Digital Commons Network^™

Corrigendum To “Decolonizing Knowledge As Epistemic Justice: Key Conceptual Tendencies From The Global South” [Tanzania Journal Of Sociology, Vol. 11, Issue No.2, December 2025: 113 - 128], Richard Sambaiga

Tanzania Journal of Sociology

This article registers corrections done to a reference section of "Decolonizing Knowledge as Epistemic Justice: Key Conceptual Tendencies from the Global South” [Tanzania Journal of Sociology, Vol. 11, Issue No.2, December 2025: 113 - 128]

Attribution Of Behavior And Misdiagnosis In Mental Health Evaluation Of Primary School Children, E’Mon Ambers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem of misdiagnosis of mental health conditions in primary school aged children because of attributions related to misbehavior is a significant issue. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore a selected sample of educators’ and mental health professionals’experiences and perceptions of the risks of attribution errors in mental health misdiagnosis among primary school-aged children in Richmond, VA. The research questions addressed how stakeholders perceive the role of attribution errors in professional practice contributing to misdiagnosis, as well as what practice-based and systemic changes stakeholders propose to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Narrative data was collected from educators …

Barriers To Entry, Barriers To Exit: Exploring The Relationship Between Administrative Burdens And Work Disincentives In Public Benefits Programs, Stephen Roll, Guangli Zhang, Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

Through the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility project, the Center for Social Development has explored how the design of the U.S. public benefits system creates barriers to the economic stability and mobility of low-wage workers. The first of these barriers is the administrative burdens embedded in public benefits, which refers to the difficulties and stresses potential beneficiaries experience learning about a program, complying with program rules, or interacting with program staff. The second of these barriers is the work and savings disincentives many public benefits programs create through their eligibility rules, which can punish beneficiaries for earning or saving more …

The Indispensable Role Of The Sister Disability Agencies: Safeguarding Progress And Enhancing Outcomes Through Collaboration, Lesley Cottrell, Susan Given, Christina E. Wiseman

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This manuscript emphasizes the critical importance of having a Disability Network of services—including University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and Protection & Advocacy organizations - in promoting systemic innovation and improved outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities. Highlighting a case study from West Virginia, where collaboration between West Virginia University’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Disability Rights of West Virginia, and the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council has resulted in cost-effective, sustainable improvements, this paper underscores the urgent need to protect and expand these programs amidst current policy threats. The evidence underscores that …

Increasing Participation Through Online Focus Groups With Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Emily L. Cary, Chris A. Taylor, Susan Havercamp, Andrea Witwer

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The aim of this study was to develop and describe methods on how to conduct virtual focus groups with adults with intellectual disability. Using a community-engaged research approach, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities helped develop virtual focus group methods. We report on the implementation of these methods through an illustrative application of applying these adaptations to virtual focus groups with 13 adults with intellectual disability in a study assessing their perspectives on mental health therapy.

This work resulted in several adaptations that can enhance inclusivity of focus group research to individuals with intellectual disability. Adaptions broadly included: involving guardians …

Educating Medical Trainees On Mental Healthcare And Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Andrea Palmieri, Joan B. Beasley, Micah Peace Urquilla, Jennifer Mclaren

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Many children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience mental health conditions and commonly receive treatment with psychotropic medications. Prescribers often overuse these medications in children with IDD, who are frequently treated with polypharmacy and antipsychotics, a trend that continues into adulthood. Medical trainees receive little training regarding the IDD patient population. This paper describes the development and evaluation of an evidence-informed, easy-to-use training curriculum. The 6-hour training establishes a foundation for medical trainees regarding the treatment of mental health conditions in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD-MH) as part of an integrated health, interdisciplinary treatment approach. …

Stressors And Challenges Faced By Mexican American Caregivers Of Family Members With Alzheimer’S Disease, Romeo Escobar, Denise Longoria, John M. Gonzalez, Nelda Rodriguez

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Mexican American caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease face unique stressors and challenges, which may be influenced by cultural, socioeconomic, and systemic factors. This population often assumes caregiving responsibilities based on strong cultural values of familismo which emphasizes family duty and collective care. However, this commitment can lead to increased emotional strain, mental health concerns, financial and physical strain, particularly when caregivers have limited access to healthcare resources, financial support, or respite. Language barriers and a lack of culturally competent healthcare services can further exacerbate stress, making it difficult to navigate the complex healthcare system. The purpose of this study …

Stories From Former Foster Youth College Graduates: The Positive Impact Of K-12 Schooling And Related Educational Policy, Amanda Moon, Kristen D. Seay

Faculty and Staff Publications

Youth in foster care face disproportionate challenges when it comes to education and personal well-being. Many studies use a deficit lens when evaluating these challenges. In contrast, this study is asset-based, centering first-person accounts from five former foster youth college graduates. Using a counter-narrative framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants to reveal key supports in K-12 schooling participants believed helped them achieve academic and life milestones. These were relationships with teachers and coaches, access to extracurricular activities, and literacy-rich environments. We also reviewed 11 relevant federal educational policies to identify provisions and implementation needs that aligned with participant experiences. …

A Qualitative Examination Of The Motivations For Homeschooling Among Black Americans, Portia J. Witt

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the motivations and lived experiences of African American homeschooling families. Twelve Black parents from multiple states participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Moustakas’ (1994) Modified Stevick–Colaizzi–Keen method and coded thematically using NVivo. Nine themes emerged: autonomy, holistic education, community belonging, online networks, public resources, curriculum gaps, personal values, effective learning, and legacy of harm. While racialization in schools—including tracking, microaggressions, and misidentification—contributed to participants’ decisions, motivations also reflected intersectional factors such as faith, disability, mental health needs, giftedness, and a desire for cultural protection and flexible learning. Findings suggest homeschooling serves as a …

Built On Dignity, Backed By Love: A Mixed Methods Study And Curriculum Grounded In Black Caregivers’ Racial Socialization To Cultivate Youth Agency, Heather Watson

Dissertations

This dissertation explores how low-income Black youth and their caregivers experience, interpret, and respond to racial discrimination, with a focus on the development of youths’ dignity as a culturally grounded resilience process. Using a mixed-methods, community-based participatory research (CBPR) design, the study addresses three central aims: (1) to identify the forms of discrimination youth and caregivers encounter and their relationship to racial stress and resilience; (2) to define dignity from the perspectives of youth and caregivers; and (3) to identify caregiver-youth conversations that cultivate dignity and inform the development of the Dignity Development Curriculum (DDC). Data were collected through semi-structured …

The Impact Of Digital Reverse Mentoring On Older Adults' Digital Literacy: Mediating Roles Of Self-Perceptions Of Aging And Self-Efficacy, Jierong Hu, Minzhi Ye, Haotian Wan, Wengian Leong

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Digital literacy is critical for older adults to maintain social connections, access information, and support overall mental well-being. However, many older adults struggle with using digital devices. Guided by the self-fulfilling prophecy theory, this study investigates how digital reverse mentoring (DRM), referring to younger individuals assisting older adults in learning and using digital technology, is associated with digital literacy, with self-perceptions of aging and self-efficacy as mediators.

Research Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 402 community-dwelling older adults aged 60+ in Macao, China. Control variables include gender, age, education, income, self-rated health, and home …

Bridging Theory And Self-Development In Human Services And Counselor Education, Kristy Carlisle

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

Counselor and human services education increasingly recognize self-awareness as a core component of professional competence and ethical practice. This conceptual manuscript presents a pedagogical framework that integrates major helping theories as tools for structured self-reflection and self-development among students and practitioners. Drawing from experiential learning theory, reflective practice, and models of counselor identity formation, the approach encourages learners to view themselves through theoretical lenses such as person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and existential frameworks, paralleling the very lenses through which they will view their clients in practice. By engaging in guided reflective activities, students examine personal beliefs, emotions, and behaviors to enhance self-understanding, …

Exploring Juvenile Justice System Social Workers’ Dual Role Conflicts, Tayler Janet Deggendorfer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers working within the juvenile justice system face challenges in managing dual roles of providing social support for clients in a punitive environment of incarceration. The problem that was explored in this study is the ethical and practical dilemmas of dual roles for social workers—specifically the potential for burnout and mental health injury for social workers who work within the parameters of both roles. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of a selected criterion sample of social workers. The study was framed by Goffman’s role theory. Oral narrative data were collected …

Technology-Enabled Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia (Cbt-I) In Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Development And Feasibility Study, Hongtu Chen, Marta Pagán-Ortiz, Sara Romero Vincente, Emma Chapman, James Maxwell, Otis L. Owens, Sue E. Levkoff Scd, Msw, Sm

Faculty and Staff Publications

Background/Objectives: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and early dementia, affecting up to 20% of older adults. Sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, affect around 60% of individuals with MCI, contributing to declines in cognitive and physical function. Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based non-pharmacological treatment, few studies have adapted it for individuals with MCI. This pilot study developed and evaluated Slumber, a clinician-supported mobile CBT-I app tailored for older adults with MCI and insomnia. Methods: The study had three aims: (1) to develop the app for delivering CBT-I to individuals with …

Cultural Influences Experienced By Self-Identified Hmong College Students, Nkaujntsa Lovy Lee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore how self-identified Hmong college students aged 18–24 perceived their culture’s influence on their academic experiences. The study examined the relationships shaping individual identity and their effects on academic pursuits. A basic qualitative inquiry approach was used to interview ten Hmong undergraduate students enrolled in colleges across the United States. Semi-structured interviews facilitated data collection guided by the ecological systems theory, while thematic analysis and inductive coding were employed to identify patterns and develop themes from the data. The themes identified in the study were family as the central influence, negotiating conflicting …

Employment Stability And Security Of Low-Wage Workers In The United States, Mathieu Despard, Guangli Zhang, Stephen Roll

Center for Social Development Research

One quarter of workers in the United States make $35,000 or less, and nearly half of these are between 35 and 64 years old. Forty percent are caring for children in the home. As temporary and gig working arrangements become increasingly common, this brief explores the stability of work and income for low-wage workers. The analyses draw upon data from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility survey administered to a nationally representative sample of U.S. workers earning less than 250% of the federal poverty line. The findings from this work have direct implications for employment practices and labor policies.

Social Workers' Perspectives Of Using Teletherapy To Foster Resilience Among Middle-Class Single Black Mothers, Yvonne Judge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inadequate mental health support, particularly from social workers, disproportionately affects middle-class single Black mothers. Prior studies have examined low-income single mothers’ access to mental health care and the potential of teletherapy as a tool for improving access; however, few have explored how middle-class single Black mothers navigate mental health challenges. Further, there is a lack of research on social workers’ perspectives of using teletherapy to foster resilience among middle-class single Black mothers. This is a critical gap, as social workers play a key role in tailoring mental health interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore social workers’ perspectives …

From Local To Global: Surabaya’S Paradiplomacy Strategy In Realising A Child-Friendly City, Muhammad Fajhriyadi Hastira, Ali Maksum, Muh Fichriyadi Hastira, Ramalina Ranaivo Mikea Manitra

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

Along with the development of decentralisation and subnational diplomacy, strengthening child protection at the city level has become an important part of the global agenda. This research aims to analyse the implementation of the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative in Surabaya City from a paradiplomacy perspective. In addition, this study seeks to explain the synergy between local, national, and global policies and identify opportunities and challenges using literature studies and analysis of official documents from the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) and the Surabaya Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning (P3APPKB), the Surabaya City …

Navigating Academic Accommodations For Students With Chronic Illnesses In Higher Education: A Scoping Review, Lauren M. Sutton

Social Work Theses

College is a very important and exciting chapter in students’ lives, one that will prepare them for a career and the rest of their lives. For one student population though, this also comes with additional unknowns, obstacles, and institutional barriers. This student population is students with disabilities. For a student with a disability pursuing a degree in higher education, there are institutional barriers that can be addressed by receiving academic accommodations, reducing or removing institutional barriers that disproportionately affect these students. The barriers faced by a student with a disability vary greatly by student, their disability, their major or program, …

Psychosocial Strengths Associated With Higher Functioning After Interpersonal Adversity In The United Kingdom And Ireland, Matthew Brooks, Victoria Banyard, Xiafei Wang, Sherry Hamby

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objective: Over the past two decades, positive psychology research has identified correlates of resilience. Although a range of strengths have been explored, there is a need to identify specific strengths that best support individuals to thrive after interpersonal trauma and adversity. This study assessed the contribution of 24 strengths from the Values in Action (VIA) positive psychology survey, alongside five other measures of strengths identified from resilience research, to identify those that show most promise.

Method: In total, 1,440 adults from the United Kingdom and Ireland completed the online VIA survey, and questions on five psychosocial strengths (ecoconnections, …

Personal Strength As A Core Dimension Of Posttraumatic Growth: A Multi-Method Study Of U.S. Military Veterans, Steven Moore

Social Work Dissertations

U.S. military veterans are frequently exposed to traumatic and morally challenging experiences that can disrupt core assumptions about identity, purpose, and control. While much of the veteran mental health literature has emphasized psychological distress and functional impairment, growing attention has been directed toward posttraumatic growth and strengths-based outcomes. This dissertation examined posttraumatic growth among U.S. military veterans with a specific focus on personal strength as a central dimension of growth following trauma.

Using a multi-method design, this dissertation integrated findings from three complementary studies. First, a scoping review mapped how posttraumatic growth, personal strength, and related constructs have been conceptualized, …

The Cost Of Care: A Mixed Methods Study Of Social Work Student Well-Being, Practicum Pay, And The Future Of Feminized Care In The Health Workforce, Christian Adeleke

Social Work Dissertations

Social work field education, commonly enacted as the practicum, is widely regarded as the profession’s signature pedagogy, yet its material conditions—particularly the prevalence of unpaid or minimally compensated placements—are rarely problematized. This dissertation examined the financial, academic, and well-being consequences of practicum participation among social work students and the mechanisms through which these consequences arise. Using an embedded mixed methods design, the study analyzed secondary data from the Payment for Placements (P4P) survey (N = 618), combining a moderated-mediation structural equation model with a reflexive thematic analysis of open-ended narrative responses. Drawing on feminist political economy and social reproduction …

Family Factors And Adolescent Behavior: How Parenting Practices And Parent-Child Relationships Shape Internalizing And Externalizing Behaviors, Angela J. Spikes

Social Work Dissertations

Mental health challenges can emerge across childhood and adolescence, often manifesting as internalizing and externalizing behaviors. These outcomes are shaped by the complex interplay of environmental and contextual influences, particularly parenting practices and family dynamics. This study examines how parental practices and caregiver-child relationship quality influence adolescent internalizing and externalizing behaviors while accounting for key sociodemographic factors, including sex, race/ethnicity, maternal education, income, and household structure. Using a longitudinal design, secondary data were drawn from the Future of Families and Child Well-being Study. The analytic sample included adolescents and caregivers with data from Wave 5 (Year 9) and Wave 6 …

Msw Portfolio, Ashley V. Sifuentes

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Growing into my voice, my journey throughout the MSW program.

Aging On The Fringes: Understanding Inequities Among Older Adults Impacted By Poverty, Mental Health Challenges, And Drug Use, William O’Leary, David Howson-Jan, Marjorie Knight, Soo Chan Carusone

Lyle S. Hallman Social Work Faculty Publications

This report provides an overview of government reports and academic literature examining aging and its intersection with poverty, homelessness, drug use, and mental health challenges. It pairs national and Ontario trends with data from Waterloo Region to illustrate how aging on the fringes is unfolding locally.

Throughout the report, “Local Lens: Waterloo Region” callouts highlight key regional indicators and their implications for programs and policy. The purpose of this report is to support discussion and action to advance equity-informed research and advocacy for people aging on the fringes. It is written for community members, service providers, and organizations seeking to …

Suicide Stigma In A Cross-Cultural Context: Comparison Between Mexican And Mexican American Communities., Robin E. Gearing, Micki Washburn, Kathryne Brewer, Luis R. Torres-Hostos, Pedro Isnardo De La Cruz, Miao Yu, Natalia Giraldo-Santiago, Alberto Cabrera, Adelaido Garcia Andres

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Suicide and suicide-related stigma are serious public health issues affecting Latine communities and often serve as a barrier to help-seeking Mexicans and Mexican Americans experiencing mental health concerns. Despite this, there are still gaps in our understanding of how suicide stigma specifically impacts Latines of Mexican heritage. While Mexicans and Mexican Americans share many familial, cultural, and religious values, their exposure to different societal norms may shape distinct perceptions of suicidal ideation and mental health. To better understand suicide-related stigma in these communities, we conducted a community-based survey with 248 Mexican Americans in Houston and 203 participants in Mexico City …

The Efficacy Of Co-Response Teams: A Scoping Review, Kristen N. Burkhart

Social Work Theses

This scoping review explores co-response teams, a coordinated response consisting of a mental health professional (MHP) and a law enforcement official (LEO). It examines the implementation, effectiveness, and outcomes of these interventions, highlighting barriers and facilitators of co-response teams. The review analyzed peer-reviewed studies from the years 2016-2026. Using the Arskey & O’Malley framework, an initial database search yielded 691 studies of which 30 were included in this review.  The review identifies four areas of ideas: legal system diversion and outcomes, frontline stakeholders' roles and friction, specialized co-response teams, and systemic barriers and resource constraints. Significant gaps remain in long-term …

Aging With A Chronic Illness: Symptom Burden, Everyday Challenges, And Quality Of Life Among Older Adults With Multiple Sclerosis, Swasati Handique

Social Work Dissertations

This three-article study examined the quality of life and everyday lived experience of older adults living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The first article is a scoping review of 14 peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2025, conducted in accordance with Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework and the PRISMA checklist. The second article is a cross-sectional study using the Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies (ACCESS) Phase II data set of 60 older adults living with MS. Multiple linear regression and moderation analysis was conducted to examine the association between physical symptom burden and quality of life, and whether participation …

Parents’ Perspectives On Trajectories Of Well-Being For Immigrant Youth From Central America., Tatiana Londoño, Lauren E. Gulbas, Luis H. Zayas

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

This study explored the trajectories of well-being among immigrant youth in the United States using an ecodevelopmental and posttraumatic growth perspective. Immigrant youth were from the Northern Triangle of Central America and had recently been released from immigration family detention in the United States. Through time-ordered matrix thematic analysis of interviews with 15 mothers at baseline and follow-up (N = 30 interviews), the research revealed a complex landscape of challenges and adaptations during resettlement. While initial adverse emotional outcomes were common, these tended to improve over time as families gained stability in the United States. Family structure emerged as …

Behind The Curtain: A Literature Review Of Personal And Ecological Risk Factors And Current Multi-Level Interventions For Performing Artists, Christopher A. Robles

Social Work Theses

Performing artists experience psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, burnout, and substance use disorders, at rates significantly exceeding those of the general population. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) and the Person-in-Environment (PIE) perspective, this structured literature review synthesizes research published between 2010 and 2026 to examine individual personality traits, environmental stressors across meso- and macro-systems, and existing multi-level mental health interventions for performing artists. Findings reveal that while traits such as high openness to experience, sensory processing sensitivity, and perfectionism foster artistic expression, they also heighten vulnerability to occupational stressors, financial precarity, social isolation, and venue-based substance exposure. Current …