From Service To Support: Empowering Aging Veterans, Priscilla A. Mireles

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project was designed to assist aging veterans in Monterey County who face challenges staying safely in their homes long-term. It describes the Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs Office, an agency dedicated to helping former service members and their families navigate the complexities of the federal benefits system to access essential support. The project focused on a small-scale community resource fair aimed at bridging the gap between aging veterans and local services including caregiving, healthcare, and transportation. By centralizing diverse organizations, the intervention aimed to increase awareness of available resources among this population. Most intended outcomes were met; …

Improving Fafsa Completion For High School Graduates, Haylee B. Padilla

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Too many students at Learning For Life Charter School graduate without a clear understanding of social mobility and are unprepared for the academic and practical demands of college. This project addressed the need for increased FAFSA completion and college and career readiness among 11th and 12th grade high school students graduating in the 2026 school year. The purpose of this project was to provide support to help students get federal student aid by walking them through filling out the FAFSA form and giving clear steps so they could apply without stress. Key activities included workshops, one-on-one support guiding students through …

Healing Words: A Resilience Memoir By The Watsonville Women, Teresa L. Munoz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Women in Watsonville face preventable health risks exacerbated by limited access to consistent physical activity and holistic wellness practices. This capstone project was conducted in collaboration with a local non-profit organization, Growing Greatness, that provides wellness-focused programming in organized group activities. This program serves Watsonville families and primarily supports women from underserved communities who are at greater risk of chronic health conditions due to socioeconomic and environmental factors. This project developed a memoir that documents the participants' experiences in activities such as bike riding, camping trips, and retreats that include yoga, hiking, tai-chi, meditation and other restorative activities. The purpose …

Streamlining Client Information For Post-Conviction Relief In Monterey County, Selena Lopez Arizmendi

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addresses barriers to record clearing services that impact recidivism and reentry outcomes in California. Individuals with criminal records often face challenges in securing employment, housing, and stability, increasing the likelihood of continued justice system involvement. The Clean Slate Program at the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office provides post-conviction relief services to help reduce these barriers. Although Proposition 47 funding ended in February 2026, program services have continued. This project identified a need for a standardized, client-friendly informational resource, as key information has historically been communicated verbally, limiting understanding and retention. To address this gap, a concise Clean …

From Innovation To Interaction: Processes Shaping Animal Assisted Therapy Implementation In Outpatient Settings In The United States, Rachel Rachlinski

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is an emerging mental health specialty marked by rapid growth, inconsistent training pathways, and the absence of regulatory oversight. Although professional organizations have published competencies and guidelines, no regulatory body ensures that educational programs or licensed practitioners adhere to these standards, leading to wide variability in practice and potential risks to clients and animals. This constructivist grounded theory study examined the processes shaping how licensed mental health providers understand and implement AAT in outpatient settings across the United States, with attention to the influence of training, supervision, and prior clinical experience.

Guided by the Consolidated Framework …

Unveiling Embodied White Supremacy: Therapists’ Experiences And Its Imprint On Therapeutic Relationships In Dance/Movement Therapy, Melody E. Gamba

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

This qualitative, arts-informed research study explored how White-identifying dance/movement therapists experience and articulate their awareness of embodied White supremacy within therapeutic relationships. Grounded in critical race theory, relational-cultural theory, and embodied critical transformation theory, the study addressed a gap in dance/movement therapy literature concerning how White supremacy is not only cognitively understood, but also somatically felt, relationally enacted, and professionally navigated. The purpose of the study was to understand how White-identifying dance/movement therapists perceive, kinesthetically experience, and make meaning of embodied White supremacy in therapeutic practice, and to explore how these embodied experiences influence therapeutic presence, attunement, and the potential …

Gun Violence Prevention In The Christian Church: A Deductive Content Analysis Of Faith-Based Firearm Education Resources, Sarah Winn

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzed whether Christian faith-based curricula and toolkits regarding firearm safety and violence prevention align with established best practices in public health, social work, and education research. Previous research has explored the prevalence and impact of gun violence, best practices regarding gun violence and safety interventions, the effectiveness of churches as public health initiative partners, and the relationship between Christianity and views on firearms. In this study, qualitative deductive content analysis indicated that faith-based gun violence prevention toolkits are strongly oriented toward advocacy, community mobilization, and public health framing. At the same time, gaps remain in their integration of …

“Menopause Is Universal, But No One Prepared Us”: An Inductive Thematic Analysis Of R/Menopause, Alissa Lauren Hardwick

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Menopause is a universal biological transition, yet women’s lived experiences of its emotional, cognitive, relational, and healthcare dimensions remain comparatively underrepresented in research. Guided by critical feminist theory and feminist standpoint epistemology, this study examined how women in the r/Menopause online community described experiences of depression and anxiety during the menopausal transition, how they narrated healthcare encounters, and how they made sense of shifting identity and social value. By treating self-authored online narratives as situated forms of knowledge, the study aimed to illuminate how menopausal distress is interpreted and negotiated in everyday discourse. An inductive qualitative reflexive thematic analysis was …

Bridging Care Gaps For Sickle Cell Disease: Examining Case Management And Healthcare Utilization., Lindsey Page

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience complex medical and social needs, including high emergency department (ED) utilization, fragmented care, and systemic inequities. Disease-specific case management has emerged as a promising strategy to improve care coordination, patient outcomes, and healthcare efficiency. This mixed-methods case study examined the impact of disease-specific case management on healthcare utilization, patient-reported outcomes, and healthcare providers’ perspectives. Quantitative analysis evaluated the impact of disease-specific case management on ED and inpatient admissions, healthcare-related costs, and the length of stay for inpatient admissions. Qualitative data were collected using interviews with patients and healthcare providers, exploring utilization, bias, …

The Intersection Of Athletics And Online Abuse: A Study Of Cyberbullying Among Student-Athletes., Kate T. O'Bryan

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Abstract

The current study aimed to identify associations between social media use, cyberbullying victimization, and mental health symptoms experienced by Division I athletes at the University of Louisville. Using an electronic survey methodology, the current study examined individual characteristics such as social comparison frequency, team culture, and sport-level factors (e.g., NIL–based visibility and online experiences of athletes) to investigate cyberbullying victimization frequency among athletes (N =80) and potential relationships with mental health symptoms. Findings indicate that one-fifth (21.4%) of athletes between the ages of 18 and 24 were cyberbullied in the last month, with rumors spreading and mean …

Analyzing Trauma And Behavioral Health Trends: A Study Of Cans Data From Kentucky’S Child Welfare System., Bradley Scott

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Children who are involved in the child welfare system experience disproportionately higher rates of trauma and unmet behavioral health needs, which at times often go unmet. This study uses a secondary data analysis of administrative data compiled from the Analysis of Screening and Assessment Practice Study completed by the University of Louisville from Project SAFESPACE data organized from the 2022 assessment year across a sample of 3.759 youth involved in the child welfare system. The study found that a youth who was found to be demonstrating an adjustment to trauma is highly predictive of additional traumatic event exposure. Additionally, it …

Parental Monitoring And Approval As Moderators Of Peer And Parental Influences On Adolescent Drinking, Clara Pool

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Adolescence (i.e., ages 12 to 18) is a developmental period marked by exploration and risk-taking behavior, which is often associated with increased risk for alcohol use. Adolescents’ perceptions of what is typical or approved behavior within their social environments (e.g., peers, parents) may be associated with their drinking behaviors. Parental monitoring is related to reduced substance use risk, though peer and parental influences can interact. For example, adolescents who perceive their parents do not approve of adolescent alcohol use may be less susceptible to alcohol-approving peers. Therefore, this study examined how adolescents’ perceptions of peer approval, parental approval, and parental …

Unmasking Emotional Labor: Visualizing The Challenges Experienced By Human Resources Professionals, Abigail (Abby) Leff

Honors College Theses

The field of human resources (HR) requires a complex balance of advocating for others and enforcing organizational policies, all the while managing its own emotional challenges. This dynamic demands that HR professionals engage in intense emotional labor without sufficient organizational support, the burden of which can lead to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and psychological consequences. Despite the prevalence of these dynamics, the emotional experiences of HR professionals are under-researched. This literature review explores emotional labor and burnout HR professionals face, evaluates available resources in the field, and examines coping strategies that HR professionals use. The research is applied to an …

Rise To The Top! Student Focus Group, Camryn Thompson

Institute for Disability Studies

No abstract provided.

Job Exploration Counseling, Annie Q. O'Reilly

Institute for Disability Studies

No abstract provided.

Pennsylvania Licensed Clinical Social Workers’ Experiences With Medicare Insurance Plans Within Private Practice, Stevie N. Kioske

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) in private practice in Pennsylvania make critical decisions regarding the populations they serve and the type of insurance to be credentialed with. Current research shows there is minimal participation among Medicare insurance plans, both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, with mental health practitioners and minimal research centers from the perspectives of LCSWs. The findings from a mixed-methods dissertation study that examines Pennsylvania LCSWs' experiences working with Medicare beneficiaries and the factors that influence the decision to accept or opt out of Medicare.

A self-administered questionnaire has been completed to obtain quantitative data and 92 …

Chit-Chat With Hats: Addressing Mental Health Decline Through Art Therapy And Community Engagement, Zoe G. Mendez-Sosa

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone addresses the prominent social issue of mental health decline in Central Pacific California driven by lack of support systems for individuals. In partnership with Health Advocacy Team Support (HATS), “Chit-Chat with HATS was developed as a peer to peer group with art therapy techniques to promote emotional resilience and community connection. The primary objective of the program was to provide individuals struggling with mental health with tools to help them manage their feelings and thoughts.

The program was structured with check-ins, mindfulness techniques, and opportunities of creative expression through art therapy techniques to help participants with processing complex …

Reducing Vulnerability To Burnout Among Family Caregivers, Stephen J. Alvarado

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Family caregivers experience high levels of burnout and stress, which can negatively affect their well-being and the quality of care they provide. This capstone project was implemented at Health Projects Center in Salinas within the Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center program. Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center serves a diverse community of family caregivers, predominantly Caucasian, Hispanic, and Latino individuals caring for loved ones with a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or memory impairment. The purpose of this project was to improve caregivers’ knowledge, confidence, awareness, and intention regarding self-care strategies to reduce their vulnerability to burnout related to caregiving. The project …

Burnout Among Oncology Social Workers, Evelyn Camacho

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Burnout among oncology social workers has become an important issue within healthcare because of the emotional intensity and demands that come with working closely with cancer patients and their families. Oncology social workers often provide emotional support, counseling, and guidance to patients throughout difficult stages of treatment, recurrence, and end-of-life care, which can place a heavy strain on their own mental and emotional well-being. Over time, constant exposure to grief, trauma, and high workloads can contribute to emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and difficulties maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Although oncology social workers play a major role in patient care, their …

The Confluence Of Literacy And Child Welfare: The Impact Of Poverty & Adult Literacy And A Proposal For University Partnerships With Local Libraries To Close The Gaps Of Low Literacy Among Underserved Communities, Arianna E. Clouser

Honors Scholar Theses

A literature review about the connection of low adult literacy rates, poverty, and other barriers to education and literacy resources was conducted. The literature review uncovered that children living in underserved communities and experiencing poverty, have a lack of access to education and literacy resources, impacting their literacy skills that transferred into their adulthood. Information was gathered through research of online and scholar articles. A literacy kit event was conducted to make literacy kits to donate to public libraries in need of books. Interviews of local librarians was conducted to gained insight of their efforts to supporting children’s literacy and …

The Impact Of Framing Effects And Moral Values On Prosocial Engagement, Olajuwon Olagbegi

Dissertations

Framing effects can shape perceptions, beliefs and behavior, particularly in prosocial contexts. The current study examined how language framing (social justice, social activism, volunteerism) and moral values influence interest in prosocial engagement across low- and high-cost helping scenarios. Participants (N = 219) were randomly assigned to one of three framing conditions and reported willingness to help in both low- and high-cost situations. They also completed the Moral Foundations Questionnaire. Replicating prior work (Olagbegi and colleagues, 2024), participants were more willing to engage in low- than high-cost helping. Across conditions, social justice framing elicited the greatest willingness to help. Higher fairness …

Secondary Traumatic Stress Among U.S Army Active-Duty Social Workers., Jennifer Frazier

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and its relationship with functional impairment among U.S. Army active-duty social workers. These social workers practice in a uniquely demanding environment, balancing constant exposure to service members’ and families’ trauma narratives as well as organizational mandates. A mixed-method, exploratory, cross-sectional design was used, with data collected via an online survey. Resulting in a sample of fifteen, recruited via a Facebook group for Army Social Workers. Analysis focused on patterns and associations rather than causal conclusions, due to the sample size and design, and should be interpreted cautiously. Patterns …

Hearing Northern New Mexico's Silenced Voices: Exploring Intersectionality And Allyship., Cheri Loggains

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Hearing Northern New Mexico’s Silenced Voices: Exploring Intersectionality & Allyship Cheri Loggains, MSW, LCSW March 27, 2026 Oversimplified social constructs of identity and power were intentionally used in Northern New Mexico (NNM) by White settlers to perpetuate oppression. This oversimplification contributes to a false narrative of New Mexico centering White experiences and creating a hegemonic system of power. The repercussions of such acts are under new scrutiny, which calls out performative allyship. However, performative allyship is scarcely studied in current literature, even though it is a natural microcosm for examining the relational dynamics of power. The current literature also implies …

Attitudes, Behaviors, And Co-Workers Influence Of Those Who Provide Mental Health Support Services To Refugees And Immigrants., Irene Boamah

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

ABSTRACT

ATTITUDES, BEHAVIORS, AND CO-WORKERS INFLUENCE OF THOSE WHO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES TO REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

Irene A. Boamah

April 3, 2026

Refugees and immigrants face a variety of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Despite these mental health issues, there is limited research examining the attitudes, behaviors and coworkers’ influence on those who provide mental health support services to this population. This study examines the relationships between the demographic and professional characteristics of mental health support service providers in Kentucky and the stigmas they may have toward refugees and immigrants.

A cross-sectional …

Safe At Work: A Case Study On The Healthcare Response To Employee Disclosures Of Domestic Violence., Victoria Dobson

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that impacts individuals and communities at every level, including professionally. Despite this known impact, workplace-based interventions to address such violence, aside from leave policies, are seldom implemented, especially in healthcare settings. This paper presents a case study on a healthcare organization’s response to employee disclosures of domestic violence.  A retrospective review of HR data, five semi-structured interviews, and a survey of hospital leadership were conducted to explore employee experiences and preliminary outcomes associated with a workplace domestic violence leave policy and concurrent, on-site supportive services (Safe At Work Program) offered to employees experiencing domestic …

Beyond The Straight Road: A Narrative Of Growth Toward Integrated Social Work Practice, Samantha Bymaster

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio: Advancing Social Work Practice In International And Marginalized Communities, Emily L. Curtis

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

My portfolio presents an integrated reflection of advanced social work practice developed through my academic training and immersive field experiences across the United States, Germany, and New Zealand. Grounded in trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and strengths-based approaches, it demonstrates my application of the ten core social work competencies and five elements of advanced integrated practice within diverse and marginalized communities.

Drawing on my work with Māori and Pasifika women, refugee populations, and rural communities, this portfolio explains the importance of understanding individuals within broader cultural, historical, and systemic contexts. It emphasizes the need for socially just, culturally responsive, and relationship-centered …

Transition From Group Homes To Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs: A Qualitative Study, Sam Alexander Skipper

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study examines California’s shift from traditional group homes to Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs), a central component of the state’s Continuum of Care Reform (CCR). STRTPs were introduced to provide intensive, trauma-informed treatment for youth with complex behavioral and mental health needs. While the policy goals behind this reform are well-intended, less is understood about how the transition has affected young people’s lived experiences and longer-term outcomes. Using a qualitative design grounded in Transition Theory, this research centers on the perspectives of young adults ages 18–25 who moved into an STRTP within the past six to twenty-four months. This …

Latino Men’S Experience Of Dui Conviction In Imperial County: A Narrative Theory Approach, Jhonathan Fajardo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

According to California Department of Justice data, Latino drivers accounted for the largest share of any racial or ethnic group for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests. Latino men are disproportionately affected by DUI arrests and alcohol-related harms in California, yet little is known about how they themselves understand and navigate life after a DUI. This study examines Latino men’s narratives of life before, during, and after a DUI conviction. Prior scholarship has largely relied on quantitative data to show that Latino men are overrepresented in DUI statistics. What remains underexplored are Latino men’s first-person, culturally grounded narratives of what …

Evaluating Social Work Intervention Effectiveness Among Veterans Seeking Ptsd Treatment, Ashlyn Gaines

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study will examine how social work interventions are associated with PTSD symptom severity and treatment engagement among veterans. Veterans frequently experience ongoing psychological distress, and inconsistent engagement in treatment remains a significant concern for social work practice. Understanding whether specific social work interventions are linked to reduced PTSD symptoms and improved treatment participation will contribute to strengthening evidence-informed services. A quantitative, descriptive, and correlational proposed research design will be used to survey veterans regarding their treatment experiences and symptom levels. Data would be analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate tests, and multiple regression analyses to determine relationships between interventions …