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A Content Analysis Of Spanish Language Curriculum In Texas, Sarah Moore, Jessica Sanchez, Sarah Herrera

Journal of Global Awareness

The shortage of Spanish-speaking social workers is significant in the United States, especially in border states such as Texas. Experts are calling for Spanish language training in social work education. However, it is unclear whether social work programs are incorporating Spanish into their curriculum at a pace needed to keep up with demand. Using conceptual content analysis, this article examines the frequency of Spanish language courses relevant to social work education across Texas.

Notes From The Editor, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

Lived Experiences Of Adoptive Mothers Who Dissolved Their Adoption Of A Child: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study, Aimee Moore Hart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis research study was to understand the lived experiences of adoptive mothers in the United States who had relinquished their parental rights and legally dissolved their adoption of a child. The theory guiding this study was the theory of being and time. Through the theory of being and time, each adoptive mother was viewed holistically, as inseparable from her personal history, her current state of being, and her interpretations of space and time. This interpretative phenomenological analysis utilized Internet-based, in-depth, individual interviews of adoptive mothers to answer the question: How do adoptive mothers in …

An Analysis Of Burnout Among Mental Health Practitioners By Types Of Work, An Examination Of Differences By Religious Affiliation And Personal Time Off As Coping Strategies, Kenzi Turpin-Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout influences turnover, job satisfaction, and quality of life of employees across various occupations. Mental health practitioners are considered a high-risk population for burnout because of demanding work conditions, but little research exists exploring the differences in this population by type of work, religious affiliation, and time-off. Most current research on burnout focuses on individual types of work and lacks a comprehensive approach to the population. This study examined whether there were differences in the level of burnout among mental health practitioners based on religious affiliation, time off, and type of work. This study distributed a voluntary survey, which included …

Dance Movement For Wounded Warriors With Mental Health Diagnoses: A Phenomenology, Amelia Ann Forsmo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to understand how dance movement can improve the psychological health of military veterans who are experiencing a mental health disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder. The theories guiding this study are Carl Rogers’ humanistic perspective, Schlossberg’s transition theory, and the post-traumatic growth theory. A purposive sample of 12 to 15 veterans will be selected for participation in this study. Each veteran will have different military backgrounds, various battle wounds, and unique experiences with dance movement or dance movement therapy. For this reason, these perspectives allow each participant to be prioritized and heard. …

Exploring Spiritual Coping And Anxiety Reduction In Military Personnel Transitioning Through The Meb Process And Undergoing Vocational Training: A Qualitative Approach, Camron L. Rawls

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study examined how transitioning military service members (TMSMs) navigating the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) used spiritual and vocational resources to manage stress and cope with identity loss. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants enrolled in or recently completing the Ch. 31 Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) or another vocational training program. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through repeated cycles of coding, memoing, and theme development. Six major themes emerged: (1) bureaucratic confusion and identity disruption that increased anxiety and led …

Exploring Grief And Loss Experiences In Young Adults Living With Chemical Intolerances, Abby Leanne Steeves

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individuals with chronic illnesses characterized by chemical intolerances experience symptom- and stigma-related losses within the physical, environmental, occupational, social, and psychological domains of life. A variety of grief responses can come with non-death related, or living, losses such as these. The aim of the present qualitative phenomenological study was to fill a gap in the current literature on grief and loss in this marginalized population by exploring how young adults with chemical intolerances experience grief pertaining to illness-related loss within their unique developmental context and stage of the developmental lifespan. This research was important because young adulthood is marked by …

Domestic Violence Survivors And Resiliency: An Investigation Of Belief In God And Faith Factors Impacting Survivors’ Ability To Leave And Thrive Post-Violence, Sherry A. Palmer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose [KC1.1]of this phenomenological study is to describe the role of faith in the process of leaving an abusive relationship for IPV survivors who believe in God from MA. The theories guiding the study include the survival theory of DV created by Gondolf and Fisher (1988), which believes victims of DV as survivors who most times do desire and seek help and should not be viewed as passive victims. Further, resilience theory builds on survival theory, which will guide the inquiry regarding resiliency. Survival theory and resilience theory both view survivors of DV not as helpless victims but as …

Research For Structural Change: An Abolitionist Teaching Activity For Early-Career Scholars, Sophia Sarantakos, Shannon Sliva

Feminist Pedagogy

In recent years, social work practitioners, educators, and scholars have increasingly wrestled with the harmful history of the profession, and sought ways to align the field with the anti-oppressive principles it has long espoused. One expression of this struggle is a growing interest in prison-industrial complex (PIC) abolition, primarily among social work students and early career scholars, who are eager to study this critical theory of change and apply it to the various domains of social work practice and research (e.g., schools, family policing, healthcare, the legal system, and beyond). As social work educators and scholars whose work is centered …

The Ethics Of “Educational” Prison Tours, Alessandra Milagros Early, Nicole Mckenna, Alison Colby, Lucas Alan Dietsche, Ashley Kilmer

Feminist Pedagogy

Research examining undergraduate student attitudes toward corrections suggests that criminal justice majors hold more punitive sentiments in comparison to their peers in other fields (Mackey & Courtright, 2000). While taking criminal justice courses can shift attitudes (Farnworth et al.,1998; Lane, 1997), how classes are taught can impact student sentiments. Experiential learning, for example, expands learning beyond the classroom (Stacer et al., 2017). Although disciplines have embraced this method, incorporations in criminal justice curricula sometimes manifest as tours of active correctional institutions (Smith et al., 2009) which can be extractive and dehumanizing for people who are incarcerated (C. Agans, personal communication, …

Daring To Dream: Practicing Hope In A Discipline Dependent On Maintaining The Carceral Status Quo, Alessandra Milagros Early, Alison Colby, Ashley Kilmer, Lucas Alan Dietsche, Nicole Mckenna, Hayley Jackey

Feminist Pedagogy

Abolitionist educators may grapple with the cognitive dissonance produced by ethical conflicts arising in their work within academic institutions with well-established ties to the Prison-Industrial Complex (PIC). This is especially likely for those within criminal justice departments whose mission and ideological underpinnings often clash with abolitionist principles. Teaching in classrooms outfitted with furniture produced through the labor of imprisoned people, instructing students who plan to work within the criminal legal system, and contributing to a curriculum that may support State violence and injustices are just a few examples of the tensions that abolitionists in Academia encounter. Additionally, we recognize that …

Integrating Peer Specialists In Primary Care: Narrative Review With Illustrative Examples, And Pragmatic Recommendations To Support Implementation, Emily M. Johnson, Christina Shook, Kimberly Barrie, Kyle Possemato

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Behavioral health peer support specialists, peers, are health care system employees with lived experience of mental health or substance use concerns who are trained and hired to support others with behavioral health concerns in behavioral health clinics and medical settings. Peer-delivered services have a long history and research consistently demonstrates evidence of varied benefits for a wide range of patients. Peers are increasingly being hired to work within primary care settings to support the needs of primary care patients with behavioral health concerns and enhance the interdisciplinary nature of integrated primary care teams. However, integration of peers into this new …

Cv: Rachel Wells (Social Work), Rachel Wells

Social Work Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Pronatalism In The United States: How Political Ideals Surrounding Family And Reproductive Health Care Contribute To Neglect In The Foster Care System, Carson Sebree

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Within the past decade, conservative reproductive politics in the United States have experienced an ideological shift from pro-life toward pronatalism. This has been intensified through the rollback of reproductive rights and the rise of Christian nationalism. However, there has been no commensurate additional funding for the foster care system. This project asks the interrelated questions of: “how is pronatalism linked to neglect within the foster care system?; and, how do theories of democratic care highlight the necessity to rethink support for the foster care system and create policies that will address its shortcomings, given the rise of pronatalist aw and …

Intervention Outcomes Of A Family-Based Intervention: A Case Review Of An Asian American Adolescent At Clinical High Risk For Psychosis, Monica Elizabeth Done

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Schizophrenia is a lifelong and debilitating condition that occurs in approximately 1% of individuals globally and includes positive, negative, disorganized, and other symptoms that interfere with functioning. The onset typically happens in adolescence, and recently, there has been an emphasis on finding individuals who are at high clinical risk for developing psychosis (CHR-P). Additionally, there has been a focus on creating intervention programs that may treat symptoms in the early phases of illness and decrease the likelihood of developing a schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (SSD). Furthermore, there is limited research on the potential impacts of cultural identity on …

Hypervigilance In Emerging Adulthood: The Impact Of Trauma, Milestone Achievement, And Minority Identity, Alexis Rice

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period marked by identity exploration, increased autonomy, and heightened vulnerability to societal pressures. This mixed methods study examined how hypervigilance: a heightened state of alertness often associated with trauma and minority stress- varies by gender, sexual identity, racial trauma exposure, and adulthood milestone achievement among emerging adults aged 18–29. A total of 369 participants completed measures assessing hypervigilance behaviors, adulthood milestone attainment, and trauma exposure. Quantitative analyses revealed that sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals and cisgender women reported significantly higher levels of hypervigilance compared to their counterparts. Witnessing trauma inflicted on someone of …

Beyond The Model Minority: South Asian New Yorkers Confront Poverty, Mizuki Uchiyama

Capstones

This capstone project examines poverty among South Asian immigrants in New York City, challenging the “model minority” myth that portrays Asian Americans as uniformly successful. Through a reported NY1 television news package and accompanying written narrative, the project highlights how language barriers, economic insecurity and limited access to public benefits shape daily life for many immigrant families in Queens.

Reporting from the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) in Flushing, the story connects individual experiences in workforce and sewing programs to broader data showing that Asian New Yorkers experience poverty at rates comparable to Black and Latino residents, with …

Cv: Huma Zia (Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies), Huma Zia

Justice, Law, and Public Safety Studies Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

The Potential Use Of Generative Ai Technologies In The Work Of Female-Led Ngos To Redefine Peacekeeping: A Focus On The Russia-Ukraine War, Madison N. Wallace, Jennifer M. Ramos

Honors Thesis

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has gained momentum in recent years. The potential of AI technologies continues to advance, demonstrating prospective utilizations in a variety of fields. This includes AI’s presence in war and war technology. AI has been especially critical for the defense strategies leveraged in the Russia-Ukraine War. But how can we use AI to positively impact human rights during war? Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Inter-governmental Organizations (IGOs) are fundamental groups that provide humanitarian aid in zones of conflict. Female-led NGOs and the feminist lens offer a revolutionary way to shape permanent peacekeeping efforts by emphasizing human rights and …

Becoming A Social Worker: A Journey Through Community, Justice, And Recovery, Willow Coefield

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio is the culminating project for the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana and demonstrates advanced integrated practice through coursework, practicum, and professional experience. It is organized into an introduction, theoretical orientation, and focused sections on trauma‑informed care and rural and Indigenous contexts of practice, followed by a mapping of portfolio artifacts to core elements and competencies, a conclusion, references, and appendices of key graduate assignments. Drawing on artifacts such as positionality work, case studies, diagnostic assessment, group design, program evaluation, policy analysis, and leadership projects, the portfolio illustrates growth in ethical and professional behavior, …

Msw Portfolio, Angeline Fox Wahl

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Holding Space, Creating Change: A Journey Through Social Work, Angela M. Millet

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Holding Space, Creating Change reflects my journey through the Master of Social Work program and the personal, academic, and professional growth that shaped my emerging identity as a social worker. Rooted in a person-in-environment perspective and guided by trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and justice-oriented frameworks, this portfolio integrates my learning across coursework, practicum experiences, and community-based work. I trace my development from an early interest in macro-level advocacy to a deep commitment to clinical practice grounded in empathy, connection, and humility.

Throughout this portfolio, I demonstrate competence across the advanced generalist dimensions of ethical practice, ADEI engagement, research-informed practice, policy analysis, …

Healing, Together, Courtney Cleek

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reviews the topics of mutual rehabilitation and the human animal bond (HAB) as a holistic approach to addressing topics of mental health, suicide prevention, and innovative services. Displaying work through the Ten Specialization Year Competencies and the Five Elements of Advanced Integrative Practice, we examine ways to expand social justice, amplify voices, and promote healing within our communities.

Empathy In Action: A Personal Transformation, Kiley S. Radich

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reflects both my accomplishments and my development as an advanced integrated practitioner. It is also a testament to the love, experiences, and opportunities that have shaped me and continue to inspire my practice.

Social Work In Practice, The Final Stretch, Madison M. Fernandez

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This professional portfolio reflects what I have learned in the MSW program at the University of Montana.

Journey Through, Cathan B. Tautfest

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Journey Through is the Master's Portfolio for the University of Montana for Author Cathan Tautfest. This paper serves as the capstone graduation requirement for students of the School of Social Work. Over the final semester of the Master's program, this Portfolio was created, reviewed by committee, and defended before its publication. This Portfolio is a culmination of three years and thousands of hours to demonstrate mastery of the ten Social Work competencies, the elements of Social Work Practice, and critically reflect on time spent in the School of Social Work's Master's of Social Work (MSW) program. This Portfolio reflects on …

Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Cynthia Elaine Worcester

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Advancing Equity In Adolescent Mental Health: A Literature Review And Telehealth Program Design For School-Based Access, Renatta Lindsey

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents in the United States (U.S.) are experiencing a mental health crisis, with disproportionately high prevalence rates among marginalized youth. Approximately 1 in 5 adolescents are diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral condition (Panchal, 2024; Sappenfield et al., 2024). Yet, an estimated 40% (1.8 million) of adolescents aged 12-17 who experience a major depressive episode did not receive treatment (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 2024). This project examines existing barriers that hinder access to care for this population. While schools are the most common settings for adolescent mental health supports, more than half report difficulties with meeting …

Exploring Decision-Making Experiences Of Social Workers Completing Involuntary Commitment First Evaluations For Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment, Jesse Brooke Creech

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An increasing focus on the recovery, rights, and autonomy of individuals with serious mental illnesses has led to ongoing debate regarding the practice and legal regulation of involuntary commitment (IVC). To ensure ethical and appropriate patient care throughout this complex process, more knowledge is needed about social workers’ decision-making process regarding the use of IVC. The purpose of this study was to investigate the decision-making processes associated with IVC for inpatient psychiatric treatment in North Carolina using the biomedical ethics framework. More specifically, the study addressed how licensed social workers describe their experiences and decision-making processes when determining whether to …

Is Public Website Design An Administrative Burden? The Case Of Snap, Guangli Zhang, Stephen Roll, Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

How do websites for public-benefit programs affect access to benefits?

This brief examines the state websites for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), investigating whether there is a relationship between site design and experience of administrative burdens in SNAP. The authors examine page design using Google’s Lighthouse service and draw upon data from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility Survey of a nationally representative sample of 2,511 low-wage U.S. workers to examine administrative burdens in SNAP. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are used to investigate the relationship between SNAP page design and SNAP quality-control measures. The finding suggest …