Out Of Institutions, Into Society: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis Exploring The Shared Experiences Of Veterans And Formerly Incarcerated Persons Reintegrating Into Civilian Life, Hannah C. Pederson

Social Work Theses - Archive

The reintegration experiences of veterans and formerly incarcerated persons (FIPs) share significant parallels, yet there is a notable lack of literature exploring these similarities. This study employs qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) methodology, a cross-study qualitative analysis approach developed specifically for the social work field, to identify commonalities in the reintegration narratives of U.S. veterans transitioning from military service and FIPs returning to civilian life post-incarceration. The author conducted a QIMS on ten studies published between 2006 and 2024 (N=172). The QIMS yielded seven overarching themes: supports, mental health and wellness, institutional residue, culture shock, socioeconomic hardships (“it’s hard out here”), …

Experiences Of Community Leaders And Organizers Within The Stop Six Community, Caitlin Herron

Social Work Theses - Archive

Although community-based and grassroots leadership research exists, little exists in the way of exploring the personal and relational experiences of community organizers to their work and to their community. Using data collected from semi-structured interviews with self-identified community leaders, this research addresses insights into their lived experiences. In particular, a thematic exploration looks at what appeared across each interview. This research is intended to serve as a basis for future research into the lived experiences of community organizers outside of one specific experience or cause, but rather to take an in-depth look into them, their perceptions, and their relationship to …

From Insight To Experience Mapping Experiential Approaches To Cultivating Self-Awareness In Undergraduate Social Work Curricula, Georgianna E. Goff

Social Work Theses - Archive

This scoping review examines the current state of experiential learning methodologies used to increase self-awareness among undergraduate social work students. While the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) emphasizes self-awareness as a core professional competency, the literature reveals a notable lack of a standardized, field-wide definition and a reliance on fragmented pedagogical approaches. This Review systematically analyzed nine empirical studies, mapping the key characteristics, theoretical frameworks, and teaching methods. The findings indicate that most studies used qualitative or mixed-methods designs, with a majority relying on Kolb’s and Dewey’s experiential learning theories to bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional …

Developing The Rural Older Adult Dementia Prevention-Health Behaviors (Road-Hb) Questionnaire: A Mixed Methods Approach To Instrument Development, Jessica Cassidy

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Older adults living in rural communities are at heightened risk of dementia; however, preventative strategies can reduce these risks. To facilitate dementia prevention efforts in rural communities, this methodological study developed the Rural Older Adults Dementia prevention–Health Behaviors questionnaire (ROAD-HB) by applying a lifespan approach to the Health Belief Model (HBM). The questionnaire contained three embedded instruments and was constructed following a stage development design involving item pool processes with community and expert review panels. Convergent mixed methods were used to assess the ROAD-HB’s validity, including a pretest in 36 older adults from two rural Northeast Texas counties and cognitive …

Burnout Among Nurses In The United States, Faheem Ohri

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Burnout is an exhausted state of the body, mind, and emotions, characterized by feelings of “depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment” resulting from prolonged and continuous occupational stress. Burnout among nurses in the United States (U.S.) is a growing concern with significant implications for healthcare professionals and patient outcomes. Nurse burnout compromises patient safety and workforce stability, but pre-pandemic national correlates remain understudied. This dissertation examined employment settings and demographic correlates of burnout among U.S. nurses using the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) secondary datasets. Compared inpatient burnout odds pre-/post-pandemic using national twin surveys. Jackknife complex survey logistic regression …

Exploring A Collective Grief Experience In The U.S.: Qualitative Findings From Older Parents Whose Only Child Has Died, Yongqiang Zheng, Leslie Wuest, Jeongah Kim, Rebecca Rodriguez

Faculty Publications - College of Social Work

Despite its profound physical and mental health impacts, research on the loss of an only child in later life among older U.S. adults remains scarce. This phenomenological qualitative study explores the lived experiences and meanings older bereaved parents attribute to their loss. Data from 24 participants were collected through written narratives guided by structured questions, and online focus groups. Inductive thematic analysis revealed 6 themes: the enduring intensity of grief, significant secondary losses, feelings of isolation and alienation, the role of social support in coping, and spirituality and religion’s influence on their journey. By amplifying these parents’ voices, the study …

Psychotropic Prescription Use Among Foster Care Alumni Medicated With Psychotropic In Childhood, Zoe D. Daugherty

Social Work Theses - Archive

Psychotropic medication use among youth in foster care has been a longstanding concern in child welfare research, with studies consistently documenting disproportionately high prescribing rates, frequent polypharmacy, and the use of potent or off-label medications to manage behavioral or trauma-related symptoms. This study conducted an inductive thematic review of 17 peer-reviewed articles, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies, to explore the lived experiences of foster youth and foster care alumni related to psychotropic medication use and mental health treatment. Guided by principles of reflexive thematic analysis, findings across diverse methodologies were synthesized to better understand how systemic, clinical, and experiential …

The Unintended Consequences Of Normalization: Unmonitored Mental Health Discourse Among Youth And Suicide Risk, Farley Morris

Social Work Theses - Archive

Suicide has become an increasingly common cause of death among U.S. children ages 10–14. In 2001, suicide accounted for 8% of deaths in this age group; by 2010 the proportion rose to 12%, and by 2020 it reached 22% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Although factors such as adverse childhood experiences (Felitti et al., 1998; Jones et al., 2024), psychache (Shneidman, 1998), burdensomeness (Joiner, 2005; O’Connor, 2011), and hopelessness (Bat Tonkus et al., 2022; Qiu et al., 2017) are associated with suicide, these elements alone do not explain the significant rise in suicide deaths over the past …

Academic Preparedness And Institutional Support For Low-Income Students: A Scoping Review Of College Success And Retention, Davina Wilson

Social Work Theses - Archive

Students from lower-funded high schools often enter college with lower levels of academic preparedness and limited access to advanced coursework, individualized advising, and extracurricular opportunities, all of which contribute to disparities in retention and academic success. These inequities, rooted in longstanding school funding gaps and systemic barriers, disproportionately affect first-generation and racially minoritized students, who may also experience cultural mismatch or isolation within college environments. This scoping review synthesizes existing research conducted by other scholars to examine how academic preparedness and institutional support services such as tutoring, mentoring, bridge programs, and college transition initiatives influence college readiness for students from …

Social Drivers Of Suicide In Rural And Urban Texas Counties, Maria Y. Vaughan

Social Work Theses - Archive

Abstract

Suicide remains a critical public health issue in Texas, with rural counties consistently experiencing higher mortality rates than urban areas. This study examined county-level suicide rates across Texas and analyzed how demographic characteristics and Social Drivers of Suicide (SDoS)—including economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context—relate to suicide outcomes. Using a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational design, secondary data from the 2024 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps and the American Community Survey were analyzed for 170 Texas counties with reliable suicide data. Results showed that rural …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Unmet Family Planning Care And Health-Literacy Needs Among Low-Income Immigrant Women In The United States, Priyanjali Chakraborty

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

Unintended pregnancies have been linked to adverse outcomes such as pre-term births and low infant birthweight (Harron et al., 2020), psychological distress(Abbasi et al., 2013; Barton et al., 2017; Gauthreaux et al., 2017; Mercier et al., 2013), relationship strain (Barton et al., 2017; Moseson et al., 2019), intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion (K. T. Grace & Anderson, 2018), and economic strain from unanticipated medical costs despite insurance coverage (Trussell, 2007). Unintended pregnancy outcomes offer crucial insights into the complexities of women's reproductive desires and intentions (CDC, 2023; Rossen et al., 2023). These outcomes inform public health interventions to …

Geographic Patterns Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Risk Behaviors Among Older Adults: A Strategy For Identifying Space As A Risk Exposure, Laneshia R. Conner, Reuben Adatorwovor, Sarah Jane Robbins, Rujeko O. Machinga-Asaolu, Kathryn Showalter, Carrie B. Oser

Social Work Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study examined geographical patterns of HIV risk among adults aged 60 and older.

Methods: The 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) weighted data was used to analyze self-reported participation in HIV risk behaviors among older adults (n = 62,852). Logistic regression models were used on a dichotomous HIV risk variable to map the distribution of HIV risk behaviors across both census regions and divisions.

Results: The weighted model revealed significance across regions. Across all regions, identifying as female, identifying as Hispanic, and reporting not having depression were protective from participating in HIV risk behaviors.

Discussion: The …

Factors Affecting The Joy Of Life In Old Age: A Scale Development Study, Yalçın Karagöz, Yusuf Karaşi̇n, Mustafa Filiz, Mehmet Ateş

Adultspan Journal

This study aims to introduce a measurement tool into the literature that can reveal the factors affecting the joy of life in older adulthood. Participants included 266 individuals aged 55 and over living in Izmir, Turkey. The process of developing the scale includes the following stages: problem identification, item pool creation, expert opinion, form shaping, pilot application, and finalizing the scale. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the scale consists of 6 different dimensions, and the variance explained by these dimensions was found to be 65.184%. The acceptable values for the scale's fit indicators are as follows: χ²/df0.90, IFI > 0.90, …

Impact Assessment Of Uniqlo’S Neighbours Helping Neighbours, Weng Lin Ng, Dalvin Sidhu

Lien Centre for Social Innovation: Research

The UNIQLO Neighbours Helping Neighbours (NHN) is a pilot programme that redistributes recycled UNIQLO products to those in need. Preloved UNIQLO clothing in good condition are collected, washed and pressed, and then redistributed to partnered social service organisations and family service centres for donation to their core beneficiaries.

The objective of the current study is to document and evaluate the impact of the NHN programme on its beneficiaries and present evidence-based recommendations that will aid UNIQLO’s efforts to improve and scale subsequent iterations of this programme.

This report will present results obtained from the following data sources: (1) a quantitative …

“We Do Not Choose This Life”: Advocating For And Empowering Those Living With Poverty Through Applied Theatre, Carol A. Stalker, Ginette Lafreniere, Rachel Yavnai, Catherine Frid

Lyle S. Hallman Social Work Faculty Publications

A collaboration between a theatre company, a university and

eight community organizations culminated in an applied theatre

project entitled “Living Below the Line.” Residents living with

poverty were invited to become co-creators of a new play,

which was performed in five local venues. The project’s objectives

were 1) the provision of a respectful, supportive, empowering

and creative process for the co-creators, and 2) increased

understanding of the effects of poverty for audience members

and the larger community. This paper reports the findings of the

evaluation, which indicate that the objectives were met in several

ways: 1) the co-creators felt uplifted …

Social Work Honours Thesis - Judith C Maechler, Judith C. Maechler, Obed Adonteng-Kissi

Research Datasets

The dataset comprises a coding book (Excel), a summary table, and a summary table of the studies included in the research.

Housing Quality For Whom? Housing Quality As A Form Of Housing Insecurity And Housing Inequality For Black Women Renters, Jenee Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Housing quality is an often overlooked but critical aspect of housing insecurity that often impacts one’s well-being physically, mentally, and socially. As a compromise for affordable housing, some individuals reside in substandard conditions, often lacking essential safety measures and amenities needed for a comfortable and secure living environment. Consistent with broader patterns of housing disparities, Black women renters are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity and more likely to live in substandard housing. Although previous literature has explored the impact of poor-quality housing and its characteristics, there is a gap in understanding how Black women renters uniquely perceive and experience housing …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Employment Experiences And Coping Strategies Among Transgender Women In Medellín, Colombia., Paola Marcela Roldan

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender individuals face disproportionate employment discrimination, with unemployment rates five times higher than the general population. Despite growing awareness of workplace diversity, transgender women continue to experience systemic barriers to economic security and professional fulfillment. This dissertation examines the employment experiences and coping strategies of transgender women in Medellín, Colombia, a city characterized by both progressive policies and persistent challenges. Using an exploratory-descriptive qualitative design, this study employed reflexive thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 18 transgender women. Two theoretical frameworks—Puwar's "Bodies Out of Place" and Minority Stress Theory—guided the analysis of how transgender women navigate predominantly cisgender employment environments. …

Support Group For Climate Emotions A Pilot Feasibility Study And Group Guide, Melody A. Irvine

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Perceptions Among Caribbean Adults In The United States, Ambika Ramjawam

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate mental health literacy (MHL) among Caribbean American adults and to assess the extent to which mental health perceptions (MHP) and acculturative stress contribute to variations in MHL. A cross-sectional, quantitative survey design was utilized to examine MHL, MHP, and acculturative stress among a sample of 138 participants. Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to assess associations among MHL, MHP, acculturation, and age. Independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVAs were performed to examine demographics across key variables. Findings revealed moderate levels of MHL (M = 4.7, SD = .99) and a weak, positive correlation …

Identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences And Mental Health Needs Among A Small Sample Of Pregnant Women Who Use Cannabis, Aubrey Jones, Lisa M. Blair, Julie A. Kurzer, Kathy Rademacher, Letitia Ducas, Cynthia Cockerham, Kristin Ashford

Social Work Faculty Publications

Introduction: As the legalization of cannabis becomes more widespread use has steadily increased. Approximately 5 percent of pregnant individuals self-report use during pregnancy.

Methods: This study uses a mixed methods approach to examine adverse childhood experiences, mental health needs, and cannabis use among a small sample (N =59) of women. Cumulative ACE scores of four or more were considerably high within this sample compared to the US average.

Results: Results of a binary logistic regression indicate an association between ACEs and Cannabis use (OR 1.27, 95% CI (1.002- 1.616) when controlling for maternal age and anxiety. Qualitative results identified two …

Healing Communities With Police Divestment: Seeking Abolition Through Transformative Reform And Community-Government Collaboration, Jessica E. Gillson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Concerns about the efficacy and sustainability of the U.S. carceral system have persisted throughout the country’s history, recently fueling renewed activism and bipartisan calls for reform. However, proposed solutions remain divisive. This thesis first defines the current status of our prison systems, then explores collaborative alternatives to incarceration and policing that support communities and break cycles of incarceration.

Focusing on partnerships among local governments, community organizations, justice-involved individuals, and law enforcement, this study examines holistic approaches to crime prevention, reentry, and reintegration. Using an interdisciplinary framework incorporating restorative justice, community resilience, and systems theory, it investigates how community-based strategies can …

Examining Youth Experiences Aging Out Of Foster Care, Emma M. Croy

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This systematic literature review explores the challenges faced by youth aging out of the foster care system with a focus on the role of Independent Living Programs (ILP). Nationally, around 18,538 children are aging out of the foster care system. Issues that children aging out face include lack of transitional housing, limited access to education, inadequate healthcare, and an increased risk of involvement in the justice system. Challenges related to these issues can lead to instability in housing, employment, and health, further contributing to the risk of justice system involvement. This population does not appear in more recent literature; however, …

The Long-Term Psychological Effects Of Violent Crime On Victims: A Review Of Evidence And Supportive Interventions, Jayden E. Oleksyn-Lamb

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study utilizes anonymous survey data collected from 26 mental health professionals in various regions of Canada to understand which psychological disturbances are the most prevalent among victims of violent crime as well as which psychological interventions are most beneficial for treating violent crime victims. The data revealed that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), anger, guilt, self-blame, and shame are each highly prevalent. Findings also revealed that certain therapeutic methods including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Supportive Counselling (SC), Progressive Relaxation (PR), Cognitive Reprocessing Therapy (CPT) and Cognitive Restructuring (CR) are associated with …

Grief On The Margins: The Death Of A Family Member To Substance Use, Adair Shaw

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Despite Canada's high death rates from substance use, there is limited research on the sociopsychological impact on families, who often face stigma and disenfranchised grief. This study explores how family members make meaning of a substance-related death. Through qualitative inquiry, eleven family members were interviewed on their experience of grief from substance death. The imprint of losing a family member to mental illness and substance use is fraught with intergenerational grief, ambiguity, prolonged mental-emotional distress, and relationship challenges. Substance death was also associated with stigma, social withdrawal, and shame for many participants. However, grievers reconstructed the socially prescribed negative perceptions …

What Is Success? How Peer Support Workers In Ontario See Addiction & Recovery, Ngaire Rasmussen

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The drug crisis in Canada has high mortality rates, especially in remote and rural communities, but there are significant barriers to accessing healthcare to which peer support may represent a partial solution, (Eddie et al., 2019; Englander et al., 2020; The Government of Canada, 2023; Kourgiantakis et al., 2023; Lavalley et al., 2020; Lennox et al., 202; Russell et al., 2021). Research how peer support workers define success in their work with adults experiencing addiction in Ontario, Canada is lacking, but important to understanding the crisis and implementing peer programs. Grounded in Marxist theory, the following exploratory research investigated the …

Exploring Canadian Social Work Students' Aphobic Attitudes: The Role Of Knowledge About Asexuality And Asexual People, Brianna V. Azzoparde

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Aphobic attitudes are negative biases and prejudices against asexual individuals that can contribute to aphobic discrimination. While the Canadian Social Work Code of Ethics states that social workers should not discriminate and should provide culturally responsive services to marginalized populations, individually held aphobic attitudes have the potential to diminish one’s ability to provide culturally responsive services to asexual people. This national study examined aphobic attitudes among 326 Canadian social work students, exploring the relationship between knowledge about asexuality and aphobic attitudes, including controlling for demographic factors, social contact with asexuals, and social attitudes that previous research has identified as being …

Student Engagement And Resistance: Exploring The Stories Of African Canadian Girls In High Schools In Southwestern Ontario, Esther R. Hayford

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

Student resistance is complex and has been described in existing literature as self defeatist, reactionary, conformist, transformational or strategic. Some Black students respond to interactions considered oppressive at school by engaging in a variety of resistive actions. Existing scholarship about Black student resistance in the US and Canada are largely framed within deficit frameworks with limited focus on Transformational Student Resistance. Research that focuses on transformational student resistance by Black girls, how schools respond, and how some resistive behaviours can be considered opportunities for change, is limited. While a diverse community, studies about Black girls often portray them as …

“I’M Glad You're Alive.” Survivors’ Stories Of Leaving Intimate Partner Violence While Brain Injured, And The Embodied Experience Of Rebuilding Life And Relationships Post Violence., Robyn T. Mahood

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Relationships are a fundamental part of the human experience, providing a buffer against stress and helping individuals live longer, happier, and healthier lives. However, survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) who have experienced a brain injury (BI) encounter barriers to leaving violent relationships and engaging in new, non-violent connections. This qualitative research study drew from Indigenous and non-Indigenous methodologies to establish a blueprint for using storytelling in the IPV-BI population. Intersectionality theory, combined with critical disability theory, was employed as a transformative research paradigm to better analyze and explain the stories. Survivors encountered fear, trust concerns, continued violence from former …