conditions. This study is based upon in-depth interviews conducted with the founders and senior staff of Dastak (Knock on the Door), a shelter for women in Lahore, Pakistan that uses a human rights framework to provide services and advocate for public support for women's rights to safety and security. The study explores how Pakistani women are taking …

Review Of Our Bodies, Our Crimes: The Policing Of Women's Reproduction In America. Jeanne Flavin. Reviewed By Debra Durham., Debra Durham

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Jeanne Flavin, Our Bodies, Our Crimes: The Policing of Women's Reproduction in America. New York: New York University Press, 2009. $36.00 hardcover.

Review Of Children Families And Social Exclusion: New Approaches To Prevention. Kate Morris, Marian Barnes, And Paul Mason. Reviewed By James Midgley., James Midgley

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Kate Morris, Marian Barnes and Paul Mason, Children, Families and Social Exclusion: New Approaches to Prevention. Bristol: Policy Press, 2009. $36.95 papercover.

Relationship And Injury Trends In The Homicide Of Women Across The Lifespan: A Research Note, Carol E. Jordan, Adam J. Pritchard, Danielle Duckett, Pamela Wilcox, Tracey Corey, Mandy Combest

Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women Publications

In 2006, more than 3,600 women in the United States lost their lives to homicide. Descriptive data regarding homicides of women are beginning to reveal important complexities regarding victim–offender relationships, severity of injury, and age of female homicide victim. More specifically, there is some indication that the correlation between victim–offender relationship and injury severity may be conditional, depending on victim age. This retrospective review accessed medical examiner records of female homicide victims from 2002 through 2004, and its findings offer additional illumination on the trends in associations of injury and relationship variables in the homicide of women over their life …

Contemporary Rural Social Work - Spring 2010 (Volume 2, Number 1)

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

Contemporary Rural Social Work - Spring 2010 (Volume 2, Number 1)

Full issue

Forever Changed: The Transformation Of Rural America Through Immigration, Maha N. Younes Ph.D., Elizabeth A. Killip

Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal

This qualitative case study reveals the impact of immigration on one rural Midwestern community and its longtime residents. The 123 phone interviews and sessions conducted with two focus groups provide compelling insights into residents’ perceptions of immigration and immigrants as well as their ensuing personal and collective struggle with and adaptation to an immigration process that forever changed the community. The residents offer prudent insights for policy makers, immigrants, and other communities facing similar challenges. While the focus of the study is on the macro conversion of the community through the eyes of its residents, the author stresses the need …

Athletics And Violence Against Women: A Study Of Relationship, Meeghan Mercurio

Social Work Theses

This study looked to explore the correlation of violence and being a student athlete. The study was conducted at a small, private, Catholic college in the Northeastern part of the United States. There were 18 female participants and 24 male participants. The participants completed a 27 question survey pertaining to attitudes about violence against women. An independent T –test and a Pearson correlation was used. However, both tests proved the null hypothesis and the data proved not to be statistically significant. Yet, the negative reactions of the participants were significant. Research determined that more data and research is needed.

An Assessment Of Social Worker Attitudes Regarding The Domestic Sex Trafficking Of Children In America, Becky Bergeron

Social Work Theses

Human sex trafficking, defined as a “modern-day form of slavery in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act is under the age of 18 years” (USDHHS, 2009) is a problem that many people do not think is issue in America, but in fact is. This study investigated the attitudes of social workers towards domestically sex trafficked children in the United States, as well as towards pimps and johns, and federal and state policies regarding the safety of sex trafficked children. It was hypothesized that …

Predicting Secure Detention Placement For African-American Juvenile Offenders: Addressing The Disproportionate Minority Confinement Problem, Christopher A. Mallett, Patricia A. Stoddard Dare

Social Work Faculty Publications

Disproportionate minority contact and confinement (DMC) are significant problems within the juvenile justice system in the United States. Minority youth are more often arrested, court referred, placed in locked facilities, and transferred to adult criminal courts. In fact, African American youth are 6 times more likely than White youth to experience a secure facility placement. Standardized risk assessments have been used, in part, to reduce these biased placement outcomes. The purpose of this article is to determine if DMC impacts secure detention placement even when a standardized risk assessment is used to determine youths' risks and needs in 1 Midwest …

An Interdisciplinary Theoretical Interpretive Synthesis Examining The Barriers To Implementing Restorative Justice As The Standard Paradigm Of Adult Criminal Justice Within The Context Of The United States, Matthew J. Van Maastricht

Masters Theses

A systemic paradigm shift of any sort is complex and multifaceted. A systemic paradigm shift of justice is no different. The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers that exist in a systemic paradigm shift from retributive justice to restorative justice. The methodology for this study is an interpretive synthesis of literature on restorative justice and consists of primarily theoretical literature. The literature for this study came from a variety of disciplines (e.g. psychology, criminal justice, sociology, and social work) in order to obtain a holistic perspective. A tripartite analysis was conducted using three perspectives: criminal justice, social …

An Interdisciplinary Theoretical Interpretive Synthesis Examining The Barriers To Implementing Restorative Justice As The Standard Paradigm Of Adult Criminal Justice Within The Context Of The United States, Matthew J. Van Maastricht

Masters Theses

A systemic paradigm shift of any sort is complex and multifaceted. A systemic paradigm shift of justice is no different. The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers that exist in a systemic paradigm shift from retributive justice to restorative justice. The methodology for this study is an interpretive synthesis of literature on restorative justice and consists of primarily theoretical literature. The literature for this study came from a variety of disciplines (e.g. psychology, criminal justice, sociology, and social work) in order to obtain a holistic perspective. A tripartite analysis was conducted using three perspectives: criminal justice, social …

Is Mixed-Income Development An Antidote To Urban Poverty?, Mark L. Joseph

Faculty Scholarship

I critically assess the potential for mixed-income development as a means of helping lift families in U.S. inner cities out of poverty. I identify four main propositions for the promise of mixed-income development, provide a conceptual framework that delineates the pathways through which mixed-income development can be hypothesized to improve the quality of life for the urban poor, and review the evidence from existing research on the relevance of these propositions. Because of the scale and possible elimination of the HOPE VI (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere) program, I pay particular attention to what we have learned from it. The …

Evaluation Of The House Of Healing: An Alternative To Female Incarceration, Sara Lichtenwalter, Maria L. Garase, David B. Barker

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The House of Healing (HOH) is a court-mandated, community based residential program for female offenders. Women reside with their children at the HOH, which serves as a base from which to receive health/mental health care and substance abuse treatment while working toward successful community reintegration. An evaluation based on the records of 94 female offenders residing at the HOH for various time periods between 1998 and 2006 revealed a significant relationship between residents' reunification with their children and successful completion of the HOH program. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between successful program completion and female offenders' recidivism.

Institutional Structures Of Opportunity In Refugee Resettlement: Gender, Race/Ethnicity, And Refugee Ngos, Stephanie J. Nawyn

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Previous research suggests that social welfare assistance can further subordinate already disadvantaged recipients. Refugee resettlement, essentially a social welfare program, offers a diferent perspective on how welfare assistance might exert social control. Using data gathered from 60 in-depth interviews with people working in resettlement and observations at refugee non-governmental organizations (NGOs), this paper argues that refugee NGOs provide a complex institutional opportunity structure that has the potential to reproduce the gender and racial/ethnic subordination embedded in refugee welfare policy while also providing opportunities for refugees to counteract subordinating gender and racial/ethnic relations through advocacy and cultural activities. These findings refine …

Empowering Female Offenders To Reach Success In Probation And Parole, Patricia Lewis

Capstone Research Projects

Responding to the need for gender specific programs within the criminal justice system, this study evaluates a women’s life skills group that is geared towards education and empowerment for female offenders at the Board of Probation and Parole (BOPP) in a small southeastern city. The researcher evaluated the effectiveness of this group using a single system model. The desired outcome of the group was to enhance the women’s knowledge in areas such as self-esteem, parenting, domestic violence, job readiness, and health. Findings reveal overall satisfaction of the participants with the life skills group as well as improvement in individual life …

Impact Of Globalization On Central Appalachian Women: Social Capital And Social Support Networks, Jennifer Lanham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Social networks and capital often sustain community and individual survival. This phenomenological study was designed to illuminate the experience of job loss within the context of globalization, describing the phenomenon from the perspective of rural women and its meaning for those participants. Using a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study explored eight rural women in Appalachian Kentucky who had experienced apparel factory layoffs as a result of global outsourcing. A modified form of van Kaam's method (Moustakas, 1994) was used for phenomenological analysis of the data. Data were analyzed using an eight-step technique to identify essential characteristics of rural women's lived …

Domestic Violence: Treatment Barriers In The Gay And Lesbian Community, Susan Crane

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to investigate barriers to seeking services pertaining to domestic violence among the gay and lesbian population. The treatment barriers to seeking support and services for Same Sex Domestic Violence (SSDV) is related to fear, not feeling safe, judgmental attitudes, lack of education, and law enforcement discrimination.

The Relative Importance Of Risk Factors Leading To Relapse Among Individuals Recovering From Substance Abuse, Norma America Likens

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to help social workers by determining the relative importance of relapse warning signs that have been identified by the addiction treatment professionals.

Why Do You Want To Be A Social Worker?: Influencing Factors And Implications For Recruitment, Glenda Gean Gordon

Theses Digitization Project

Social workers are among the largest group of professionals in social services. They are trained specifically to meet the needs of their complex client populations. In order for their work to be more effective, social workers must establish rapport quickly and develop a therapeutic relationship with their clients based on understanding their background. Clients often feel more comfortable with a worker from a similar background or ethnic idenity. This study explores identifying the motives of new students entering the profession.

Practitioners' Views On Access To Therapeutic Services For Juvenile Sex Offenders, Dorothy Lizabeth Traudt

Theses Digitization Project

Sexual abuse has taken on epidemic proportions. Social workers have to work with families, victims, and the offenders who are part of this cycle. This study was conducted to find out what the social work practitioner's views on the juvenile sex offender was and their view on therapeutic services for the juvenile sex offender.

The African American Male: Examining Resiliency, Success, And Family, Takenya Chimene Mcmihelk

Theses Digitization Project

This study is an examination of resiliency, success and family among African American Males. It is purposed to empower the individual that it affects and soften the hearts of the individuals who continue to consciously and unconsciously oppress these men. The purpose was not to restate what was already known but to create a system to eliminate the re-occurrence of the problem.

Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among College Students, Shareela Marie Allen, Danielle Diane Moore

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to explore what individual factors are associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences among college students. Intimate partner violence is a huge problem among college students both male and female of all ethnicities, socio-economic classes, sexual orientation, and social class. This study focused on alcohol consumption and attitudes and beliefs of students to see it those two variables played a role in contributing to the rate of IPV occurring among college students.

Substance Abuse: A Chronic Care Perspective, Michael James Sweitzer

Theses Digitization Project

This study provides an examination of the Chronic Care Model and its application to the treatment of substance abuse disorders. The hypothesis of the study was that elements of the Chronic Care Model are not being utilized within San Bernardino County's system of care. The study was conducted by having Alcohol and other Drug Counselors throughout San Bernardino County complete the study's 24-question quantitative survey. The purpose of this study is to add to the sparse literature related to the Chronic Care Model and its application to the alcohol and other drug (AOD) field. At this time the AOD field …

Juvenile Probation Officers' Pereceptions Of The Efficacy Of Functional Family Therapy, Kathy Lynn Jaffee

Theses Digitization Project

This study sought to examine the perceptions that juvenile probation officers have regarding their experience with Functional Family Therapy (FFT). The study highlighted the importance of communication between the probation officers and the FFT staff as well as strong support from the supervising staff.

Paying The Price For Black Masculinity: Investigating Sexual Behaviors Contributing To Hiv/Aids Infection And Death Of Black Women, Porsche Monic Terry

Theses Digitization Project

According to the Center for Disease Control (2005), African American women account for 64% of the nearly 127,000 women living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. The author conducted qualitative interviews with 30 adult Black males with a history of practicing Down Low (DL) sexual behavior-- engaging in homoerotic activities with their female partners. The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the DL subculture and to obtain useful information that is crucial to understanding how the DL male's personal struggles with sexuality and masculinity contribute to the disporportionate amount of Black women contracting HIV/AIDS.

Geriatric Competency, Training, And Services: Surveying A Local Aging Access Point, Toni Aiduk

Undergraduate Review

By the year 2030, 61 million baby boomers will be between the ages of 66 and 84. Add to that cohort the nine million “oldest old,” or those born before 1946, and significant numbers of 70 million individuals will need access to aging related services. Researchers and policy makers predict huge shortfalls in services and resources for the elderly, and document - that even now – there are too few social workers in the geriatric field. Many of those currently in the field lack professional geriatric training and may not be adequately prepared to help aging clients. However, these studies …